Winter of Our Discontent

This adventure was based on "They Also Serve" by Robert Kelk from Dungeon Issue#10


August 18, 2004

<DM> It's a cold night in February. There hasn't been much snow, but a cold, wet rain has kept most people indoors whenever possible. 3:00 A.M. You're all snuggled comfortably in bed, when...

<DM> DM rolls secretly...

*** Private roll: 3d100 -> 21 + 60 + 85 = 166

*** >> <Mialee> >> You are dreaming of a lightning storm in a dark forest. You are on a hill which is bare of trees with thunderclouds looming overhead, when lightning strikes you in the chest! You awaken to see 20 inches of steel sticking out of your chest, and a man with a leering grin standing over you, twisting the blade!

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

> Mialee screams.

<DM> Mialee takes 15 damage

*** >> <Flint> >> You are awakened by some scuffling noise in the room. You peer into the shadowed corner of the room, and see the figure of some humanoid.

*** >> <Jozlan> >> You are awakened by a scuffling noise, and open your eyes to see a guy with a wire attempting to wrap it around your neck!

*** Roll by DM: 1d20+2 -> 6 + 2 = 8

*** << <Mialee> << Am I in any condition at all to try to fight the guy off?

*** >> <Mialee> >> yes, by all means

<Jozlan> ack! help!

>Mialee kicks the guy in the groin.

<DM> Jozlan, the guy just misses you, as you twist out of the way.

>Jozlan runs for his trusty war hammer

<DM> Icarius is awakened by some noise from the other rooms.

<DM> Mordin wakes at the sound of the tumult, and grabs his battleaxe from the headboard of his bed before jumping out of the latter, landing firmly on both feet. He sees his friend Flint being attacked by a orcish looking human.

*** << <Mialee> << Can I get up, or am I pinned? :)

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Hold Person.

>Mialee wonders how that works. :)

*** >> <Mialee> >> you can get up, grab a dagger, etc

>Pengo wakes with a start, rolling off the far side of the bed, grabbing his new favorite short sword which lay under the bed.

>Mialee leaps (the best she can) from bed and grabs her dagger from the nightstand, then slashes out at her attacker.

>Flint casts Hold Person.

>Pengo bellows, "Can't a guy get any sleep after a long day of doing absolutely nothing at all!?"

>Icarius runs toward the noise in the other rooms

>Mialee awaits word from the DM on whether or not a roll is required yet. :)

>Mordin rushes Towards Mialee's scream.

<Mialee> Apparently Bach's Toccata and Fugue was an appropriately dramatic choice for my first musical selection of the game :)

<DM> Flint, roll initiative

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 2

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** << <Mialee> << Is the blade still in my chest?

<DM> you've cast a hold person, which takes 5 segments. The half-orc has the initiative, and rushes you, but doesn't get there before the hold person goes into effect

<DM> the orc rolls a saving throw. (?)

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 3

<DM> he stands, immobile

<DM> Mialee, roll to hit with the dagger.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 14

<DM> not quite

<Mialee> Argh.

<DM> wait, yes, I was looking at the wrong column

<DM> you do hit

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d4 -> 3

<DM> Jozlan, what is your action ?

<DM> Joz?

<Mialee> Sounds like he may have discoed again.

<Jozlan> assuming I've got my hammer, I'll attack the creature trying to strangle me

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 16

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 4

<Mialee> Ah :)

<DM> good.

>Pengo charges toward the nearest ruckus.

<DM> If available, you might want to consider the map of the house. You're all on the 2d floor.

<DM> Round 2: --------------------------------
<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?

<Mialee> Magic Missile.

<DM> go for it

<Mialee> Hm, our house map isn't on the Mercia page at your site, Thomas. :)

<Mialee> Oh, there it is.

*** Roll by Mialee: 2d4+2 -> 4 + 3 = 7 + 2 = 9

<DM> It's on the Maps of the world page

<Mialee> Yeah, I found it.

>Icarius cast mm on the creature in Jozlan's room

*** Roll by Icarius: 2d4+2 -> 3 + 2 = 5 + 2 = 7

>Pengo heads for Mialee's room.

<DM> The guy staggers back, and grabs a firmer hold on his sword.

<Pengo> Actually...

>Pengo heads for Smithson's room.

<DM> But Mialee, you're feeling dizzy, and take another 5 hp

<Mialee> Ack.

<Mialee> 1 left...

*** >> <Pengo> >> to Pengo: help mialee

<Mialee> I gather that blade is poisoned?

<DM> could be.

>Pengo turns around when he hears Mialee's yelp and runs at full bore to help her.

<DM> ok, Flint and mordin, what are you doing?

<DM> The guy facing Mialee turns to put Pengo and mialee both in his line of sight

>Flint arms himself with an axe.

<Mordin> Have I arrived at Mialee's room yet?

<DM> yes.

>Mordin attacks with his Axe.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 20

<Pengo> Nice!

<DM> big hit!

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 3 + 6 = 9

<DM> The guy looks at the axe sticking out of his chest for a second, before collapsing to the floor

>Mialee slumps down onto the bed.

<Pengo> Mialee needs help!

<DM> Jozlan, roll initiative

<Mordin> Flint You are needed here!

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

<DM> again

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d6 -> 2

<DM> the half-orc facing Jozlan drops the garrot, pulls out a machete, and runs for the stairs.

<DM> is that it for this round?

<Jozlan> guess so

<DM> Round 3: --------------------------------
<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?

<Mialee> Nothing for me. I feel like crap.

<Icarius> mm on the guy running up the stairs

<DM> down the stairs, but ok, shoot

<Flint> I'm headed to Mialee's room.

*** Roll by Icarius: 2d4+2 -> 3 + 3 = 6 + 2 = 8

<DM> Flint, you can do that, but remember you're leaving the one guy standing in your room.

<Flint> Yes.

<DM> the guy headed for the stairs staggers, and keep running. He's around the bend and headed down.

<DM> Mialee, take another 5 hp.

>Jozlan chases after him

>Mialee is now at -4.

<Mialee> Is it just me, or does that mean I stop breathing now? :)

<DM> sort of.

<Mialee> Sort of? :)

<Mialee> Is this like in "The Princess Bride," where Westley is only "mostly dead"? :)

<DM> Round 4: --------------------------------
<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?

<Mialee> I think I'll cast "don't go into the light!!" :)

<Pengo> Dammit, someone help!!

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Mialee.

<DM> Flint, you're in Mialee's room.

<Pengo> Crap...

<Icarius> no spels for me

>Pengo starts rustling through Mialee's stuff.

<Flint> CL#

<Pengo> Where are her potions!?

<DM> Jozlan, you're at the landing in the main hall, with the bad guy headed for the front door.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D4+4 -> 1 + 4 = 5

<Pengo> She has a couple of potions of poison antidote.

<Mialee> Can CL actually help me now? :)

<DM> Yes she does ;)

>Pengo looks for them.

<DM> Yes, the Cure Light can relieve the WOUNDS

<Pengo> Let me know if/when I find them. :)

<Mialee> But am I dead or not? :)

<DM> sort of.

<Mialee> I assumed 0 HP meant dead. :)

<Mialee> Sort of!? :)

<Flint> But it won't stop the poison.

>Pengo flings Mialee's stuff around the room while frantically searching for her poisons.

<Jozlan> is it too late to cast hold person on him?

<DM> by the end of this round, Pengo, you will have found the potions.

<DM> No Jozlan you can

<Pengo> Poisons? Potions.

<Jozlan> person

<Mialee> So that 5 CL roll means Mialee's back at 1?

<Mialee> Or is she still "sort of" dead? :)

<DM> not exactly. She's unconscious.

>Mordin returns to his room to bind up the creature there.

<DM> Jozlan did you cast Hold person on the running half-orc?

<Jozlan> yes

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 12

<DM> The guy freezes in place.

<DM> you now have one dead assassin, and 2 being held.

<Pengo> Man, when Mialee's back on her feet, she's going to want some time alone with those guys to beat the crap out of them.

<DM> Pengo, you find the antidote.

<DM> Mordin, you find the guy in Flint's room.

>Pengo leaps to Mialee's side and pours the stuff down her throat.

<Jozlan> I suggest this house become a geneva-convention free zone while we determine who sent them and why

<DM> he has a look of desperate fear in his eyes.

<Pengo> Damn right.

<Pengo> These guys will need to suffer.

<DM> Jozlan, you see James come out of the kitchen, carrying a sword.

<Mialee> Where am I, HP-wise, now?

<Mordin> Tie him up with the rope.

<DM> down 10

<Mialee> Down 10?

<Mialee> I have it at down 25 still. :)

<Mialee> And I only saw one CL cast on me... what happened?

<DM> yeah, you took 15 damage from the sword, and Flint fixed 5 of that. then the poison for 10, which has been fixed by the antidote

<Mialee> Ah, okay.

<Mialee> Does that mean I'm conscious again?

<DM> Jozlan, what are you doing with the guy in the main hall

<DM> Yes, Mialee you are.

>Mialee stands up looking really furious.

<DM> James to Jozlan. What happened, sir? I heard the commotion, and came as soon as I could!

<Mialee> Flint, if you could heal me one more time, I'd appreciate it.

<Mialee> Then I have some... business... to attend to.

>Mialee grins coldly.

<Flint> We need to turn these guys over to the watch.

<Jozlan> we seem to have been invaded by assassins. We;ve stopped them though.

<Mialee> We need to torture them until they talk, then slaughter them like the vile beasts they are.

<Jozlan> i think we'll need to upgrade our security tomorrow

>Pengo goes to check the house for any other signs of intrusion.

<DM> BTW, I just noticed another error in the house diagram. There should be a solid wall in the NW corner of James' room. It doesn't connect to y'alls on the bedroom floor

<Flint> James - Send a couple of men for the city guard.

<Mialee> No.

<Mialee> This is none of their concern.

<Flint> Yes it is. We are in the Baron's city, under his rules.

>Mialee kicks the corpse on the floor of her room in the head as hard as she can, then storms off to... chat... with one of the captives.

<DM> James grabs a piece of rope and binds the guy in the main hall

<Mialee> Right now, I don't care about the Baron. Someone just tried to kill me in my sleep and that really rubs me the wrong way.

>Mialee heads for the guy in Mordin's room.

<DM> After a few minutes, the 1/2orc upstairs starts struggling against the ropes binding him

>Mialee walks up to him and kicks him hard in the groin.

<Flint> I can't allow you to harm or "question" them!

<Mialee> Stop moving, or I swear I'll beat the life out of you.

<DM> he stops moving

<Mialee> Now. Who sent you?

<DM> ok who is where? I have MOrdin and Mialee upstairs, and Jozlan and James downstairs.

<DM> where is everyone else?

<DM> Flint is upstairs too

<Icarius> I'm still upstairs

>Pengo keeps inspecting the house for further signs of intrusion.

<Pengo> So I'm sort of making rounds.

<Pengo> Downstairs and in the basement mostly, I guess.

*** << <Flint> << At this point, I have to protect the prisioners from Mialee.

<Mialee> Don't make me ask you again. Who sent you?

<Jozlan> DM, what's the time?

<DM> The half-orc snivvles and says: "You are dead. If not now, then later. You will not escape the hands of Karak the Unforgiving."

<DM> about 4:00 AM

<Mialee> Ah, our old friend Karak. We defeated him once, we'll do it again.

*** >> <Mialee> >> actually, you didn't really DEFEAT him, you just raided his place while he was gone. ;)

*** << <Mialee> << Details.

<Mialee> So... why shouldn't I kill you?

<DM> Pengo finds the kitchen window has been opened

<half-orc> It will do you no good.

<Icarius> maybe we should send him back to karack as a warning

<Mialee> Maybe I should take out my anger on him and we can dump his corpse on Karak's lap before we cut his head from his worthless body.

<half-orc> You can do that if you wnat, but you don't know where Karak is, and I do.

<Mialee> And where would that be?

<half-orc> more to the point. He knows where YOU are.

>Pengo inspects the window.

<Mialee> Where is Karak?

<half-orc> I'm not foolish enough to tell you that without some assurances.

<Mialee> Assurances?

*** >> <Pengo> >> the window was jimmied open

<Icarius> why does he send inbred orc trash like you?

<half-orc> that you will let me go.

<Mialee> Let you go?

>Mialee laughs.

>Pengo closes the window.

<half-orc> I'm just doing a job here, nothing personal.

<Mialee> Well, it's quite personal to me.

<half-orc> I understand though, that it's personal for YOU

<Mialee> How about this... you tell me where Karak is, and you won't feel it when I kill you.

<half-orc> Ok, so I failed in my mission, so I'm going to have to disappear

<Mialee> You don't tell me, and I'll keep you alive for as long as I can while I slowly torture the life out of you.

<half-orc> but if you want to be able to FIND Karak, you'll have to spare my life.

<DM> brb

<Mialee> Hm. :)

<Icarius> we could try talking to the other one. He may be more cooperative

<Mialee> One of you guys do that. I'm busy with my friend here.

>Mialee starts graphically describing ways to torture him.

>Jozlan questions the other orc in a differnt room, out of earshot

<DM> Jozlan, this one seems very shifty, but not as arrogant as the other one.

<DM> he also admits to being hired by Karak.

<DM> his eyes keep darting about, as if looking for an escape route

<Mialee> OK, tell me where Karak is, or your long life of anguish starts now.

>Mialee takes dagger in hand and awaits an answer.

<half-orc> you are not going to use that.

>Mialee slices off one of the half-orc's fingers.

<half-orc> ieeeee!

<Mialee> Now, where is Karak?

>Flint hits Mialee.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 11

<Mialee> What the hell are you doing?

*** << <Flint> << Subdual damage.

<DM> Flint what are you hitting her with?

<Mialee> Where's Karak!?

*** <<Flint> << Flat of hand axe.

<DM> Flint strikes Mialee with the flat of his axe.

>Mialee turns and glares at Flint.

<Mialee> Don't.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 6

>Mialee turns back to the prisoner.

<Mialee> Where's Karak? You have lots more fingers, and I have all day, despite what my diminutive friend thinks.

<half-orc> Hey, dwarf, you know what you have to do. Get this elf off me.

<DM> blood continues to spurt from the finger of the half-orc

<Mialee> Where is he!!??

<half-orc> swear to let me go and I'll tell you!

<Mialee> I'd rather kill you.

<Icarius> maybe he should lead us to him

<half-orc> That's a good idea. I can lead you to him

<Mialee> Why on earth would we trust you?

<half-orc> You don't have to trust me. I'm all tied up.

<half-orc> you can keep me prisoner until we get to him

>Mialee grunts, turns around, punches Flint in the face, and storms out of the room.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 3

>Mialee returns to her room, slumps down on the floor, and starts shaking.

<Icarius> you people are so violent

<DM> blood pools around the feet of the half-orc, and he begins to sway

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Half-orc.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D4+4 -> 1 + 4 = 5

<DM> that stops the bleeding

<DM> Meanwhile, what's going on downstairs?

<Pengo> I'm still snooping around looking for any other signs of trouble.

<DM> you don't find any trouble, but from the kitchen, you do hear the hired help chattering away in frightened tones in their quarters.

>Jozlan questions the other orc

<Jozlan> you seem kind of nervous

<other half-orc> well, what do you think?

<Jozlan> i suppose Karak will be displeased by your failure

<other half-orc> I'm sure he will

<Jozlan> i wonder what he would do with you...

<other half-orc> Are you going to turn me over to the watch?

<other half-orc> I suppose you'll have to do that, right?

>Mialee sits in her room quietly staring at the wall.

<Jozlan> i'm sure the watch would be interested in you as well

<DM> James asks Jozlan if he should call the watch.

<Jozlan> how much does Karak pay these days?

<other half-orc> standard fee.

<other half-orc>

<Jozlan> dead orcs don't have much use for gold

>Pengo finishes his sweep of the house and returns upstairs to join the others.

>Pengo finds Flint and asks what's going on.

<other half-orc> how 'bout we work a deal?

<Jozlan> maybe. if you tell us where Karak is, we'll take care of him

<Flint> I stopped Mialee from torturing the prisioner. Please send someone for the watch.

<other half-orc> I was thinkin', Karak ain't gonna want to see me again, after I've botched this job, so what if you hire me to go kill him?

>Pengo is a little confused, but asks James to send someone for the watch.

<Pengo> Why don't we want to extract information from these guys?

<Jozlan> that's a bold plan, but you did botch this job.

<other half-orc> yeah, but I know how he operates, see? yous guys kinda suprised us.

<Pengo> I dunno, letting him go seems like a pretty dumb idea to me.

<Flint> The watch will get the information out of him. They have torture chambers for that.

>Pengo shrugs.

<Jozlan> doesn't matter to me

>Mialee slowly gets up and rejoins the others from her room, pausing to pat Flint on the shoulder and smile wanly.

>Flint frowns.

<James> It's still dark, and I don't know who or what may still be lurking about. I'll get the watch myself." He then leaves, with a sword sheathed at his side.

<Icarius> although letting Karak kill the orcs would be fun

>Mialee stands away from the prisoner, behind everyone else, and just listens.

<DM> So now we have Jozlan downstairs, and everyone else upstairs?

<Mialee> Sounds like it.

<Mordin> Let's take this one down stairs.

<DM> Before long, James returns with 6 men from the city watch.

<James> I've explained to these men what has happened, and they will take the prisoners to the city jail.

<Flint> Good.

<James> It won't take long for justice to be meted, I think.

>Jozlan wonders if Karak is nearby

<DM> Seeing no objections, the watchmen hustle the two half-orcs out the door, into the waxing dawn.

>Mialee quietly says, "We have no information at all on where Karak is now."

<DM> James breathes a sigh of relief.

>Mialee sighs.

<Jozlan> should we go back to sleep and take watches?

>Mialee finds something to sit on and does so.

<Mialee> I don't know what happened there. I was just so... angry.

<DM> James offers to stay awake on watch while the rest of you sleep

>Mialee looks up at Flint and sighs again.

<Mialee> That was over the line, and I'm sorry for that.

<Flint> I think we better add some house guards to the staff.

<Mialee> Agreed.

*** >> <Mialee> >> The DM watches Mialee's alignment meter swinging wildly about before slowly creeping back to its normal position. :)

*** << <Mialee> << Well, I figured getting a little miffed made sense. At least she regrets it now. :)

>Jozlan searches the dead half orc for anything interesting

*** >> <Mialee> >> heat of the moment and all. After all, they did try to kill you in cold blood. :)

*** << <Mialee> << Yeah.

<DM> the dead guy is all human

<Jozlan> dead human

<Flint> We are not a law unto ourselves. We are members of this civilized city and must abide by society's laws.

<Mialee> I know.

<Mialee> But when you wake up with a 20-inch blade sticking out of your chest, you tend to get a little upset.

<DM> He does find some fancy bracers on him.

<DM> It's the only armor he was wearing

>Flint casts Detect Magic.

<Flint> Are the Bracers magic?

<Mialee> Well, all I can do is apologize and hope eventually you'll accept that.

<DM> They do indeed show as magical

<Flint> The bracers are magic.

<Jozlan> cool

<DM> I'll assume someone will cure Mialee the rest of the way before you sack out.

<Mialee> I'm guessing it won't be Flint. He's pretty ticked off with me. :)

<Flint> No. I'm out of CLW's.

<Flint> And ticked off. :/

<Icarius> I've got 4 cl

>Jozlan casts clw on mialee

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d4+4 -> 3 + 4 = 7

<Mialee> Thanks, Joz. ;)

<Mialee> I'm still down by like 8, but that's a lot better. :)

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d4+4 -> 1 + 4 = 5

<Flint> It looks like I had better start keeping a Slow poison in head in town as well.

<DM> that puts you right, Mialee

<Mialee> Thank you.

<DM> You might also want to inventory your potions, ;)

<Mialee> :)

<Jozlan> i think tomorrow we should listen for rumors and such

>Mialee updates her sheet to indicate being down to 1 antidote.

<Mialee> I think I'd better go sleep... It's been a bad night.

>Mialee returns to her room, looks at the bloody mess on her bed, and sacks out on the floor.

<DM> what about the body?

<Mialee> Oh yeah.

>Mordin drags out the body.

>Mialee sleeps fitfully.

>Pengo goes back to bed.

>Mordin keeps watch.

<Pengo> (Heh, this talk about sleep is reminding me that I only got four hours of it last night ;)

<DM> while mialee and the rest of you sleep, the maid comes in quietly and gathers up the sheets from Mialee's bed.

<DM> The next day dawns bright and clear, and you hear aknock on the door.

<Jozlan> who's there?

>Mialee ignores it.

>Flint prays for guidance.

<DM> James answers it, and comes upstairs to inform you that there is a rep from the city watch to see you.

<Pengo> James will get it. That's his job. :)

<Mordin> Thank you James.

<Jozlan> lets see what he has to say

>Mialee reluctangly gets up off the floor, stretches, and heads downstairs.

>Pengo follows.

>Mordin goes to meet the Watch Rep.

>Flint follows.

<DM> The watchman stands there, hat in hand, shifting from foot to foot.

<Watchman> I thought that I should come let you know...

<Watchman> the 2 assassins that we took out of here are both dead.

<Jozlan> intereseting

<Pengo> How?

<Flint> How did they die?

<Watchman> while we were putting them into their cells, one of them grabbed a dagger from a guard, and killed the other one.

<Watchman> the guards cut him down immediately

>Mialee smiles sadly. "Good plan, Flint."

<Watchman> I'm only sorry that we couldn't get any more information from them.

<Watchman>

<Flint> Yes, it was. :(

<Jozlan> was it the one missing a finger that killed the other?

<Watchman> no, it was the other one. He killed the one wit missing a finger

> DM tapdances out of an unexpected plot-twist.

<Jozlan> how odd

<Mialee> Hehehehe

<Mialee> Well. That leaves us with pretty much nothing. ;)

>Mialee goes to the kitchen and has a beer.

<Jozlan> thank you watchman. they got what was coming to them

<DM> He nods, and heads out

>Mialee returns, drinking from a mug.

<Mialee> So. Now what do we do?

<Jozlan> perhaps pengo could check out seedier/illicit areas of town for rumors?

>Mialee finds a seat.

>Pengo grins.

<Pengo> Aye, it'd be nice to catch up with me old mates. :)

>Pengo bows and takes his leave.

<Icarius> i have an invisibilty spell if you'd like to test it

<Pengo> I don't need magic to be invisible in a crowd.

>Pengo departs, heading for the thieves' quarter.

<DM> Is there something specific that he's going to be looking for?

<Pengo> He's just going to prowl around all the good spots for gossip that he must know having grown up here.

<Pengo> Listening for interesting news.

<DM> he spends a few hours checking things out, and doesn't really come up with

<DM> anything solid. There are rumors about assassins being in town (not unusual in

<DM> itself) but nothing at all about Karak.

<Pengo> No strange goings-on in the outskirts or anything?

<DM> nope.

<Icarius> should we seek an audience wth the king, see if there might be some news he's aware of?

<Flint> We need to see the Baron (or his Rep.).

>Pengo returns and shares the news.

<Icarius> er, baron as it were

<Mialee> Usually the Baron comes to us when he needs us, rather than the other way around.

<Mialee> Perhaps Icarius could speak to his friend Paulinius.

<Mialee> He's well connected.

<Icarius> how far a trip to Karak's keep is it?

<Flint> We have been attacked in his city, by agents of a threat to his realm.

<DM> on foot, 2 weeks or so. By horseback, 4-5 days comfortably.

<Flint> He has intel resources that we don't.

<Flint> If we can find a portal in the city, we could use the transfer by portal spell.

<Mialee> Hm. Any reason to believe there's a portal in the city?

<Icarius> paulinus would know

<Mialee> Go talk to him, then we'll see what we should do next.

<Icarius> i can go see him, see if he has any theories

>Icarius goes to visit paulinus

<Flint> If there was one in the fortress in the pass, there might be one in the old sections of the Baron's palace.

<DM> It's late in the evening now, perhaps tomorrow would be a good time to see him.

<Icarius> ok, tomorrow morning then

<DM> So the night passes, while the DM takes a very quick station break.

<DM> The next morning, there is another knock on your door.

<DM> James answers the door.

<DM> It is a young page in the livery of the Baron.

<DM> He hands you a note, sealed with wax.

<DM> The note says, simply,

<DM> "To Flint Deepdelver, Mordin, Mialee the Elf, Jozlan of Thor, Icarius the

<DM> Subtle, and Pengo the hobbit, it is urgent that you meet with me at the sign of

<DM> the Wandering Minstrel today in the ninth hour of the clock."

<DM> The note is signed; "A friend in need"

<Icarius> hmm

<DM> The Wandering Minstrel is not far from your home, and is marked as "I2" on your

<DM> map of Byrne.

<Mialee> What time is it now?

<Icarius> current time?

<DM> It's about quarter 'til nine -

<DM>

<Mialee> Well. We'd better go then.

<Icarius> we should probably get headed over then

<Mordin> In Armor.

<Mialee> Yes.

>Mialee gears up and is ready to go.

<DM> You enter the dim interior of the building, and see that the place is nearly empty. There is an small empty stage at one end of the place. There are a few patrons at the bar, chatting softly with the bartender, and there is one lone figure sitting at a table in the corner, his hood drawn low over his face.

<DM> you stand in the doorway.

>Mialee steps inside and casually surveys the room.

<DM> The bartender says: " Can I get you folks something?"

>Flint approaches the table in the corner.

<Flint> May I sit down?

<DM> The figure motions for Flint to do so.

<DM> You are not surprised to see the face of Lord Darcy, the Baron's chamberlain, peek out from under the hood.

>Mialee asks the bartender if he has anything suitable for a traveler in need of a morning meal.

>Mordin shakes his head and joins Flint.

<DM> The Bartender answers that yes, he could scare up some bread and cheese.

>Pengo goes to the table and takes a seat.

>Jozlan orders mead and takes a seat

<Mialee> That sounds very good. I would appreciate it, thank you.

>Mialee joins the others at the table.

<Flint> Good morning. "Friend".

<DM> "Greetings, my friends;" says Lord Darcy."Please sit down."

<DM> I understand you had some difficulty the other night.

<Mialee> You could say that.

>Mialee glances at Flint.

<Icarius> not as difficult as some

<DM> I'm sorry to hear that, but was gratified to see that you all survived the attack. Any idea from whence it originated?

***

<DM> is now known as

<Icarius> Karak sent the men

>Mialee nods.

<Darcy> Karak? I am familiar with that name. He has caused much grief in the northern part of the barony over the past few years.

<Darcy> He has been quiet lately though. I had hoped we had heard the last of him.

<Mialee> We had a run-in with him a while back.

<Darcy> It set him back a bit but he has seemingly recovered. I'm afraid that with fame and fortune also come enemies. And you are becoming famous in this area, among the local populous.

<Darcy> I'm not surprised he was able to find you.

>Mialee nods slowly.

<Darcy> But that's not why I'm here. Once again, something has come up for which we would ask your aid. Forgive me for being so clandestine in meeting you, but people not necessarily friendly to the crown watch the palace gates constantly, and this is a matter where discretion is called for. I cannot allow my involvement in this affair to be known at large.

<Darcy> I'm not sure how well informed you are about the political atmosphere at the King's court, so I'll try to be as detailed as I can in the little time that I have.

<Darcy> Darcy halts while the Bartender brings Mialee's breakfast.

<Darcy> As I'm sure you know, Stephen Wingate, the Baron of Stafford, is a direct vassal of King William III."

>Mialee pays the bartender, tipping him well.

<Darcy> Taxes are due to the capital at the end of February, but Stephen has always been more than prompt in his duties to his liegelord, and had planned to have them there mid-February.

<Darcy> To this end, he sent an armed contingent of 20 soldiers with the boat that went down the Adur River carrying a magically sealed chest with the tax revenues due to the king.

<Darcy> Normally, the combination trip by river with an overland passage would take a week at most. With the worst of luck, something in the river reportedly attacked their boat, foundering it. The men managed to get the chest to shore, and then made the decision to bring it back to Byrne. That was the right decision to make, because without a boat, the journey to Kendall would take the better part of a month. Unfortunately, they were waylaid by an very organized company of bandits on horseback the day before yesterday. Though the men fought valiantly, all but two were slain, and those two just barely made it back to Byrne alive late last night. They said that the remaining bandits took the chest and headed in the direction of the town of Cham, on the northern bank of the Adur, about 8 kilometers southwest of Byrne, within the borders of the County of Kent.

<Mialee> Hmmm.

<Darcy> By the way, the clerics of St. Marks and my good friend Paulinus have determined by means holy and arcane that these men are not themselves duplicitous in this affair -- they have told us the truth as they know it. Informants that I have down in the waterfront district have independently confirmed that a group of rowdy horsemen went through Cham yesterday.

<Darcy>Cham is known to us to be a haven for thieves and river pirates. It is considered to be in the hinterlands of the County of Kent, and so doesn't get much attention from their liege. Apparently they are prompt in paying THEIR taxes to the Count, regardless of how they were collected, so he interferes little in the town.

<Darcy>Our problem is this: We must recover the taxes, but we cannot make an armed assault on the town, since that would be considered an Act of War by the Count of Kent. We cannot publicly ask for the money back, because we have no solid proof that it is still there, although I am sure it is. (I'm guessing that the bandits, frustrated at their inability to unseal the chest, tried to trade it for what they could in town, before taking off for the wilderness again.) Also, public knowledge that the barony's tax shipment is somehow lost will bring every thief and brigand in the surrounding area rushing in there, drawn like vultures to a dead cow.

>Mialee nods.

<Darcy> As you've probably already guessed, what we'd like for you to do is to recover the tax shipment. It must be done quietly, without arousing too much attention, and it must be done quickly, before the thieves discover how to open the chest and disperse the money, or simply move the chest elswhere. Every hour of delay increases the chances that the money will be dispersed or removed. Are you willing to undertake this dangerous task?

<Jozlan> we can depart this afternoon

<Darcy> We don't know where in the town the chest is, or even if it is still in Chem. There is a Mayoress in the town by the name of Fabinna Melacotta, whom I've occasionally met, but don't know whether to trust or not. She claims to be trying to clean up the town, but I'm not sure she's not in league with the worst of them. She may be able to give you some information, but you mustn't let her know why you're there. Can you help us?

<Jozlan> yes we can

<Mordin> We need some help in return.

<Darcy> Thank-you reverend sir.

<Darcy> What is that?

<Mordin> You have a network that gathers information.

<Mordin> We need to locate Karak.

<Mordin> I understand that this may take some time.

<Darcy> I can assure you that we will do everything we can to help you find him. He has been a thorn in our side for too long.

<Mialee> Thank you, sir.

<Darcy> "The chest contains 2000 pieces of platinum, 3000 pieces of gold, and gems worth at least 20,000 gold pieces. Altogether, it weighs in the neighborhood of 600 lbs. You will know that you have found the correct chest by this seal, which will fit into a setting on the top of the chest, and allow it to be opened. "

<DM> He hands you a 6-pointed star-shaped silver setting about the size of your palm, with a different gem set into each of the points. The gems are ruby, amethyst, garnet, saphire, emerald and aquamarine.

<Darcy> "I would prefer it if you could recover the entire chest, which is valuable in its own right, but in the event that you must leave the chest behind, and recover the treasure without it, you can use this seal to open it."

<Darcy> "Be sure that you place it with the garnet facing the opening side of the chest, or bad things will happen to you. I've arranged a boat for you at the city docks. It will be at your disposal until you've completed this mission. Look for a man named 'Rolf' by a small sailboat named 'The Damsel' "

<Mialee> Sounds good.

<Darcy> Remember, the taxes must be recovered as soom as possible, and quite stealthily, because we cannot afford to create an "incident" with the Count of Kent.

<Mialee> Certainly.

<Darcy> Were Cham within the boundaries of Stafford, we would simply storm the town.

<Darcy> As it is, we must tread lightly.

<Mialee> Of course. You can count on us.

<Darcy> Excellent! I knew I could.

<Darcy> Now I must go. Thank-you again, and best of luck to you.

<DM> He rises, and makes his way to the door.

<Mialee> All right, let's get back to the house and prepare for our journey.

<Icarius> anything we need before we leave?

<DM> Might I remind you that you've just awoken from a good night's sleep, but have NOT memorized/prayed for spells yet, so if you want to change them, you can.

<Mialee> I'm happy with my regular line-up.

<Flint> Switching to Wilderness list.

>>Icarius>> you might want to look at your list -- remember you're being asked to carry something reeeally heavy.

<Mialee> All right, let's do this thing. :)

<Mialee> My sword for undead is in Pengo's bag of holding. :)

<DM> right

<Mialee> I'm carrying Defender and SkyFire.

<Mialee> Let's find the Damsel.

<DM> So, then, you gear up, and head for the docks...

<Icarius> how far a trip is it?

>>Icarius>> if you want to reconsider, I'll give you until you get to the town.

<DM> it's about 8 km downstream

<DM> about an hour by boat, probably

<Icarius> ok, I'll memorize tenser's floating disk and forget one sleep

<Icarius> so l1 sleep, mm, and tfd

<DM> You get to the dock area, and don't have trouble finding "The Damsel"

<Flint> Is "The Damsel" in distress? :)

<DM> It is a small merchant vessel, which could carry a reasonable amount of cargo, and / or 20-30 people, if you really crowded it.

<DM> BTW, my spell database is online, if you need it. :)

<Mialee> :)

>Mialee climbs aboard.

>Pengo does too.

<Pengo> Let's do this. :)

<DM> The captain, Rolf, welcomes you aboard quietly, and has a young man there to assist him.

<DM> the boy sets about casting off lines etc, while Rolf addresses the group.

<Rolf> I understand you all need passage to Cham, and then a return, carrying a package?

<Mialee> Yes, Captain.

<Flint> Yes.

<Rolf> How long do y' suppose you'll be in Cham, then?

<Icarius> hard to say at this point. hopefully, the less time the better

<Rolf> That's what _I_ say-- the less time in Cham, the better.

>Icarius smiles knowingly

<Rolf> but sometime you jes have to do what you have to do, eh? Well, excuse me, I gota boat to run

<DM> They cast off, and raise the sail, and quickly pick up speed down-current. you settle down on whatever passes for a seat, and enjoy the trip. in a little over an hour, you come around a bend int he river and see a walled town on the northern bank. There are many docks in front of the town, and many small merchant ships parked there. Rolf docks the boat at one of the public docks, and quietly directs his assistant in tying up the boat.

<DM> "It so happens I have some business of my own to conduct while I'm here, but I shouldn't be too long, and I'll be ready to sail whenever you return."

<Jozlan> are we there yet?

<DM> Yes, you've just docked.

<DM> You look across the docks at the small city. Cham is a walled city with many gates. Judging by the size, you'd estimate a population of about 1000.

<Mialee> All right, let's go into town and get the lay of the land, shall we?

<Jozlan> maybe we should send pengo to do his thing, see if he can gain the trust of the locals

<DM> . . . .

<Icarius> shall we have a look around?

<Pengo> Here's a plan:

<Pengo> You guys go in as travelers, together. I'll make my way in separately and check out the less... pleasant... parts of town.

<Pengo> We'll meet back up in a while.

<Icarius> perhaps you could blatently rob us in public to gain their trust

> The DM pictures one hobbit robbing 2 dwarves and an elf and man in full battle gear

> The DM laughs

<Pengo> Heh. :)

<Icarius> ok, you take a look around

>Pengo nods and heads toward the city.

<DM> he gets to the gate.

<Pengo> Any indication of how to get in?

<Pengo> Or is it open? :)

<DM> The gate is open, and there are a couple of guards there. you are halted by a guard holding a spear. He is a little unkempt in appearance, but not really shabby.

<DM> "What's yer business in Cham?" he asks.

<Icarius> should we just bribe him?

<Pengo> (You guys aren't with me :)

<Pengo> I'm here with my cousin.

<DM> Pengo is the only one there

>Pengo slips him a few gold coins.

<Pengo> with -> to visit

<Guard> he, so I see you know that the entry tax is 1 silver piece, eh?

>Pengo smiles.

<Pengo> You're doing a fine job, my good man.

<DM> The guard takes your money, and sticks it in his pocket.

<Guard> Please go on in, young sir

>Pengo enters town.

>Pengo starts scouting for places to go to gather intel.

<DM> You can tell this is a busy merchant city. the area closest to this gate is very busy, with lots of people moving about. carts and horses crowd the streets There are many many warehouses, storefronts, and other business establishments. There are, naturally, several bars and taverns in the area as well.

>Pengo sets out looking for the seedier part of town.

<DM> you're pretty much in it.

<DM> As you move away from the docks, the streets get a little cleaner, and the buildings look a tad more respectable.

<DM> There are marketplaces where vendors are hawking their wares

>Pengo selects a tavern and goes in.

<DM> he has selected the sign of the Drunken Toad, which may well have been named after the proprietor, if the man sitting behind the bar is any indication.

>Pengo steps up to the bar and orders a beer.

<DM> there are a few patrons, but not many, in this dark place

<DM> the Bartender give him a beer, and greets him

<DM> he looks a little drunk, serving the beer with as few movements as possible.

<Pengo> How's business?

<bartender> oh, it could be better

<bartender> but if it was better, it would mean more people were out of work, which means they'd have less time and money to spend here,

<bartender> so that wouldn't be good, eh?

<bartender>so, I guess a slow business is better than no business.

>Pengo nods and surveys the room looking to see if there are any conversations he might try to listen in on.

<DM> There are a few other customers scattered about

<DM> talking in low tones.

<DM> 2 tables to be exact, both of which are on the far wall.

>Pengo looks for an inconspicuous place to hang out in close earshot of one of the conversations.

<DM> He spots a table between the two of them, where he might be able to eavesdrop on both conversatiosn.

>Pengo slides into a chair and works on his beer.

>Pengo drinks. :)

<DM> Pengo sits there listening. The table to his right seems to be discussing recent events in the town. "I sure am glad them bandits left town as quickly as they did. I hate having them around here, always causing trouble." "Yeah", says his companion, but you know they was doin' some business while they was here. I wonder who they were dealing with."

<DM> "I wouldn't be surprised if it weren't the Mercentile Association. You know them guys is always ready to make a profit, no matter how. "

<DM> Meanwhile from the other table, Pengo hears:

<DM> "I tell you, she puts on a good face about cleanin' up the town, but I don't think that mayoress of our'n can really do anything meaningful here. It's just gone too far down the sewer."

<DM> His companion nods, and says: "well, I think it's getting a little better. You can't change everthin' overnight, and while I don't feel safe walking about at night, at least during the days you can get to work without getting mugged."

>Pengo finishes his beer and sighs contendedly.

>Pengo gets up, pays, and departs to return to the others, who hopefully have gotten into town by now.

<DM> You find them walking up the street.

<DM> Right? Icarius?

<Pengo> We'll see if any of them are still online. :)

<Icarius> here :)

<DM> So you all meet up on the street. Passersby stare a little at you, all beefed up and ready to fight.

<DM> but you notice that there aren't too many citizens without SOME kind of weaponry.

<DM> If this were a different time and place, I'd describe it as a "wild west" atmosphere. :)

<Pengo> :)

>Pengo quietly says "We need to find the Mercantile Association."

<Jozlan> maybe we should see the mayoress and clean up this town

<Jozlan> yes we should

<Pengo> Let's visit the Mercantile Association first.

<Mialee> All right. Any idea where it is?

<DM> ....

>Pengo goes off into the crowd and finds someone to ask where the MA is.

<DM> he talks to a man who says: "Are you sure you want to go there?"

<DM> "If you do, it's hard to miss. Big funny looking building with a tower on top."

<Pengo> Well, no.

<Pengo> But I have business there. :)

<DM> it's got a funny-colored glass dome on top.

<Pengo> All right. Thank you!

>Pengo returns to the others and describes the building.

<Mialee> OK... let's go.

<DM> "Down near the docks!!" he shouts after Pengo

<DM> ***** Cham Thieves Guild *****

<DM> Following the directions that the man gave you, you find yourself back down near the gate where you came into town. As you expect, this is not the nicest part of town.

<DM> There are many many warehouses, storefronts, and other business establishments.

<DM> One building stands out though, if for nothing else than its unusual architecture. The building seems to be about one hundred foot square, and is built in a pyramid fashion. The first floor seems to be made of granite stones. The second floor is set back about 10 feet, and is also made of granite. The third floor is set back from the second, and is made of marble. Finally, there's a tower that stands two stories high at the top. Starting with a marble base, it looks like the top floor of the tower is made entirely of stained glass, which reflects and refracts the rays of the sun in an attractive way.

<DM> There are windows in the building, three per side on the first two floors and 1 per side on the upper three floors. The windows are each 2' tall and 1' wide, set with stained glass.

<DM> It's late afternoon, and There are some citizens wondering about. The only door in the building is closed. You see a sign above the door stating this to be the home of the "Adur River Mercantile Association".

<DM> ....

<Icarius> shall we let ourselves in?

>Pengo knocks on the door.

<DM> He hears a muffled call from the other side of the door: "Go away, we're closed!"

>Pengo tries opening the door.

<DM> The door is locked. It would appear that the business is not open today.

<Icarius> are you good at unlocking things, pengo?

>Pengo picks the lock.

<DM> DM rolls privately

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 43

<DM> Pengo manages to open the lock.

>Pengo opens the door.

<Pengo> And...? :)

>Pengo peeks inside.

<Jozlan> shall we?

<Pengo> Yes.

>Icarius enters

<DM> This 20 by 30 ft. room appears to be a typical reception area for a business. There's a door in the far wall, a desk and two chairs. There are a few paintings hanging on walls, and some potted plants in the corners. Embedded in the middle of the far wall is a large granite pillar.

<DM> Rising from the chairs with drawn swords are two human men. The larger of the two addresses you: "Hey you, you can't come in here. The "association" is closed today. "

<DM> His accent is rather unrefined. ;)

<Pengo> We need to speak to someone in charge.

<Mialee> What my little friend said.

<Guard> We're in charge at the moment.

<Pengo> In charge of what?

<Guard> "We're here to make sure that louts like you don't go where they're not wanted. "

<Pengo> He just called you a lout, Flint.

>Flint bristles

<Pengo> Hm. :)

<Pengo> Pardon us, boys, we have business inside.

<Jozlan> why don't you two go take a cigarette break. it'll be good for your health

<Guard> Sorry - you can't go through

<Guard> "We're paid to be here. "

<Pengo> Paid well?

<Guard> He hefts his sword meaningfully. Not as well as we should be, eh, Garf?

<DM> his friend just grunts.

<Guard> "what business you got here anyway?"

<Jozlan> we understand you have a package for us

<Guard> "Package? I don't no nothin' 'bout no package. Packages ain't what I'm here for. "

<Pengo> That figures.

<Pengo> The merchies never tell anybody anything, do they?

<Pengo> And they always pay hardly anything.

>Pengo shakes his head.

<Pengo> Makes you crazy, doesn't it?

<Pengo> They ask us to come pick up this package for safe delivery, and don't even let you know we're coming. Typical.

>Mialee looks irritated.

<Guard> "So are you gonna get out, or do I call for the boys down the hall?"

<Pengo> We have our orders, we can't leave without the package.

<Guard> "well, I got MY Orders, and they don't include nothin' about a package."

<Guard> "They DO include keeping people outa here."

<Pengo> Well, you seem like decent fellows. I'd hate to kill you.

>Mialee chuckles.

<Guard> "So either you get on out, or we're gonna have to put you out."

<Mialee> Feel free to give that a try and see how it goes for you.

<DM> Garf looks visibly nervous.

>Jozlan growls

<Guard> "Well, maybe we could make a deal that would be good for all of us."

<Pengo> Such as?

<Guard> "such as, you wanna be here, and we really don't care, but...

<Guard> It's our job to keep people out.

<Guard> "I wouldn't mind finding a difernt job, but..

<Guard> "If we were to do that, we sure wouldn't be welcome around here so we'd have to

<Guard> go _far_ away. "

<Guard> If you could supply us with a little runnin' money...

>Pengo glances at the others to gauge their opinions.

<Guard> "We'd be outa your way, and you'd not be botherin' us"

<Flint> How much 'runnin money' would you need?

<Guard> "I'd say oh..." he looks at his friend "100 gold pieces ought to be enough to

<Guard> carry us both a _long_ way away from here."

<Jozlan> bah, a body bag costs less and carries just as well

<DM> The sun sets outside

<Mialee> 100 gp is a small price to pay to keep this quiet.

<Guard> "oh, and our lips would be sealed!"

<Guard>

<Guard> "In fact, we'll be out of town before dark!"

<Jozlan> fair enough then

>Mialee hands over the money.

<Mialee> Mind you, boys, that we will find you if you double-cross us.

>Mialee smiles sweetly.

<DM> Garf's eyes light up with disbelief

<Guard> "thank-ee, and have a nice evening!"

<DM> They bolt out the door.

<Mialee> OK, let's check this place out.

<DM> This 20 by 30 ft. room appears to be a typical reception area for a business. There's a door in the far wall, a desk and two chairs. There are a few paintings hanging on walls, and some potted plants in the corners. Embedded in the middle of the far wall is a large granite pillar.

>Pengo examines the desk.

<DM> There is a scrap of parchment, and a quill, which is broken

>Jozlan checks behind the paintings

<DM> there is nothing behind the paintings

<DM> there is what looks like the remains of a duty schedule of sorts on the parchment.

>Pengo reads the schedule.

<DM> it's only a scrap of the parchment, with a couple lines readable

<DM> it says: "Morning until noon, Number 12" / Noon until sundown: Number 9

<DM> that's all you can read. It looks like it's been there a while.

<Icarius> ok next room?

<Pengo> Hm. Sundown just happened... there may be another guard team coming in.

<Icarius> we'll be out of this room thought

<Mialee> OK, let's head into the next room, through the door.

<DM> Who's going first?

<Pengo> I'd say normal battle order.

<DM> Mordin suggests that Pengo might want to check the door.

<Icarius> lets go

<Pengo> I thought it was an open doorway.

>Pengo checks the door for traps.

<DM> No, it's a closed door.

<DM> DM rolls privately

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 91

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens it.

<DM> And is immediately struck by two darts that fire from each doorjamb.

<DM> Roll a saving throw, Pengo. (d20)

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 10

<DM> he swoons a little, and gets a little lightheaded, for a moment, but he's tough at the core, and he shakes it off.

<Pengo> Whew.

>Pengo looks into the next room.

<DM> It's a corridor going north and south

<DM> There's a door in the south wall, and the north hall way bends to the east.

<DM> There's also a door in the southwest corner going to the West. Opposite that door and the one you are coming through, there are patches of granite that seem to be going and and and a light all by themselves,. They illuminate the entire hallway with a soft glow.

<DM> "patches of Granite that seem to be GLOWING all by themselves

<Icarius> better check for traps and such

<Pengo> I suggest we go north.

<Icarius> north is good

<Pengo> (Sheppy is having trouble staying awake) :/

>Pengo leads the way, watching out for traps.

<DM> Mordin and Flint follow closely, looking for stone-based traps, etc.

<Pengo> That's good.

<Pengo> The goal is the northern door around the bend ahead.

<DM> from the turn to the east, you can see 3 doors in the remaining L-shape

>Pengo checks the first one on the left for traps.

<DM> DM rolls privately

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 1

<DM> Pengo does find a trap. It's the type that fires needles. Cleverly, the needles are in a different position than in the other door.

<Pengo> Can I open the door and avoid the needles?

<DM> You can try to disarm the trap.

<Pengo> I'll do that then.

>Pengo tries disarming the trap.

<DM> DM rolls privately

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 73

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo blinks.

<Pengo> But I already found one. :)

<DM> oops

<DM> what I MEANT was:

<DM> While attempting to disarm the trap, Pengo sets it off.

<DM> Pengo, save vs poison.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 1

<DM> Pengo swoons and collapses to the ground.

<Icarius> drat

<Mialee> Did Flint switch over to slow poison? :)

<DM> Flint quickly slaps him, and check to see if he's breathing.

<Icarius> i think that was only while in town

<DM> No, he has one out here too.

<Icarius> ok, good

<DM> He seems to be fast asleep. No amount of shaking or slapping seems to wake

<DM> him, but he is breathing.

<Mialee> Hm.

>>Pengo>> to Pengo: you're dreaming peacefully.

<Icarius> leave him and enter?

>Mialee peeks inside the room.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 3

<Mialee> (opening the door first)

<DM> Roll for surprise.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

<DM> You open the door and see three humans sitting on stools playing knucklebones.

<DM> They see you, and jump up, grabbing weapons.

<DM> They're all in leather armor, two of them are carrying long swords while the other, a big burly fellow, carries a rather large battle axe.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

<DM> your shot. Mialee and Flint and Mordin are in the room.

>Mialee slashes with the Defender.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 16

<DM> At which one?

<Mialee> The nearest of the smaller guys.

<DM> you hit.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8 -> 5

<Mialee> (I assume)

<DM> Mordin immediately goes after the guy with the Axe, while Flint takes on the other small one.

<Mialee> Go Mordin and Flint?

>Pengo lays on the floor.

<DM> Mordin swings

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 11

<DM> hitting

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 1

<Mialee> That could have been better.

<DM> Flint, attacking with his hand axe

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 17

<Icarius> let's finish these guys first

*** Roll by DM: 1d6+3 -> 2 + 3 = 5

<DM> They swing back, at Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 8

<DM> at Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 18

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 1

<DM> Mordin takes 3 damage

<DM> at Flint

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 15

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 2

<DM> FLint takes 2

<DM> Round 2: --------------------------------
<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?

<DM> Icarius and Jozlan have crowded into the room by now

<Icarius> melee

<Icarius> er, nothing

<Mialee> Magic Missile.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

<Jozlan> melee

<DM> at the guy you were fighting, Mialee?

<Mialee> No, forget it, I'll do melee too.

<DM> ok, they go first

<DM> at Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 11

<DM> miss

<DM> at Flint

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 17

<DM> hit

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 3

<DM> at Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 11

<DM> miss. Your shots

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 6

<Mialee> Oof.

<DM> Kelvin, why don't you roll for Mordin and Flint.

<Jozlan> ok

<Jozlan> Flint

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 10

<Jozlan> mordin

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 12

<DM> hits. d6

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d6 -> 6

<DM> and d8

<Mialee> Woohoo!

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 2

<Jozlan> myself, aiming at the one mialee was fighting

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 9

<DM> sorry you missed, but that is the only one left standing

<DM> ok.

<Jozlan> next round?

<DM> The remaining one curses.

<DM> Round 3: --------------------------------
<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

<DM> the one takes a jab at Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 18

<DM> and hits!

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 5

<DM> mialee taks five damage

<DM> your turn.

<Jozlan> ok mialee:

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 10

<Jozlan> flint:

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 11

<Jozlan> is that a hit?

<DM> both are

<DM> d8 and d6

<Jozlan> ok, mialee:

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 4

<DM> The last one falls

>Jozlan drags pengo in the room, closes the door, and searches the bodies

<DM> Mordin takes an interest in the battleaxe the other guy was using. It's of exceptional craftmanship

<Jozlan> all yours

<DM> They have leather armor on, and there are a few coins scattered on the floor, where it looks like they were playing at dice, or something.

>Jozlan snags the coins

<DM> it totals about 75 gp in value.

<Jozlan> not quite enough for the first guards, but not bad

<DM> hehe.

<Mialee> bak

<Mialee> :)

<DM> So do you want to call it here for the night?

<Mialee> Yeah, we better.

<DM> If you're too tired to be enjoying it, and Roger too missing to be enjoying it...

<Mialee> Yeah. :)

<DM> ok.

<Mialee> That's just what I was going to say. :)

<DM> Current Hit Points:

<DM> -------------------
<DM> Flint 24

<DM> Mordin 20

<DM> Mialee 16

<DM> Pengo 20

<DM> Jozlan 18

<DM> Icarius 16

<Mialee> And Pengo's asleep?

<DM> I think Roger fell into the river back in Byrne

<Mialee> Heh

<DM> Pengo wakes up just about the time the fight ends.

<Mialee> OK.

<DM> Ok, then, keep your eyes on the board, and we'll figure out our next meeting.

<Mialee> OK. Sounds good. Thanks, and sorry to poop out so early. :)

<DM> thanks guys.

<DM> 's ok.

<Mialee> It was fun!

<Mialee> Lots of role play. :)

<Mialee> Later!


September 12, 2004


<DM> Ok, let me try again:

<DM> hey guys

<DM> someone wanna bring Flint and Mordin up to speed?

<Mialee> You know, I don't remember very clearly what happened last time, myself. We're in a building but I can't remember what it is. It's the headquarters of... some guild or other. :)

<Flint> Are we statues again? :)

<Mialee> Heh, no. :)

<Jozlan> "commercial" guild

<DM> Ok, here it is, in a nutshell

<DM> You've been asked by Lordy Darcy, the Baron's Chancellor, to recover the annual tax shipment, which was stolen by robbers on it's way to the capital. Here's a quote from the last time:

<DM> "Our problem is this: We must recover the taxes, but we cannot make an armed assault on the town, since that would be considered an Act of War by the Count of Kent. We cannot publicly ask for the money back, because we have no solid proof that it is still there, although I am sure it is. (I'm guessing that the bandits, frustrated at their inability to unseal the chest, tried to trade it for what they could in town, before taking off for the wilderness again.) Also, public knowledge that the barony's tax shipment is somehow lost will bring every thief and brigand in the surrounding area rushing in there, drawn like vultures to a dead cow."

<DM> "As you've probably already guessed, what we'd like for you to do is to recover the tax shipment. It must be done quietly, without arousing too much attention, and it must be done quickly, before the thieves discover how to open the chest and disperse the money, or simply move the chest elsewhere. Every hour of delay increases the chances that the money will be dispersed or removed."

<DM> They think it is currently being held in the Cham theives' guild, which is know as the Cham Mercentile Association

<Mialee> We're at 8 right now, IIRC.

<DM> So far, you've bribed the front door guards to disappear for a while, and you've snuck into the first floor, and had a deadly encounter with three guards, all now dead.

<DM> Thanks, Mialee

<DM> You're in rm 8

<Mialee> Anything interesting in this room?

<DM> Pengo just recovered from a sleeping poison of some kind, and Mordin found a very interesting Axe on the big guy he killed.

>Pengo stretches.

<Pengo> Did I miss anything?

<DM> There are some dice in the corner, and a few coins scattered about.

<Jozlan> not yet, Pengo

>Pengo takes a look at the dice and coins.

<DM> There is a big iron door on the west wall

>Jozlan listens at the iron door

<DM> They are the normal gambling dice you're familiar with

>Mordin examines the axe.

<Pengo> Is that a window in the north wall?

<DM> The guys you killed were playing dice when you came in.

<DM> Yes, its a narrow window with a steel bar running down the middle.

<Pengo> Anything interesting outside?

<DM> Nothing but the street.

<DM> the bar prevents even a hobbit from fitting through the window.

>Mialee leans against the wall and communes with her thoughts.

<Pengo> Smart.

>Pengo checks the west door for traps.

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

<Pengo> Any sound coming from behind it?

>Pengo listens.

<DM> DM Rolls Secretly

<DM> No, he doesn't hear anything.

<Pengo> Are we ready to go through?

<Jozlan> let's go

>Mialee pushes off the wall and gets into position.

>Pengo opens the door.

<Mordin> I think I'll give this new axe a try.

<DM> Pengo finds that the door is locked

>Pengo picks the lock.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> He can't open it.

>Mialee sighs and casts Knock.

<DM> And you hear a soft "click"

>Pengo smiles and opens the door.

<DM> Opening the door to his room reveals a 20 by 30 ft. chamber with a number of weapons racks, a wardrobe, and two creatures that look like goblins, only very large and very hairy.

<DM> They sit on stools, and stare at you rather stupidly.

<DM> roll for surprise

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

<DM> roll for initiative

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

<DM> they look at each other, grin, and grab their weapons.

<DM> One of them snickers.

<DM> They are on their feet, and closing the distance between you.

<DM> And one swings at Mordin, and one swings at Flint

>Mialee discovers that her spell book on Thomas's eMac hasn't been updated.

<DM> drat

>Mialee looks up the spell the hard way :)

*** Roll by DM: 2d20 -> 15 + 15 = 30

<DM> both hit!

>Mialee prepares to cast a spell.

<DM> Grunt on Mordin with his Club

*** Roll by DM: 1d6+2 -> 6 + 2 = 8

<DM> Squisher on Flint with his Mace

*** Roll by DM: 1d6+3 -> 3 + 3 = 6

<DM> Your turn to swing

<Mialee> Can I cast a spell now? :)

<DM> Yes

>Mialee casts Levitate on Squisher and tries to ram his head into the ceiling.

<Jozlan> hehe

<DM> Squisher tries to save:

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 8

<DM> but doesn't.

<Jozlan> i feel a pinata party coming on

>Mialee smiles faintly.

<DM> He rises at the stately rate of 10 feet per minute, and has plenty of time to put his

hands up to block the ceiling

>Flint attacks with his Axe.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 5

<DM> He does have a rather surprised look on his face. :)

>Jozlan attacks grunt

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 8

<Mialee> 10 feet per minute? Hm. The spell info says 10 feet per round. I thought a round

was like 10 seconds.

>Mordin attacks with the new axe.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 9

<Mialee> And with a 10 foot ceiling, for a tall guy, he should hit the ceiling in just a second or two, I'd think.

<DM> a round is 1 minute. a SEGMENT is 6 seconds

<Mialee> Hm. OK.

<Mialee> Mea culpa.

>Pengo strikes at Grunt on the ground.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 20

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 6

<DM> but he is dangling there, feet about 2 feet off the ground

<Pengo> Booyah!

<Mialee> And he can stay there for a while.

<DM> JOZ, you hit with your hammer

<DM> Mordin hit

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 8

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 5 + 6 = 11

<DM> Well, grunt is Squished,.

<DM> and Squisher is pissed.

<Mialee> When you cancel Levitate, does the target settle to the ground, or drop?

<DM> Round 2:
==========================

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?

<Jozlan> nothing

<Mialee> I'm fine, thanks.

<Icarius> nothgin

<DM> it drops

<Flint> Nothing.

<Mialee> I'll have to remember that for future reference.

<DM> I'd say initiative goes to you guys automatically

<Mialee> I'd think so.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 1

<Pengo> Heh.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 8

<DM> Pengo stubs his toe

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 15

>Mialee leans up against a wall and just watches.

<DM> Mordin hits

<DM> Flint hits

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 3 + 6 = 9

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 6

<DM> Squisher is disemboweled rather quickly

<Mialee> Look out, everyone.

<Mordin> We hates Goblins, we doesssss.

>Mialee releases the spell.

>Jozlan looks through the weapon rack

<DM> the squishy mess splats to the floor

>Pengo searches the corpses.

<DM> The first rack holds 20 short bows, five crossbows, 200 quarrels and

<DM> 600 arrows.

<DM> A second rack holds two broadswords, three hand axes 3 short sword and six daggers.

<DM> The last rack holds four arrows, five daggers, and a broad sword.

<DM> There is nothing of value or interest on the corpses.

<Mialee> Nothing much of interest on the racks either, unless anything is magic.

>Jozlan checks the wardrobe

<DM> The wardrobe holds seven suits of leather armor; 4 human/elf/orc

<DM> size, and 3 dwarf/hobbit size.

>Mialee inspects the floor.

<Mordin> Cast Detect magic and find out.

<DM> The floor is made of granite blocks, just as the walls are.

>Mialee rolls her eyes.

<DM> Is she looking for something in particular?

<DM> That's about all you see in this room.

<Pengo> Does anyone have detect magic?

<Pengo> Joz has the wand of Detect Magic.

<Jozlan> back to the hallway?

<Mialee> OK.

<Pengo> Sounds good to me.

<Flint> I think we should check for magic here.

>Mialee sighs.

>Jozlan uses the detect magic wand on the weapons

<Flint> This is an armory with three guards outside the door.

<Jozlan> valid point

<Flint> There must be something of importance in here.

<Pengo> I'm more interested in the possibility that the armor might be magic.

<Pengo> Magical leather would be an upgrade for me.

<DM> As Jozlan makes ready to use the wand....

<Pengo> Uh-oh.

<Mordin> BTW: take a look at this axe with the spell as well.

<DM> ok, good

<Pengo> If you can do the armor too...

<Pengo> Dunno how much stuff you can cover at once. :)

<Pengo> Maybe we could heap the stuff in a single pile? :)

<DM> Had to check how the wand functioned

<Pengo> Anyway... you do your thing. :)

<DM> Jozlan activates it, and it begins to hum a bit,

<DM> and then points to the Axe that Mordin picked up, and then to one of the smaller suits of armor, and then to one of the daggers, and then to one of the big suits of armor, and then to the broadsword and then to a pile of the quarrels, and then to another

<DM> dagger

<DM> Which are all still in the rack, BTW

<Pengo> Pointing to all the magic stuff, eh?

<Pengo> Neat.

<DM> in fact, all the things that got pointed to were in the last rack, except the armor, which was in the wardrobe

<Pengo> That armor... that's hobbit-sized leather? :)

<DM> Yeah, it kind of acts like a divining rod.

<DM> anyway, then it fades.

<Jozlan> ok, lets snag the goods

>Pengo grabs the magic leather that's his size.

>Pengo takes off his old armor and puts the new one on.

<DM> Who's getting the other stuff?

<DM> Pengo, it fits rather nicely.

<Mordin> I'll carry the other suit of armour for now.

<Pengo> Anyone need a large set of leather armor?

<Pengo> As for other items, anything people don't want to claim outright, we can slide into my bag.

<Mordin> Unless some one wants to wear it.

<Mordin> Okay.

<Pengo> I love having a Bag of Holding. :)

<Pengo> Can Icarius wear the leather without impeding spell ability? I don't recall.

<DM> No

<Pengo> OK.

<Flint> They are almost as much fun as a portable hole.

<DM> So far, you've grabbed the 2 sets of armor.

<Pengo> Can we stuff the large leather and all the other magic items into the bag?

<DM> yes, they will fit, except that the weapons have sharp points.

<Pengo> Mm.

<Pengo> Well, that won't work.

<Jozlan> no sheaths for them?

<DM> no, they are bare in the rack

>Mialee idly watches the door.

<Pengo> We may need to just come back for the stuff later.

>Pengo crams the large leather into the bag.

<Jozlan> chop up one of the standard leather armor and cover them with that

<DM> That's possible, but would take a while.

<Pengo> Could just wrap them in the standard leather. :)

<Pengo> Instead of chopping. :)

<DM> not as effective.

<Flint> We can roll them up in my bedroll and put that in the bag.

<Pengo> Mm.

<Jozlan> yeah, that's good

<Pengo> OK, that's a plan.

<DM> that might work

<Flint> I'll lash the ends of the roll shut so nothing falls out.

<Jozlan> ok, back to the hall then?

<DM> So you're all staring at the rack of weapons

<Pengo> Sounds good.

<DM> remember, guys, if you want to DO something, you have to /act like it

<Mialee> I'm still watching the door.

> Mialee idly watches the door.

>Jozlan goes back to the hallways

<DM> so if someone wants to pick up a weapon, they need to indicate that with an /act

>Flint bundles the magic weapons up in his bedroll, lashes it up, and places it in Pengo's bag.

<Pengo> :)

<DM> Not so fast, Flint!

<DM> As soon as you grab one of the weapons, you hear a click, a snap, and a stone block falls out of the ceiling toward your head!

<DM> Roll a 1d20, and score UNDER your dexterity.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 4

>Pengo curses himself for not thinking to check for traps.

<Pengo> These are thieves we're talking about here, there are traps everywhere.

<DM> Ho! you manage to dodge the stone, which would have dealt some sever damage, for sure.

<Pengo> Whew.

>Pengo checks to see if there are any other traps on the rack.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

<Pengo> OK, try it now.

>Pengo steps back just in case.

<Flint> The quickest one might want to try this.

<DM> the weapon rack stands there, as the dust settles.

>Pengo collects the magic weapons off the rack.

<DM> ok.

>Pengo hands them to Flint.

>Flint wraps them up in his bedroll and lashes it up.

<DM> good!

>Flint places the bedroll in Pengo's bag.

<DM> The bag looks about half full, (from the inside)

<Pengo> OK, now we can move along.

<DM> For the purposes of what looks like it would fit, imagine a coffin or footlocker that was

5x3x2

<DM> ok, then; let's go. :)

>Mialee gets into formation, quietly.

<Flint> Do we want to try Hallway 10a?

<Mialee> 10a?

<Mialee> What are you looking at? :)

<Flint> The map.

>Mialee doesn't see anything labeled 10a.

<DM> yeah, what are you looking at?

<Pengo> Let's head for the doorway at the end of the hall, to the east of 8.

<Flint> the door east of room 8 in hall 2.

<Mialee> Hm, you're seeing numbers that aren't there in Safari. :)

<Flint> The area is covered by the icon hall10a.

<Jozlan> yes, lets do it

<Flint> You don't know what you're missing. :)

<Mialee> Ah, your browser is showing you the filenames of the missing graphics.

> The DM kicks himself for not testing his html in ALL browsers. :)

<Pengo> Heh

<Pengo> OK, someone take the lead, let's go.

<Flint> I'm useing iCab. To save you testing time. :)

>Pengo grumbles and heads for the door at the end of the hall.

>Mordin leads the way.

>Pengo watches for traps.

<Pengo> From now on, guys, we check for traps on everything we touch.

>Mialee follows along.

<Mordin> Yes, BEFORE we touch it.

>Pengo nods.

<DM> .p you still have to /act it. :)

<Pengo> Yes.

<Mordin> right Flint?

<Pengo> :)

<Flint> Moradin Soulforger protects me. :)

<Pengo> Yeah, but he doesn't protect me, so keep your fingers to yourself until I've checked for traps. :)

<DM> ok, you're at the door

>Pengo checks it for traps.

>Pengo really needs to get better at this. :)

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

<Pengo> My 40% on that blows. :)

>Pengo opens it and steps back fast.

<DM> This L-shaped corridor is illuminated by the middle door on the

<DM> western wall, which is glowing of its own accord.

<DM> Anyway, you see an lshaped corridor, which bends to the south. There are 2 doors on the eastern wall, and three doors on the western wall

<DM> and a door on the southern end

<DM> The CLOSEST door is the first one on the eastern wall

>Pengo checks that one for traps.

<DM> Now you can refresh

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

<Pengo> Ready?

>Pengo opens the door and steps away.

<Jozlan> yes

<DM> This 10 by 30 ft. room is simply furnished with a bed, a wardrobe, a writing desk, two chairs, and several paintings on the wall.

<DM> A man is sitting at the desk, and a woman is sitting on the bed.

<DM> You hear: "Hello??" from inside the room.

<Pengo> Hi!

>Pengo strolls in with a grin.

<Jozlan> we're here to open the chest

<DM> When you enter, the man stands up and asks: "Yes? Can I help you? You are new here aren't you?"

<Pengo> Yeah.

<Pengo> They called me to get the chest open.

<Pengo> Any idea who I'm supposed to talk to?

<DM> I'm afraid I wouldn't know anything about that, sir.

<DM> "My name is Philip and my wife's name is Marie. I am the butler here. "

<Pengo> I'm sorry to disturb you, I took a wrong turn, I guess. This place is like a maze!

<DM> You might ask Lt. Smith, the next door across the hall.

<Pengo> Great, thank you. Sorry to have disturbed you.

>Pengo bows slightly and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

<Pengo> Don't suppose there's any way I could lock them in? :)

<DM> not really.

<Pengo> OK.

>Pengo checks the first door on the west wall for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo whispers to the others, "I'm going to try bluffing again in here, be ready to come in if it goes badly. Stay back out of sight."

>Pengo knocks on the door.

<Flint> What is a butler doing in the Cham Mercentile Association?

>Pengo gestures for the others to move out of sight.

<Pengo> Butling?

<DM> "Yes! What?" You hear from the other side.

<Pengo> I'm here to help with the chest!

<DM> "Come in!"

>Pengo opens the door and enters, leaving the door open behind him.

<DM> This room is sparsely furnished, with everything exactly in place. There's a bed, a chair, and a desk at which sits a man in military uniform. Next to the bed is a low table on which sits a small chest. The chest is open, and the inside of the lid is glowing brightly, illuminating the entire room.

<DM> The only decoration in the room is a framed collection of medals hanging on the wall.

<DM> The man looks up from his work when you enter the room, and says, with an urbane Oxford accent:

<Man> What chest are you talking about?

<Man> "Number 3 told me to expect some new recruits, but I didn't expect you so soon.

<Pengo> I don't know. I was told there was a chest that needed to be opened and to get here as fast as possible to see what I could do about it.

<Pengo> Nobody tells me specifics, because I don't want to know.

<Pengo> I just open tricky things for people.

<Man> Hmm, I somehow doubt that Number 1 would bring in outside help for that. Where are you from?

<Pengo> I'm from Kusnir.

<Man> Have you got any references?

<Pengo> Papa Kurst, the leader there, thinks rather highly of me.

<Man> Kusnir, eh? Up northeast of Byrne?

<Pengo> Yeah. I try to stay out of Byrne... they... don't like me much there.

<Man> I mean did you bring a letter of reference.

<Pengo> Oh, no, it's pretty hard to get people to sign their name to a document saying they've used my services, if you catch my meaning.

>Pengo winks.

<Man> I mean did you bring a letter of reference.

Humph.

<Man> I mean did you bring a letter of reference.

<Man>"OK, give me your name and which room you are staying in, and I will get back to you soon with your place on the duty roster."

<Man> "I'll check with Number 1 when I see him and ask about this chest you're talking about. "

<Pengo> My name is Dango Underfoot. I don't have a room assignment yet that I know of... I just arrived, and was told to find you.

<Pengo> Sounds like they sent me to the wrong fellow.

<DM> He gets up from his desk with a grunt.

<Man> "A bloke just can't get his own work done around here, but he has to do everyone else's too."

<Pengo> Ain't that always the way it is?

<Man> "Come on, I'll find you a room.

<Pengo> Thank you, sir.

<Mialee> We better get farther out of sight.

<DM> He picks up the war hammer that was hanging on the back of his chair, and comes around the desk.

>Flint moves back against the wall.

>Mordin follows suit.

>Pengo steps aside to allow the lieutenant to pass.

<DM> he strides out into the hallway, and stops suddenly when he sees you all lined up against the wall.

>Pengo sighs.

<Man> "what the blazes? Who are all of you?"

>Pengo backstabs the lieutenant.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 17

<DM> hits.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 2

<Pengo> Ugh.

<Man> "aaaaaaagh!"

<Mialee> Damn.

>Mordin attacks with his Axe.

>Pengo looks sheepish.

<Jozlan> oh well, nice try :)

<Pengo> You guys were supposed to stay out of sight!

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

<DM> you got it.

>Pengo strikes again.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 19

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 1

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 2

<DM> Mordin misses, unbelieveably

>Flint attacks with his Axe.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 5

<DM> miss

>Mialee sighs and takes a swing.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 19

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8 -> 2

<DM> He starts yelling: "Intruders!! Intruder alert!"

<DM> nope

<DM> you're in a 10 ft hallway

<Mialee> Nope?

<DM> Mordin and Flint are in front, with Pengo behind him, but the others are out of reach

<Mialee> Oh.

<Mialee> OK.

<DM> He swings at Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 7

>Pengo grumbles.

<DM> misses

<Flint> The door is in the side of the hall, not at the 10 foot end.

<DM> But none of you mentioned crossing to the south side of the door.

<DM> that I recall :)

<Mialee> That's true. :)

<DM> Round 2:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
=======================

<Flint> Okay.

<Pengo> Of course, I was hoping you guys would go around the corner. :)

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 3

<Mialee> Magic missile.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 2d4+2 -> 4 + 1 = 5 + 2 = 7

<Flint> Silence 15'radius.

<Mialee> A little late for that. :)

<DM> On who/what, flint?

<Flint> On my self.

>Pengo strikes again.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 4

<DM> good: :)

<DM> miss, Pengo

<DM> Mordin?

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 6

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 10

<DM> miss

<DM> no, one hit

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 4 + 6 = 10

<DM> His screams are cut off by Flint's silence.

<DM> but he continues to battle.

<DM> meanwhile, a door opens behind Pengo.

<Mialee> There was a door in the room?

<DM> no, behind Pengo in the hall to the south.

<DM> Pengo came out into the hall to backstab the Lt.

<Mialee> I did? Oh.

<Mialee> I thought he was in the doorway.

<Mialee> OK.

<DM> Where are those miniatures when you need them. :)

<Mialee> Want me to start up the whiteboard thing? :)

<DM> He'll swing at Flint this time.

<DM> it wouldn't hurt :)

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 13

<DM> hits

*** Roll by DM: 2d4 -> 3 + 3 = 6

<DM> this blow fell after the silence spell was complete, of course.

<DM> Round 3:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Flint>

<Mialee> Magic missile.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 2d4+2 -> 4 + 3 = 7 + 2 = 9

<Mialee> Feel free to tweak the placement of the characters on that as needed. :)

<DM> He clutches his chest, and crumples to the ground.

>Mialee nods.

>Pengo turns to see what's up behind him.

<DM> yup, that WAS what I had pictured.

<DM> A head pokes out into the hall momentarily, and then snaps back out of sight, and the door slams with a silent boom

<Pengo> OK.

<Pengo> Do we check out the Lt's room, or head down the hall?

>Pengo quickly searches the lieutenant's corpse.

<DM> That was the door on the western wall, furthest south

<Mialee> So not the first one, but the second?

<Mialee> (farther south)

>Flint points down the hall.

<DM> The last one on the west side, looking south

<Jozlan> yeah, better handle him

<Mialee> OK.

>Pengo pauses to let Mordin and Flint in front of him.

<DM> You don't find anything of interest on the corpse.

>Mordin charges down to the Door.

>Pengo follows.

>Pengo checks for traps.

<DM> ok, Mordin and Pengo are at the door.

>Flint silently charges along side Mordin.

>Mialee follows.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo flings the door open.

>Pengo steps back.

>Mordin Breaks down the door.

<DM> it's locked

<Pengo> Heh.

<DM> roll, Mordin

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D6 -> 4

<DM> you need 20 or less on `d100

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D100 -> 75

>Pengo picks the lock.

<DM> roll it

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 28

<DM> he succeeds!

>Pengo opens the door with a grin, and steps back.

>Mordin charges in.

>Flint follows.

<DM> While he's picking, the door in the south wall opens momentarily, and then slams shut

>Pengo follows.

<Mialee> Oof.

<DM> Pengo noticed a girl slamming the door in the south wall as he dashed into the room.

<Pengo> Was she cute?

<Pengo> :D

<DM> she was, actually, in a rough and tumble way

<DM> This small apartment is decorated with artifacts from an Eastern culture. The room contains a bed, two chairs, a large bookcase containing many books, and a small night table.

<Pengo> Anybody in here?

<DM> The room is illuminated by a glowing, flat piece of wood stuck in a cresset on the wall.

<DM> There is a woman cowering on the bed, and a man in loose fitting, comfortable looking clothing, standing at the ready in the middle of the room

<DM> "Who are you and what do you want?" he asks

<Mordin> How big is this room?

<DM> sorry, just a sec

<Pengo> We're on a mission from Byrne; we have reason to believe that something that belongs to the Baron was stolen and secreted in this building.

<Pengo> We don't want to hurt anyone, we're just trying to get the item back.

<DM> Umm. back up.

<Pengo> Hm?

<DM> You THINK he says: "Who are you and what do you want?" as well as you can lipread

<Pengo> Oh. :)

<Pengo> Flint. :)

<DM> but of course, the room is dead silent.

>Pengo gestures for Flint to back off.

<DM> This is a small 10x20 ft room

<DM> Is Flint backing off?

<Flint> Yes.

<Pengo> All right, that being done...

<DM> ok, Pengo can hear himself think again. :)

<Pengo> Heh

<Pengo> We're here on a mission to recover an item that we have reason to believe was hidden in this building.

<DM> The man is obviously frightened, but steadfast.

<Pengo> We don't have any interest in hurting you.

<Pengo> Who are you?

<Marcus> "Ok, but what are you doing here? Why are you threatening us?"

>Pengo sheathes his sword.

<Marcus> "My name is Marcus. I am the Valet"

<Marcus> "My wife's name is Irene."

<Pengo> Well, we were attacked when we entered the building, so we're a little on guard.

<Pengo> Have you noticed anything unusual going on around here lately?

<Marcus> "This place IS usually very secure. I'm surprised you were able to get in at all if you don't have business with our, um employers."

<Pengo> My name, by the way, is Dango.

<Marcus> "No, it's been business as usual for a long time."

<Marcus> "But of course, I don't get involved in the business of the business here, if you know what I mean."

<Marcus> I just take care of the personal needs of some of the more important folks here."

<Pengo> Anybody in particular?

<Pengo> Sounds like interesting work.

> Mialee leans against the door frame, watching up and down the hall.

<Marcus> "Well, mostly I work directly for Number 1. "

<Pengo> He's the man I need to talk to. Do you know where I could find him?

<Marcus> "His quarters are on the secon... I suppose I shouldn't be telling you this. "

<Pengo> Well, we'll find him eventually anyway. The more you can tell me, the less damage we'll do on the way.

<Marcus> "What happened to Lt Smith? You could ask him."

<Pengo> Like I said, we've got to complete our task here, but like I said, we don't mean you any harm.

<Pengo> We'll keep an eye out for him.

<Marcus> "Uhh, ok. His quarters are on the second level, but I heard he was out today. "

<Marcus> "It's our day off, you see, so we haven't paid much attention to who is in and who is out."

<Pengo> Well... thank you for the pleasant chat. I strongly suggest you stay in your room for now.

<Pengo> I see.

<Marcus> "Yes, certainly!"

>Pengo bows politely.

>Pengo leaves the room.

>Mialee steps into the hall.

<Jozlan> the middle (13?) room?

<Pengo> This is 14.

<Pengo> We passed 13 to get to this room.

<Pengo> We need to go back to it.

<Jozlan> the one between 14/15

>Flint points to the south door.

<Pengo> Yes.

>Pengo checks the south door for locks.

<Pengo> We need to see about the cute girl. ;)

<Jozlan> must be the maid

<Pengo> Er, checking it for traps. :)

<DM> The door in the south wall?

<Pengo> Yeah.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens it.

<DM> It's locked, of course

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 24

<DM> it opens!

>Pengo opens the door and steps inside, smiling.

<DM> This room is rather simply furnished with a bed, five chairs, and a larger than average table. There is a shelf on the wall, and on the shelf there is a small object, glowing brightly enough to light up the room.

<DM> Crouched behind the table is a young woman. When she sees you, she drops the book and stands up, drawing a large kitchen knife.

<Pengo> Hi!

<DM> She tosses the knife from hand to hand, flipping it in the air.

<Girl> "who are you, and what do you want?"

<Pengo> My name is Dango Underfoot. I'm here looking for Number 1; I need to speak to him.

<Girl> "Well, little man, you're looking in the wrong place, then. Number 1 never shows his face around this end of the building."

<Pengo> Really? I'd think he'd want to see a pretty face like yours all the time.

<Girl> "He don't pay much attention to us workin' folks. "

<Pengo> That's a shame.

<Pengo> I don't suppose you'd be interested in a nice dinner and a drink later, after I've had my chat with Number 1?

<Girl> "No, I don't think so. I'd rather not get involved with you short folks."

<Pengo> Ouch.

<Pengo> Well, you don't know what you're missing, but okay. I do suggest you stay in here until we're done though.

<Girl> "nothin' against you personally, see?"

<Girl> "I ain't got nowhere else to go."

<Pengo> Well, I still think I might stop by again to say hello.

<Pengo> What's your name, anyway, and what do you do around here?

<Girl> "I am the scullery maid."

<Girl> "My name is Gwen."

<Pengo> Well, Gwen, it's been a genuine pleasure to meet you, and I hope to see you again.

>Pengo backs out of the room, still smiling, and shuts the door.

<Girl> Yeah, sure

<Pengo> Don't let me forget to stop by again before we leave. :)

<Jozlan> or once you grow a foot or two

<Pengo> Ouch.

<Jozlan> next room?

<Jozlan>

>Pengo checks the door to the east for traps.

<Icarius> too bad we don't have a "tall dark and handsome" spell

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

<Pengo> We have a Philter of Love. ;)

>Pengo opens the door.

<DM> Heh, if only Niniven were here. :)

<Pengo> Who?

<Pengo> Oh. :)

<DM> It's locked, naturally

<Pengo> I'd rather win her heart instead of robbing her of her own mind.

>Pengo picks the lock

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 95

<Pengo> Or not.

<DM> oops!

<DM> no go.

<Pengo> Try your key, Mordin. ;)

<DM> BTW, the silence has worn off by now.

<Flint> Maybe we should use a knock spell.

<DM> While you're pondering your next move, the door on the east side to the north opens, and you see a head stick out for a minute, and then disappear.

>Mialee casts knock.

<DM> and you hear the door close

<DM> Mialee cast her knock spell already

<Mialee> I have two memorized.

<Mialee> Had.

<Flint> Was that the Butler's room?

<Mialee> Two knock, one levitate, one web.

>Mialee decides against knock.

>Mialee knocks on the door.

<Mialee> "Hello, could we have a word with you, please?"

<DM> Really? ok.

<Mialee> "We're not going to hurt you, we just need to speak with you for a moment."

<DM> There is no answer at the southern door

<Mialee> The southern of the two eastern ones?

>Mialee casts knock, then.

<DM> right. That's where you are, right?

<Mialee> Yeah.

<DM> ok, the door swings open slowly

>Pengo looks inside.

<DM> This room is simply furnished with a small desk, a wardrobe, a small locked chest, and a bed. The only decoration is an apron hanging on one wall.

<Pengo> Nobody inside?

<DM> no one

<Mialee> I'm not really inclined to rob some cook of her belongings.

>Pengo looks at Mialee like she's nuts.

>Flint checks under the bed.

<DM> some dust bunnies

>Pengo checks the wardrobe for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens it and looks inside.

<Icarius> i think we're wasting time on the hired help

<DM> The chest holds a 10-volume set of cookbooks, some personal letters,

<DM> 130cp, 88sp, 65gp and 2pp.

<Mialee> I think you're right.

<Pengo> The chest? I'm looking in the wardrobe. :)

<Pengo> The chest is locked.

<DM> oops

<Pengo> :)

<Pengo> Anyway, we've confirmed this is the cook's quarters.

<DM> well, that's one that you opened easily :)

<Pengo> Let's go have a look in the Lieutenant's office.

<DM> the wardrobe has some cook's whites, etc.

>Pengo closes the chest back up, and the wardrobe, leaving everything as found.

>Pengo returns to the hallway.

>Mialee follows.

<DM> You think you hear some footsteps disappearing around the bend to the north

<Pengo> Uh-oh.

>Pengo hustles to the north to see if he can see who it is.

<DM> You hear the door at the west end of the hallway close just before you turn the corner.

>Pengo opens the door to the butler's room and looks inside.

<DM> This 10 by 30 ft. room is simply furnished with a bed, a wardrobe, a writing desk, two chairs, and several paintings on the wall. There is no one inside

<Pengo> Damn.

<Pengo> Try to do something nice, and that's what you get.

<Pengo> Well, nothing for it.

>Pengo goes into the Lieutenant's office.

>Mialee follows Pengo in.

<DM> This room is sparsely furnished, with everything exactly in place.

<Flint> They are loyal to their employers.

<DM> There's a bed, a chair, and a desk Next to the bed is a low table on which sits a small chest.

<DM> The chest is open, and the inside of the lid is glowing brightly, illuminating the entire room.

<DM> The only decoration in the room is a framed collection of medals hanging on the wall.

<Pengo> Either that or they're fleeing.

>Pengo looks inside the chest.

>Mialee checks out the desk.

<DM> The chest holds a duty roster signed by one Lt. Smith, seven different uniforms, and four certificates of valor. The certificates name "Veteran Jones," "Watchman Lojak," "Guardsman Sperrowsen," and "Defender Lang."

<DM> The paperwork on the desk seems to be a duty roster of some sort.

<DM> A typical entry reads only "Harold at post 3 on the night shift."

<Mialee> Uniforms?

<DM> Yeah. Lt. Smith was wearing one too.

<Mialee> What I mean is, how are they different?

>Pengo searches the desk while Mialee contemplates the uniforms.

<DM> oh. They are different "liveries" as in, uniforms of different armies or groups of guards, etc

<Mialee> Any of them look like that of Byrne?

<DM> Other than the paperwork, there is a shield leaning against one of the desk legs.

<DM> yes. One of them is the uniform of the Byrne City Watch.

<Mialee> Ah-ha!

<Mialee> A clue, I dare say.

<Mialee> Where's everyone else?

<Pengo> Hm.

<DM> I guess still in the hallway?

<Jozlan> in the hall

<Pengo> Guess so.

>Pengo looks at the shield.

<Flint> Yes.

<DM> It's a good looking medium sized shield.

<DM> No device on it, it's plain blue

<Mialee> Can it fit into the bag?

<DM> Yes, it could.

>Mialee slides it in there.

<Mialee> Er...

>Pengo slides it in there. ;)

<DM> :)

<Flint> If you overload the bag, you will tear it.

>Pengo exits the room and checks the middle door to the west for traps.

<Pengo> I know, I'm being careful for that reason.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens it and steps back.

<DM> The smell wafting out of this room makes it immediately apparent what this small 10 by 10 ft. area is used for. There's a low stone shelf on the north wall with two holes cut in it.

<DM> There is a sink on the west wall, which drains into a narrow crevice that drains into a hole in the northwest corner. Above the sink on a shelf is a bucket with a valve in it.

<Pengo> Heh.

>Pengo closes the door.

<DM> refresh

<Pengo> All right, I think it's time to head out of this area back to #2, the door just south of #8.

<Pengo> Any disagreement?

>Pengo heads that way.

<Mordin> Okay.

>Mialee follows quietly.

<DM> Pengo arrives at the door.

>Mordin leads the way.

>Pengo checks it for traps.

<Pengo> (again :)

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens it.

<DM> It's locked

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 7

<DM> as the door opens, 2 pins fire from the doorjamb, hitting Pengo.

<Pengo> Dammit!

<DM> Roll for a poison save,

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 8

<DM> Pengo slumps to the gorund, unconsicous.

<DM> ground

<Mialee> Figures.

<Mialee> Is it poisoning or sleep, or?

<Mialee> Can the clerics tell?

>Flint examines Pengo.

<DM> It's a poison that causes unconsciousness, or so you surmise by your last experience with it.

<DM> he is still breathing.

<Mialee> Would Poison Antidote potion wake him up? I can't recall.

<DM> and shows no evidence of injury or serious problem.

<Mialee> Or we could let it run its course. Anyone up to carrying him for a while?

<DM> >>Mialee >> if it's a poison as you think it is, then a poison antidote would wake him, but it would be a waste of a poison antidote.

<Mialee> :)

<Mialee> That's why I'm asking about carrying him.

<Flint> I think we should let it run its course.

<Jozlan> yeah, lets go in

<Mialee> Am I strong enough to carry him?

<Mialee> (and all his stuff? :)

<Mordin> If I carry him, I wont be able to fight.

<DM> not really. You're pretty weak, you know.

<Mialee> Someone needs to carry him.

<Mordin> I'll have to spend a found dropping him to the ground.

<Mordin> Round

<Mialee> I'd levitate him so we could just push him around in the air, but I'm out.

<Mordin> Otherwise, I'll carry him.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6+6 -> 5 + 6 = 11

<DM> BTW, Pengo DID take 1 hp dam from the pins themselves.

<Mialee> Mordin, I think you'll have to carry him.

<DM> so What's it gonna be guys? (Jozlan COULD carry him.)

<Mialee> Joz, pick him up. :)

<Mialee> Of course, for the duration, we don't get to have him checking for traps, for whatever good that's done us so far.

>Jozlan carries him

>Mialee heads for the door to the south just south of room 8.

<DM> So are you going through the door that Pengo sacrificed himself for? :)

<Mialee> Yeah.

>Mordin enters the room.

<Mialee> Wait, we haven't opened the doro into the room yet. :)

>Flint follows.

<Mialee> That was just the door at the end of the hallway 10. :)

<Mialee> doro = door

<DM> When the door opens, you see two humans and a dwarf standing, sword

<DM> at the ready, in the southwest alcove of this area.

*** Roll by DM: 1d100 -> 50

<Mialee> What southwest alcove?

>Mialee is confused.

<DM> You also see a half-orc standing quietly in the shadows of the

<DM> eastern side.

<Mialee> We haven't gone into 17 yet.

<DM> refresh -- you're in area 17

<Mialee> What? We just walked through the door from 10 into 2.

<DM> Sorry, the door Pengo fell at WAS the door to 17, at least that's what I thought

<Mialee> At least, that's the door Pengo was working on. :)

<Mialee> I was surprised it was trapped, since we'd already gone through it. :)

<Jozlan> i thought we were going to 17

<DM>

<Pengo> All right, I think it's time to head out of this area back to #2, the

<DM> door just south of #8.

<DM>

<Pengo> Any disagreement?

<DM> > Pengo heads that way.

<DM>

<Mordin> Okay.

<DM> > Mialee follows quietly.

<DM>

<DM> Pengo arrives at the door.

<Mialee> You said the door at 10 was closed, earlier.

<DM> So I meant that he arrived at his destination

<Mialee> So I assumed that's the door we'd arrived at.

<DM> sorry for the confusion.

<Mialee> OK, I guess we can go on. I might have been a little more cautious with the door had I realized which it was. :)

<DM> ANYWAY, where you are now is staring into 17

<DM> you see two humans and a dwarf standing, sword at the ready, in the southwest alcove of this area.

<Mialee> I'd also have had Joz leave Pengo on the floor until after we'd looked through that door. :D

<DM> You also see a half-orc standing quietly in the shadows of the eastern side.

<Mialee> Can we cast spells or anything, or...?

<DM> just a sec, I'm drawing

<DM> Ok, so that's the situation, (on the drawing board) and you need to roll for surprise

<Mialee> I want to try to cast a spell before they move, if that's possible.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

<DM> you're not surprised, so roll for initiative. Mialee, you can cast --

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

>Mialee casts Web on the alcove entrance, to try to trap the humans and dwarf.

<DM> It works, and they are entrapped. The 1/2 orc looks surprised, and attacks Flint

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 4

>Mialee smiles.

<DM> but apparently he is too confused.

<Mialee> Flint, Mordin?

<Mialee> Or are the trapped fellows going to try something?

<DM> they are trying to get out of the web, naturally

>Flint allows Mordin to move past him and attack the Half-orc.

>Mordin attacks the Half-orc

<DM> go ahead

>Mialee moves into the room.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 16

<Mialee> (if possible, I don't think I can, actually, since I cast a spell already)

<Mialee> (so never mind ;D

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 2 + 6 = 8

<DM> right

<DM> A PUNISHING blow, Mordin, but the h-orc is hanging tough\

<DM> Round 2:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Flint> CLW on Mordin.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

<DM> Flint you can cast, remember it's a 5 segment spell

>Flint casts Mordin

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Mordin

<DM> The h-orc strikes at Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 2

<DM> and misses badly

<DM> He must be hurting. :)

<DM> go ahead with the cure.

>Mialee steps into the room.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D4+4 -> 3 + 4 = 7

<DM> So he's back to 21/22?

<Mordin> Yes.

>Mordin attacks with his Axe.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 8

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 8

<DM> You hear the muffled yells of the three that are still caught in the web

<DM> Easy hit

<DM> the orc Dies

<Flint> You might want to try arrow fire on them.

<Pengo> Heh.

<Mialee> (that was me)

<DM> Hey Pengo, you're not awake yet.

>Mialee shoots a fire arrow into the web.

<Mialee> Wait.

<Flint> He is giggiling in his sleep? :)

<Mialee> Is it too late to change my mind? :)

<Mialee> My webs last 80 minutes... we could just leave those guys there. :)

<DM> You're shooting one of the magical flaming arrows?

<Mialee> Not yet I'm not. :)

<Flint> Shoot them WITH arrows.

<DM> of course, they might break free before then, but

<Mialee> Can we do that, shoot regular arrows at them through the web?

<DM> Normal arrows won't penetrate the web

<Mialee> I didn't think so.

<Flint> BEFORE they raise an alarm.

<Jozlan> torch em?

<Mialee> You want to kill them, then?

<Mialee> Yeah, torch 'em.

<Mialee> Be ready, it probably won't finish them off.

<Mialee> Who has a light?

<Mialee> I'd rather not waste a flame arrow if we can avoid it.

<Mordin> We can kill them as they come out of the web.

<Mialee> OK, someone light it.

<DM> This is the problem with "modern conveniences" like continual light. :)

<Mialee> :)

>Mialee sighs.

<Mialee> OK...

>Mialee shoots into the web with one of the magic flaming arrows.

<Mordin> This is the problem with the fighters being the only ones who carry a flint and steel.

>Mialee switches back to her sword.

<DM> The web bursts into flame, and you hear the scream of the people inside as the roast.

<DM> THEY roast

*** Roll by DM: 2d4 -> 3 + 3 = 6

<DM> After a minute, the flames die down, and one of them is a charred body on the floor.

<DM> They other two, the dwarf and the human, are ready to fight, and come at Flint and Mordin.

<Mialee> What's the situation with initiative or whatever here?

<Mialee> (whose turn is it?)

<DM> Round 1:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
============================

<Mialee> Magic missile.

<Flint> melee.

<Icarius> nothing

<DM> At which one?

*** >> Flint >> you and Mordin are probably the only ones to recognize that the dwarf is female.

<Mialee> The human.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 1

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by Mialee: 2d4+2 -> 4 + 3 = 7 + 2 = 9

<DM> The human clutches his chest and dies

<DM> Your shot --

>Flint speaks in Dwarven.

*** << Flint << Stop where you are.

<DM> The Dwarf doesn't move, but stands in a defensive position.

>Mordin assumes a guard position.

>Mialee waits.

<DM> ??

<Flint> (In Common) Who are you?

<Mialee> I'm waiting to see what the dwarves are up to. :)

<DM> The Dwarf responds:

<Frolle>"My name is Frolle. What's it to you?"

<Flint> We don't want to kill you.

<Frolle> Why not, you didn't have any problem with my friends there.

<Flint> True, but they are not you.

<Frolle> What right do you have coming in here burning people alive?

<Flint> We are looking for Number 1. We have come to retreive something.

<Frolle>I don't think Number 1 is here, and I don't think I'd tell you if he was. How do you know about Number 1 anyway?

<Flint> LT. Smith told us.

<Frolle> That pompous ass? He doesn't know anything.

<Frolle> He just handles the guard rotations.

<Frolle>And obviously doesn't do that well, since you're in here.

>Mialee chuckles.

<Mialee> Look, someone here has taken something of value and we've been sent to get it back.

<Frolle> Hahahaha!

<Frolle> EVERYONE here has taken something of value, you silly elf!

<Mialee> Well, of course they have.

<Frolle> Where do you think you are?

<Flint> If we get it we will leave. Otherwise we will tear the place apart.

<Mialee> What my friend here said.

<Frolle> That's not likely. As soon as the alarm is raised, they'll flush you like ducks

<Mialee> We're good at what we do.

<Frolle> Well, as good as you think you are, nobody messes with the guild. Especially now that..

<Mialee> Now that?

<Mialee> Karak has things whipped into shape, does he?

>Icarius whispers: "lets kill him and be done with it"

I don't know nothin' about carrots, but Number 1 has some powerful friends, and all in the right places

>Mialee looks at Flint expectantly.

<Icarius> good, cause he'll be needing pallbearers soon

<Flint> We mess with the Guild. Especially now.

<Flint> If you want to buy us off, you will return what we seek.

<Frolle> What do you seek?

<Frolle> Maybe we CAN work a deal here.

<Mialee> It's a chest that was stolen from our employer.

<Frolle> A chest? Is that all? Look, I can get you a chest, if that's what you want. Any size, any value.

<Frolle> any shape

<Mialee> It had money inside, and would be... difficult to open.

<Mialee> We've been sent to bring it all back.

<Flint> We seek the chest AND it's contents.

<Frolle> Oh, well that's different.

<Frolle> Sorry, but we're not generally in the business of giving away our merchandise. What is this chest worth to you?

<Flint> It's worth us not sacking the rest of the Guild.

>Mialee nods.

<Frolle> Maybe I could take it up with my superiors, and they could arrange for you to get it back.

>Mialee chuckles.

<Mialee> That doesn't sound very likely, does it?

<Flint> We could let you go to your superiors, but we would have to continue sacking the Guild; right behind you.

<DM> The dwarf suddenly makes a dash toward Mordin.

<DM> roll for initiative

*** Roll by DMm: 1d6 -> 5

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D6 -> 3

<Mordin> Do I get any pluses for being on guard? :)

<DM> Well, actually, the dwarf is attempting an overbearing attack, and so gets a minus on initiative, so your attack will be simultaneous

*** Roll by DMm: 1d20 -> 1

>Pengo snores quietly.

<DM> she fails miserably

<DM> so you can attack.

<Jozlan> no self damage fo frollie?

>Mordin strikes to subdue.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 8

<DM> hits

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 1 + 6 = 7

<DM> She is stunned, prone on the ground.

<Mialee> Nicely done.

<DM> "Damn" she mutters

<Frolle> Go ahead and kill me you dirt diggers

> Frolle assumes that would be highly insulting to dwarves :)

<Mialee> :)

<Mialee> Isn't she a dwarf? :)

<Mordin> We could tie and gag her.

<Frolle> (Yes, so she should know ;)

<Jozlan> kill her and get it done with

<Jozlan> mercy for the weak

<Mordin> I've been insulted by a lot of Dwarvish women, You'll have to do better than that Sweetheart.

<Frolle> ok, so have you decided what to do?

<Mialee> I'm leaving it to the dwarves.

<DM> I guess the dwarves are still pondering. :)

<Mialee> Dwarves are slow thinkers.

<Mialee> How's Pengo doing?

<Jozlan> getting heavy :)

<DM> Well, funny you should mention that.

<DM> He snorts and snores, and opens one drowsy eye

<Pengo> "Wha--?"

<Pengo> Another of those damn traps, right?

<Pengo> I have *got* to get better at that.

<Pengo> Thanks, Joz. You can put me down.

<Mialee> So, what's it to be, Flint? Mordin?

<Mialee> Hello?

<Jozlan> I say kill her now or we'll have to fight her again later

>Mialee nods solemnly.

<DM> Meanwhile, as you look around the room...

<Jozlan> 10 second rule?

<DM> On the eastern half of the room, there is a steep wooden ramp leading up into darkness.

<DM> There are torch brackets on all the walls, but the only one with anything in it is on the southern wall. It holds a piece of glowing wood.

>Pengo mutters, steps forward, and slits Frolle's throat.

<Pengo> You guys talk too much.

<Jozlan> thanks :)

<DM> The torch bracket in the middle of the western wall seems to be mounted at an angle.

<Mialee> That's odd... I thought I saw you guys come back a while ago.

<Mialee> I totally misread the screen. :)

>Pengo examines that middle bracket.

<DM> It's a normal torch bracket, just mounted at an angle. Funny

<Flint> You do realize that dwarf was female.

<Mialee> Yes.

<DM> "WAS" being the operative term. :)

<Flint> Do you know how rare Female Dwarves are?

<Mialee> No... rare, huh?

<Mialee> No wonder she didn't seem to think we'd kill her.

<Flint> That is probably the only one you will see in your entire long elven life. :(

<Pengo> Well... I'm sorry, but she was the enemy.

<Jozlan> if they're all that nasty it's no surprise they're rare

<Pengo> Do we want to finish exploring this level, or go down the ramp?

>Pengo chuckles.

<DM> The ramp is an UP ramp

<Pengo> That's what I said, up the ramp. ;)

<DM> Did I show you guys the picture of the outside of this building?

<Pengo> I think so.

<Flint> We missed it.

<Jozlan> pyramid ish?

<DM> yeah

<DM> ok.

<Mialee> So, finish this level or head up?

>Pengo tugs on the angled torch bracket.

<DM> There is a squeaky sound, but he can't really move it.

>Pengo pushes it toward vertical.

<DM> He can't do it.

<Pengo> Hm.

<Pengo> Can someone stronger than me try?

>Mordin tries to move the bracket.

<DM> And OBTW, the ramp is really steep. Too steep to climb, for most of you.

<DM> roll your bend bars, Mordin

*** Roll by Flint: 1D100 -> 94

<DM> nope, sorry

<DM> It seems that it's just too stiff; you can't really get purchase on it.

<Mialee> So, more on this level then? :)

<Jozlan> lets

<Flint> Pengo, look for a catch or release for the bracket.

>Pengo examines the bracket more carefully.

<Pengo> Although I already looked at it once. :)

<DM> You don't find anything that might be a catch or release.

<Flint> Examine the wall around the bracket as well.

<Pengo> All right. Let's just finish exploring this floor.

<Pengo> Perhaps the dwarves would like to look at all the marble. :)

<DM> it's granite

<DM> not marble

>Pengo looks around for a possible catch, release, or switch.

<Pengo> Whatever, it's rock. :)

<Pengo> Sheesh. :)

<DM> nope

>Flint examines the wall .

<Pengo> I'm a thief, not a rockdweller. :)

<DM> Flint doesn't see anything, except some circular scratches around the bracket that indicate that it DOES rotate.

>Pengo heads for the door.

<Pengo> Wait.

>Flint tries to rotate the bracket.

>Pengo takes the glowing piece of wood from the bracket it's in and inserts it into the one that rotates.

>Pengo tries to turn the bracket then.

<DM> It's tough. Roll your Open Doors. (d6)

<Jozlan> maybe we were hasty in killing frolle

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 1

<DM> Nope. Still can't move it.

<Pengo> Hm.

<DM> FLint however, easily moves it, rotating it around to leaning in the other direction

<Pengo> Thought maybe that would work as a key or something.

<Pengo> Hey, there you go.

<DM> you hear a deep rumbling.

<Pengo> Ramp moving?

<DM> the sound of distant gears turning.

<Pengo> Whole building's awake now.

<DM> some scraping sounds, and the ramp splits into many pieces, and those pieces rotate into steps.

<Pengo> Neat.

<DM> And now there is a staircase leading up.

<Jozlan> lets roll

<Pengo> So, do we go up, or do we finish down here?

<Flint> Up.

<Mialee> Lead on.

>Mordin heads up the stairs.

>Mialee follows.

>Pengo goes too.

>Flint follows

>Mordin checks for traps on the way up.

<DM> It's a long staircase, all of 30 feet long, and it ends opening up into a wide hallway

<DM> This is no more than a wide corridor. Its walls are decorated with maps of Cham and the surrounding area. Fourteen chairs face a podium at the west end of the hall. There are 2 small fireplaces in the southern wall, spaced evenly between the windows.

<DM> Near the podium, sitting on 2 of the chairs, there are 2 female people playing cards, using another chair as a table. One of them is a human, and the other looks too ugly to be human, she must be a half-orc.

<DM> When they see you come in, they rise slowly to their feet and rest their hands on the pommels of their scabbarded long swords. "Who are you? Are you the new blood we've heard about?" growls the half-orc.

>Flint looks for a corresponding bracket at the top of the stairs.

<Pengo> Who are you to ask?

<DM> That's not none of your business, ya runt.

<Jozlan> don't be so surly, Dango. Yeah, we're the fresh blood

<DM> Who are you to be here?

<Pengo> I'm Dango Underfoot... I've been brought in to help open some chest they... found.

<DM> That sounds like some crap. And who are the rest o' your friends? They here to help open it too?

<Pengo> No, they're along to make sure I got here safe.

<Pengo> My talents are valuable, so I'm well protected.

<Mordin> Body Guard.

<Flint> That's right.

>Pengo nods.

<DM> Yeah, sure.

<Pengo> Any idea where I can find Number 1? I'm supposed to meet him.

<DM> Ok, so who are ya here to see?

<DM> That ain't likely. Number 1 don't meet with strangers. Ever.

<Pengo> Well, that's who I was hired to come work for.

<Pengo> So that's who I'm here to see.

<DM> They start edging to the north, where there is a passage.

<Jozlan> is there a map?

<Pengo> So, where can I find this Number 1?

<DM> Level2.html

<Pengo> How far away from us are they?

<DM> The orc says: "You stay right here, and I'll go get someone fer you to talk to."

<Jozlan> thank you.

<Pengo> All right.

>Pengo pretends to polish his sword while really being ready for an attack.

<DM> drawing

<Jozlan> is the human good looking?

<Jozlan> what's a sweetheart likke you doing in a place like this?

>Mialee rolls her eyes.

<Mialee> Men!

<Pengo> Guys, position yourselves combat ready, but be subtle. :)

>Icarius twiddles his thumbs

<DM> Ok, arrows are stairs, the human stands there, nervously looking up the hallway where the ugly one left.

<DM> If you want to reposition yourselves, do it now.

<Flint> How wide is the hall?

<DM> 20 ft wide, 50 ft long

>Pengo gestures slightly for Flint and Mordin to take flanking positions.

>Icarius stands in back

<DM> Icarius, if you want, go ahead and reposition yourself on the drawing.

>Mialee surveys the room.

<Pengo> So, you work here long?

<Pengo> (to the guard)

<DM> She doesn't say anything, but looks even more nervously up the hallway.

<Pengo> Something wrong?

>Pengo looks at Flint.

<Pengo> I'm starting to wonder if they forgot I was coming.

<DM> Then you see the ugly one come back into the room, flanked by 2 other half-orcs, and a human, all wearing leather armor, all carrying longswords.

<Pengo> So, which one of you is Number 1?

<DM> then you hear a loud clanging sound.

<Pengo> I'm here to help.

<Pengo> An alarm?

<DM> Yes, it would seem so.

<Pengo> I take it Number 1 changed his mind about requiring my services?

<Pengo> Are they doing anything?

<Flint> Mialee, see if you can find a way to reset the stairs so we don't have visitors.

>Mialee looks about for a way to reset the stairs back to a ramp.

<DM> They are now numbered for convenience

<DM> She doesn't see any from this end of the ramp.

<Icarius> I've got I've got a web :)

<DM> No 5 says:

<No.5> Now who sent you, and what do you think you're doing here?

<Pengo> I was hired by Number 1 to open a chest he obtained.

<Pengo> I'm just here to do the job and leave.

<No.5> I know that's not true, but I'd sure like to knowhow you know about the chest.

<DM> the clanging stops

*** >> Mialee >> you hear some movement at the bottom of the stairs.

<Pengo> Well, Number 1 is a secretive fellow. Perhaps he just didn't choose to tell you about my arrival.

<Flint> Was the clanging coming from this level or from the up or down stairway?

<Mialee> We have company coming from downstairs.

<No.5> Nobody sees Number 1 that soesn't see me first.

>Mialee turns to look down the stairs.

<Pengo> Well, you've seen me now, so take me to Number 1.

<Pengo> Nothing keeps me away from a job, not even you.

*** >> Mialee >> There are some people there, examining the bodies.

*** << Mialee << I keep watching them.

*** << Mialee << Wish I had one of those molotov cocktails. :)

<No.5> Well, it's time fer you to leave.

<Pengo> Not until I've seen Number 1.

<DM> They start moving toward you.

>Icarius casts sleep

*** >> Mialee >> they start moving up the stairs.

>Mialee switches to her bow.

>Mialee shoots one of the people coming up the stairs.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 10

<Icarius> (sleep at the 5 in the hall)

<DM> Number 12 falls asleep

<DM> as does 9

<Flint> AltDM just does not like combat. :)

<DM> no, I guess not.

<Icarius> maybe the sleep got him too

<Flint> lol

<Mialee> So just 9 and 12 fell asleep?

<DM> She hits, easily

<DM> Yes, 9 and 12 are asleep

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

*** >> Mialee >> you could get off another shot as they charge up the stairs.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 15

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

<Mialee> (shooting again)

<Jozlan> what's Ug?

<DM> the one you hit stumbles back, but is still on his feet.

<Mialee> Ugly :)

<DM> The ugly female half orc

<Jozlan> ok :)

<DM> the 3 remaining close for combat:

*** << <Mialee> << how many are coming up the stairs?

<DM> 7 on Jozlan, 6 on Mordin, and 5 on Flint

*** >> Mialee >> 5

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

<Jozlan> initiative?

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 1

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d6 -> 1

*** >> Mialee >> they'll close on you next round

<DM> They get it.

<Mordin> Tie, roll again? :)

*** << Mialee << One or two rounds to switch weapons?

*** >> Mialee >> one round to switch

*** << Mialee << OK

>Mialee will switch to her longsword this round.

<Pengo> Are they going to attack? :)

<DM> Yes, they are attacking.

<DM> On Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 17

<DM> hits

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 8

<DM> on Flint

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 4

<DM> on Jozlan

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 6

<DM> they miss

<DM> your turn

>Jozlan attacks #7

<Jozlan> hi ken

>Mialee is switching to her longsword.

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 15

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 4

>Pengo slashes at half-orc #5.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 13

<DM> Hits

<Icarius> are there more coming up the stairs?

<Pengo> (does that hit)

<Mialee> There are five coming up the stairs.

<Mialee> Can you Web the stairs so they can't get up?

>Icarius casts web to cover the stairs

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 8

<DM> Yes, Pengo hits

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 16

<Pengo> Woohoo!

<Flint> Good job, Pengo.

<Pengo> Thanks!

<DM> Flint misses

<Pengo> I assume Mordin's 16 hit though. :)

<DM> Mordin hits

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 7 + 6 = 13

<Mordin> That had to hurt.

<DM> Mordin cuts his adversary in two! (He does that a lot)

<Pengo> Sweeet.

<Mialee> How'd Icarius's Web do?

<DM> The stairway is blocked.

<Mialee> Excellent.

<DM> Round 2:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Magic Missile.

<Flint> Melee.

<DM> On who, Mialee

<Mialee> #7.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

<DM> 5 and 7 attack

<DM> On Flint

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 15

<DM> hits!

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 3

<DM> On Jozlan

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 10

<DM> Miss

<DM> Your shots

*** Roll by Mialee: 2d4+2 -> 3 + 1 = 4 + 2 = 6

>Jozlan attacks #7

<Mialee> On #7.

>Flint attacks #5.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 20

<DM> Flint hits

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 1

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 20

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 6

>Pengo swings at #5.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 20

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 3

>Mordin attacks #5

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 18

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 7 + 6 = 13

<DM> Sheppy, have you messed with the die roller or what? :D

<Mialee> Heh, no.

<Jozlan> :)

<Mialee> We're just having a good night.

<Jozlan> when you're good, you're good

<Mialee> Despite all the times I've said I should mess with it, I wouldn't really do it. :)

<Mordin> It must be the new axe. :)

<Mialee> So, are #5 and #7 dead yet? :)

<DM> No -- they are obviously hurting, but not dead yet.

<Mialee> New round then?

<Jozlan> geez. they're tough

<DM> However, just as this round ends, the door in the eastern end of the hallway bursts open, and 2 guys in chainmail come running out.

<Mialee> Fun!

<Mialee> The more the merrier.

<DM> Round 3:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Melee.

<Mialee> Wishing I'd kept to the bow now though. :)

<Flint> Melee

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

<Mialee> Oh, you got it already. :D

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

<DM> you got it.

<Jozlan> #7

<DM> check the drawing

>Mialee swings at m4.

<Jozlan> roll 1d20

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 4

<Mialee> Ooof, no way.

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 8

<Mordin> Roger beats himself over the head.

<Mialee> I assume Joz, Mordin, Pengo, and Flint are closer to the half-orcs than they look? :)

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 19

<DM> Yes

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 14

<Mialee> Who did you hit, Flint?

*** Roll by Flint: 1D205 -> 146

<Mialee> Wow. :)

<Flint> Number 5.

<DM> Now THAT'S some damage!

<Mialee> Ah :)

<Jozlan> eek

<DM> Flint kills #5

<DM> making Mordin's swing superfluous

<Mialee> Heh.

>Pengo swings at #7.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 1

<DM> not even

<Pengo> Whiff.

<DM> #7 at Jozlan

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 18

<DM> hits

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 1

<Mialee> Icarius, you need to try to move around behind me.

<DM> at Mialee (m4

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 1

>Icarius repositions himself

<DM> m5 at Icarius as he runs

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 6

<DM> miss

<DM> Round 4:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Melee.

<Jozlan> hide :)

<Jozlan> er, melee

<Icarius> nothign

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 2

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

<Flint> CLW on Mordin

<DM> Jozlan and Pengo, are you both still on 7?

<Pengo> I am.

<Jozlan> yep, like stink on a half orc

<Mialee> You don't stink...

<DM> ok, 7 on Pengo

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 16

<Jozlan> i'm not a half orc

<DM> hits for:

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 1

<Mialee> No, but you're on a half orc. :)

<DM> m5 on Icarius

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 4

<DM> m4 on Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 20

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 2

<DM> Your shots

>Pengo slashes at #7.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 3

>Mialee swings at m4.

<Jozlan> #7

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 16

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 13

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 5

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8 -> 4

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Mordin

*** Roll by Flint: 1D4+4 -> 4 + 4 = 8

<DM> Jozlan and Pengo pound #7 into the ground

<Pengo> Woot!

<DM> Round 5:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

>Mordin Charges to attack m5. Can I get there this round?

<Mialee> Icarius may actually have to fight. :)

<Mialee> Melee.

<DM> You can get there in round 5, yes.

<Flint> Melee.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 2

<Mialee> Oof.

*** >>

<Mialee> >> to Mialee: you might want to give our visitors the url for the drawing.

<DM> m4 on Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 18

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 8

*** << <Mialee> << Did already. :)

<Mialee> Ow!

<DM> m5 on Icarius

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 9

<Mialee> I'm hurt pretty bad.

<DM> hits

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 2

<Mialee> Icarius is trying to get around back again?

<DM> You hear yelling from behind the web

<Jozlan> yeah

<DM> Yes

<Mialee> Our turn?

<DM> yes

>Mialee swings at m4.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 13

>Pengo runs toward m5.

<Pengo> Let me know if I can attack this round or have to wait until next.

<DM> hits, mialee

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8 -> 2

<Mialee> Plink.

>Mordin attacks m5

<DM> Pengo, you can go

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 17

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 1

<Pengo> Oof, or not.

<Jozlan> m4

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 14

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 6

<DM> Mordin hit

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 2 + 6 = 8

>Flint Charges m5. Can I attack this round?

<DM> no, because Pengo got in your way

<Pengo> Sorry :)

<Flint> What if I run over him? :)

<Pengo> What's your penance for that? ;)

<DM> You smell smoke, and see the wall of webs turn into a wall of flames!

<DM> Round 6:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Jozlan> cl on mialee

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Flint> Melee

<DM> Jozlan, there are enemies between you and Nialee, you can't do that

<DM> err, Mialee

<Flint> Ic, do you have any missles off that necklace left?

<Jozlan> can I reposition and do it this round?

<Icarius> i sure do :)

<DM> You can reposition and do it NEXT round (rd 7)

<Mialee> Not sure Icarius can get one down that stairway though from his current position.

*** >> Icarius >> (be careful!)

>Icarius sneaks up the wall to the stair entrance

<Flint> No, He will have to move to the stairs.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 1

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

<Mialee> There's a lousy initiative roll. :)

<DM> m4 at mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 6

<DM> m5 at Mordin

<Mialee> Whew.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 13

<DM> hit

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 5

<DM> the flames are still roaring in the stairwell.... your turn

>Mialee slashes at m4.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 6

>Pengo attacks m5.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 13

>Mordin attacks m5.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 4

<DM> Pengo hits

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 5

<DM> Even Mordin misses with a 4 :)

>Jozlan moves up next to mialee

>Flint attempts to attack m5 around Pengo.

<DM> Pengo GUTS his man.

<Pengo> Excellent. :)

<Jozlan> nice

<DM> Round 7:

<Flint> I guess it doesn't matter.

<DM> The flames die down, and 5 more people leap over the smoldering webs and into the room.

<Jozlan> cl on mialee

<DM> Round 7:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Melee.

<Flint> Melee

<Mordin> Pengo, take care of 9 and 12.

<Pengo> Will do.

<Mialee> Icarius is too close to those guys to use one of the bomblets.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

<Mialee> We got 4.

<Mialee> Joy. :)

<Icarius> I could throw it towars the back of the stais, burn them from behind

<DM> ok, m4 on Jozlan

<Flint> Yes

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 20

<Mialee> Could try it, although last time you tried to throw past something it wound up bouncing off and hitting you in the chest. :)

<Mialee> Nice, Flint.

<DM> hits Jozlan, spoiling the spell.

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 7

<Mialee> Oops, that was DM. :)

<Mialee> Ouch.

<Icarius> throw it to the ceiling.... or not

<DM> It'd be dangerous, Ic

<Mialee> I think we'll have to forgo the bomblets; move back, Ic, when you can.

<DM> #10 on Icarius

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 14

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 3

<DM> #13 on Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20+2 -> 20 + 2 = 22

<DM> hits

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 1

<Mialee> Should be us now, I presume.

<DM> yes, go ahead

>Mialee swings at m4.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 11

<Jozlan> can I attack this round?

<DM> Yes

>Pengo slits #12's throat.

<Jozlan> m4

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 4

<DM> Mialee hits

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8 -> 2

>Icarius casts sleep

<DM> Ic you spent your sleep

<Icarius> had 2 sleep, 1 web

<Icarius> unless i used 1 last session

<DM> I had you for 1 sleep, 1 MM and 1 TFD

<Pengo> That sounds familiar.

<Icarius> oh, i think you're right.

<DM> You still have the MM

<Icarius> obviously, i webbed instead of tfd my bad

<Mialee> Web is level 2, isn't it?

<Icarius> yep

<DM> yes, adn TFD is level 1

<Mialee> I thought TFD was level 1.

<Mialee> Right.

<Mialee> So you're good.

<Icarius> ok :)

*** >> Icarius >> You still have TFD, Shatter, Invis and MM

<Mialee> I presume m4 is still vertical?

<DM> Oh yes

>Icarius mm #10

<DM> you have 2 missiles, both at 10?

<Icarius> yeah

*** Roll by Icarius: 2d10 -> 4 + 10 = 14

<Mialee> 2d10?

<DM> umm, that would be 2d4+2 :)

<Mialee> Yeah :)

*** Roll by Icarius: 2d4+2 -> 1 + 1 = 2 + 2 = 4

<DM> Ic was obviously flustered by their sudden appearance :)

<DM> He howls in pain, and rushes at Icarius

<Mialee> What are Flint and Mordin doing, just moving?

>Mialee is in fairly bad shape.

*** >> <Flint> >> to Flint: you could attack this round.

<Jozlan> I'm trying to heal you :)

<Mialee> I know. :)

<Mialee> But in the words of the Great Green One: "Do, or do not. There is no try." :)

<DM> Ok, Flint and Mordin are charging into the fray. Mordin is impeded by Icarius, but Flint manages to get a swing at #13

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 1

<DM> unfortunately, he misses, badly

<DM> Flint, you tried, but missed on #13

<DM> Round 8:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Melee.

<Icarius> sneak back out of harm's way

<Jozlan> cl

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

<Mialee> Man. :)

<DM> the good news is, Joz is able to get his spell off before the attack on him falls.

<DM> go ahead, Joz

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d4+4 -> 3 + 4 = 7

<DM> m4 on Joz

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 13

<Mialee> Thanks Joz.

<DM> hits

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 6

<DM> Joz is 5 /18

<DM> #10 on Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 19

<DM> mordin takes:

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 6

<DM> #13 on Flint

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 13

<DM> miss

<Mordin> Which round is this?

<DM> #16 tries to push through to swing at Flint, but doesn't quite make it.

<DM> We are in Round #8

<DM> Good point, you should have swung first.

<DM> go ahead, it you kill him, we'll take away your damage

<Flint> Who?

<DM> Mordin gets to swing twice this round

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 20

<Mialee> Nice :)

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 5 + 6 = 11

<DM> He's down, so you get those 6 back

<DM> and you get another swing.

<Mialee> Is it our turn yet?

<DM> yes

>Mialee swings at m4.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 5

<DM> no hit

>Pengo finishes off #9.

>Mordin atacks 16

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 16

>Icarius falls back

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 4 + 6 = 10

>Flint attacks 13

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 7

<DM> #16 tumbles backwards down the stairs

<DM> Miss, Flint

<Jozlan> can I do another cl this round?

<DM> no, because you got hit

<Jozlan> ok thanks

<DM> Round 9:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Magic missile.

<DM> You don't have one left

<Mialee> I used all four? I only have down that I've used three.

*** >>

<Mialee> >> to Mialee: you have read magic and Jump left, by my reckoning

<Jozlan> cl on myself, initiative willing

*** << <Mialee> << I have that I have those plus one MM left.

<DM> ok Mialee, go ahead.

<Flint> Melee.

<Mialee> Yeah, I just searhced scrollback -- I've done three.

<DM> Well, initiative or no, you can try, Joz. That's why you have to declare first. :)

<Mialee> At m5

*** Roll by Mialee: 2d4+2 -> 2 + 4 = 6 + 2 = 8

<Mialee> (m4)

<DM> He stumbles back momentarily, and then comes back at you.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

<Mialee> Man, he's tough.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

>Jozlan cl on himself

<DM> your turn

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d4+4 -> 4 + 4 = 8

<Flint> Yes. :)

>Mordin attacks 13

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 6

>Pengo makes his way toward m4.

<DM> Mordin you hit

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 2 + 6 = 8

<DM> #13 goes down in a heap.

<DM> #15 and #17 bolt down the stairs.

<DM> m4 on Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 20

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 4

<DM> Round 10:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
======================

<Mialee> Melee.

<Mordin> Are 10 and 16 still up?

<Mialee> Yeah.

<DM> No, they are both dead

<Jozlan> melee

<Mialee> Really?

<Flint> clw

<Mialee> Who got them?

<DM> on who?

<Flint> Mialee

<Mialee> Joz needs it more.

<Jozlan> i'm 13/18

<Flint> Okay, Joz.

<Mialee> 13/18? Huh, I thought you were down to 5.

<Mialee> Ignore me then. :)

<Jozlan> that was before + cl myself 8

*** >> <Jozlan> >> remember that you have that regenerative stone...

<Mialee> Right, okay.

<Mialee> Then I need it more. Sorry. :)

<Flint> Right, Mialee.

<Jozlan> don't worry about me

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

<Mialee> You guys go after the other two, I have m4.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 2

<Pengo> I'll help with m4.

<DM> m4 on Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 8

<Jozlan> me too. he's getting retribution

<DM> miss

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 12

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 4

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Mialee

<DM> Mialee hits

*** Roll by Flint: 1D4+4 -> 1 + 4 = 5

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8 -> 4

<Mialee> Thanks Flint.

<DM> m4 finally gives up the ghost.

<Mialee> Finally.

<DM> he falls face first in a puddle of blood.

>Mialee heads for the down staircase, after #15 and 17.

<DM> not until next round

<Mialee> Eeeew.

<Mialee> OK.

<DM> Mordin?

<Mialee> Mordin can go though :)

<Mordin> Can I attack as well?

<DM> But not if he doesn't want to. :)

<DM> Attack who? You can chase the guys down the stairs if you want, but you'll be by yourself.

<Mialee> Do we go after them or do we keep moving?

>Mordin heads down the stairs.

<DM> Let's finish this round first

<Mialee> OK.

<Jozlan> might as well

<DM> ok, Mordin follows them down the stairs.

<Mialee> I think we're done with the round. :)

<DM> The point is, Mordin is a round ahead of the rest of you.

<Mialee> OK.

>Icarius watches down the hall for any others

<DM> Standby while he and I continue.

<Mordin> I thought I was on the same round as everyone else.

<DM> He's halfway down the stairs, when you all hear that rumbling sound again, and Mordin, roll 1d20 under your dexterity to keep from tripping as the stairs turn back into a ramp.

<Mialee> You are but you're a round ahead in terms of chasing those other two.

<Mialee> Oooops.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 11

<Mordin> My Dex is 11.

<DM> oops. Sorry. 11 is not UNDER your dex, so you take a flying spill down the stairs, and land at the bottom in a heap.

*** Roll by DM: 2d4 -> 1 + 1 = 2

<DM> you take only 2 damage from the fall. As you get up, you hear the door into the hallway slam shut

<DM> What will you do?

<Mordin> check that the room is empty.

<DM> It is.

<DM> ok, now, we're all back "in sync" so to speak.

<Mordin> Throw me down a rope so I can climb up

<Pengo> You have the rope. Why don't you just move the lever to get the stairs back? :)

>Jozlan searches the bodies

<Mordin> I want a ramp so they can't climb up.

<Pengo> OK, I have a plan.

>Pengo climbs down the ramp to Mordin.

<Pengo> I should be able to do that easily enough.

<DM> yes, you can

<Pengo> One thing -- they'll just work the lever themselves when they want to come up. :)

<Pengo> Unless you break it off. :)

>Pengo takes the rope from Mordin and climbs back up.

<Mordin> Not if I knock it off the wall. :)

>Mialee helps Pengo hold the rope securely.

>Pengo tosses the other end down to Mordin.

<Pengo> Ready when you are!

<Flint> How strong are you two?

<Mialee> I'd think strong enough to help a dwarf climb a ramp. :)

<Mialee> You want to take it? :)

<Flint> Yes.

<Pengo> Mordin? You okay down there?

<Mialee> Go for it.

<Pengo> Don't forget to take out that lever.

>Flint lays the rope on the floor. Drags 3 bodies across it. then ties a loop around the bodies.

<DM> Mordin, what are you doing meanwhile?

<Mordin> I will knock the bracket off the wall.

<DM> with what?

<Mordin> a Hammer.

<DM> ok

<Mordin> Hammer, Throwing.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 20

<Pengo> Wham :)

<Mordin> Sheppy, are you sure you haven't messed with the die roller? :)

<DM> ok, suffice to say that within 5 minutes, and serious pounding, Mordin renders the switch mechanism unusable.

<Mialee> Quite sure.

<Mordin> When the end of the rope is tossed down, I will climb up.

<Pengo> It was, a while ago.

<DM> ok, so you're all back up in room 18.

<Pengo> Did the guys coming out of 20 leave the door open?

>Flint recovers the rope.

<DM> no

>Pengo goes to it and checks for traps.

>Flint pours the contents of a potion across the top of the ramp.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 86

*** >>

<Flint> >> to Flint: what potion?

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens it and steps back fast.

*** << <Flint> << Oil of Slipperiness. :)

*** << <Flint> << I will spread it evenly and allow it to run down the ramp.

<Pengo> And? :)

<DM> The door opens.

>Pengo looks through.

<Flint> DON'T go down the ramp!

<DM> This spacious room is furnished with three comfortable chairs, a table, and a carpet. There is a bookshelf on the wall. There is a large fireplace on the eastern wall.

<Mialee> Don't plan to :)

>Mialee enters the room and looks on the bookshelf.

<DM> The bookshelf holds a number of books, including works of popular poetry, histories of the region, and biographies of famous people.

<Jozlan> anything rare?

<Mialee> Is there a fire burning in the fireplace?

<DM> no

>Pengo inspects the fireplace for unusual features.

<DM> Nothing *RARE*, VINTAGE! or worth L@@King at :)

<Pengo> LOL

<Pengo> OK, let's go check out the hallway then.

<DM> well, unless you were a sage, in which case you might like the books.

>Pengo wanders out of the room.

>Mialee follows.

<DM> there is an alcove to the north, with a large, Iron-bound Door, which may not be visible in the map, yet.

<Pengo> Oh.

<Pengo> Well then.

<Pengo> Never mind, I'm in the room still. :)

<DM> there is another door to the west in that alcove.

>Pengo checks the iron-bound door for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 55

<DM> You FIND ONE!!!!

>Pengo attempts to disarm it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 85

<Pengo> Ooof.

<DM> - of the stabbing blade variety. Actually, I'll roll that for you.

> The DM rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 17

<DM> Pengo succeeds in disarming the trap.

<Pengo> Wow. :)

>Pengo checks the door to the west for traps while he's on a roll.

> The DM rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 68

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps.

>Pengo opens the door to the north.

<DM> It's locked, of course

>Pengo picks it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 81

<DM> This one you can roll

<Pengo> Or not. :)

<DM> no, sorry

>Pengo opens the door to the west.

<DM> it's NOT locked.

<DM> Like the room directly below it, this one has a narrow shelf on the north wall with a hole in it. On either side of the hole are burning aromatic candles.

<DM> There is also a sink here, with a barrel on a shelf behind it.

<Pengo> Heh. OK.

>Pengo closes the door.

<Pengo> I suggest we finish exploring the rest of this level before returning to bash this door down.

<Flint> How badly hurt is everyone?

<DM> Current Hit Points:

<DM> -------------------
<DM> Flint 29 / 29

<DM> Mordin 14 / 22

<DM> Mialee 19 / 21

<DM> Pengo 18 / 20

<DM> Jozlan 15 / 18

<DM> Icarius 11 / 16

<Flint> How much curing do we have left?

*** << <Pengo> << When can I try picking that lock again? :)

<DM> I kind of lost track, but I think you and Jozlan each have 3 CLW left.

<Flint> I have two left.

<Jozlan> I used 2 successfully, 1 was interrupted

*** >> <Pengo> >> to Pengo: You can try again at a decreased chance of success.

>Pengo tries picking the lock on the iron-bound door again.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 53

<Pengo> Nope.

<DM> so another 10 minutes has passed while Pengo attempted the lock picking.

<Flint> Do we dare rest and recover spells or push on?

<Mialee> I don't see how we can.

<Mialee> All right, let's check out the area north of 18.

<Mialee> After we finish this floor, we can bash this door in.

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Mordin

*** Roll by Flint: 1D4+4 -> 3 + 4 = 7

<Flint> Better keep the fighter healthy.

<Mialee> Wise.

<Pengo> Is that a door or something to the north of the number 18?

<Pengo> To the west of the hallway?

<DM> refresh

<Pengo> Er, stairs up, I guess.

<Pengo> Ah, wow.

<DM> The stairs go UP to the North

>Pengo checks the first door for traps. :)

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 84

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens the door.

<DM> It's locked.

>Pengo picks it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 86

<Pengo> Or not. :)

>Pengo moves on to the next door and checks it for traps. :)

<DM> I think Pengo needs some more training. :)

<Pengo> Duh :)

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 14

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin-firing variety.

>Pengo attempts to disarm it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 67

>Pengo rolls his eyes.

<Pengo> I suck.

<DM> No, actually, you do disarm it, since it is of the same general type as the others you've been hit with.

<Pengo> Ah! :)

>Pengo opens the door.

<Flint> Sucking the poison off the pins is not a good idea.

<Pengo> (or tries)

<DM> it's still locked.

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 84

<Pengo> Or not. Man.

<DM> geeze

<DM> Where's Vlix?

<Pengo> Yeah, really.

>Pengo moves to the next door and checks for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 89

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 82

<Pengo> Dammit!

>Pengo moves to the next one and checks for traps. :)

<DM> Two pins fire from two different locations in the doorjamb, and

<DM> strike Pengo. Pengo takes 1 h.p. of damage.

<DM> Pengo, roll a saving throw vs. Poison. (1d20)

<Pengo> Argh :)

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 19

<DM> Tough little hobbit that he is, Pengo sloughs off the effects of the

<DM> poison.

>Pengo moves to the next door, muttering angrily, and checks for traps.

<Flint> Hmmm, he must be building up a tolerance. :)

<Pengo> Wouldn't surprise me.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 42

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin-firing variety.

>Pengo tries to disarm it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 26

<DM> This is on the 4th door up on the west wall

<DM> Pengo succeeds in disarming the trap.

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 40

<Pengo> That should do it. :)

<DM> Yer IN!

>Pengo opens the door.

<DM> This room holds only a large bed and a small chest.

*** has left the room.

>Pengo checks the chest for traps.

<DM> It also has a small firegrate in the middle of the west wall

<Pengo> My guess is these are guards' quarters.

<DM> the room is 10x10

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo tries to open the chest.

<DM> The chest is locked.

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 19

>Pengo opens it.

<DM> The chest contains 13 ep, 45 gp, 3 pp, a 10gp uncut gem (Garnet), and a pair of slippers

>Pengo takes it all.

>Pengo steps out and checks the first door on the north wall for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 2

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin-firing variety.

>Pengo disarms.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 71

<DM> Pengo succeeds in disarming the trap.

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 91

<Pengo> Or not. :)

>Pengo checks the next door down for traps.

<DM> it seems that Many (but not all) of the traps here are of the same type, which makes it easier to detect with each sucessful detection.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 69

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin-firing variety.

>Pengo attempts to disarm it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 57

<DM> Pengo succeeds in disarming the trap.

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 100

<Pengo> Ooooof.

>Pengo checks for traps on the door to the east.

<DM> Pengo breaks one of his lock-picking tools

<Pengo> Damn.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 32

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin-firing variety.

<Pengo> Disarm:

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 6

<Pengo> Yeah. :)

>Pengo picks it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 15

<DM> yahoo

>Pengo opens it.

<DM> Inside this room, there is a bed, a desk and chair, and a large chest.

>Pengo checks the chest for traps.

> The DM rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 16

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

<DM> Pengo, roll % to unlock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 68

<DM> nope

<DM> So is everyone else just following Pengo around?

<Pengo> Do one of you guys want to break it open? Likewise, shall we bust in the doors we couldn't open? :)

<Pengo> afk a minute, grabbing some food

<Mordin> We might as well break open the rest after coming this far.

<DM> go for it.

<DM> Where will you start?

<Mordin> The first room north of 18.

<DM> ok. are you going to try to force it with your Bend Bars, or just chop it down with your battleaxe?

<Mordin> First try to force, then chop.

<DM> ok, go ahead and try

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D100 -> 1

<DM> I guess That does it. :)

<DM> You see a small 10x10 foot room.

<DM> The only thing in here is a two-level bunk bed, and a pile of clothing in the NW corner. There is a tiny fire grate in the middle of the western wall.

<DM> The sheets and blankets on the bed are all in disarray.

<Flint> Search the room.

>Flint searches the room.

<DM> The clothes are a pair of trousers and a shirt of no particular value.

<Flint> Next.

<DM> You don't see anything else of value.

<DM> ok, roll.

<Mordin> Second room north of 18.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D100 -> 42

<DM> MORDIN cannot seem to break this door down.

<DM> will anyone else try?

*** Roll by Flint: 1D100 -> 92

<Jozlan> axe it?

<Flint> Yes.

>Flint and Mordin begin chopping down the door.

<DM> After much banging and smashing (about 5 minutes' worth) the door splinters open.

<DM> Another 10x10 ft. room

<DM> There is a two-level bunk bed in this room, and a chair, and a tiny fire grate in the middle of the western wall. A cloak is draped over the chair.

<DM> Other than what I've described, there is nothing unusual in this room.

>Icarius checks the cloak

<DM> It appears to be a normal cloak

<Flint> Notice how the rooms get nicer the farther down the hall we go?

<DM> You're in rm 23

<Mordin> So I suppose the first door in the north wall is next.

<Mordin> Did Pengo get us in to 24 and 25?

<DM> he got you into 25,

<Mordin> We haven't been in 24 yet?

<DM> I don't think so.

<DM> no definitely not

<Mordin> Okay, room 24.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D100 -> 24

<DM> no, sorry

>Flint and Mordin begin to chop the door down.

<DM> BTW, the rest of you can also try forcing the lock. Mordin obviously has the BEST chance, but not the ONLY chance.

<Mialee> Sorry...

<Mialee> I got sidetracked :)

<DM> ok, after much smashing and splintering, you force your way into the room.

<DM> The room has a bed, a tiny fire grate in the middle of the western wall, a chair, and a small chest.

<Flint> Pengo, want to try your luck on the chest?

<Pengo> Sure.

>Pengo checks for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 100

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 23

<DM> In the chest you find 10 gp, a platinum ring worth 100 gp, and a man-size suit of leather armor.

>Pengo takes it all, stuffing the armor into the bag of holding if there's room.

<DM> The bag is getting harder and harder to stuff things into, but it does fit.

<Pengo> OK, lead on, guys.

<Mordin> Have we opened the chest in room 25 yet?

<DM> There are 2 doors onthe north wall that you have not gotten through.

<DM> Yes,

<Pengo> Smash 'em, then, boys. :)

<DM> you found 10 gp, a platinum ring worth 100 gp, and a man-size suit of leather armor.

<Pengo> I thought this is 23.

>Mordin attempts to force open the left door on the north wall.

<Pengo> Mordin was asking about 25.

<DM> ok, the chest you just opened was in 24

<DM> You have NOT gotten into the chest in 25

<Pengo> Is the door into 25 open?

<DM> oh, wait, yes you have.\

<Pengo> OK.

<DM> The chest contains 13 ep, 45 gp, 3 pp, a 10gp uncut gem (Garnet), and a pair of slippers

<DM> that was the one in 25

<DM> sorry,

<Mordin> Okay.

> The DM is confused.

<DM> too many rooms!

<Mordin> North wall, left hand door.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D100 -> 93

<Mordin> Ouch.

<DM> Anyone else care to try their Bend Bars/Lift Gates roll?

<Flint> I'll give it a shot.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D100 -> 13

<DM> almost, but not quite

>Pengo tries picking it again.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 52

<Pengo> Nope.

<DM> nope

<Flint> Next man.

<Mialee> Well, I'm pretty wimpy, but...

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d100 -> 90

<Mialee> Hehehe.

<Flint> Jozlan?

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d100 -> 85

*** Roll by Icarius: 1d100 -> 12

<Pengo> I don't think we're getting in this one. :)

<Flint> Go for it Pengo.

<Pengo> Force? Heh, okay. :)

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 100

>Pengo yelps and falls on his ass.

<DM> yipes

<Mialee> Why not try the next door? :)

<DM> Well, you can still chop it down.

>Flint and Mordin chop the door down.

<Mialee> That's not what we were doing? :)

<DM> no, you were trying to force it open by strength

<Mialee> Oh :)

<Mialee> I wondered why we were using bend bars. :)

<DM> Bang, Bang, Smash Smash!!

<DM> the door lies in splinters

<DM> This 10 x 20 foot room has a single bed, a a small chest, and a

<DM> chair. A pure copper shield hangs on the wall.

<Mordin> When all else fails, relie on your axe.

>Pengo checks the chest for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 40

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 3

<DM> The chest holds normal clothing of various styles and qualities, three 100' lengths of very light, slim rope, a light crossbow, 10 flat-tipped quarrels, and two jars of something.

<Pengo> Wow.

>Pengo takes a length of the rope.

<Pengo> Anyone want any of this other stuff?

<Flint> I'll take a rope.

<Mordin> So will I.

<Mialee> How about the jars?

<DM> One jar has this symbol: ->||<-

<DM> and the other has this: <-||->

<Flint> Examine them, Mialee.

>Mialee looks them over, trying to figure out what they are.

>Mialee takes them, by the way.

<Flint> Shrink, and grow?

<DM> Both of the liquiuds look the same, a whitish, viscous substance

<DM> Flint, one of them looks remarkably like what you poured down the ramp.

<Flint> Universal Glue and Universal Solvent.

<DM> the one marked <-||->

<Jozlan> hmm

<Flint> take them Mialee.

<Mialee> Already did.

<Flint> Next room?

<Mialee> Yeah.

<Mordin> North wall, right hand door.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D100 -> 40

<DM> ooooohhhhK!

>Mialee tries to figure out if that's a good thing. :)

<DM> sorry Mordin

<Mordin> Ouch Or were we still in room 25?

<Mialee> We just finished in 26.

<Mordin> Next battering ram.

<Mialee> Why not just chop it down? :)

*** Roll by Flint: 1D100 -> 52

<DM> That's it. Get the bad roll out of the way early :)

<Flint> Next.

>Mialee gives it a shot.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d100 -> 21

<Flint> Joz?

<DM> Mordin is waiting for a grand finish? :)

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d100 -> 27

<Mialee> Mordin already went. :)

<Mialee> He was the first to try. :)

<DM> oh, I see now. :}

<DM> guess not, guys.

<Flint> Ic, Pengo?

<Pengo> This is silly. :)

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 27

<Pengo> Why aren't you guys just chopping it down? :)

<Mordin> This has the potential to be faster.

<Mialee> Okay. :)

<DM> Hmmm, force open = relatively quiet, takes 30 secs. Chopping = VERY noisy, 10 minutes minimum

<Mialee> We've already chopped down like three though. :)

<Mialee> If anyone's going to hear, they have. :)

<DM> And the clock keeps ticking.

<Mialee> Well, I think it's time to hack it down now... everybody's tried that has a remote chance of forcing it.

<Jozlan> if there was anyone on the 3rd (or 2nd) floor, the alarm earlier would have brought them

>Flint and Mordin chop the door down.

<DM> Smash, Smash, Boom Boom. The door is down.

<DM> The room holds a bed, an empty chest, and a chair in addition to the block of wood.

<Mialee> All right, back to the iron-bound door? :)

<Flint> No.

<Mialee> What, then?

<Jozlan> block of wood?

<Mordin> the door at the end of the hallway.

<Mialee> We've been in that already, that's room 28.

<DM> Yeah, there is a block of wood next to the bed that has a bunch of slits in it, as if someone has sat there stabbing it over and over with a knife/dagger

<DM> Yes, you've already seen 28

<Mialee> So now what?

<Mordin> Sorry, I needed to refresh my map.

<Mialee> Icon-bound, then, right?

<Mialee> Iron

<Mordin> I show an unexplored area south of 28.

<Jozlan> maybe a secret door to the room between 18/28?

<Mialee> Or it may just be a central core area we can't get to.

>Pengo examines the southern wall in room 28.

>Flint searches the walls of room 28.

<Jozlan> anyhow, we probably woudn't realize it from our vantage point

<Pengo> Mmhm.

<DM> You don't find anything unusual about the walls in room 28

<Mialee> All right, let's do the iron-bound door then.

<Mialee> So we can wrap up this floor.

<Flint> Okay.

>Pengo heads off to the alcove north of 20 again.

>Mordin follows

>Mialee does too.

<DM> Once again, in Room 20:

<DM> This spacious room is furnished with three comfortable chairs, a table, and a carpet. There is a bookshelf on the wall. There is a large fireplace on the eastern wall. The bookshelf holds a number of books, including works of popular poetry, histories of the region, and biographies of famous people.

*** << <Pengo> << Can I try picking that lock again, or do we need another way? :)

*** >> <Pengo> >> to Pengo: you can try again, at a diminished possibility

>Pengo attempts to pick the lock again.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 29

<DM> And he makes it!

>Pengo opens it.

<DM> This bedroom is more lavishly furnished than any other room that you've seen so far, with a four-poster bed, a desk and chair, a wardrobe, a bookshelf with a few books and a small box laying on it, and two comfortable chairs. Hand-drawn maps hanging on the walls detail various dungeon complexes. On other walls hang 3 fine tapestries; A harvest scene, a court scene, and a scene of great revelry. There is a small fireplace on the northern wall.

>Mialee looks at the books.

>Pengo examines the small box and checks it for traps.

>Flint searches the desk.

>Icarius checks the maps

<DM> The bookshelf holds the following books:

<DM> o A book detailing a variety of locks, and how to pick them.

<DM> o A book which claims in its forward to contain certain secret formulae and prescriptions for unguents and exercises which would enable the reader to increase their dexterity. There are 2 loose sheets of vellum stuck in the back of the book.

<DM> o A book on theatrical costuming and makeup.

<Pengo> OK, those books are mine. :)

<Flint> WHOA. Nice.

<Icarius> you could use the first one ;)

<DM> The box on the bookshelf is about 10 by 6 by 8 inches. It is locked.The books are pretty huge

<Pengo> Yeah, although I'll need time to study.

>Pengo takes them.

<Mialee> It is...?

<DM> locked

<Pengo> Well...

>Pengo removes the most recently taken leather armor from the bag of holding.

<Pengo> Can I fit the books in there now?

<DM> Yes

>Pengo puts them in and drops the armor.

<Pengo> Now, what about the box?

<Pengo> Oh, locked.

>Pengo examines the box for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 11

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin variety.

>Pengo attempts to disarm it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 82

<Pengo> Shoot.

<Pengo> (literally)

<DM> In the process of disarming the trap, Pengo sets it off!

<DM> A sharp pin jabs Pengo in the finger.

<DM> Pengo takes 1 h.p. of damage.

<DM> Pengo, roll a saving throw vs. Poison. (1d20)

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 18

<DM> Tough little guy that he is, Pengo sloughs off the effects of the poison.

>Pengo opens the box.

<DM> The box contains 3 scrolls, and 2 bottles.

>Mialee examines them. Any idea what they are?

<DM> Mialee can actually read the first scroll, which is a scroll of Protection from Magic. There is an additional note (written in a different hand) rolled up with it that says: "Remember, don't let any magic items touch the globe!"

<Mialee> Hm, interesting.

<DM> The second scroll is written in a script that can't be read by Mialee.

<DM> The third scroll is covered in mystical script, which cannot be read by anyone in the party.

>Mialee hands the second scroll to Flint.

<Mialee> Can you read this?

<DM> He can read it.

>Mialee takes the other two scrolls and the bottles.

<DM> There are 3 Clerical spells on this scroll: Remove Curse, Feign Death, Restoration

<Jozlan> cool

<Mialee> What's in the bottles? Any idea?

>Pengo looks under the bed.

<DM> The bottles have labels on them, curiously showing a skull and crossbones, overlaid by a Red circle with a red stripe bisecting the circle at a 45 degree angle.

<DM> You find a secret compartment in the headboard of the bed which holds a medium size ruby worth 500 gp.

>Pengo takes it.

<Flint> Anything in the desk_

<DM> The desk holds pens, ink bottles, blank paper, and an invoice for 40 long swords and 45 suits of human size leather armor.

>Mialee studies the maps on the wall. Anything we recognize?

<DM> No, not really

<Mialee> Cool.

<DM> there are various arrows and "x"s and stuff on them.

<Mialee> OK.

<Mialee> Hm, looks like assault plans, maybe.

<Mialee> All right, do we want to head upstairs now?

<DM> This bedroom is more lavishly furnished than any other room that you've seen so far, with a four-poster bed, a desk and chair, a wardrobe, a bookshelf with a few books and a small box laying on it, and two comfortable chairs. Hand-drawn maps hanging on the walls detail various dungeon complexes. On other walls hang 3 fine tapestries; A harvest scene, a court scene, and a scene of great revelry. There is a small fireplace on the northern wall.

>Pengo checks the wardrobe for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 78

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens it.

<DM> The wardrobe holds a wide variety of clothing; everything from the finest court attire to rags such as a beggar might wear, and everything in between, including commoner's simple tunics, and the type of clothing that a prosperous merchant might wear.

<Pengo> Con artist. :)

>Pengo pats through the clothing to see if there are any items in pockets.

<DM> He doesn't find anything of interest.

>Mialee looks at and behind the tapestries.

<DM> Guys, I think this might be a good time to call it a night.

<DM> Mialee doesn't find anything.

<Mialee> OK.

<Mialee> Sounds good.

<DM> Current Hit Points:

<DM> -------------------
<DM> Flint 29 / 29

<DM> Mordin 21 / 22

<DM> Mialee 19 / 21

<DM> Pengo 17 / 20

<DM> Jozlan 18 / 18

<DM> Icarius 11 / 16

<DM> Let's run down remaining Spells, so we know for next time.

<Mialee> I have Read Magic and Jump.

<DM> check

<Flint> Cure light wounds, Find Traps, and Slow poison.

<Icarius> tfd, shatter, invisibility

<DM> Flint, I have you for a Hold Person, too.

<Jozlan> 1 cl, translate, speak w/ animals, chant, 2 hold person, prayer

<Jozlan> I could be wrong, though, my notes might be dates

<Jozlan> dated

<Jozlan> and 1 bless

<DM> I have everything there except the chant, Jozlan.

<Jozlan> ok, I probably traded it for an extra clw

<Flint> I can only have 3 second level spells.

<DM> did you cast one already?

<Flint> Silence, 15' radius.

<DM> ok, scratch the hold person then.

<DM> ok, then, It's about 1AM in the morning, Cham time, and you've been in the building for about 6.5 hours.

<DM> any other comments/questions?

<Mialee> Nope.

<Flint> Do we have a time limit?

<Mialee> Just "when do we meet again?" :)

> The DM makes a note to make adversaries tougher next time.

<Jozlan> :)

<DM> Well, Lord Darcy Did say:

<DM> "As you've probably already guessed, what we'd like for you to do is to recover the tax shipment. It must be done quietly, without arousing too much attention, and it must be done quickly, before the thieves discover how to open the chest and disperse the money, or simply move the chest elswhere. Every hour of delay increases the chances that the money will be dispersed or removed." So time is of the essence.

<DM> Note that while WE are taking a break, the characters are not.

<Mialee> :)

<Flint> Right.


September 27, 2004


<DM> Ok, if you will recall, you were in room 21, on the second level.

<DM> You had found a bunch of cool stuff, after an intense battle with a dozen or so thieves, the bodies of whom are scattered about room 18

<DM> Current Hit Points:

<DM> -------------------

<DM> Flint 29 / 29

<DM> Mordin 21 / 22

<DM> Mialee 19 / 21

<DM> Pengo 17 / 20

<DM> Jozlan 18 / 18

<DM> Icarius 11 / 16

<DM> Remaining Spells:

<DM> -------------------

<DM>

<Mialee> Read Magic and Jump.

<DM>

<Flint> Cure light wounds, Find Traps, and Slow poison.

<DM>

<Icarius> Tenser's Floating Disk, Shatter, Invisibility

<DM>

<Jozlan> Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Translate, Speak w/ Animals, Hold Person (x2), Prayer

<Icarius> ok, I think we're ready to go on the l3, right?

<DM> Excellent

<Mialee> Yeah, think so.

<Icarius> there's 2 or 3 that escaped to l1, but the stairs are useless now

<Mialee> Shall we go upstairs?

<Mialee> Or is there something someone wants to do on this level first?

<Pengo> What was room 28?

<DM> Did I mention that the stairs up are actually a steep ramp?

<Mialee> No. :)

<Mialee> Is it climbable?

<DM> Pengo could without any trouble, the rest of you? Hmmm.

<Mialee> Any sign of something that might be a lever to turn that into stairs?

>Mialee searches the room.

>Pengo does too.

<DM> Sure, down below. :)

<Pengo> Wait, it's the same lever?

<DM> But alas, nothing onthis level. :)

<Pengo> Does both sets?

<Pengo> Ack.

<Icarius> sounds like it

<Flint> Have we explored every room on this level?

<Icarius> send pengo with the rope

<Icarius> we explored them all

<Pengo> I believe so.

<DM> check the map

<Pengo> There's an unexplored section, but I'm not aware of any doors.

<Icarius> right

<Pengo> Which is why I asked what room 28 is. :)

<DM> Room 28's description:

<DM> Inside this room, there is a bed, a desk and chair, and a large chest. The chest holds some ordinary clothing, two sets of thieves' tools, 20 gp, and a Jasper gem worth 450 gp which you already found.

<Pengo> Yeah.

<Flint> I'm reloading the map. It showed more than a half dozen unexplored rooms the first time.

>Pengo goes to room 28 and examines the southern wall.

<Pengo> Anything interesting about that wall?

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 40

>Mialee follows.

<DM> No, you don't find anything on the south wall of room 28

<Jozlan> we can try bashing it in later

<Pengo> OK...

<Jozlan> or maybe there's an entrance from above

>Pengo returns to 18 with Mialee in tow.

<Pengo> That's a possibility.

<Pengo> All right... I'm going up. If I get decapitated at the top, I'm haunting you all.

>Pengo grins and starts climbing the ramp.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 77

<Flint> There we go, that's better.

<DM> Pengo makes it to the top.

<Pengo> What do I see up here?

<DM> The stair ends in a landing, which curls around to the south, and there is a hallway running south.

<Pengo> Anything to which I could tie my rope so the others can climb up it?

<Pengo> It's completely unexplored. :)

<Pengo> There we go.

<DM> You could hang on to the wall, and Mialee is light enough for you to hold the rope for

<Pengo> OK, I'll do that.

>Pengo tosses one end of the rope down, ties the other around his waist, grabs the wall, and calls down to Mialee to come on up.

>Mialee takes the rope and starts climbing.

<DM> Mialee, after putting away all her weapons, makes it to the top.

>Mialee helps Pengo hold the rope to get the others up.

<DM> Between the two of you, you should be able to hold the rope for the others. After a bit of grunting and groaning, the party makes it to the top.

>Mialee draws her sword.

<DM> When you get to the top of the stairs, you see that the floors and walls here are constructed of marble, rather than the granite of the lower floors.

<Mialee> Anything in this hallway, or is it just bare stone?

<DM> You see bare marble blocks

<DM> There is a section of marble at the end of the hallway which is glowing brightly, illuminating the hallway.

<Jozlan> can you try to drag th rest of us up?

<Mialee> Cool.

<Mialee> We're all up already.

<DM> You are all up

<Jozlan> :)

<Mialee> All right, let's go.

<DM> You proceed down the hall.

<DM> Roll for Surprise (1d6)

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

<DM> Around the corner steps a man, strolling casually down the hallway. He stops, gaping at you.

<Mialee> How far from us is he?

<DM> 30 ft

>Mialee charges.

<DM> He backpedals around the corner, momentarily out of view.

>Pengo goes after Mialee.

>Mordin charges.

>Jozlan follows

<DM> Remember you can't REALLY charge around a corner.

>Flint charges.

<Mialee> We can't?

<DM> No Charges are only straight line

<Mialee> OK...

<DM> you can run really fast though

>Mialee runs toward the guy at high speed.

<Mialee> Sheesh. :)

<Mialee> Sword held in front.

<DM> You step around the SW corner, and see 2 guys with drawn swords 1/2 way down the southern hallway. One is wearing black leather armor, and the other is wearing chainmail, and carrying a small shield.

<DM> Round 1:
=======================================

<DM> Spellcasters?

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Mialee> (Melee)

<Flint> Melee.

<Mialee> How far are they from us now?

<Icarius> nothing

<Jozlan> melee

<DM> 20 ft

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 1

<Mialee> Dangit.

<DM> They stay where they are, but if you advance, they will get the first hits.

<Mialee> How many rounds do I lose switching to my bow?

<DM> refresh

<DM> 1 rd

<Mialee> So if I switch, I'm good to go next round?

<DM> yes

>Mialee switches to her bow.

>Mordin attacks.

>Flint advances.

>Jozlan attacks

<DM> ok, the guy in black vs. Mordin, and the other guy on Jozlan.

*** Roll by DM: 2d20 -> 10 + 3 = 13

>Pengo switches to his sling, btw, staying back with Mialee.

<DM> both miss

<DM> The second guy yells back over his shoulder: "Hey, Farn, Chren! A little help

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 5

<DM> here!

<DM> Your turn, Mordin

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 10

<DM> hit

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 8 + 6 = 14

<DM> wow

<Mordin> I'm assuming that axe does a d8.

<Mialee> Wow.

<DM> yes

<Mordin> The one I picked up down stairs.

<DM> right

<Mordin> And it does it quite nicely too.

<DM> Round 2:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
=====================================

<Mialee> Melee.

<Mordin> Melee.

<Mialee> Well, bow. ;)

<DM> Flint?

<DM> Bear in mind that Jozlan and Mordin are the only ones that can melee, though others could use missile weapons.

<Mialee> Yeah.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

>Mialee fires her bow, using a standard arrow.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

<Mialee> er...

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 17

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

<DM> at which person?

<Mialee> The guy Mordin hit.

<DM> ok.

>Pengo fires a stone with his sling.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 8

<Pengo> Or not. :)

<DM> you take him right in the shoulder, and he staggers back, but is still on his feet.

<DM> nope

<Mialee> Joz?

>Jozlan attacks

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 10

<DM> Shepp, roll for roger

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 18

<Mialee> What for damage?

<DM> Mordin hits.

<DM> d8+6

<Mialee> d8+6, right?

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8+6 -> 4 + 6 = 10

<DM> And the head of the guys flies from his shollders.

<DM> err, shoulders.

<Mialee> Woohoo!

<DM> The other guy says: "Sheesh!"

<Mialee> I take it Joz didn't hit?

<Mialee> :)

<Jozlan> missed

<DM>

<DM> You see a guy lean out half-way out from behind the bend in the corridor,and fire a crossbow.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 18

<DM> hits mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d4 -> 4

<DM> He ducks back, and a different guy sticks his head out and fires.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 12

<DM> hits Jozlan

*** Roll by DM: 1d4 -> 2

<DM> Meanwhile, the other guy swings at Jozlan

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 12

<DM> and hits!

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 2

<DM> Round 3:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
========================================

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Icarius> nothing

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

<DM> your shots

>Mialee fires an arrow at the remaining guy in the corridor.

>Jozlan attacks

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 5

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 6

>Pengo slings a rock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 19

<DM> both miss, unfortunately

<DM> hits

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d4+1 -> 3 + 1 = 4

<Mialee> Rolling for Mordin:

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 8

<Mialee> Pfft.

<DM> that's enough though

<Mialee> Mordin hit?

<DM> yes

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d8+6 -> 6 + 6 = 12

<DM> The guy takes a wicked slash to his leg.

<DM> utters a roar, and swings back at Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 7

<DM> in vain

<DM> but the guy down the hall pops out and fires

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 12

<DM> hitting Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d4 -> 3

<Mialee> Hey!

<DM> the other guy pops out, and fires at Jozlan

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 4

<DM> missing him

<DM> re Flint

<Mialee> reFlint

<DM> Mordin is in the thick of it.

<Mialee> reMordin.

<DM> the guy in black is down, but the fighter is still there, and there are 2 crossbowmen down the hall taking potshots.

<DM> Round 4:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
========================================

<Mialee> Can I try to wait until they pop out and then shoot at them? :)

<Icarius> nothin

<Mialee> Nothing.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

<DM> Mialee, you can try, but you will suffer -4 to hit for their cover

<Mialee> Can I do that even if they have initiative? :)

<DM> speakinig of the devil, the first one pops out and fires at Flint

>Mialee fires back.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 4

<Mialee> Heh.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 15

<DM> nice try

<DM> Flint is hit

*** Roll by DM: 1d4 -> 2

<DM> The guy swings at Mordin.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 14

<DM> hits!

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 1

<DM> barely scratches him

<DM> the other archer pops out:

<DM> aims at Mialee, and ...

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 4

<DM> misses

<DM> your turn

>Jozlan attacks

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 20

>Mordin attacks with his Axe.

>Pengo slings a rock at the fighter.

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 5

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 9

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 4

<DM> Jozlan Brings him down!

<Mialee> Great!

<Mialee> We need to advance on those archers.

<Icarius> we could retreat and I could invisibilize one of you

<DM> Round 5:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
=====================================

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Icarius> nothing

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 1

<DM> The one archer pops out and fires

<DM> at Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 2

*** >> <Mialee> >> are you returning fire?

>Mialee returns fire.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 2

<Mialee> Argh.

<DM> not even

<Mialee> Should have advanced instead. :)

<DM> the other one pops out... and shoots at Mialee

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 8

<DM> the arrow whizzes by

*** >> <Mialee> >> returning fire on that one?

>Mialee tries shooting again.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 18

<DM> hits!

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

<Mialee> Take that!!

<DM> good shot!

<DM> you wait, with bated breath, and hear nothing but a door slam.

>Mordin charges the archers.

>Jozlan advances

<Mialee> (meeting's over :)

>Pengo follows.

>Flint advances.

>Mialee assumes she's staying where she is this round, having already fired two arrows. :)

<DM> Mordin gets to the end of the hallway, and sees that it bends back to the north on the far end.

<Mialee> Dead end with a door to the left?

<DM> The guys with the crossbows apparently had time to shut and lock this

<DM> door before you got there.

<DM> yes

<Mialee> Is combat over then for now?

<DM> yes, apparently

<Mialee> If so, I'll search the bodies of these two fellows.

>Mialee does so.

> The DM goes for a beer. Be right back.

>Pengo checks the door for traps.

<Flint> Didn't we pass a door in the middle of the south hallway?

<Icarius> I think that was the window

<Icarius> confirmed

<Pengo> Oh, going north... yeah, I think so.

<Pengo> But oughtn't we to finish these two off?

<Flint> No, across from the window.

<DM> The one guy has some really superbly made dull black leather armor.

<DM> Of course, there are a couple of huge holes in it now that would need repair before it was useful again.

<DM> He also has a curious signet ring on his finger. It's made of steel.

<DM> In his belt pouch you find 3 p.p. and 12 g.p.

<Flint> They may have gone in that door.

<DM> The other guy has 18 s.p. and 8 g.p. in his pouch, and is wearing a curious pendant around his neck.

<Mialee> We collect the items.

<Mialee> Flint -- they went through the door around the corner.

<Mialee> Anything particularly interesting about the ring and pendant?

>Pengo checks the door at the end of the hall for traps.

<DM> only that ring is steel, and has a raised device (pattern) on it.

<Pengo> What does it look like?

>Jozlan examines the door

<DM> the pendant looks like it was made by some primitive people.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 92

<Pengo> What does the device on the ring look like?

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

<Pengo> OK.

>Pengo attempts to pick the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 48

<DM> Two pins fire from two different locations in the doorjamb, and strike Pengo. Pengo takes 1 h.p. of damage. Pengo, roll a saving throw vs. Poison. (1d20)

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 1

<DM> Pengo succumbs to the effects of the drug, and flies away to dreamland.

<Pengo> Dammit.

<Pengo> (dreams Pengo)

<DM> he said as he drifted away

<Pengo> Man, I only missed that roll by 1. :)

<Pengo> Er, 8.

<Pengo> Was looking in the wrong place. :)

>Mialee rolls her eyes.

<Mialee> Now what?

<DM> good question

<Jozlan> bash it in?

>Mialee drags Pengo away from the door and leans him against the wall in the corner.

>Mordin attempts to break the door down.

<Mialee> I guess we may need to... I'm out of Knock spells.

<Mialee> Is this a pretty normal looking door?

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D6 -> 1

<DM> After some considerable bashing and smashing, you hack your way through the door.

<DM> yes, normal looking.

<Mialee> And the entire Bolivian army is on the other side? :)

>Mialee switches back to sword.

<DM> This L-shaped room has a set of bars dividing it into a northern and southern section. The bars run east/west across the north end of the southern 10 x 10 ft. section. There is a heavy wooden table upended in the center of the northern section, blocking your view of the SE corner of the northern section.

<DM> 2 uncomfortable looking stools are tipped over in front of the door in the NE corner.

<DM> You can hear heavy breathing from inside the room, and perhaps the sound of low whispering, but you can't make out what is being said.

>Mialee gestures to Icarius and the string of bomblets around his neck.

>Mialee then points at the table.

>Mordin sees the gesture and decides NOT to charge into the room. :)

<DM> Check the drawing board

<Mialee> Oh.

<Mialee> We can't even se it from here.

<Mialee> Well, so much for that, then. :)

<DM> And you can refresh the map too.

>Pengo reaches into his Bag and draws out one of the Molotov cocktails.

<DM> ok

>Pengo attempts to sneak into the room, with it unlit.

<Mordin> Use a small one and toss it straight south.

<Pengo> Mordin, we're at the southern door.

<Mordin> >north.

<DM> You can get as far as the bars

<DM> show me where you're going

<Pengo> One sec, thinking.

<Pengo> Trying to get roughly to there.

<DM> ok, you R there

<DM> Even you can't get through the bars, though

>Pengo lights the cocktail.

>Pengo reaches through the bars and tosses it over the table, then backs off.

<DM> roll for surprise

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 2

<DM> roll to hit, to see if you get it over the table.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 5

<Pengo> Oh no.

<DM> it hits the top of the table, wiggles, and drops over the other side.

<Flint> Add in your DEX bonus.

<DM> but before that happens., one of the guys pops out and fires a crossboaw at you.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 17

<DM> and hits

*** Roll by DM: 1d4 -> 3

<DM> the bolt sticking from your thigh probably accounts for your bad aim. ;)

<Pengo> Heh.

>Pengo keeps backing off.

<DM> and you managed to do all that in your sleep!

<Pengo> Oh, crap. :)

<Pengo> LOL

<Icarius> busted

<Pengo> I forgot! :)

<DM> nevertheless, you hear a "poof-whump" from the other side of the table, and a guy yelling

>Mialee enters the room when she hears the burst.

*** << <Pengo> << Sorry, that was an accident -- I totally forgot. :)

*** >> Pengo > >> to Pengo: 's ok, so did I

<Pengo> We can rewind if you want. :)

*** >> Pengo> >> to Pengo: Jozlan here sitting next to me turned you in.

<DM> nah, I forgot too. keep going.

*** << <Pengo> << Heh

<DM> we'll just assume y'all waited for Pengo to wake up, and it's 20 minutes later.

>Pengo yanks the bolt out and draws his sword.

<Mialee> Okay :)

>Mialee goes in, sword ready.

<Mialee> Any sign of a way to open the bars, or anything like that?

<Mialee> Those guys had to get back there somehow.

<DM> Well, as most bars do, these have a lock.

<Pengo> Cover me!

<DM> and a door in them, like an old western jail

>Pengo checks the door for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 41

>Mialee switches back to her sword and aims at the table, ready for a head to appear.

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin-firing variety.

<Mialee> Any sign of movement over there?

>Pengo sighs nervously and sets about an attempt to disarm it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 77

<DM> no, just some heavy breathing

<Pengo> Damnit.

<DM> Pengo succeeds in disarming the trap.

<Pengo> Whew.

>Pengo picks the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 25

<DM> He is getting more and more familiar with thiese particular types of traps.

<Pengo> Still can't spot 'em for anything. :)

<DM> He succeeds

<Pengo> I presume that roll gets the lock open? :)

>Pengo opens the door.

<DM> with a screeching sound,

>Mialee steps through, gesturing for the others to get inside.

<DM> and one of the guys pops out and fires at him.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 8

<DM> misses, before ducking back behind the corner.

>Mialee moves to circle around behind the table, so she can attack.

>Pengo goes too.

<Pengo> Yo, guys, get in here!

>Mordin charges in and around the table.

>Flint follows.

<DM> You see the 2 guys in the corner, one with a hammer, and one with a broadsword

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

<Mialee> Sigh.

<DM> The broadsword-toting one on Flint, and the other on Mordin

<Mialee> Is that in addition to the guys with the bows?

<Mialee> Where are they?

<Mialee> And is that M me, or Mordin?

<DM> it's the (M)ercenary

<DM> ok, it's a T now.

<DM> the small m is Mordin

*** Roll by DM: 2d20 -> 13 + 11 = 24

<DM> both miss

<DM> your turn

>Mordin attacks with his Axe.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 4

<DM> and he misses. :(

<Mialee> Where am I at this point, as I make my way around the table?

>Flint attacks.

<Pengo> Same question here?

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 7

<DM> Behind them, by the door.

<Mialee> Can I reach them to attack this round?

<DM> Not this round

<Mialee> I approach anyway.

<DM> Flint misses too

>Jozlan moving into position for melee combat

>Pengo switches back to his sling.

<DM> Really, this space is too small for more than 2 people

<DM> Flint and Mordin are in, the rest can only support.

<DM> it's only a 10' area, after all.

<Mialee> OK, then, instead, I'm switching to my bow.

<DM> Round 2:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
============================

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Jozlan> nothing

<Icarius> nothign

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

<Flint> Melee.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 4

<DM> Back at Flint and Mordin.

*** Roll by DM: 2d20 -> 9 + 9 = 18

<DM> both miss.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 15

<DM> your shots.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 13

<DM> both hit.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 4 + 6 = 10

<Mialee> Can I shoot at them from here, or are Flint and Mordin in the way?

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 6

>Mordin attacks again.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 16

<DM> they are in the way, and you stand a chance of hitting them if you fire, but they ARE short. :)

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 4 + 6 = 10

<Mialee> Sorry in advance if I hit one of you guys. :)

>Mialee shoots at the mercenary.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 1

<Mialee> Oy.

<Flint> No we are not. We are the proper hieght.

<DM> And hits Mordin in the back.

<DM> roll damage

>Mialee winces.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 4

<Mialee> Sorry!

<DM> Flint brings his man down.

<Pengo> Where are the guys with the bows?

<DM> You see the crossbows laying in the corner.

<Pengo> Ah.

>Pengo opts to do nothing this round.

<DM> The other guy is still going.

<Mordin> Flint did, or I did?

<DM> Flint did

<DM> Round 3:

<DM> Spellcasters, what will you cast?
============================

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Icarius> the usual

<Flint> Melee.

<DM> Initiative:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

<DM>

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

<DM> In a desperate lunge, the last guy swings at Mordin.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 5

<DM> his injuries were too great, it seems.

<DM> your shot.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 4

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 19

<DM> misses

<DM> Flint can roll

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 2

<DM> The guy is barely hanging on.

>Jozlan moves in for combat

<DM> blood streaming from multiple wounds.

<Mialee> I don't think there's room...

<DM> there is now that the other guy is dead.

<Mialee> Ah, yeah. :)

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d20 -> 15

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d8 -> 8

<DM> Jozlan crushes the guy's head with a mighty blow of his hammer!

<Mordin> Nice one, Jozlan. :)

<DM> the body hits the ground with a squishy "thud"

<Mialee> Well done.

>Pengo searches the corpses.

>Jozlan examines the hammer they used

<DM> the one guy has 18 sp and 8 gp

<DM> the hammer looks really nice. It has a nice heft

>Jozlan grabs it

<DM> The leather armor the one guy was wearing looks pretty good too

<DM> There's nothing else of interest on the bodies.

>Pengo checks the door to the north for traps.

> The DM rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 80

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps.

>Mialee examines the bows in the corner.

<Flint> I don't like leaving that door behind in the south hallway.

<DM> they are normal-looking crossbows

>Mialee looks around to see if there's anything of interest in the room.

<Pengo> We can go check that door out, if you'd like.

<DM> Mialee doesn't find anything.

<Pengo> Up to you, Flint.

<Flint> Yes, let's do that.

<Pengo> All right.

>Pengo heads back to the door in the hallway.

>Mialee follows.

<DM> You arrive there.

<DM> This door is locked and barred from this side.

>Pengo checks the door for traps.

<Icarius> this is right above the unexplord area below

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 5

<Pengo> Yeah.

<DM> Pengo DOES find a trap of the pin-firing variety.

>Pengo attempts to disarm it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 10

<DM> Pengo succeeds in disarming the trap.

>Pengo tries to open the door, to see if it's locked.

<DM> It is locked.

>Pengo picks it.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 36

<DM> He succeeds!

>Pengo grins and opens the door.

<Icarius> finally!

<DM> This tiny 10 by 10 foot room has nothing in it but a ladder on the west wall, which climbs up through a hole in the ceiling. At the top of the ladder, you can see an opening to the west.

<DM> Doorbell,. BRB

>Mialee pants.

<Mialee> OK, while he's away, Kelvin, look at his notes!

<Mialee> ;)

<Mialee> I have him distracted!

<DM> BAK

<DM> ok, Pengo is in the room, and no one else at the moment.

<Pengo> Do we go up or finish this floor off?

<Icarius> lets finish the floor

<Pengo> I agree.

<Flint> Finish this floor off after you close lock and bar the door. :)

<Pengo> Heh.

>Pengo returns to the corridor and closes the door.

<Pengo> Locking it won't do any good -- these guys clearly have keys. :)

<Pengo> Despite the fact that we've never found one on any of their bodies, even after seeing them close and lock a door.

<Pengo> :)

<Icarius> ja,

<Icarius> jam it from the outside?

<DM> touche'

<Pengo> bak

<Pengo> So, what do we do with this door? :)

<DM> So -- you're back in the room 31, staring at the north door.

<DM> This door looks thick and huge, with heavy iron wrapped around it's edges and criss-crossed across it's middle. It has a large handle and an obvious keyhole.

>Pengo examines the keyhole without touching the door.

<DM> It looks like it would be pretty tough to pick.

<Pengo> Maybe we need to go up that ladder after all.

<DM> just because of the depth of it, if nothing else.

<Pengo> Anything written on the door, or any decoration of any kind?

<DM> no

<Pengo> Can I see through the keyhole to the other side? :)

<DM> no

<Pengo> I think we need to see what's up the ladder, then.

<Pengo> Perhaps someone has a key we can borrow.

>Mialee grins.

>Mialee looks around at the others.

<Flint> Go ahead Pengo, give it a try.

<Pengo> You want me to try picking it?

<Pengo> OK...

>Pengo attempts to pick the lock.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 75

<Pengo> Hell no. :)

<DM> a slim blade slashes out of the door handle, and...

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 11

<Flint> Check for traps first.

<Pengo> I did and didn't find any.

<Pengo> First time we were in the room.

<DM> strikes Pengo. Pengo takes 2 h.p. of damage.

<DM> Pengo, roll a saving throw vs. Poison. (1d20, you need a 10)

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 1

<Pengo> Dammit.

<DM> Pengo hits the ground, and starts convulsing.

<Pengo> I wanted to go around, but noooooo.

<DM> he is coughing up blood.

<Pengo> Although probably that sounds more like "Uhhhgghghhsrr blaphhabbbpabtt"

<Mialee> Well, clerics, you're up.

<Mialee> Wait...

>Mialee whips out the poison antidote and pours it down his throat.

> Pengo coughs a few more times, and sits up, with a haggard look on his face.

>Pengo whispers, "I'm not doing that again."

<DM> he looks a little woozy, but is ok.

<Mialee> Is the blade still sticking out of the door?

<DM> Yes

>Pengo nervously tries to pick the lock again.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 41

<DM> This time he succeeds! After about 15 minutes of trying.

<Pengo> I could use some healing... I feel pretty lousy.

>Flint casts Cure Light Wounds on Pengo.

<Pengo> Or you guys can ignore me. :)

<Pengo> Ah! :)

*** Roll by Flint: 1D4+4 -> 1 + 4 = 5

<Pengo> Thank you.

>Pengo opens the door.

<Flint> You're welcome.

<Flint> That was my last healing spell.

<Pengo> Oof.

<DM> This room holds three sturdy chests. They are sitting on the floor of this otherwise bare room. Two of them are chained to an iron eyelet embedded in the floor with a stout chain. In addition, the chests themselves have locks.

<DM> The third chest matches the description of the one that Lord Darcy told you about. It has a recess in the top of the chest that looks like it would fit the talisman that he gave you.

<Flint> Who wanted to leave this room for later?

<Mialee> Should we check to see if the chest has been tampered with?

<Flint> Yes, no point bringing back an empty chest.

<Pengo> Who has the talisman?

>Pengo checks the first chained chest for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 29

<Jozlan> we should be able to guess if it's empty or not

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps on the first chest.

>Pengo checks the second one for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 37

<DM> Pengo finds a trap-tripping mechanism on the second chest, but can't see what the trap itself is.

<Flint> But not if it is full of rocks.

<Pengo> Can I still try to disarm it?

<DM> Yes

>Pengo does so.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 35

<DM> Pengo successfully removes the trap.

>Pengo picks the lock on that chest.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d100 -> 58

<DM> He is NOT successful

<Pengo> How big are these chests?

<DM> Two Man Carry

<Pengo> Hm. All three the same size?

<DM> Approximately

<Pengo> What time is it now?

<Pengo> Roughly.

<DM> About 2 in the morning.

>Mialee guards the door.

>Pengo checks the Baron's chest for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 26

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo takes the talisman from whoever's carrying it and unlocks the chest.

<DM> You take out the talisman, with its 6-pointed star-shaped silver setting. It's about the size of your palm, with a different gem set into each of the points. The gems are ruby, amethyst, garnet, saphire, emerald and aquamarine. Yes, it would fit exactly. But which way? Hmmm.

<Pengo> Any hints on the chest itself?

<DM> no, but you recall Darcy telling you something about making sure the right point was up...

<Pengo> What's the orientation of the slot for it on the chest?

<Flint> I don't suppose the talisman bears any resemblance to an item on the Baron's crest?

<DM> No, Flint

<DM> The orientation? It's a recess in the top of the chest.

<DM> the points are to the front, back, and 30 degrees to each side.

<Pengo> How can the right point be up on something like that?

>Pengo is so confused.

<DM> up relative to.... someone looking at the chest top down? :)

<Flint> 30 degrees to each side of front and back?

<DM> \|/

<DM> /|\

<DM> does that help?

<Pengo> Oh, so there are only two ways the thing can fit.

<Pengo> What's the arrangement of the gems on the talisman?

<DM> It's just a six pointed star,

*** Icarius flips a coin: tails

<DM> The gems are ruby, amethyst, garnet, saphire, emerald and aquamarine, in that order

<Flint> But the points are not evenly spaced around the center of the star.

<DM> yes they are.

<Pengo> That would be 45 degrees. :)

<Flint> Then they have to be 60 degrees apart, not 30.

<DM> I should have said 60 degrees

<Icarius> 45 is 8 no?

<Pengo> 60?

<Pengo> Hm.

<Pengo> You're right.

<Pengo> Duh.

<DM> sorry

<Pengo> Hm.

<Pengo> Anything on the other side of the talisman?

<DM> No, it is just flat silver

<Pengo> The receptacle for the talisman -- any contour on the bottom, or is it flat?

<DM> It's flat.

<Mialee> Hm.

<Mialee> I don't think we have enough information to get the thing open.

<Icarius> using my intelligence to the max, I recall the garnet should face the open side of the chest

<Pengo> OK...

>Pengo puts it in that way.

<DM> There is a light "snik!" and the lid pops up a bit.

>Pengo opens the lid and looks inside.

>Mialee keeps looking out for anyone coming.

<DM> Pengo sees a bunch of stuff! So much that it will take a second to describe it.

<DM> The chest contains 2000 pieces of Platinum, 3000 pieces of gold, and a big bag of gems.

<DM> IOW, everything Darcy told you it would contain.

>Pengo closes the lid and locks the chest again.

<DM> Altogether, it weighs in the neighborhood of 600 lbs.

<Pengo> How big is all that stuff?

<Pengo> Size-wise?

<Pengo> In terms of volume, I should say.

<DM> It's big. it fills the chest.

<Pengo> How big is the chest?

<DM> about 3.5 x 2 x 2.5 feet

>Pengo hmms.

>Icarius reminds everyone he has a tfd spell which will carry it nicely

<Pengo> How long will your spell last? It can't be for very long.

<Pengo> We could dump the stuff out of the Bag of Holding and put the money into it. :)

<Pengo> It will fit if we empty everything else out.

<Pengo> And we actually can probably put a lot of the other stuff back in afterward.

<Icarius> we just need to get to the boat

<Flint> Or we take the chest on tfd and get out of the tower.

<Pengo> OK, I suppose that's a plan. Do we want to try getting into these other two chests, or just take this one and run?

<Icarius> 70 minutes

<Flint> Huh?

<Pengo> That's how long his TFD lasts.

<Icarius> yes

<Pengo> Do we want to try these other two chests?

<DM> ???

>Mordin smashes open the other two chests with his axe.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 46

<DM> the first of the chests and find it contains 2910 cp, 1169 sp, 856ep, 569 gp, and 111 pp.

<DM> Within the second chest are 15 gems (1,000 gp (x 2), 500 gp, 100 gp (x 2), 50 gp (x 2), 35 gp, 20 gp, 10 gp (x 3), 9 gp, 7 gp, 5 gp), and six small bottles.

<Mialee> Can we carry all that stuff?

<DM> now let's see, what's the saving throw for glass vs. crushing blow?

<Pengo> Heh

<Flint> Why, with an axe you just lop off the hasp. :)

<Mialee> Except Mordin said he smashed them open :)

*** Roll by DM: 6d20 -> 16 + 9 + 11 + 12 + 9 + 1 = 58

<Flint> True. He's like that.

<DM> ok, the 2d, 5th and 6th bottles are broken.

<Flint> Grab the good bottles, all the gems, the platinum and gold and lets go.

<Pengo> OK.

<Pengo> Can we haul all that? :)

<DM> You leaving the electrum and silver?

<Flint> Yes.

<Mialee> Yeah, we can only really haul so much.

<DM> Ok, the rest you can carry

<Flint> we only have 70 minutes.

<Pengo> Can TFD cope with the ramps heading downstairs?

<DM> You are pretty loaded down though. I would even say encumbered. :)

<Pengo> And keep in mind there are people downstairs liable to try to stop us on our way out.

<Pengo> Ack! The e-word.

<DM> Yes, there is no problem with the floating disk and ramps.

<Mialee> OK, Icarius, you're on. Cast your TFD. :)

<Mialee> I take it I'm not seeing any movement outside?

<DM> outside in the hallway? NO

<Icarius> what about the 4th floor?

<Mialee> Our mission is to bring this chest home. Do we really want to mess around exploring the building?

<Flint> We have what we came for.

<Mialee> Yeah.

<Icarius> point taken

>Icarius casts tfd

<Mialee> Let's do it.

<Flint> and we are out of healing spells.

<DM> The chest rises gently into the air, at the height of Icarius' waist.

<Mialee> OK, let's go.

<DM> tick, tick, tick

<Mialee> Flint, Mordin, take the lead.

>Mordin leads the way out the door, down the hall to the ramp.

<Mialee> Icarius and I will walk alongside the chest. Pengo, take the rear.

<DM> You arrive at the top of the ramp.

>Flint follows.

<Mialee> Any movement down below?

<DM> actually the chest floats behind Icarius, but I get the picture. :)

<DM> no movement below.

<Mialee> :)

<Pengo> OK...

>Pengo ties his rope around his waist again.

>Mialee helps Pengo hold the rope.

<Mialee> Mordin, you go down first.

>Mordin slides down the ramp, feet first in a sitting position.

<Mialee> Or that. :)

<DM> He arrives at the bottom.

>Pengo unties the rope.

<Mialee> Flint, you go.

>Flint flint follows.

<Mialee> OK, Icarius, let's go.

>Mialee slides down.

>Pengo watches out behind us.

>Icarius follows

>Pengo waits until Icarius is at the bottom, then follows.

<DM> You're all at the bottom of the ramp, in room 18, which is starting to smell bad.

<Mialee> Keep moving, guys, the clock's ticking.

<DM> That took 5 minutes.

<Flint> Is there a point to attach a rope to at the head of the stairs down to level 1?

<Icarius> the window has an iron bar

*** >> Pengo >> btw, it's at least a 15 minute walk from the building you're in to the docks.

*** << <Pengo> << OK.

>Mordin ties a rope to the iron bar in the window and tosses the other end down the ramp to level 1.

<Mialee> All right... Mordin and Flint, go...

<DM> Slip-sliding away.... o/~

<Mialee> Guys?

<Flint> I greases the ramp. We will have to lower ourselves hand over hand down the rope.

<Mialee> OK, well, go. :)

<DM> It's impossible for ANYONE to keep their feet on this ramp, but you can safely lower yourselves

<Mialee> Move! :)

>Icarius lowers himself down

>Mordin proceeds to slide down the ramp using the rope to control his decent.

>Flint Flint follows.

>Mialee goes after Icarius.

>Pengo goes last, still keeping an eye out behind us.

<DM> After 10 minutes, you've all got yourselves down.

<Mialee> OK, let's go for the exit.

<DM> you quickly gain the exit (room 1)

>Mordin leads the way to the exit.

<Icarius> listen for the remaining enemies

<Pengo> Is the front door open or closed?

<DM> You're at the door, inside the building. The door is closed.

>Pengo checks it for traps.

<DM> DM Rolls secretly

*** Private roll: 1d100 -> 25

<DM> Pengo doesn't find any traps

>Pengo opens the door.

<Flint> We don't have time for that.

<Pengo> I don't have time to get blasted again.

<Pengo> So unless you want to do this, get bent. :)

<Mordin> Step back.

<Mordin> Step back Pengo.

>Pengo steps back.

<DM> tick, tick, tick...

<Pengo> I thought I opened the door. :)

<Pengo> I was waiting for the DM to respond. :)

>Mordin opens the door.

<DM> ok, the door is open. :)

<Mialee> Move along! :)

>Pengo keeps watching behind us.

>Mordin leaves the building.

<Pengo> 15 minute walk from here to the dock.

<DM> As you step out of the building into the narrow street, you are spotted by 5 people coming around the corner of a building, 25 ft away.

<DM> Four are dressed in Leather Armor, while one is wearing a long black robe.

<DM> Roll for surprise:

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 2

<DM> You stand there, gawking for a few seconds. When they see you, they arrange themselves in a triangle, the one in the black robe behind the other four. The latter stand their ground, in a defensive stance 5 feet apart, weapons drawn. The street is 20 ft wide,

<Mialee> How far from us are they?

<DM> 25 ft away

<Mialee> Icarius, I think you should toss one of your little friends.

<DM> Roll initiative.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 3

<Mialee> OK then. :)

*** << <Pengo> << Can I pull, light, and throw one of my cocktails in one round, or is that going to be a multi-round operation? :)

<Mialee> Icarius? :)

*** >> Pengo >> 2 rounds - one to pull and the other to light and throw

>Pengo reaches into his Bag of Holding and grabs a Molotov cocktail.

<Mialee> Anyone else going to do anything? :)

<Mialee> I'm sort of waiting to see if Icarius throws a toy. :)

>Icarius throws a small bomblet towards the black robed one

<Flint> I'm hoping Ic throws a toy.

<DM> it sails through the darkness, and hits the street, erupting in a ball of flame!

>Mialee waits for the DM.

*** Roll by DM: 5d6 -> 1 + 5 + 6 + 6 + 2 = 20

<Mialee> Ah :)

<Mialee> Hm, that didn't do much damage. :)

*** Roll by DM: 4d20 -> 17 + 1 + 4 + 7 = 29

>Mialee decides to switch back to her bow this round.

<DM> One of them, his clothes in flames, runs off down the street. Another crumples to the ground, a smouldering wreck.

<DM> The other two in the front rank are looking a little sooty The first one in the front rank, quite the handsome devil actually, shouts over the intervening distance: "Who are you, and how dare you saunter out of my home with stolen goods!??"

<Mialee> Who are you to steal them in the first place?

>Mordin charges.

>Flint charges.

<DM> "What are you talking about? they..." He drops to a crouch.

<Mialee> They?

<DM> Round 1:
==============================
Spell Casters, what will you cast?

<Icarius> weird

<Flint> Melee.

<Mialee> Nothing.

>Jozlan blesses

<DM> Roll initiative.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

>Mialee fires an arrow at the guy in the robe.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 8

>Pengo slings a rock at the same guy.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20 -> 5

<Pengo> Hmph.

<DM> You see the man in back start to rise slowly into the air, behind the armed men, to a height of about 12 feet. He gestures with his hands and mumbles something, and... Icarius pitches to the ground, as if dead.

<Mialee> Oh, that's not good.

<DM> The chest drops to the ground with a crash.

<Mialee> Guys?

<Flint> Are we close enough to attack this round?

<DM> Yes

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 17

<DM> you can attack the two in front.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 3

<DM> on the ground.

<DM> Mordin hits.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 4 + 6 = 10

<DM> For the next 6 rounds, add a +1 to your attack and damage rolls, please.

<DM> They attack back, opn Mordin and Flint

*** Roll by DM: 2d20 -> 9 + 10 = 19

<DM> Mordin is hit.

<Mialee> Woof.

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 8

<Mialee> Oooof.

<DM> Mordin is at 4 points, guys

<DM> There IS room for more of you to get around the two on the ground, now.

<DM> Round 2:
==============================
Spell Casters, what will you cast?

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Jozlan> clw on mordin

<Flint> Melee.

<DM> Roll initiative.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 1

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 1

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 3

>Mialee fires one of the magic fire arrows at the guy in the robe.

>Mordin attacks.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 19

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 18

*** Roll by Jozlan: 1d4+4 -> 2 + 4 = 6

<Mialee> Er, add 1 to each of those, as ordered. :)

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 14

>Pengo slings a rock at the guy in the air.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20+1 -> 9 + 1 = 10

<DM> Mialee, Your aim was dead-on, but you see that the arrow is somehow physically deflected before it gets to him.

<Mialee> Good lord.

>Mordin attacks again.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 1

<DM> Flint and Mordin hit

<DM> the first time mordin. :)

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D8+6 -> 1 + 6 = 7

<Mordin> +1 for 8

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6+1 -> 4 + 1 = 5

<DM> Flint's man is staggering about.

<DM> The man in the front rank, as he fights, yells over his shoulder:

<Man in Black> "Karak, is that the best you can do? Maybe I'd better find a more powerful partner."

<DM> The one floating in the air replies:

<Karak> "Silence you fool! You've not seen a granule of the power of Karak the Unforgiving!"

<DM> He thrusts his hand in your direction, fingers splayed. Four bolts of orange-red energy shoot from his fingertips and streak toward your group.

<DM> Flint, a bolt races at you, but splats harmlessly against a wall of force about a foot in front of you.

<DM> Some of the rest of you are hit, and take the following damage:

<DM> Mialee:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 2 + 1 = 3

<DM> Mordin:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 1 + 1 = 2

<DM> Jozlan:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 1 + 1 = 2

<DM> He continues to gesticulate.

<Mialee> Anybody have a silence spell they could cast on the guy? :)

>Mialee wonders why Flint is protected.

<Jozlan> the sentinel?

<DM> The guys on the ground swing back, desperately

<DM> At Mordin and Flint

*** Roll by DM: 2d20 -> 6 + 2 = 8

<DM> and miss

<Flint> Try firing magic arrows at Karak.

<Mialee> I did!

<Flint> Got a dispell magic?

<Mialee> No.

<DM> Sorry! rewind one. The magical arrow DID hit. in the foot.

<Flint> Good.

<Mialee> Ah, okay.

<Mialee> I don't feel nearly as helpless now.

<DM> Round 3:
==============================
Spell Casters, what will you cast?

<Mialee> Nothing.

<Flint> Melee.

<Mialee> Ah, Flint's Ring of Shielding protected him.

<Jozlan> hold person on the 2 front liners

<DM> Roll initiative.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 2

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 5

<Flint> My faith protects me, the ring just aids me.

>Mialee fires another fire arrow at Karak.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 3

<Flint> :)

<Mialee> Ugh.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1D20 -> 4

>Pengo slings a rock at one of the guys on the ground.

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20+1 -> 19 + 1 = 20

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20+1 -> 1 + 1 = 2

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d4 -> 3

<Pengo> +1 = 4 :)

<DM> Pengo hits the guy that was standing motionless, and he topples over.

*** Roll by DM: 1d20 -> 3

<Flint> You get two arrows around, right?

<DM> Mordin manages to nick one, mostly 'cause he's standing still

<Mialee> Oh yeah, I can shoot again, can't I? :)

<DM> yes

<Mialee> Wish I'd remembered that last round. :)

<Mialee> On Karak:

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20+1 -> 2 + 1 = 3

<Mialee> Argh.

*** Roll by Mordin: 1d8+7 -> 4 + 7 = 11

<DM> Mialee's flaming arrow arcs throught he night, and lands on a rooftop.

<DM> made of thatch.

<Mialee> Uhoh.

<DM> Once again, the floating sorcerer spreads his fingers, and 4 bolts

<DM> arc your way, this time aimed at:

<DM> Mialee:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 4 + 1 = 5

<DM> Mordin:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 2 + 1 = 3

<DM> Jozlan:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 4 + 1 = 5

<DM> Pengo:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 4 + 1 = 5

>Mialee sees something in her inventory and thinks.

<DM> Current Hit Points:

<DM> -------------------

<DM> Flint 27 / 29

<DM> Mordin 5 / 22

<DM> Mialee 7 / 21

<DM> Pengo 12 / 20

<DM> Jozlan 7 / 18

<DM> Icarius 11 / 16

<DM> The floating sorcerer grits his teeth and says:

<Karak> "You! You ARE the very ones who defiled _MY_ sanctuary!"

<Karak> "Ha! I see that my 'messengers' failed to deliver their message. No matter; you shall be dead soon enough."

<Karak> "You fools have no idea who you're dealing with."

*** << <Mialee> << What kind of spell is a "Protection from Magic" scroll? :)

*** << <Mialee> << There's no such spell in the database.

*** >> Mialee >> basically prevents magic (up to a certain level) from passing into OR OUT OF the sphere 5 ft in diam

*** << <Mialee> << Of a person or object? :)

*** >> Mialee >> the reader of the scroll

*** << <Mialee> << is it of a level where I can use it? :)

*** >> Mialee >> anyone can use protection scrolls.

*** << <Mialee> << OK, I'm going to do that next time I can. :)

*** << <Mialee> << Wish I'd thought of it sooner. :/

*** >> Mialee >> it will take a whole round to read.

*** << <Mialee> << OK.

<Flint> Round 4?

<Mialee> Think so.

<DM> not yet.

>Pengo fidgets.

*** >>

<Flint> >> to Flint: does striking someone under the influence of a Hold person break the spell? I'm inclined to think so, but I can't find a reference.

*** << <Flint> << I'll look.

>Mialee wonders what's up.

<DM> Round 4:
==============================
Spell Casters, what will you cast?

<Jozlan> me too

<Mialee> Protection from Magic, from the scroll I have.

<Mialee> Wish I'd thought of it sooner.

<DM> Roll initiative.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 6

<Jozlan> melee

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 6

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 4

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

<Mialee> Drat.

<DM> The last man on the ground shakes his head, staggers back, and starts to run down the street. He is running incredibly fast.

<DM> Meanwhile, from the air:

<DM> Karak thrusts his hand in your direction, fingers splayed. Four bolts

<DM> of orange-red energy shoot from his fingertips and streak toward your

<DM> group; this time aimed at:

<DM> Mialee:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 1 + 1 = 2

<DM> Mordin:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 4 + 1 = 5

<DM> Jozlan:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 1 + 1 = 2

<DM> Pengo:

*** Roll by DM: 1d4+1 -> 4 + 1 = 5

<Mialee> Mordin's down.

<DM> Current Hit Points:

<DM> -------------------

<DM> Flint 27 / 29

<DM> Mordin 0 / 22

<DM> Mialee 5 / 21

<DM> Pengo 7 / 20

<DM> Jozlan 5 / 18

<DM> Icarius 11 / 16

<DM> He continues to gesticulate.

*** >> Pengo >> You hear some grunting noises behind you. Looking back, you see 6 orcs materialize, 1 with a broad sword, two with longswords, and 3 carrying spears.

*** << Flint << No, it doesn't break the hold.

<Pengo> Guys, behind us!

<Pengo> Orcs!

*** << Pengo << Materialize? Like out of thin air?

*** >> Pengo >> yup

<Pengo> They just appeared out of thin air -- literally.

>Pengo has no idea how that's possible.

<DM> Magic! :)

>Mialee proceeds with reading the scroll.

<Pengo> Damn magic.

<Jozlan> with Karak, all things are possible

<Karak> That is correct, my wise young friend!

<DM> Your action

>Mialee keeps reading.

*** << <Pengo> << Can I throw a magic dagger at him and have any significant chance of hitting? :)

*** >> Pengo >> not likely

<Pengo> How far away are the orcs?

<DM> 15 ft

>Pengo kneels down and pulls a bomblet off Icarius's necklace, the smallest one remaining.

<Pengo> I assume I don't have time to also throw it this round?

>Flint rushes the orcs.

<Pengo> Well, with Flint there, I guess I shouldn't. :)

<Pengo> Can I throw it this round or not? :)

>Mialee keeps reading.

<DM> Yes you can

>Pengo throws the thing at the orcs.

<DM> remember they are only 15 ft away

<Pengo> Yeah, well, we're in trouble. :)

<Flint> Throw it just behind them.

<Pengo> OK, whatever, I throw it aiming just behind them. :)

<DM> it sails over their heads, landing 10 feet behind them, blossoming with a "whoosh!" into a pretty ball of flame

*** Roll by DM: 5d6 -> 2 + 1 + 3 + 3 + 5 = 14

<Pengo> Hm, farther back than I was hoping.

<Pengo> Ah well.

*** Roll by DM: 6d20 -> 2 + 8 + 20 + 12 + 20 + 17 = 79

<Pengo> Hm.

<DM> 3 of them burst into flames, searing the other 3, but they come at you anyway.

<DM> Flint meets them head on. Roll a special initiative, Flint

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 3

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6 -> 2

<DM> They hit first.

*** Roll by DM: 3d20 -> 20 + 5 + 16 = 41

<DM> 2 hit

*** Roll by DM: 4d4 -> 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 7

<DM> 7 on Flint

<Flint> Somebody get Mordin up.

<Mialee> Does Joz have any healing spells left?

<Mialee> If not, that's not happening.

<Flint> I've got a healing scroll, but I'm busy.

<Jozlan> nope

>Jozlan uses first aid skills on mordin

<DM> Round 5:
==============================
Spell Casters, what will you cast?

<Mialee> Did I finish my spell? :)

<DM> Yes

<Flint> Do I get to attack in round 4?

<Mialee> OK... nothing. :)

<DM> There is a sort of shimmering globe surrounding you at a distance of 5 ft.

<Mialee> Heh, Flint hasn't gone in round 4 yet.

<DM> Flint, Sorry, go ahead.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 19

<DM> Flint splits an orc down the middle. There are 2 left.

*** Roll by Flint: 1D6+1 -> 5 + 1 = 6

*** >> Mialee >> this is the scroll you picked up inside this building, no?

<Flint> That ought to affect thier morale.

*** << Mialee << No idea.

*** << Mialee << I think so.

*** >> Mialee >> remember the cautionary note.

<DM> Flint: Not these orcs

*** << Mialee << Magic can't escape either. Does that apply to the magic arrows?

*** >> Mialee >> could be :)

*** << Mialee << Argh. :)

*** >> Mialee >> or maybe it just demagics them.

*** << Mialee << Well, we'll find out in a minute. :)

*** << Mialee << Either way that would suck.

<Mialee> Initiative yet?

>Jozlan continues healing mordin

<DM> Roll initiative.

*** Roll by DM: 1d6 -> 5

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6 -> 4

<Mialee> D'oh.

<Karak> Bah! I must obviously search for more talented henchmen. I will see you again!

<DM> With that, he flies away into the night.

<Mialee> Huh.

<Mialee> What a waste of a protection spell.

<DM> The 2 orcs remain, though.

<Mialee> That sucks. :)

<DM> And you start to see heads poking out of the occasional door or window

<Mialee> "Return to your homes! There is nothing to see here!"

<Mialee> Do the orcs attack? :)

<DM> Yes, the do. Is anyone standing up with Flint?

<Mialee> I will.

<DM> If not, they both attack him.

<Mialee> Well, no, I have my bow out. :)

<Pengo> I will though.

<DM> ok, on Flint and Pengo, then.

*** Roll by DM: 2d20 -> 11 + 13 = 24

<DM> Pengo is hit.

*** Roll by DM: 1d8 -> 5

<Pengo> Ooof.

<DM> your shots.

<Pengo> Down to 1.

<DM> 2 by my count.

>Mialee shoots at one of the orcs.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d20 -> 19

>Flint attacks.

*** Roll by Mialee: 1d6+1 -> 1 + 1 = 2

*** Roll by Flint: 1D20 -> 6

<Flint> +1 for 7

>Pengo slashes at the nearest orc.

<Jozlan> his henchmen are more talented than he gives them credit for

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d20+1 -> 19 + 1 = 20

*** Roll by Pengo: 1d6 -> 5

<DM> Pengo drops one, and Mialee drops the other.

<Mialee> Whew.

<Jozlan> mialee, I believe you have a tfd scroll

<DM> you stand in the sudden stillness.

<Mialee> Yes... I do.

<Mialee> But first we need to get Mordin and Icarius upright. :)

>Flint casts a spell from scroll.

>Mialee checks on Icarius.

<Mialee> What's his condition?

<DM> He's snoring peacefully

*** >> Flint >> what scroll?

>Mialee gently slaps him to see if she can wake him up.

<DM> He wakes up.

<Mialee> Good morning, sunshine.

<Icarius> what a bad dream!

*** << Flint << Healing (Clerical) 2d4+2.

>Mialee waits to see if Flint gets Mordin up.

>Pengo watches the skies.

<Pengo> actually...

*** >> Flint >> I've got that as a potion, but whatever. :)

<Flint> The one I've been carrying.

>Pengo searches all the corpses.

*** Roll by Flint: 2d4+2 -> 3 + 2 = 5 + 2 = 7

<DM> You come up with about 23 gp. value from the charred human corpses. Nothing on the orcs.

>Mialee grabs her TFD scroll.

<Mialee> Are we ready to move?

<Flint> Yes.

>Mialee casts TFD on the chest.

<DM> Flint I assume you cast that on Mordin?

<Mordin> Yes.

<Flint> Yes.

<DM> Ok, you're all ready to move, then.

>Mialee waits for the chest to start floating. :)

<DM> it floats. :)

>Mordin leads the way to the ship.

<Mialee> All right, let's go.

>Flint follows.

<Jozlan> yes,

<DM> You make your way back to the docks, and find old Rolf dozing in his boat.

<Mordin> I hate boats.

<Rolf> "Well," he says groggily; "Looks like you've had a rough time of it!"

<Mialee> You could say that. Take us home, Rolf.

<Flint> Be quite, Mordin.

<Jozlan> you bet. I think we best be going

<DM> He kicks his helper awake, and they make ready to sail. Within a few moments, the ship is under way, and you are soon out in the middle of the river. Rolf expertly guides the sails, and the ship glides silently up river. Within a few hours, you arrive at the docks of Byrne.

<Mialee> Hm... by now the TFD has expired... We'll have to manhandle the chest the rest of the way. :)

<Mialee> Fortunately, I'm not a man. ;)

<Rolf> I reckon you can make yer way from here, eh?

<Jozlan> yes thanks

<Flint> Thank you.

<Mialee> Thanks, Rolf.

>Jozlan leaves a tip

<DM> He tips his hat as you haul the chest out of the boat onto the dock.

<Rolf> Why, thankee, Sir!

<DM> After tying up the boat, he and his assistant walk off into the early morning twilight.

<Flint> Let's get this thing to the palace.

<Mialee> Yes.

>Mialee does her best to help.

<Jozlan> we can rent a cart probably

>Mordin grabs one end of the chest.

<DM> It's pretty darn heavy. Mordin could lift it, but it's too big and awkward

>Flint grabs the other end.

<DM> ok, where are you hauling it?

<Jozlan> maybe we should tell the baron we have it, let him handle it

<Jozlan> don't want to cause rumors

<Flint> The palace, unless we find a cart first.

*** >> Pengo >> to Pengo: I'm sure you would know where you could dig up a cart that wasn't being used at the moment.

<Pengo> Hang on, let me go see if I can find a cart.

>Pengo runs off.

*** >> Pengo >> you find a small cart that could be emptied within 10 minutes.

<Flint> I hope he finds the owner along with the cart. :)

<DM> Pengo is gone for about 10 minutes. Then you hear the clattering of wheels on cobblestone.

*** >> Pengo >> take it away

<Pengo> Here we go... this should do the job.

<Mordin> We'll put the chest in the cart.

<DM> The cart is barely big enough to hold the chest, and it creaks and groans a bit when you load it, but it looks like it will do the job.

<Flint> Off we go.

<DM> To where?

<Mialee> We need to take it to the Palace.

<Mialee> I don't want it in our house where Karak might come after us to get it.

<Jozlan> we should cover it with something so the seal isn't visible

<Flint> That's where we are supposed to take it, right?

<DM> ok. to the palace it goes. It takes you a good hour to get it from the docks to the palace gate.

<Jozlan> spare armor or such

<DM> Naturally, there is a guard at the gate.

<DM> He greets you:

<Guard> Good morning! We've been told to expect you sometime today. Come with me.

>Mialee follows.

<DM> He signals to a guard inside to open the gate, and leads you in.

<DM> He leads you to a side door of the palace, and inside, to a drawing room of sorts.

<Guard>Wait here, please.

<DM> He leaves through another door.

<DM> after about 10 minutes, Lord Darcy appears, and comes over hurriedly.

<Lord Darcy> You're Back!

<Mialee> Yes, sir.

<Lord Darcy>Excellent. I'm happy to see you all returned safe and sound.

<Lord Darcy>Were you successful?

>Mialee points at the chest.

<Mialee> I sure hope that's the right chest.

>Mialee smiles faintly.

<Jozlan> yes m'lord. we have the chest and have confirmed it was Karak who stole it

<Lord Darcy> Ahh, most excellent. And the seal: can I have the seal, please?

*** >> Pengo >> you had it last

>Pengo hands it over.

*** << Pengo << I know, was thinking.

<DM> He takes it, and walks over to the chest, and puts the seal in place, opening the chest. After glancing inside, he smiles, and closes it back up again.

<Lord Darcy> Thank-you so much for your assistance. We shall call upon you to tell us of your entire adventure, but I'm sure at this point you're too tired.

<Mialee> That's for sure.

<Jozlan> :)

<Lord Darcy> Douglas here will show you out, and you can expect an invitation in the next few days to meet with the Baron.

<Lord Darcy> Thanks again for your herculean efforts!

<Mialee> Thank you, my Lord.

<DM> Douglas shows you back to the gate, and you make your way home without mishap!

<Mialee> Whew.

<DM> And that, as they say, is THAT!

Thus ends the tale of the Winter of Our Discontent

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