PBEM - Episode 208. Jailer, Hoots, CC, and Goo.

TWO HUNDRED EIGHT

(I/C)

“Guys,” Lannis called out, “I’m going to do something!”

“Protect yourself at the expense of everyone else?” Abraxas asked, deflecting another of the Owlbear’s attacks. “Oh! Nevermind, from the majik ligero around tu, I can see tu have shielded tu.”

Meanwhile Wyn whisked his bow off his shoulder, loaded a shaft, and let it fly straight at the Troglodyte (>+5 to hit, Orange 14). “Dere! Before anyting. Dat ok wit you?” (1d6 Damage, Orange 1 Damage). “Suck shaft, putain de merde!”

“Ahh!” The Jailer hissed as the arrow drew a bloody line across his cheek. “Fucking elf!”

“ROOOOOHAAAAA!!!”

With arcane energy running down his hands, Lannis focused on the behemoth of the Owlbear as Lyra slid past him heading towards the Fighter. "Well this is...really bad. Lyra? I never meant all the bad things I said to you, you're a fine person. Pleaseletthisworkpleaseletthisworkpleaseletthiswork!"

“You’re only saying that right now Lannis because you’re hoping I don’t let you die!” She ran right behind Abraxas and slammed her hand on his back. “I’m here,” she muttered, watching the bloodshot eyes of the deranged bear, already channeling Aine’s power.

“Hey Birdie!” Lannis called out. “Think about it! PAUSE!!” And a burst of pink light flew out to strike against the ursine’s chest (=Save vs spells, Pink 14) where it slowed down, looked about, stood still for half a heartbeat…and then screeched aloud and resumed its assault. “ROOOOHAAAAAA!”

“Damn it!” Lannis cursed. “We NEEDED that to work! What have I ever done to deserve such bad luck?”

“Shall we list today or do you want a week long listing,” Lyra asked.

“We dunt ‘ave dat kinda time,” Wyn growled, getting another arrow ready. “Summary would be best!”

“Rude.” “Nasty.” “Insensitive.” “Opinionated.” “Liar.” “Pig.” “Shithead.” “Senor hasn’t given me CAKE!”

“Enough,” Kovid snarled. “He hasn’t given ANYONE cake.” Giving the Jailer’s flail another duck, Kovid shifted his hammer to a reverse grip, shaft running along his forearm as he gathered his feet and spat at the Trog, “I think we could have worked together Jailer, but you had to have everything your way!" He then charged at the Jailer, slamming his entire weight into the reptilian’s weapon arm (<Str -2 penalty BX Baby, Yellow 1) and grappled with the Trog one free hand wrapped in his wrist, weapon arm pressed against his shoulder and HEAVED (>+2 to hit, Yellow 15) slamming him into the wall and pinning him there by his weapon arm and flail!

“Grrraaahh!” He howled, biting and snarling, trying to break free, but the dwarf was unyielding, legs braced and beard bristling.

“I’ve got him! I’ve got him!” He roared. “Take the stinking bastard down!!”

“Aine! Heal my friend now!” Lyra cried out and a white shimmer flowed into Abraxas’ form (CLW 1d6+1, White 5 – Heal 6!) scabbing over most of his open wounds and adding energy back to the Fighter’s body.

“Fabulous!” He cried out, ducking the Owlbear again, sliding his Scythe across to the other end, and hacked DOWN (>+6 to hit, +1 pinned, -2 nausea, Blue 17) on the Jailer’s partially pinned form. He tried to twist from the blow but failed to move enough or in time (1d8+3 Damage, Blue 5 – take 8 Damage) and was rewarded with a 3’ long slash than ran down from the Troglodyte’s chin and through his chest, ending below his sternum and spraying the Fighter and Dwarf in hot greenish blood. “Ha! Yailer 0. Abraxas Uno!”

While all this was going on, Brendon was squared off against the colossal centipede, trying to avoid its mandibles as he cursed at it. “You mother fucker!” His free hand dipped into his leather armor and found the ring he had taken from Lolth’s mouth. “Poseidon forgive me,” he muttered as he slipped it down his pinky and tried to avoid getting bit. As it settled in place he could feel a tingling run down his body as felt an intuition on the best way to avoid further hits from the insect (Ring of Protection +1 – to AC and all saves).

“I’m coming!” he cried out (<Dex -2 penalty BX Baby, Red 5) and leapt over the centipede’s latest attack, and ran down its length to the back side closer to the light, not too far from the Owlbear, and right by the quivering membrane fleshy ball. “Hey Goo!” he cried out as he reversed his sword and as the centipede spun around to attack him, he slashed (=+1 to hit, -2 Nausea, +1 BX stunt, Red 13) his short sword HARD (1d6 Damage, Red 6 and killed!!) and cut the centipede in two! As it flipped over, the front end fell on its back and Brendon could see emblazoned there was a stylized “L” and the number 5. “Another of Lolth’s children,” he muttered. “How many are there still?” Raising his voice he cheered, “Got it!”

“Great, Monsieur!”

“ROOOOHAAAAA!!”

(Initiative: 4 vs 4 – tied, rerolled: Party Steel 3 vs Monsters Red/Black 1)

(Membrane hatching: 1d3, White 3 – 2 – and HATCHED!)

At that moment with the sound like west silk shredding, the last of the membrane around Lolth’s latest charge tore open and the fleshy monster unfurled with a wet and writhing PLOP. Revealing a 9’ long pale yellowy fat grub like THING with dozens of sharp insectoid legs, a thick chitonous shell across its top, a burned looking L and number 11 emblazoned on it, and near its thick raised black eyes and lamprey looking mouth with a circle of inward facing needlelike teeth, were over half a dozen 2 to 3’ long flailing pink tentacles set around the perimeter of its drooling maw.

With only Bredon, Abraxas, and Lyra able to get a clear view of it, the three of them let out a collective groan and in unison cursed, “Fuck.”

Time now is Day 6, 12:13 PM

(OOC)

And it’s born! Carrion Crawler – Lolth’s 11th child! Welcome Baby Goo!

Top of round. Jailer is pretty fucking hurt. Weapon arm is still pinned – good job Kovid. Centipede is dead. Owlbear is NOT paused. You guys are up!

PBEM - Episode 207. Jailer, Hoots, CC, and Goo.

TWO HUNDRED SEVEN

(I/C)

Dropping the sack with the membrane creature in it and hoisting the Theystran Hammer high, Kovid shouted, “Jailer! You have one chance to reconsider. One false move and the baby’s first meal is Thystra’s cold silver!”

Brendon tossed the light stone to Lyra who caught it, “Lass, toss this into the dark area or whatever comes out of that hole!”

"I think you should listen to Señor Koalark if you want to save the child,” Abraxas tried to reason but the stomping Owlbear had him bring his Scythe about and ready to face the ursine threat.

Not slowing down, Lolthian Flail leaving a silver streak in the air in front of him as he swung it, the Troglodyte (Reaction check: 4+1 -2 penalty = 3 Attack!) didn’t slow down at all, weapon arcing about and then coming back for a mortal strike.

“Thor’s Fuck Nuts,” Kovid bitched, kicking the egg across the ground behind him (Membrane weakening: 1d3: White 3 – 2 damage), sack rolling and bouncing, the figure within squirming and writhing as Kovid brough his weapon about and tried to block the Jailer’s blows. The battle was on with a spray of silver flashes and high pitched ringing as Goddess weapon struck against Goddess weapon. Kovid ducked and weaved and tried to avoid the flanged head of the weapon (>+5 to hit, Red/Black 19) but he was buffeted and hit (1d6+1+1+1 Damage: Pink 2 – Take 5 Damage!) head ringing and mouth bleeding as he bit his tongue. “Die Falssse One!” The Trog then followed up with a series of bites and snaps with his dual rows of teeth (<+4 to hit, Black 5) but he clacked on air and not dwarf.

Meanwhile racing out of the darkness was a Colossal Centipede, almost 10’ in length and a mix of crimson and ochre coloring, a set of 3” mandibles set in its wide wedge shaped head. It moves QUICK, zigging left and right as if bore down on Brendon.

But the main attacker was the 1,500 lb owl bear that screeched again, “ROOOOHAAAA!” and swiped one massive claw the size of a shovel (<+5 to hit, Teal 13 – just missed thanks to Scythe!) but was deflected at the last moment by the back end of the Morrigaan Scythe, tearing the Fighter’s tabard but not his armor. “Shit that was close!” The second claw came around (>+5 to hit, Green 20: Critical Max Damage 8. Damage Defelction: <Str, Blue 8 – Half damage – Take 4, and -4 to hit next attack) and hit him full in the face and chest, slamming his back a step and spraying blood against the cavern wall. The Fighter spit a wad of crimson mucus and waded back into the fight. The Owlbear then tried to deliver a terrible bite with its beak (<+5 to hit, White 11) but Abraxas slammed his shoulder upward into the beast’s maw, choking it and making it let go. “Eat this!”

Meanwhile the colossal Centipede struck out at the Scout, biting his legs and ankles, making his hop and jump to avoid being bit. But it coiled up on itself and launched its maw upward at almost 4’ in height and hit Brendon (>+3 to hit, White 13) through the leather armor hard (1d3 Damage: Pink 3 – Take 2 Damage. >Save vs Poison, Red 15). He whipped his bow down driving it off as he tried to make some distance, being forced away from the group and northward down the hall.

“IN SANCT EGO!” Lannis intoned, the air in front of him shimmering to being and a magical shield blocking the wizard from head to ankles and around his front.

“FAIT LUX!” Wyn chanted, shimmering into visibility as a bolt of orange sparks flew towards the Owlbear (>Save vs Spells: Steel 16), the Ursine turning aside as the air around the party was illuminated by Wyn’s Light spell but it had failed to strike the Owlbear’s eyes. “Merde.”

“Fucking hell,” Lannis moaned, “We really needed that to work.”

“Tell me about it,” Wyn frowned, taking stock of the dense combat.

Lyra meanwhile loaded up the light stone in her sling, whipped it around three times, and hurled it at the Centipede (>+3 to hit, White 10) where it struck with a crackling noise (1d3 Damage, White 2 – Take 1 Damage) that knocked the tail end of the insect aside but little else.

Brendon meanwhile broke combat and jogged back as quick as he could, taking advantage of the Cleric’s slinging, to take aim and fire (>+4 to hit, Red 9), driving an arrow into the beast’s top (1d6 Damage: Red 4) and making it squeal in a high pitched whine. It whipped its body around on itself, bit the arrow, and then SNAPPED it with its mandibles before turning back to further assault the Scout.

Kovid meanwhile had been trading blows with the Jailer, both figures grunting in fury (>+3 to hit, Yellow 16) his Theystran Warhammer knocking the Lolthian Flail aside again and again to land punishing strikes on the troglodyte (1d8+2 Damage: Yellow 5 – 7 Damage!).

Finally Abraxas had been fighting the Owlbear toe to toe, the fighter dripping blood as he swung his Scythe in flashing arcs (>+6 to hit -4 penalt Dam Defl, Blue 9) cutting fur and hide, but nothing serious for his efforts. However the Fighter pressed on (Second attack: >+6 to hit, Blue/Purple 15) and his Scythe did catch the Owlbear hard across the shoulder and bit deep (1d8+3 damage, Blue 3 – 6 Damage!). “I am gonna wear you like a cloak!” he cried out.

(Initiative: Party Steel 3, Monsters Red/Black 6 – Monster’s win)

(Save vs Poison: <Pink 4, = White 11, >Orange 16, <Blue 9, <Red 7, >Yellow 20. Lannis, Abraxas, Brendon -2 penalty from Troglodyte Stink – Nauseous 10 minutes)

(Membrane splitting: 1d3: White 5 – 3!)

The stink in the hall reached epic proportions as the Troglodyte was in full fury and combat mode. Lannis, Abraxas, and Brendon were beginning to make the telltale coughs and gasps as the vomitous oils assaulted their ears, nose, and throat. Meanwhile the fleshy ball was squirming wildly as the membrane continued to split and stretch, the pale figure within struggling to break free.

The Centipede continued to assault Brendon, closing again on the Scout who was now fighting in the last vestiges of shadows in the hall. A few steps back and he’d be blind so he had to stand his ground. Bow no longer useable, he quickdrawed to his sword and tried to hold the insect back (<+3 to hit, Teal 9), barely able to in his lone struggle.

Hurt from Kovid’s hammer, the Jailer bared his teeth again and redoubled his efforts (>+5 to hit, Red/Gray 14) the flail cracking against the dwarf’s platemail (1d6+1+1+1 Damage: Red 5 – Take 8 Damage!) and bruising ribs and flesh beneath. “Filthy Maggotsss!” it hissed as it tried to take a bite out of Kovid (<+4 to hit, Green 4) but missing.

Hoots however seemed little fazed from the Scythe strike and tried to take out Abraxas again (<+5 to hit, Yellow/Red 3) but he dodged the first massive claw. The next major strike came from the other direction (>+5 to hit, Blue/Red 18) and he felt the strike through his armor (1d8 Damage: Purple 5 – Damage Deflection, <Str check, Green 5 – Half – Take 3 Damage and -4 on next to hit) but the Fighter was able to shrug off part of the blow.

But Hoots wasn’t finished and the Owlbear’s beak burrowed in (>+5 to hit, Red/Green 16) making Abraxas yell in pain (1d8 Damage: Red/Black 4) as it savaged the Fighter.

Time now is Day 6, 12:12 PM

(OOC)

Bottom of Round 2, your turn. WMC at the end of this round.

Brendon, you cannot use your bow and are at the end of the light range. Membrane animal is close to being born. Lannis you have shield up. Abraxas is soloing the Owlbear but needs help. Kovid is soloing the Jailer and could use help. Brendon is soloing the Colossal Centipde and being driven away from the group and will need help. Also, Lannis, Abraxas, and Brendon, -2 on your checks for the next 10 minutes due to Trog Nausea.

Good luck, your turn!

PBEM - Episode 206. Jailer, Hoots, CC, and Goo.

I had been asked if anything they would have done would have NOT ended up in a fight with the Trog and I did reveal what I had hinted at earlier - the Troglodyte is not like us and takes people at their word. If they had followed through on the deal without attempting to change it, that would have been good. THEN they could come up with another exchange or deal for the flail or key. But they didn't and d20s were flying, and the fight was very rough.

Follows:

TWO HUNDRED SIX

(I/C)

As the party drew closer, Brendon slid to the east wall making room for Abraxas to make his way up. “It should be easy as pie to talk to the Jailer and make a deal about the key,” he muttered sarcastically. “It was cake getting baby goo.” Looking at the open sack Kovid was holding, he cooed “How’s baby goo doing?”

“Now I want cake again,” Abraxas grumbled. “After this, Senor Limpwrist, you gotta do the cake spell.”

“Seriously, that is not how magic works,” Lannis growled quietly. Looking at the grinning troglodyte and the imposing figure of Hoots the Owlbear, he leaned towards the Fighter and hissed, “Well, I guess this is as good of a plan as we're going to get. I've heard worse, I'm coming around on it. Abraxas, whatever you do, please, for the love of all buxom bugbears, do not agree to make the hand off in his room. Please do it out here in the hallway."

“That is the plan.” The Fighter had once again replaced his Scythe on his back and plastered a smile on his face as he made his way to the front. Kovid and Lannis each pressed their towels towards their face as the reek from the Troglodyte filled the air. "Hola, Señor Yailer,” he said loudly, hand raised in greeting. “We come bearing the fruit of Lolth's loins to offer as your newest charge.”

“Nice, Mammal,” the Troglodyte answered, looking the group over. “I assssume it isss there in that sssack?”

Kovid lifted the sack and tilted it so he could see the fleshy membraned figure within.

“We would like to discuss other options,” Abraxas continued. “Namely the Key and the Flail around your neck.”

“No.”

“I will start by letting…Excuse me, you said no?” Abraxas seemed flustered.

“Correct. We had a deal. You get me the Key and the Charge. That wasss it.” He shifted his feet, talons clicking on the ground. “You alssso took the time to reiterate and confirm the deal before sssetting off.”

Abraxas flexed his jaw, reaffirmed his smile, and waved his hand casually. “Mis amigos y yo know you want that key as a way to show defiance to Corgleshart. But WE need the key to access the Vault. After that, we do not need the key anymore and we could turn it over to you, no problemo.”

“You can give the Key to me now.” He pointed at the dwarf. “Being that you were able to accessss the chessst and free the eleventh child from the Mother of Monssstersss letsss me know that you have it.”

Mouth pursing and brows lowering, the Fighter added, “You know, we have hidden the key for the purpose of this conversation. I felt it would be prudent to our safety and trust to let you know that right away.” (Cha checks: >Blue 16 (+3) vs Black 10 (+2) – both failed and both realizing this is not going well)

“Ssso I noted.” The Jailer was looking over the group quickly. “I alssso note that your elf isss not here. Ssso I would guess he isss hiding in Lolth’sss Grotto with the key or made hisss was to the cave locustsss and is crouching in wait there.”

“Listen, Senor, we would still consider you the owner of the Key, we are just holding…”

“Sssimple Mammalsss.” He reached up and idly gripped the handle of the flail around his neck. “Alwaysss you plot and ssscheme and change the rulesss.” The nauseous reek was getting worse (save start of next post) as the Troglodyte was showing his frustration. “Ssso sssimple now. Key and Charge. Give them both to me now. No implied threatsss. No ssspeech. NOW!” (Reaction roll: -1 penalty: 1+5=6-1 = 5 – Hostile)

Brendon who was watching carefully, (<Find +20%, Red 33) could see in the shadows just past the now standing and aggressive Owlbear, that there was another creature moving low to the ground by its legs.

“Yailer…Curgsnot…”

That was as far Abraxas got before the Jailer pulled the heavy silvered flail from his neck, rasping “FINE!” and Hoots let forth a trumpeting “ROOOHAAAAA,” beak opened wide and feathered claws upraised.

(Initiative: Party Steel 4 vs Enemy Red/Black 3)

Time now is Day 6, 12:10 PM

(OOC)

Wyn, you are invisible another 30 minutes or if you do something aggressive – ie light spell at the Owlbear’s eyes. There WILL be a nausea check at the start of the Trog’s round, so be aware – this is your only opportunity to not possibly have a -2 to your checks. Also, Trog is not classified as a person so Hold Person will not work on it. And Dean, Hoots is an Owlbear and based upon his size and strength, if you target him with a web he can shred through it in 2 rounds if he fails his save, no time if he makes his save. And don’t forget, something else right behind Hoots. Good luck!!

PBEM - Episode 205. Fungi, Statue, and Time.

TWO HUNDRED FIVE

(I/C)

Brendon nodded, “Indeed.” He looked up at the statue of Lolth. “So, there’s something in the mouth?”

“Dunno. But it does open.”

“Hmm. I have to get my rope anyway so I’ll go take a look.” He glanced at the large fleshy membranous ball the elf was holding. “Wyn let me say hi to your little fella before we leave.” He tickled the fleshy pale parts sticking through. “Hoos a cute goo ball?!” And it squirmed and rippled in response.

“Wyn, While I’m getting my rope back you should try talking or making some sound to the baby.  Give it a name too.” He shrugged, heading back to the statue’s base and grabbing the rope. “Who knows it might remember your voice later and try to save you, especially if the Jailer uses it against us.”

“I’m interested in that secret in the mouth. I know Lannis said she’s the birth mother of spiders, so with our luck, she is probably holding a baby spider.”

"Ok you get yer rope up dere,” Wyn said, shifting the ball to his other hip and peering inside the invisible bag. “I leave it up to you whether you want to stick yer hand in de monster queen's mouth. I'm gonna watch de movements of dat shrieker. Maybe we cen get passed it quicker if we know how it moves. "

“Sounds…good,” Brendon replied, hoisting himself up the statue’s flank (<Climb w./rope – no roll needed).

As the elf made his way back down the passage, vision popping over to the infravision spectrum, he whispered into the bag. “Hey little one. My name is Wyn. Wyn is glad to meets you. We get you out of here. Don't you worry it be fine. You be with more of yer kind soon. I dont know if dat Trog be de best mommy fer you, but I tink he be caring for Lolth's children more den he cares for others. You be ok. No more being stuck in a statue. Wyn will keep you safe." The figure quivered again but that was about it.

Meanwhile…

Lannis had gathered up loose pebbles and was tossing one at a time at the Cleric’s head, hitting her about half as many times as missing, her expression growing darker and redder with each ‘tik tik tik’ nose of a bouncing stone. "How do you think they're doing?” he wondered. “Haven't heard any yelling yet. Probably saying mean things about me."

“I’m sure it’s going fine. But the time is really passing by.” Kovid strummed his one long braid running down the side of his face and continued, “So to recap, Lannis, you don’t pass Go, you don’t collect 200 crowns... ever.”

“I dunno,” the magic user said, “Mineopoly seems rather weighted in the favor of dwarven players.” He tossed another pebble at Lyra, causing her the mouth the word ‘fuck’ and then scoop up the loose stones around her.

Back again…

The Scout made his way to the top of Lolth again without issue where he braced himself on her shoulder and then leaned over and untied the rope (no roll). Grabbing a few coils of it he flipped it back to the shore and then gave the Statue a critical eye, seeing the section that Wyn had described at her mouth. “Hmm,” he mused, glancing up to look in her eyes. “With all due respect Mi’lady, I hope you understand I have the utmost respect for you and your child. Your eyes are very mesmerizing and reach deep within my soul. I shall not disgrace you by trying to remove the sacred gems.”

He placed the light stone in his mouth and braced it in place behind his teeth with his tongue. By parting his lips he was able to control the light as he leaned over, using Lolth’s nose as a handhold, running his other hand under her chin and feeling around for a release catch as well as any traps (>Find Traps, Red 75). After a few minutes and not finding anything dangerous, he could see how the mouth could be opened by gently pushing the chin down to the statue’s neck.

“Ok,” he mumbled, stone in his mouth, he drew his normal dagger and held it in the hand braced against the face and used his other to force the mouth open. “No spiders, no spiders, no spider,” he murmured. The mouth opened with small difficulty but inside on her tongue was a gold ring. “Nice,” he grunted, sliding the dagger into the opening to prevent the mouth from closing on his hand and then snuck his fingers in and plucked the ring free.

Lifting it up, he could see there were words around the outside of the band. Shedding a bit more light he could tell it read, “May Mother Lolth Protect You From Harm.” In both common and he assumed the elven letters said the same thing.. Pocketing it, he closed her mouth, gave the statue a final nod, and climbed down her flanks (<Climb +5% bonus, Red 10%) to the bottom without any problems.

He coiled the rope up and slid it up his arm. Spitting the light stone out into his free hand, he dried it on his pants and giving the statue one last bow, the Scout made his way down the passage to meet up with Wyn who had been watching the Shrieker the last few minutes. “Success,” he whispered. “Found a ring. Gold.”

“We check it later, might be magic.”

“My thoughts as well,” he pointed ahead, keeping the light down to a slit. “What’s with the mushroom.”

“It hasn’t moved. Still where it was before.” Wyn clicked his tongue. “We can sneak past I tink, but dis ting is gonna make it difficult.”

“Ok, now to get back.” Brendon moved to the front, “You cradle the baby close and keep acclimating to it, while you keep a hand on my shoulder. It’ll help you move slower and make no noise.”

The two of them turned the corner and started making their way north. Brendon did as he did earlier, keeping the stone in his far hand nearest the wall tightly closed and relying on touch and the faintest of flashes to guide his way (<Hide in Shadows, +10% bonus, Purple 33). Wyn was right behind as the two of them approached the slowly heaving Shrieker and made their way past it staying near the wall. The elf was having a rough time with the bag (>Move Silently, Orange 10) and the Shrieker seemed to sense the pair’s presence. It swelled up (1-3 quiet, 4-6 noise, White 1) but outside of a faint whistle, since it didn’t ‘see’ either of them, it didn’t let the alarm go.

Brendon opened and closed his hand alerting the group to their return as they moved east to avoid the yellow fungus. “Hola!” Abraxas called out softly, the Fighter seemingly happy at their return. “Senor Wyndum with you, Breyers?”

“On my 6, Doc.”

“Great,” Lannis said, tossing the handful of stones he had at Lyra where they clattered off her armor with a number of clattering sounds.

In return, Lyra whipped all her stones at Lannis, the wizards hissing as he was peppered with gravel. “What the fuck, Horseface?!”

“I am so close to seeing how far I can shove a club up your ass, Momma’s Boy,” she snarled, face red and eyes wide. “Stop testing my patience.”

“Senor, you are being a grande pollo.”

“She threw rocks at me! Like I’m a sinner in the street. Shame, shame, shame!”

“Just knock it off, Lannis,” Kovid sighed, “Or try to.”

“I never,” he took his water skin out and wet his hand and made a show of wiping his robes clean.

“Never had sex with someone other than your hand or a family member,” Lyra answered, looking at the space next to Brendon where Wyn had opened the mouth of the invisible sack and was removing the ‘visible’ sack and the baby from within. On seeing the membranous cover and pale fleshy thing with the pink stripes as a ball within she exclaimed, “Aine... what the hell is that thing? It’s... is that the baby? Is that thing even ALIVE? Can I see it for a second?”

“Oui, look all you want.” Wyn took a deep sigh. “Ok we did it. Let's get back to de Trog.... why are dere playing cards all over the floor?"

“Cause Senor Lunkhead is a poor player,” Abraxas shrugged.

“You are making jokes during a serious game, spoiling it. How did you think I was supposed to react?”

“I dunno,” the Fighter smiled, “Maybe like an adult?”

Shaking his hand dry, he flipped the Fighter the middle finger and went back to cleaning himself up. "Wow, that's an ugly looking circle, is that the thingy?” he asked. “Do you still have the key?”

“Oui,” Wyn said, taking it out and showing it, the key floating in place before he put it back in his bag.

“Can we please get out of here?” Lannis whined, “This cave sucks. And we're all in agreement that we can't let him have the key? Maybe we can tell him the key disintegrated when you used it?"

The elf took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Do we use my invisibility to make him think that I died and the key disappeared when it was used? Or do we play it straight? I be askin honestly because I had the idea and figured I'd offer it. At dis point I be fine telling Monsieur Stinky da truth just to be done with dis situation and get dat damn flail... but we also may need da key. Maybe he can't touch the key at all and we will find that out? What does everyone tink?

"Anyway... can someone else carry dis baby sack?"

Abraxas set Wyn’s pack and other gear down near where his voice was coming from. “Here are your things Señor Wynston. Perhaps Señor Laafnaas or Señora Litra should carry el niño. They are usually near the middle of the party. We shouldn’t have el niño in the front or back.” He spun his Scythe slowly in thought. “Part of the deal was he gets the key. But perhaps we can negotiate with him, pero pienso he wants the key as a "Fuck You" to Cordarg. Maybe we can offer a greater "Fuck You" to Corghlain in return? Maybe us using the key to get the crown can be spun as a bigger "Fuck You" to Corsflare, than his initial "Fuck You" to Courserd that he planned. And we can always give him the key AFTER we open the vault, yes? As a "Fuck You" trophy to show Cortlarf, should they both survive and leave here. So we can negotiate his exact "Fuck You" he wants to give Corjdan."

“As long as we don’t give him the key, I’ll ignore everything else you said,” Lannis replied.

Nodding at the Magic User, Abraxas answered, “Fuck You!” Making the entire party sort of stop and stare at him before he blushed and chuckled, “... I mean, what? Lo siento, creo I got myself stuck in a loop."

"It's fine,” Lannis waved his hand absently, “ I don't even remember what I was saying but that was probably a reasonable response.” He reached behind and played with the bottom of his mullet braid. “I'm still thinking maybe we try to spin it that the key is gone. I'm not sure. We need the key, he doesn't want to let us keep it. Lying might piss him off enough to try to take the key. Can we play “ding ding” with the purple circle? The key is more important than the flail."

Not sure what the baby thing was after looking it over, Lyra shook her head, “Obviously we don’t really want to give him the key... but do we really want to give him THIS either?” she pointed at the slightly squirming figure, “What if it’s something dangerous or he’s just going to eat it?”

“It’s always about food with you,” Lannis frowned, dousing his hand one last time from his water skin and then throwing a handful of water in her direction disparagingly.

In reply, the Cleric whipped her club off her belt, stepped forward and swung it full force at the Magic User, just missing but making his stumble back on the tail of his robes and fall, Brendon keeping him from hitting the ground. “Next time it’s your face.”

“Wow, someone is riding the Crimson Pony today,” Lannis answered, dusting his robe clean. “Thanks, my man.”

“You got it,” Brendon smiled. “I think you should lay off a tiny bit.”

“It’s not me, I swear. She is just unhinged. Type of person to needlessly torture someone who lives in the same building at her for imagined slights and making it her life’s mission destroy her: body, mind, and soul.”

“Whatever, I’ll speak at your funeral,” The Scout made his way to the front of the group. “We going?”

Lyra hoisted the sack with the baby in it, staggering a bit under its weight, before Kovid took it from her, the dwarf much stronger and sure footed. “I’ve got it,” he muttered.

“Thanks,” she replied. (WMC: Red/Black 6 – none!)

The party then left the fungus area behind and headed back the way they came, going to the Jailer thinking hard about what they were going to say and how they were going to sell the situation. As they rounded the corner and were heading north, they could see in the shadowy section of the cut out the Troglodyte was standing there with his ever large grin on his face, and in the gloom behind him, the menacing figure of the Owlbear, Hoots, taking up the entrance.

Time now is Day 6, 12:05 PM

(OOC)

Wyn: you have 35 minutes left of invisibility.

XP: 2 Rooms: 30 each, Everyone add 60 xp.

“Defeat” Shrieker: 120 xp divided, Yellow fungus 75 xp divided.

Wyn, Brendon: Add 113 xp each

Kovid add 93 xp

Lyra, Lannis, Abraxas add 92 xp each

There is a gold ring from Lolth on Brendon’s belongings right now (Lolth gold ring [1]), can discuss later.

Kovid is carrying the bundle. Wyn currently has Lolth Key [2].

Jailer is there, Hoots blocking the area behind him so no way of knowing if anything else is also back there. Let me know what is to be said and sort of what the plans are.

PBEM - Episode 204. Fungi, Statue, and Time.

TWO HUNDRED FOUR

(I/C)

Brendon took out his rope, let most of it uncoil at the floor, and then rolled out some 8’ before dropping a four count of knots in its length about an armspan apart. “I’m standing here, reflecting on my years on the high seas.” He looked down at the dark rippling water. “The harsh and unforgiving wet environment where death was always just a slip into the depths below. This statue? I have clung to the bowsprit in the churning tempest of Poseidon’s fury with not but my skill and wit. I have scaled buildings in other surfaces in the witching hour during my time in the army. I’ve got this.”

Meanwhile Wyn had taken one of his sacks and the jar of honey off his back, laying them down and then turning visible. "I leave deze tings here for you. When de baby is out, put it in dis sack. If it is making noise... give it de honey."

“Wyn, your invisibility is the key to you staying safe and achieving our mission. Don’t let it drop for any reason.”

“Will do, Monsieur.”

Coiling the rope around his shoulder, the Scout grabbed Lolth’s leg and started to hoist himself up. “As I climb up I will tell you what and how I’m doing it. You’re a faster learner.”

“Merci, Monsieur! You are doing fantastique!”

Meanwhile looking back down the passage they came, Abraxas was frowning, eyes on the western wall of yellow fungus. "No sé about Brendson, but I'm sure Señor Wynsden has a back up plan. I'm sure he has it all figured out already.” He pointed with the tip of his Scythe, “I'm staying far from THAT funguses though."

At the mouth of the south corridor though, Lyra was watching the distant Shrieker and straining to hear anything from her companions. “How long do you all suppose we wait before we assume they’re not coming back?”

"If they have a problem,” Lannis mused, eyes wide and scanning, “I suspect we'll all find out about almost immediately, I can't imagine there being much secrecy about the matter.”

“Sure,” she answered, “Or better yet... how long do we wait until we go looking for them.” She hugged her holy symbol with her free hand. “I have a shitty feeling about this.”

Lannis shrugged, “Let's just hold tight and try not to get killed ourselves.” Turning to the dwarf standing there with his torch in one hand, and lantern on the floor by his feet, he asked, “Kovid, you mind covering that light so it doesn't show around the corner? And keep it in front of us so we don't project shadows, just in case."

Nodding, he dropped his towel so that it blocked off half the lantern light and moves a bit to the west, eyes peeled, torch burning. In the distance he could indeed hear the chirping of crickets echoing. “It’s been quiet. If they made it to the statue, I assume we’ll be hearing from them soon.“

Back at the statue, Brendon (<Climb, Red 59) was keeping up a litany of his touch points. “Ok, here. Her knee is crooked, good place for a foot hold. Thigh is a bit slippery. Her belt has spiders on it, good gripping point. Um, if you don’t mind, a boot in her crotch works too. Ok, sides here. She definitely works out, good muscle tone. Ok, good place to grab here. Um…Lolth, I am NOT trying to be dirty here…will move my hand as soon as I…ok, Up here the shoulder works. And done!”

“Great job, Brendon.”

“Thanks. Ok. Uncoiling the rope here. Not touching the chain or the key. Spool spool…and FLIP,” he tossed the rope around Lolth’s neck and jerked the free end, flipping it up and catching it easily. “Got it. Now to tie a bowline knot here. Fuck! If I pull this off I will be the greatest thief.” (<Dex, BX Baby rope -2, Red 10) The knot was perfect, his fingers secure and measured, and he slid it tight to the statue’s surface and turned back sweating slightly with a smile. “Can you keep a secret?”

“Oui. What’s up?” Wyn asked.

“I could use Lannis’ stupid jokes to break this tension.” Both men laughed as Brendon made to climb down. He glanced at the statue’s face and smiled, “Thanks.” Reversing what he had done earlier he made it to the floor without issue and bowed with a flourish. “That fucker didn’t tell us about this room. I’m starting to think he’s using us not only to get what he wants but to help Corfard.”

“I tink de Jailer is not tellin’ us ever’tin’, but dats a problem for after dis mission.”

“Listen, if you slip, I will be on the opposite side of the water from the statue. If you fall into the water, I will begin to thrash the water near me to draw any attention away from where you might fall in. Just exit the water quickly and calmly. If there’s something in there it should be drawn to me.”

“Lets ‘ope we don’t ‘ave dat kinda luck.” Wyn had been looking around the room (no secret doors), pretty satisfied there was no on other chambers or passages out of here. “Hokay, my turn.” Brendon saw the rope lift off the statue as invisibly, Wyn began his ascent.

Meanwhile back with the rest of the group…

“Do you have any 4’s?”

“Go fish.”

“Ugh. I hate this.”

“Do you have any Ases.”

“Really? Stop that it’s not funny.”

“Senor, Ases, Ases, Ases. Do you have any.”

“If you’re not going to take this seriously, I’m not playing.”

“Don’t be like that, Lannis.”

“Let him pout, Lyra. Big Brain gets upset easily.”

“This is serious and Stabity Jim over here is cracking jokes.”

Back again…

Following the same path that Brendon had pointed out, Wyn (<Climb +1 bonus, Orange 9) used the rope to hoist himself higher and higher up the side of the elven goddess. He made his way all the up until he could sit on her shoulder, one leg propped against her neck, the other dangling free over the water. “I’m here.”

“Great!” Brendon cheered. “Can you reach the key?”

“Easily.” Wyn bent lower until his fingers encountered the surface of the Lolth key and he lifted it off the bronze chain easily. A rousing wind ran through the elf, the scout, and raced down the passage followed by a low thrum of released power (everyone gain 250 xp – Key 3!!!). “Ah, I forgot about dat part.”

Meanwhile…

“Four, Five, Six. B&O Railcarts. I’ll buy it.”

“Damn it, Beardbreath, why don’t you leave anything for the rest of us to get.”

“There is still the Amarillo colors, Senor, untouched.”

“Suckers buy properties that far along.”

“Hit any of my three Railcarts and it’s 100 crowns rent, Big Brain.”

“You suck the joy out of life, you know that?”

A low wind ran through the four friends, scattering cards and playing pieces everywhere.

“No…No!! Damn it. NO!!”

“Hahahah, relax Kovid. You were the only one enjoying this anyway.”

“Thor’s testicles! I was OWNING that game.”

“I think they got the key.”

“Thank Aine. Here, Kovid. Your thimble.”

“Thor Blast it.”

Back again…

Wyn held the key and looked over the statue for anything that might be keyhole shaped (<Secret Door, Orange 1). He noted that the mouth of the statue was cleverly hinged and designed in such a way to possibly be pried open. BUT the keyhole was right at the top of Lolth’s cleavage, set in “Y” of the stone, just above the faintly purply/red glow. "Oh good... at first I tought dere be no keyhole."

Brendon nervously laughed from below.

The elf brought the key closer to the hole, free hand wrapped around the rope, until it hit the lock and went in easily, setting home. "I know dis not be one of Offop's jokes, but it not be every day you make it to first base wit a goddess, eh? Hehe.” Gathering his wits again he shook his head and announced, “Ok I about to turn de key... you ready down there?”

“As I will be.”

"I really hope day not be a baby gorgon... because we need to look at where it falls and den we'd both be stone. Ugh. Ok I will turn the key with my eyes closed. If you see something with a head of snakes.... yell that out and close you eyes quick and just let it fall in the water. Ain't nothing worth turning to stone over.”

“Argh,” Brendon growled, “I almost forgot about the baby. I’ll try to get it if I can. Your actions might break the potion.”

"If dis thing is a gorgon... den we need more prep time after it falls so we can talk about it again... otherwise, I'm about to use the key.” Wyn took a deep breath. “On 3. Like I actually say Trois and dat be when I turn de key, savvy? Ok... un... deux... trois!" He twisted the key hard and the entire chest section of the statue flopped down expelling a sweet purply mist and the lights faded followed by a rumble from the statue and Wyn momentarily felt woozy.

“What is it? What’s in there?”

Meanwhile…

“So I just like to take care of myself. A cucumber scrub does wonders for your complexion.”

“Mmm, This is nice. I’ve never had someone comb my beard like this before.”

“Thanks. A good regiment is paramount to healthy hair. Aine knows, if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.”

“Senorita, I am having a problem getting the braid to stay tight.”

“You need to plait it back and forth, and here, lift after every other plaiting. Like that.”

“Hey, Lugnut, not so hard! There is scalp under that hair, you know.”

“Lo siento. Big fingers.”

“Just be more careful, that’s all.”

“He’s doing a good job, Big Brain.”

“Yeah, I guess. How come I got Dockworker Ken to do me and you got the token female to do your hair?”

“You made a whinny noise and told me to get my hooves checked.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

Back again…

Inside the housing was a large membranous ball. It was fleshy and rolled up and squirmed slightly. Sickly pale yellow and long stripes of pink, it was about 3’ in diameter and was maybe 80 lbs. “Dat is one big, round, weird lookin’ baby.” Wyn extracted the key and put it in his pouch. “I tink I can get it down.”

“Is it..alive?”

“Well, it’s warm, an’ movin a tiny bit. But its in a sack cocoon lookin’ ting. I tink we bring it as is to de Jailer an’ dat be it for us.” He reached in and made a grunting noise. “Little bastard’s heavy. But I can…” Brendon could see the big ball come out and suspended in place. “Got it. Gonna climb slowly.”

“I’m ready.”

Wyn started climbing down, one hand on the rope, feet questing below, holding the big membrane thing to his body as he made his way along. About halfway down though (>Climb check +1 bonus rope, -2 heavy load, Orange 16) Wyn slipped as his foot lost purchase and he cursed rolling, losing hold of the bundle as he was falling. “Merde!”

“Wyn!”

(Save vs Death Ray: Green 16) The elf managed to make a crazed grab, fingers finding purchase on the statue’s thigh and leg and he arrested his fall at the last minute (take 1 damage), watching horrified as the ‘baby” fell towards the edge of the water (1-3 water, 4-6 land: Red/ Black 5 – Land) but instead smacked into Lolth’s foot and rolled towards the wall and away from the dark rippling surface. “Mon Dieu!”

“Amen to that.”

Wyn finished climbing down a bit shaken and the two of them looked the bundle over. The membrane was torn in a few places, making long splits in the surface but it was still ‘wrapped up’ so to speak and the body inside was still warm and squirming slightly. “Hokay, we got lucky dere.”

“Let’s get this gone, we still have a Shrieker to get by.”

"Oui. Ok now I will take out de invisible sack... no... not dat... de grey one that de Medusa head was all over... ugh no you dirty sailor... ok I take dis large bag dat is invisible and help you guide de visible sack into the invisible sack. Den we close it up and get de Hel outta here.... oui?"

“That was needlessly complicated. I can’t see what the Hel you were doing or pointing at.”

“I get dat.” He looked up at the statue. “Dere was sometin up dere.”

“The Ruby eyes? You want to pry out the ruby eyes of a statue of Lolth?!?”

“No, no. Not dat. De mouth.”

“What about it?”

“Never mind. Next post if it matters.”

Brendon frowned. “Wyn, you are starting to sound like Lannis.”

“Ugh. Dat would be Horrible!”

Time now is Day 6, 11:45 AM

(OOC)

XP: Everyone add 250 xp.

Wyn and Brendon add an additional 25 each.

Success! Heading back? Something else? What’s the plan after getting back to the group? WMC in 15 minutes just an FYI.

PBEM - Episode 203. Fungi, Statue, and Time.

On a game where each turn is an email exchange taking a day, I didn't want the party to get into a protracted "split the party" situation as the majority of the group would "zero" turns. So in order to keep momentum going, I communicated with the elf and scout characters a bit on private message and they talked to each other as well (on the phone riding home from work, lol) to make sure we maximized our separate turns as much as possible.

Follows:

TWO HUNDRED THREE

(I/C)

Taking out a dart and giving the passage south a critical eye, Lannis shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “My thoughts? Send in the best of us to sneak by, hopefully not set off everything. However, I'll be the first to admit that I'm out of my element on this one. Sneakers sneak, everyone else hides.” He looked around and shrugged, “None of you are listening anyway, so I'll just shut up and let you guys decide whatever."

“I have to agree with Lannis on this,” Lyra offered, “I’m not huge on sneaking either - if fire is the plan, I have a few resist fires you guys can use. I could also go in with you guys if you need me to be ready with a hold person too.”

“It’s a mushroom,” Lannis mocked, “Not a person.” He gave her a side eye, “Although some people are mushrooms.”

“Bite it,” she retorted drawing out her towel to cover her face if need be and getting a smirk in return from the wizard.

Drawing a torch, Kovid lit it and pointed at the wall of yellow fungus. “Let's clear the fungi out of the way with fire first, THEN sneak past the Shrieker if we need to. I can light it up from a toss on the fungi from a safe distance.” He looked around, “We might want to prepare ourselves just in case the shrieker... shrieks."

Throughout all that, Brendon and Wyn were talking quietly with one another, pointing and gesturing down the hall, counting off ideas on their fingers, and then coming to a conclusion with one another. “We’re going to go and get it,” Brendon said, “Lannis is right, this is a job best suited for us.”

The two of them began stripping off packs, sacks, and unneeded equipment, laying them in two piles on the floor while the elf addressed the dwarf, “Monsieur Dwarf, I tink dat fungus will not react to body heat... maybe we save fire in case something bad happens. I get back to dat in a second.” He reduced his gear to his silver dagger, short sword, 2 large sacks, jar of honey, and vial of oil.

Meanwhile, Brendon was also divesting himself of gear, leaving only: short sword, both daggers, rope, grappling hook, 1 sack, his thieves…er…Scout tools, and a single torch.

“Monsieur Salazar,” Wyn continued, “dis castle and de silly tings we be dealing with certainly deserve all of de slings and arrows... and daggers... we can hurl at dem... but I don't tink aggression is what de Trog had in mind. We be needing to show dis guy we cen do good work if we want de best change to get the flail.”

“I say we just kill the Shrieker ahora, then Plan B the funguses,” Abraxas replied disgusted. “I will not go anywhere near those funguses amigos. Not when we can just solve the whole issue of them with fuego. Seems estupido mas.”

The elf sighed heavily, “Trust moi, I want to bash dat feckin' mushroom over dere, but I don't tink dat be de answer to impress de Trog. I really want to bash something. Like, it would be very satisfying... but the party's priority is getting that flail. So we need to do it the sneaky way I tink.”

The Fighter shrugged, “Haces que quieres. I'll hold your things and prepare for the worst."

“Elves sure do a lot of worrying,” Kovid noted. “I’ll wait for the Plan B signal before throwing the torch. Good luck to you and Brendon... and remember Fire is our friend.”

“Merci. Monsieur du Lac en I will go in after taking de proper precautions.” He looked around the floor and picked up a small stone. Holding it aloft he intoned, “FAIT LUX”, and the rock blossomed in light. “’Ere you go, Du Lac,” he said handing it over. “Small ‘nuff to fit in your hand and will last 90 minutes.”

Turning to Lyra, Brendon asked, “Mi’lady care to give us a Fire Resistance blessing before we go?”

Lyra called out to Aine, “Goddess Aine, protect my friends from the effects of fire…”

“Even if it’s our own fire,” Kovid muttered.

“Si!”

“…and then my goddess, do it again for Wyn as well.” Her holy symbol flared twice and a shimmering fields surrounded both of the men.

“Great,” Wyn smiled as Brendon handed him the Potion of Invisibility. Before he drank it he looked at the group and said, “We do NOT touch the fungus. We do NOT linger in the hallway. We move as silently as possible, but with purpose.

The Scout reached down to his discarded equipment, and picked up the Prybar, tucking that into his current gear. “If we’re lucky we’ll be back without a problem. If the Shrieker goes off and we’re running towards you, let’s go to the Jailer. Hopeful he’ll give us cover from whatever is alerted. Remember we have we he wants.”

Wyn nodded, “Everyone else stay back here and guard de area please... keep an ear our for de panic words. “Plan B!” Once we get down the end, we can figure out what's going on, get the thing from the chest, put it in the sack and if need be, satiate it with the honey.”

The elf gave a lopsided grin, “In case dat baby be an Orb of Annihilation or a Baby Beholder dat eats Wyn... please know dat I have enjoy our time together.”

“Hey, Pirate Scout,” Lannis pointed at Brendon’s belt. “What is that leather roll?”

“This?” Brendon looked down. “It’s my Scout Tools.”

“Scout tools? Don’t you mean Thieves Tools?”

“Big Brain, not a thief. I’m a scout.” Brendon gave the magic user a blank stare.

“I dont think a Scout's Tool kit would have the same things as a Theives Tool kit, Senor Dampness,” Abraxas said, “Two very different skill sets. Two different needs of tools.”

“No, no, it’s ok,” Lannis motioned, “He just took out all the thief stuff and took the scout stuff.”

“Stop looking through my things, Lannis,” Brendon frowned.

"Why would I?” The wizard shrugged, eyeing Brendon’s pile, “What do you have that I could possibly want?"

“Wouldnt "scout stuff" would entail like a telescope/spyglass, compass, markers/chalk, maps, etc? Like stuff used to scout with?” the Fighter wondered.

“Dad uses that stuff,” Brendon shrugged. “Lady Lyra, can YOU watch my stuff please?”

“Gladly,” she said, standing over his pile and nudging Lannis out of the way.

"Why do you think I want to go through your shit?” Lannis asked belligerently, “I really don’t. I've never accused you of going through my stuff and you never have, so what’s your problem?"

Popping the cork on the potion, Wyn drank it down and groaned, “Ugh... let's go du Lac.” The party watched as Wyn and all his belongings faded from sight (Time: Orange 2: Potion lasts 2+6 turns: 8 turns or 80 minutes).

Brendon cupped the light stone tight, letting only a little bit trickle out enough to guide his steps, turning the light so it was closer to the wall. The two of them entered the south hall while Abraxas drew some weapons to throw and Kovid hoisted the torch a bit higher. The party could only see Brendon but they noted that he stayed to the east as they walked past the yellow fungus…without issue.

Alternating covering and letting a little light peek through, Brendon gave enough glimpses for the two men to see as they made their way further down the passage. Getting closer to the Shrieker (<Hide in Shadows, +30 bonus as long as NOT letting the light through, Red 20) the two of them continued moving closer but were picking their way along as quietly as they could (>Move Silently, Orange 7…<Move Silently, Red 31). Wyn could tell his boots made a few semi quiet scrapes as he walked but the Shrieker didn’t seem to respond.

Up close they could see the fungus was not only pretty big, but it also had some layers of shiny coating that gave it a mottled and thick appearance. The pinkish circles puckered and then widened with slow regularity, and the two of them could see the fat stalk would swell and contract accordingly as if it was breathing. Wyn did accidently rub against the wall, a minute noise but still one, and the Shrieker swelled up and gave a tiny faint squeal, no louder than a soft whisper but enough to make both men concerned…and STILL move forward.

As Wyn made it past, Brendon had to squeeze closer to the wall and crouch as the Shrieker MOVED. Squat feet along its base caused the giant toadstool to lift off from where it was squatting and rotate about 45 degrees and move a foot closer to the west wall before settling down again. He wasted no time and continued past as the two of them made it to the turn to the east and took it, getting out of sight from the rest of the party.

“5 Silver they fuck this up, somehow,” Lannis offered.

“They fuck it up, you pay me 5 silver?” Kovid asked.

“As if.”

“Sucker bet,” Lyra shook her head. “Save your coin.”

Once around the corner the passage went over a dozen paces and turned south again before heading east. Using the light to guide them and far enough from the Shrieker Brendon let out the breath he was holding. “Ok, they move?”

“Tell me aboot it,” Wyn muttered invisibly ahead of him. “I did not see dat comin’!”

“And was it just me or did its skin seem thick?”

“Oui! I tink takin’ it down wit’ a few daggers an an arrow or two was not gonna happen wit’out some grande effort.”

The two of them continued on until the passage ended as a cavern. The ceiling was tall, over 15’ up, and there was a dark pool that took up a bit under half the room. The room was warm and moist, droplets were in the air and they could feel it on their skin and clothes. But the main feature was the 15’ tall statue of an elven woman whose features were both breathtakingly beautiful as well as having a cruelty in her eyes and the planes of her face. She was sitting at a 45 degree angle from one side of the room and went over the pool, leaning on the opposite wall. Her clothing was carved to look tight and had a webbed look to it. She had a spider motif on her belt and it looked like her close hand was empty but curled as if it was at one point holding a weapon or a handle but nothing was there now. Her other hand was cupped over her midsection which had a slight swell to it giving her the look that she was pregnant. Her eyes were reflecting the light in Brendon’s hand with a refracting red scintillation, making them think that there were gems set in there.

Her chest had a faint purplish/red glow coming from it as if from inside the stone somehow. And around her neck on a bronze chain over the water was a key.

Tapping the Scout’s hand, Brendon closed his fist tight and the room plunged into darkness, allowing Wyn’s vision to flare over to the heat spectrum. And the water was very warm, like almost body temperature warm. The statue appeared to be the same temperature as the room, except for the “pregnant” belly, it was glowing softly with real solid almost hot warmth, and it pulsed slowly hotter and cooler, hotter and cooler.

“Ok,” Wyn said and light came back in. “I kin see why the Trog knows she is pregnant an’ dere is somet’in inside.” He sighed. “Ok, ‘ow we gonna dew dis?”

Time now is Day 6, 11:30 AM

(OOC)

Ok, you’re here. What now? Mostly will be Wyn and Brendon but PLEASE, everyone is allowed to chime in and ask questions if need be. As for resolution, it’s up to you two to tell me what you want to do and how you want to do it and who is doing it.

PBEM - Episode 202. Jailer and Mission

TWO HUNDRED TWO

(I/C)

After the group turned to the south and put a little distance between them and the Jailer, Abraxas let out a breath and chuckled nervously, “Vamonos! Let's get to that hall. I think that went pretty well... for the most part,” he gave the Magic User a hard side stare that he refused to meet, “We are trying to work better as a team, si? Hacemos that then.

"Ok...gasp cough swallow cough gasp... let's go...," Wyn was struggling to finish a sentence, barely keeping the bile down. "I feel like I need a few minutes before...*gag cough gag...continuing. Can we go a bit farther down the hall?"

Brendon nodded, leading the party further south until the miasma coming from the Jailer faded behind them. Navigating my lantern light they followed the path south until the cavern turned to the west and then after a dozen paces, turned back to the north again.

No longer feeling any ill effects, Lyra took out her jar of honey and unscrewed the lid, dipping two fingers in for a generous dollop. “See, I told you he wouldn’t want the honey,” she said with a smile. “Man... I could go for some honey right now,” popping it into her mouth she sucked her fingers clean and then smiled, closing the jar again. “Nothing like the putrid smell of rot to make you kind of hungry... huh?”

“I am going to vomit in your shoes tonight, you know this, don’t you?” Lannis asked, trying not to look at the Cleric and her snack.

“Why do you think he wants that key so bad?” she wondered aloud as the group continued walking, the Scout and dwarf looking carefully for any traps or shifting areas of the cavern (no roll – none). “Maybe it’s a ‘fuck you, look what I got?’ If we find it we should check to make sure it doesn’t unlock any other goodies before handing it over... if we hand it over.”

"We need the key to get the crown Lyra, you know?,” Lannis pointed at his head, making a circle and then giving himself bucked teeth and waggling his face in her direction. “The crown? If we give him the key we will never see it again.” He sighed. “However, that sounds like a problem for Future Lannis, and that guy’s an asshole.” Snapping his fingers he pointed at Abraxas and asked, “Did anybody touch the Trog? Maybe we can get his stink on us."

“Hey, Big Brain,” Kovid snarled from the front, “Want to keep it down or just let the orcs and whatever the hell is down here that we want them to kick our ass?”

“Touchy. Your beard hair get caught in your zipper again?”

Brendon frowned. “Zip. It.”

Wyn was troubled. “I don’t know everyt’ing bout everyt’ing, but I t’ink we need to get closer to de fungi to see dem to see if I kin know anyt’ing ‘bout t’em, ya know?”

“Same here,” Kovid muttered. “I mean, I’ve seen some in the caves for sure, but I want to SEE what we have here before I make any decisions.”

“Almost there,” the Scout alerted the group. The passage had gone north for a shorter distance and then opened westward to a larger cavernous area. According to the lantern light there were clay pots of various design and different sizes all over the place, many of them gaily decorated with elven figures prancing about happily. However any plants within them had died some time ago and the floor here around the pots had some loose soil and brown stalks and leaves littering their base. Any sign of living plants in the pots were some time ago. There was a passage going south and another one on the war end of the room looking like it was heading south and west. Just outside of view on the south hall, the group could see the western wall of the passage had some vile yellow fungi growing on it.

Looking about the chamber, Abraxas questioned, “Who will scout down the Fungus hall? Brawnda? Señor Wyndu? Señor Koovio? I can keep a look down the hall at the group's back. Let's get to it."

Pointing to the other side of the room, Brendon whispered, “I’ll park myself there to make sure any orcs don’t sneak up on us.”

“Excellent idea,” Wyn whispered, watching Brendon go. “So we don't know enough 'bout deze funguses yet. I tink we need to go to de hallway per de Trog map en see if the light starts making de shriekers or fungus react to us at all. We will probably know immediately. Dey cen sense heat and or motion... but light? Mayhaps? Mayhaps not? 

“Alright Wyn,” Kovid twisted his hammer around once and handed his lantern back to Lyra. “I shall go with you down to the hall. Let’s see if we can see anything in the dark.”

“So much to make sure of. Dey may be hotter or colder den de surroundings... or maybe even phosphorescent. How densely they be packed in the hall? Dat be very important.”

“Wyn,” Kovid touched the elf lightly on the arm. “It’s ok. Let’s go look.”

“Oui, Oui. Just fungus, y’know.”

The two drew closer, looking at the yellow fungus on the western wall as well as peering down the passage. At the limit of the lantern light, they could see a 5’ diameter, 4’ tall, pale and purply fat crowned toadstool set just about in the center of the hall, weird pink pustules set in ovals randomly around its surface. (>Wyn Int Fungi +2 elf nature check, Orange 19..<Kovid Int Fungi +2 dwarf cave check, Yellow 13)

“Hokay, 2 diff’rent t’ings here. Fungi ‘ere? Smells faint, yellow, seems ta be all o’er dis wall.”

The dwarf nodded. “Yeah. Why just the west wall? It’s not any drier or wetter than any other part.” Moving his hand behind him he motioned for Lyra to shield the lantern, making the cavern darker and allowing the dwarf and elf to have their vision flash over to infravision. “Well,” he continued, “If I didn’t have the light on, I’d never know the fungus was on the wall here. It’s radiant neutral.”

“Oui, I kin see dat.” The elf frowned. “Sneaky fungi.” They both looked down the hall to the Shrieker and smiled. “And dat, it ees a big mushroom, oui, but it is also a bit warmer den de air. So kin be seen in de dark.”

“Agreed.” He turned back to Lyra, “Thanks, Lady. Light please?” She moved the lantern around again so they could all see. “Ok, the fungus here. It’s pretty vile looking, but it’s a dry fungoid. Should be able to be burned.”

“Is dat gonna be safe?”

“If it releases spores, the fire will consume them before they have the opportunity to fly. And that’s what has me concerned.” He crouched low and pointed up slightly. “See under those ridges? That black vaned area? That’s the spores and they WILL billow out if we get too close.”

“So, choking you?” Lannis asked.

“Not always, although I’m sure that’s the case. I’ve seen this before. This type of fungus plays havoc on your nose, mouth, and lungs – and even devours wood and leather in small bits and starts.”

“Just lovely,” Lyra groaned.

“As for the Shrieker,” he pointed down the hall. “Get too close and that damned mushroom WILL sound off. It can ‘see’ and can ‘feel’ in its own way. So if you stomp on by or get too close, it will yell and attract anything nearby or far away.”

“Like orcs?”

“Thors’ Balls. Indeed. Like orcs.”

(<Hear Noise +10% alone, Red 09) Brendon had been standing there quietly, listening to the group mutter but straining to hear. “Guys, somewhere down here. Echoey a bit and far away from where we are standing. I can hear…Chirping.”

“Birds?” Lannis asked.

“Nope…Crickets.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. That’s weird, huh?”

Time now is Day 6, 11:15 AM

(OOC)

OK – told you what you can know. What you guys do is up to you. Stay in one area too long, and WMC check – you have some time now though – unless you set off the Shrieker.

PBEM - Episode 201. Jailer and Mission

TWO HUNDRED ONE

(I/C)

The group conferred quickly, bouncing ideas off one another while the Jailer continued to stand there unblinking, eyes twitching in opposite directions now and again, and Hoots, the Owlbear casually licked its beak with its long tongue. Eventually Abraxas put on a big smile and stepped forward handing over the bag with the cooked flank steaks to the Troglodyte. Opening it up, he took out the two slabs of meat, tossed one to Hoots who gobbled it in 2 snaps of his razor sharp beak, while distending his bottom jaw slightly to shove HALF the other piece into his maw where he tore it apart and chewed noisily.

Still grinning, but the smile failing to reach his eyes, Abraxas said, “Hokay Señor. We appreciate your terms, but necesitamos some more information to be able to do this trabajo for you.”

Taking a swallow, the room getting more foul smelling, the Jailer wiped his lips on the back of his arm and replied, “Asssk away, Mammal. You have earned the right to be treated fairly by bringing an offering of flesssh.”

(Savs vs Poison: <Lannis Pink 12, >Lyra White 13, <Wyn Orange 10, =Abraxas Blue 10, >Brendon Red 17, <Kovid Yellow 7: -2 penalty on any roll for the next 10 minutes whoever failed (<))

Nodding his thanks, eyes watering from the Troglodyte’s odor but still able to keep his nausea in check, the Fighter asked, “Que es los "Shriekers"? What do they do, and como do we navigate them?”

“Ah, big fungusss, Mammal,” the Jailer replied, eyeing the other half of the steak in his hand and then smiling at Hoots and feeding it to him. “Size of that one,” he pointed to Kovid who was weaving slightly, the dwarf holding his gut and hunched over breathing shallowly. “It ssscreams when you get too clossse to it. Well, mossst creaturesss.” He chuckled. “There are nodulesss all over itsss sssurface that can ‘sssee’ you or your heat. But thossse sssame receptorsss don’t ssseem to like the odor my kind givesss off.” It laughed again in that strange in and out sandpapery fashion before growing silent.

“Ah, um, bueno!” Looking around he could see that Wyn was constantly wiping his eyes clear as well and his nose, the elf having trouble as well. “Apart from los Shrekers, is there anything else in the room necesitamos to know about? Mas creatures, or guards of the chest perhaps?”

“Well, I did sssay fungusss on the map, didn’t I?” It smiled again broadly, both rows of teeth showing, chucks of flesh caught between them like ragged flags. “There are sssome yellow fungi that growsss there as well. They have a problem with fire and heat. Ssso no torchesss or lanternsss if you can help it.” Again it gave forth the barking shuffling laugh, finding his own answers humorous.

By this point Lannis was feeling the effects as his stomach was clenching and unclenching without his control, the Magic User groaning softly and muttering, “Mommy, mommy, my tum tum hurts.”

Knowing that they had to move this along, Abraxas continued, “Gracias. Speaking of said chest, do you know what is in it? In order to properly handle your charge, it would be helpful to know what it is, and whether it is easier to open the chest in the room and navigate los Scheckers on the way back with your charge in the open, or to carry the chest back here and then open if for you. For your charge and our own safety, this would be information mas importante.”

“Ah, if I knew, Mammal, then I would have to be a consssort to the Mother of Monssstersss. I have no clue what isss in the Mother’sss chessst, only that the blessssing had occurred jussst before the Issspan Halgafar’sss ssspell went awry.” He shrugged, picking his teeth with a talon, looking at the meat hanging there, and then popped it in his mouth and swallowed it before continuing. “You alssso misssunderstand. The key goesss in a lock in the Mother of Monssster’sss Chessst. Her chessst.” He pointed to Abraxas’ torso. “Ssso there isss no way to bring it back sssince it is a part of her ssstatue. Ssso you will need to open it there and extract the Monssster.”

“Shit,” Kovid muttered, moaning as he tried to keep his breakfast down, “I suspected that was going to be the case. Thor’s Nuts.”

Lyra frowned, addressing the Trog, “That statue doesn’t move and attack by chance, does it? Seems some of them in this place have a nasty habit of doing that.” 

“Ah, yesss, there were Hilvian Ssstatuesss to protect the denizensss of the Castle at one point. But asss for thisss one, no. Ssseems the Issspan had removed it from the Cavern of the Goddessssesss and relocated it here ssshortly before hisss cassstle fell. But the Ssstatue, although a conduit for Lolth, isss no more capable of movement that any of thessse,” he pointed to the petrified statues in his cavern, “are any more.”

Abraxas nodded, conferring with Wyn quietly as the Jailer answered Lyra’s question before coming back around eyes focused. “Hokay. Additionally, to confirm what tu dices - we bring you your charge and the Key. In exchange we keep civil and peaceful, no attacks.”

“That’sss what I asssked for, Mammal.”

“Also, you promise to not tell Corkpart anything about us, and you and your charges can leave el Bastille, correcto?”

“Not tell? Nope, not a word. Can leave? I don’t know if we will or won’t. I might want to ssstay and sssee how thisss all playsss out. I’ll discussss it with my chargesss and sssee what they sssay.”

“That is fair. I do not know if tu saves, pero you need to be an Elf to have the Key. The majik on them makes them only able to lay in Elf hands. To that end, the Key may be useless to you. It may also cause you harm once we hand it to you, and none of us want that to happen.”

“Don’t you worry about that. It hasss been long sssussspected that an elf isss needed to get the key. But there isss no assssertion that once it is gotten that only an elf isss needed to hold it.” It ticked up two fingers at it made its points, “An elf isss needed to get it, and an elf isss needed to ussse it. But if the key isss not being removed from itsss goddessss blessssed location and not being usssed in the manner it wasss desssigned for, I ssshould be able to sssafely take the key, Mammal.”

“Ah, gotcha.”

"We want the key,” Lannis blurted. “Everything else here on the table except that,” looking around horrified, the Magic User hunched over and spit up a few times, moaning “sorry, sorry, sorry.”

Looking at Lannis with a smirk, the Troglodyte replied simply, “No. Any other quessstionsss?”

Giving the wizard a glower that promised a stern yelling at later, Abraxas pressed on trying to keep the conversation moving and heading to completion without a problem. “Do you know of a keyhole the key goes to and where that may be located?”

“Yesss, in the Ssstatuesss chessst.”

“Oh,” the Fighter frowned, “Usually a key goes into some sort of lock and if it is in the room with the statue, or the room with los Sergekers, we may be able to limit our trips to that room. No other place?”

“I’m sssure there isss another. Thossse elvesss were known for their sssecretsss.”

“True, True. And lastly, Señor Yailer, we all appreciate the offer you've laid out antes de us. I do have to ask about that,” he pointed to flail around the Trog’s neck, “interesting piece of jewelry you have there. We are interested in it. If you could add it to the deal to ... como dices... "Sweeten the Deal"..? Si, "Sweeten the Deal," mis amigos y mi will head out immediately to fetch your charge and I can offer this as a form of payment,” he pulled out a jar of honey and held it up to display.

The Troglodyte fingered his flail and shrugged, smiling as he did so, eyes hooded and calculating. “Don’t think ssso, Mammal. It’sss mine. But who knowsss? Do a good job and come back quickly, and I might be enticed to talk to you about a more equitable trade than bee vomit.”

“Bueno. Um, ultimo, what can you tell us about the voices we heard down in the Yail yesterday? One sounded like a woman.”

“One of my chargesss, Mammal,” he idly caressed the side of the hobgoblin statue, smiling at its frozen horrified expression. “That’sss all you need to know.”

Nodding and bowing, Abraxas motioned the rest of the party to back up, the sick party members being helped by the well ones. Keeping his eyes firmly on the Troglodyte and the Owlbear, the Fighter ended his conversation with, “Thank you so much Señor Yailer for your time, hospitality, and information. You have been a wonderful host."

“Any time, Mammal. I hope to sssee you back here very sssoon.”

Time now is Day 6, 10:50 AM

(OOC)

Ok – that’s it – you guys are in hall. Discuss what you learned and tell me what’s next. Everyone do what you can to get back to me by this evening early enough and I can do another turn.

PBEM - Episode 200. Jailer and Mission

TWO HUNDRED

(I/C)

Brendon gave the wall a kick, peering through the hole, sucking his teeth, “Well this sucks moose balls.”

"Oui! Dis do sucks,” Wyn was looking around, brows furrowed. Abraxas appeared to be bothered, shoulders tense. Lannis was idling straightening one of the knocked over chairs.

“We need the oil but can’t let Corfard have it.” Pushing back from the hole, Brendon smacked his fist into his palm.

Kovid was twisting the bottom of his beard, head shaking slowly. “This stinks like Thor’s balls after a hard sweat.”

“You are just a walking stereotype, aren’t you?” Lannis asked.

The Scout gave the Magic User a piercing glower. “Maybe we could store something in a barrel, and like Doc suggested, destroy the rest?”

Wyn held his hand up, “Whoa dere,” he said slowly.

“Lyra’s in that direction,” Lannis offered helpfully.

“Dick,” the Cleric muttered.

“Seriously,” Wyn continued, “Dere is no way we cen know if de orcs have more oil somewhere. 

Lyra nodded, “I’m also against burning all the oil UNTIL we have some of it in our possession. Is there any empty barrels around they haven’t tainted with green slime? We should take enough for a few days and burn the rest. Sick of them using it against us.”

“Turn the tides against them,” Brendon shrugged, “Any ideas on how we could take out the orcs out with the oil?”

“You missin’ de point,” the elf pointed at the gaping hole in the wall. “Fact, dat could be de reason why dey made it dis obvious dat dey found de oil. Doze sneaky pig fuckers already showed us dat de cen think ahead, plan fer contingencies, en hide their true intentions. So if dey be capable of dat... why make it so obvious dat dey found dis? Could it be dat dey want us to tink dey found de "only" oil in de whole castle?”

Lyra signaled no. “I have to disagree, I don’t know if Orcs are smart enough to have enough complex thought that they’d be capable of intentionally manipulating us. They must have know oil was here, but didn’t know WHERE. Hence why they tossed it.” 

"I have some toughts dat dey have access to oil somewheres else,” Wyn waved his hand casually up and to the east. “If dat be de case, we could destroy dis oil en it would only hurt us.”

“You give the orcs too much credit,” asserted Brendon. “They’ve been here longer then us and they never found the oil. I bet they flipped out because they can’t find us and threw the desks around.”

“They did engage in needless destruction,” Kovid muttered.

“Your memory for the last few days may be a bit porous, Monsieur du Lac,” Wyn said. “De orcs may not have had to come down here because the hobs en kobs were down here. Now dat de first floor races are gone, dey come looking for it. De orcs could have had the first floor races bring them oil directly, or dey have another supply.”

Brendon appeared to grow frustrated, “Aren’t you guys tired of being on the defensive? I know I am.”

Wyn smirked, “Not sure where you've been de last 24 hours, but I basically lit myself on fire and ran at the orcs yesterday. That's not what I'd call ‘defensive’.”

“Let’s use their arrogance against them,” He continued, pointing west towards the Scriptorium. “They never fell into the pit. Which probably means they never went over to THAT area. What could we place on the shelves to entice them closer?”

Lannis shook his head, "They didn't fall in because they found the hole when they threw a chair through the blackboard, they didn't literally stumble on to it"

“No, Big Brain,” The Scout was pointing again through the hole. “Pit trap in the Scriptorium, remember? Dumped from there into here,” his hand slid down to the oil filled room below them. “Think about it, once they fell in they can’t get out without help. Their rescuers would have oil on them for pulling them out. I’m sure they’ll be making a lot of noise screaming and yelling.” He rubbed his hands together gleefully, “THAT’S when we plan B them.”

“I'm just not sure if de making de trap you have been muttering about is de best use of our time. It may be satisfying, but we got to speak wit de Jailer den get up to de second floor.” The room grew quiet, everyone thinking. Wyn finished up with, "My vote is to fill up our oil supply en leave dis pool here. De other option is dat we deprive ourselves of a valuable resource without knowing that we are ACTUALLY taking that resource from de enemy."

“Without a bucket, we’re not filling anything right now.” Kovid straightened up, spinning his hammer once. “Let’s meet with the Jailer as planned. Afterward, we can figure out a way to fashion a new bucket out of the ale casks or smaller crates from the storeroom. Maybe there’s a chamber pot in the Butcher’s room we can tie a rope to. Just thinking out loud. There’s probably a lot of solutions, we just have to use or noggins and think together. If the Jailer doesn’t kill us outright, maybe he can lend us a bucket, HaHaHa.”

"Speaking of the Jailer,” Wyn asked, “Do we want to get meat to give to the Jailer as a peace offering? The guy probably gets only scraps and rations... and we have lots of meat to spare. I know it requires backtracking, but the idea just popped into my head as something a lizard-brained individual might enjoy above all else."

“Actually... does anyone know what those things eat?” Lyra wondered. “IS it meat? I’m fine with taking a little detour to get some if that’s going to put us in a more favorable position.”

“I grabbed extra carne when cooking breakfast this morning, specifically por el Yailer,” Abraxas lifted his large sack and pointed to it. “It’s already in here.”

“Terrific, Abraxas,” Lyra said with a smile.

“We are good to go see el Yailer, unless we have other business now. Fill or not what we can with Oil, then move on, or just move on? No tiempo y no necessitamos por detour a este punto, correcto? As we walk, we should discuss what additional questions we have for El Yailer. Vamonos, hablamos a El Yailer."

“Abraxas is right,” Lannis noted, “Without a bucket we can’t really pull up any oil right now. Let's just get this smeller thing over with. Assuming he doesn't kill us all we can go find the stairs after."

The group lined up again, checked the hall, and then left the ruined classroom behind shutting the door. They proceeded east to the corner, checked around and saw it was clear, and then made to go towards the stairs when Brendon had the group stop. “Check it out,” he said, pointing to what was the room the with the hanging hobgoblin in it.

The door was closed once again, the frame around the door had been clad in iron, and there was a pretty hefty lock and hasp in place keeping it closed and locked as well. “Guess they found all the dead orcs,” Kovid chuckled.

“And the ritual of hanging a hobgoblin in there to weaken the rainbow ward as well. We took that guy out what, three times?” Lannis guessed.

“Anudder time, mes amis,” Wyn pointed ahead. “Let’s go.”

(WMC: Red/Black 6) The party proceeded to the open hall (no door anymore) and then down the first flight and the second flight of stairs – Travis’ rooms were open and empty (although the hall still smelled faintly of fire). From there it was a long walk down the hall and then after checking, a turn to the east. It was quiet, no one was in the halls and we looked in the wolf room, the Beekeeper room, and eventually the orcish barracks – everything was where it had been before but the halls were devoid of people.

“Brendon,” Kovid whispered, “Don’t forget you want to check that locked crate in the Beekeepers area that we passed over earlier?”

“I know,” he replied, “Not yet, but soon I hope.”

“Tell me about it,” Lannis whispered as well, “we never got XP for that room yet.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Mages, oi.”

The group continued east until the quality of the stone degraded to more cavernous than finished, and at the “T” intersection, turned to the south. Eyes peeled and listening hard, they proceeded along until they were close to the open cave on the west wall when they heard, “I wasss beginning to wonder about you all. Late risssersss, I asssssume?”

The party all turned to Abraxas who moved to the front and stopped just shy of the room. “Yailer. Thank you for your patience. We have brought some carne for you and would like to know if we can enter your casa?”

There was a menacing growl again but it silenced after a moment. “Sssssh, it’sss ok.” He paused. “Pleassse, come on in. But I sssuggest that you keep your weaponsss away for now. Don’t want to give usss the wrong idea.”

“Ask him about the lantern,” Kovid hissed.

“Senor Yailer, might we bring in a light a bit to help us to see?”

“Sssure. Whatever makesss you feel better.”

The party moved in slowly to the rough and round chamber. It was a bit over 20’ in diameter once past the narrower entrance portion, and the north half of the room had eight statues standing there. One was an elf, four were hobgoblins, one was a kobold, and two were goblins. They all had a look of either fear or surprise on their face. They were stacked tight together with little interest in spacing them out. The other majority of the room had a couple of large leather sacks on the floor as a makeshift bed, a 5’ square scrap of carpet dirty and fouled, a three legged stool with a well made steel dagger stuck in its surface, a small three shelf unit on the back wall with a few small rocks and carved treasures on it, and a battered brass lantern currently not lit.

Standing there though was an anthropomorphic lizard creature, just a bit over 7’ tall with a large crest of fins on its head running down its back to a stubby tail ending in some bony spikes. Its scales were olive green and glistened with an oily coating. Its limbs were thick and beefy, muscles and tendons standing out under its skin. Its toes and fingers counted four on each foot and hand, and ended with 2” curved razor sharp looking talons. It smiled but there were too many teeth in its mouth, two rows easily. Its eyes though were huge, twice the size of a man’s and they had the disconcerting twitch of not moving in tandem, instead one moving and then the other following or looking slightly elsewhere. It was wearing a set of leather armor and two more steel daggers were in a belt at its waist. But there was a silvered steel flail draped around its neck by the chain, the head was flanged and there were little reliefs of spiders cut on the face of each flange.

Next to him though was a problem. 10’ tall and over 1,500 lbs, it was a huge ursine but with a twisted head of a razor beaked owl and long wings ran under its arms to its midsection. It growled on seeing the group but the Jailer laid a gentle hand on its side and cooed at it, calming it down. It sat back down on its haunches and leaned back. And there on its chest just over the left pec, was a patch of bare fur that looked like it had been burned long ago, and a Stylized “L” with the number “6” was tattooed right below it.

“Nice,” it said, smiling broader. “You are all here. Kicked the beesss nessst you did,” he chuckled. “High and Mighty was rumbling all night and the Pigsss were out early hoping to find you.” He shrugged. “They didn’t. And that’sss good becaussse I think  you’ll be jussst what I need.” (Cha Check: Abraxas Blue 15 (over 2) vs Jailer Black 3 (under 6) – Abraxas feels the Jailer COULD be likable)

“What is that, Senor?”

“Can do me a favor. Or not. It’sss up to you. There is a cave with a ssstatue in it not too far from here that I need two things from and cannot get.”

“What are they?”

“One: I cannot get a Key from around itsss neck. If you go and get the key that would be a feather for me.”

“So, Senor, you want a feather key?”

The Jailer laughed, the smell in the room was getting thick again and starting to grow foul. “Very funny. No, it meansss that I can do sssomething that Corfard sssaid I could not do.”

“And the Second?”

“If you can get the key, there is a keyhole in the chessst of the elven goddessss that that key ssshould fit in. Open the lock and inssside will be the lassst monssster the Mother of Monssstersss wasss giving birth to before the Issspan Halgafar fucked everything up.”

“And you WANT this monster?”

“The Jailsss, Mammal, are filled with the Mother’sss children. They are my chargesss, and I want to free their lassst sssibling.” He smiled again. “Do all that and I will keep your presssence from Corfard a sssecret and maybe take my chargesss and go.” He leaned forward, “I mean, that’sss what you sssaid we can do, right?” He leaned back. “Think on it, you have a few minutesss to decide. I know how Mammalsss like to dissscussss thingsss for a bit first.” (<Lyra Wis check truthfulness, White 5 – He is telling the truth – at least on the surface, but also hard to read.)

“I’ll even sssupply you a map ssso you don’t get lossst in the cavesss beyond here. Watch out for the Ssshrieker, ssshe’sss a noisssy little thing. Also, I can sssmell you brought sssomething in that bag, ssso if you want to get on the better ssside of Hootsss and I, might I asssk that you ssshare sssoon?”

Time now is Day 6, 10:40

(OOC)

Ok – discuss, any questions? What’s the plan?