PBEM - Episode 550. Fire in the Garden

FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY

(I/C)

“Merde,” Wyn cursed, backing to the side and preparing a spell. He looked at Lannis and added, “Dat be a lotta tentacles… Plan FB, again Offop?”

Nodding in agreement, Kovid held him hammer up and sidled towards the open door. “I think the big scary plant wants to stay with the other plants. Can you hit it again Big Brain? Don’t miss.”

"I will certainly try Master Kovid, thankfully his reticence may have given me the opportunity I need to make this work,” He and his images took up a space near the door, removing a scroll from his bag. “Um... Lady Lyra, do you have any protection from fire spells at hand? Just in case."

“You got it!” The Cleric replied. “Aine! Let’s get another round of fire resistance in place here please.” A white aura surrounded the wizard as he was rattling through his spell, the Decapus pulling its tentacles up and in place for another series of assaults.

Fading back down the hall to the east, Brendon offered, “Hopefully your magic works this time and kills it,” while getting another arrow ready.

Abraxas had pulled out a spear from his bag of holding and was getting ready to throw it, waiting for Lannis’ spell to go off first. "H'okay amigos, mueremos see monstruo verde!"

Finally, the last of the words burned off the page and Lannis quickly took hold of the magic, aimed it back behind the Decapus (<Int check, placement, Pink 2 – aced it dude!) and let the swelling spark of flame fly. It roared across the chamber and then when it impacted the area he designated it exploded, consuming the same area again, blowing out, and then running over the Decapus, making it shriek in fury (>Save vs spells, Red/Black 18). It managed to roll partially into the foliage, the moist plants taking some of the blast, but it still suffered another blow (5d6 Damage: 5,4,4,3,2 = 18. 9 if Saved).

Interestingly enough, at least 4 of the 4’ tall sharp twiggy looking plants had taken an addition impact from the fireball and this time, burned fully, twisting and gyrating in place as they burned. Sharp thorns blew off, filling the air all around them in their death throes, one of them being close enough (>+3 to hit, Black 9 – hits an image) to tear into one of Lannis’ images and dissolve it.

The elf had wrapped up his spell, “Wyn gonna make sure he be  protected again
…KAL MUTOS EGO,” and (Mirror Image d4 imaged: Orange 3!) 3 more copies of the elf appeared around him. “Bonne!”

Abraxas had been trying to time his spear throw and spun near the door, arm arced back when (<+5 to hit, +1 bless, Blue 1 – fumble! 1-2 hit self, 3-4 hit friend, 5-6 stun 1 round) he caught to outrushing of superheated air full in the face and was blown off his feet, knocked down and having a hard time getting his bearings (out of action next round – up and able to function the one after!). “Abraxas!” Lannis called out, glancing back to see the fighter on the floor.

And then the Decapus struck. Five of its tentacles swarmed out, trying to grab the magic user and pull him into the room (+4 to hit, needs 10 total to hit the last image, >20 (wow!), <10, <8, <5, <7). The first tentacle hit Lannis’ image so hard, the group could see its head pop clean off for a second before the duplicate faded away. The other four through hit around Lannis, some on the door frame, others running over his enchanted shield, None of them actually struck the mage.

So it duplicated its actions from last round and four more tentacles reached down and hoisted up broken brick work, hurling it like a shot through the smoky charred area at the wizard (+4 to hit, =14, <9, <9, <11), one of them passing through his shield hard enough to rock him in the chest (1d3 Damage, Pink 3:2 – Take 2 damage!).

“Alright brothers and sisters! It’s time to take the fight to this menace once and for all.”

(Initiative Party Steel 5 vs enemy Red/Black 2)

Time now is Day 13, 7:36 AM

(OOC)

Mirror Images (3 for Wyn): 59 Minutes

Bless: 55 Minutes

Fire Resistance (Lannis): 19 Minutes

Shield: 16 minutes

Decapus has been Fireballed again – part of the room is a charred smoldering mess. Abraxas you are stunned for this round, up and able next. What’s the deal?

PBEM - Episode 549. Fire in the Garden

At some point when it becomes available, most wizards and adventuring parties find fireball to be the tool to be used whenever possible.

Follows:

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY NINE

(I/C)

Seeing the burning wreckage scattered about the center of the chamber, Wyn loaded another arrow and beamed, “Dat… was awesome!” His many copies all duplicated his movement, each of the elves taking aim. “But, I tink it knows we’re here now. Time ta shoot it.” (<+8 to hit, +1 bless, Orange 2) His arrow flew out and the Decapus pulled itself to the side, the shaft failing to strike true and flying off to the left.

"Once more into the breach dear friends, once more!” Lannis cheered, backing up to make room for others, keeping himself firmly out of the Garden for now.

Arcing back on a spear, Abraxas hurled it, "Comes Spear tu animal. Strike Amigos!” (<+5 to hit, +1 bless, Blue 9) where it struck hard, but the Decapus halted its impact with a flexing tentacle, and tossed the spear contemptuously behind it with a flick and growl. “Luchamos rapido y con fuerza!"

“Fight it in the hall!” Brendon cried out, staying back and making a shot (>+6 to hit, +1 bless, Red 13), his own arrow hitting with a wet thud (1d6 Damage, Red 3).

Staying where he was, Kovid spun his hammer and held it up at the ready, “I don’t want to find out what those tentacles are for. Let’s kill this thing.”

“Nice shot,” Lyra offered, Lolthian Flail held up, shield presented, also staying in the hall. “Also - is anyone else horrified at this thing? That’s a scary bitch!”

Working up the beginnings of an enchantment, the Magic User held off on finishing it, waiting to see if the Decpaus was indeed going to proceed to the hallway. “Perhaps we should tie up these appendages before someone gets hurt, now that would be a tragedy."

“Do anyone know wot squid be?” Wyn chuckled. “Or Hentai?”

The Decapus swung another wave forward and then slammed out with FIVE of its tentacles, getting a longer than expected reach in its effort to grab the elf! (Needs to hit AC10 for Mir Im, +4 to hit, >11, >20, >19, <2, <2) Three of them hit various images, shredding the copies of the elf and in one case, the tentacles actually seemed to rip through one of the Wyn’s heads!

“Ok, Now it seems pissed.” Kovid muttered.

Frustrated that it was unable to grab Wyn for some reason, the arboreal menace roared a shrieking wail that set everyone’s teeth to quiver, and FOUR more of its tentacles reached down to the ground where they picked up busted bricks from the underbrush, and spun the tentacles back and then ARCED them forward with the speed and force of a crossbow! (>+4 to hit, =11 (popped the last image), <11, =12, <4) Three of them struck Wyn, one of them tearing through the last image, one which was turned aside by the elf’s superior dexterity as well as his armor. The third one though struck him in the shin, and although it did pass aside (1d3 Damage, Red/Black 1 = Take 1 Damage!) Wyn did hiss in pain from the impact.

It sent its tentacles down to the floor again to seek out more projectiles, growled at the party through the door, but made no indication that it was going to follow the party out of the chamber to the hallway for now.

(Initiative 6 vs 6 – reroll. Party Steel 6 vs Enemy Red/Black 5)

Time now is Day 13, 7:35 AM

(OOC)

Bless: 56 Minutes

Mirror Images (2 for Lannis): 56 Minutes

Shield: 17 minutes

Wyn’s images have been used up. Decapus is far from stupid and looks like it will not follow you to the hall, but if need be, it is more than capable of hurling bricks at you guys. New plan?

PBEM - Episode 548. Fire in the Garden

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT

(I/C)

 “Yes indeed, Blessed of Aine,” Lannis said with a smile, hands already weaving together, getting a spell up and in place. “Let’s get ourselves ready. KAL MULTOS EGO!” (Mirror Image 1d4: Pink 2) And 2 more copies of Lannis appeared next to him.

“Ah!” Wyn said. “Bonne idea.” He too began reciting a spell, copying the same one that Lannis had just done (Mirrir Image 1d4: Orange 4) and 4 more copies of the elf appeared next to him in a flash. “Dat was a good one.”

Lyra meanwhile was finishing up her spell scroll, getting to the end, the words turning to light as she read them, fading away. Finally her spell finished up a cool white blast of energy burst out, hitting everyone (Bless: 6 turns!)  willing them with confidence and support.

“Thanks Lady Lyra, I feel your blessings upon me.” Kovid spun the Hammer up in the air, catching it as it came down. He looked over at Lannis and asked, “Big Brain, you playing with fire again?”

“Very soon, Bearded Companion,” he replied, fingers working at another spell. “Just want to get everything in place before we enter. IN SANCT EGO.” (Shield, AC boosts to 16 melee, 18 for missile, 2 turns)

Grinning and clapping his hands in appreciation, Wyn also began to cast. “H’okay, Monsieur Offop. We be goin’ straight ta de Épée du Voltron, oui? Magnifique! IN SANCT EGO!” (Shield). He had his bow out next, nocking his lighted arrow and motioned towards the door.

Lannis crouched low, eyes fixated, beginning the effects of the Fireball spell, the rest of the party set up behind. Kovid had cracked open the door and in the dim light, Brendon kept up a verbal litany on where to aim. “It’s over there. Right hand side of the room, Two hand widths from here off center. From the ceiling. Hard to see, tentacles. See that brown plant, guess five feet back and three to the left. That would be good. You got this little buddy.”

Nudging the Fighter who had his Crossbow out and loaded, Wyn whispered, “Salazar, don’t blink. Dis ees gonna be quite de show.” He leaned closer to Lannis and said, “Wyn will assume ye ‘ave done de numbas en we not get roasted by de big badda boom.”

As Lannis was getting to the end of the spell, he could see the Decapus finally, working its way across the ceiling, inching closer to the party, partially obscured from the plants above. His fingers began to glow and fire started to run down his arms and he offered, “Well friends this is it, see you on the other side. IN VAS FLAM GRAV POR! FRRBLL!" (>Save vs. Spell, Black 14 – half damage) (5d6 Damage: 6,4,4,3,1 = 18 Damage!)

A quickly swelling ball of fire raced away from Lannis, streaked across the chamber with a shriek, and burst in the area right next to the rapidly brachiating Decapus! Orange and white flames raced out, tearing through the chamber with a concussive blast, sending burned roots, flaming leaves, and other garbage flying, including the Decapus itself! It managed to save itself from the worst of the damage by rolling through the canopy, tentacles dragging it too and fro, but it was still singed badly.

It turned its eye to the group, narrowed it, and growled at the party.

Raising his Crossbow up, Abraxas called to the party, "Ahora o nunca amigos. Hacemos!"

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

He fired (<+5 to hit, +1 bless, Blue 9) and the bolt hit the arboreal menace, but failed to penetrate deep enough. “Puta,” he cursed, whipping his Scythe around.

Wyn shot next, (>+8 to hit, +1 bless, Orange 11), the lighted arrow hitting hard at the Decapus’ core (1d6 Damage, Orange 2) and sticking, bathing it in light. “Let us see de plant demon hide in de foliage now, oui?”

The party watched it come closer and closer, swinging through the ceiling. Thankfully it was far enough away at the start of the combat that it would not make it to the group before they could arrange themselves up to face it. However it was growling and hissing and shrieking as it came, and the tall thorny plants throughout the chamber were shuddering and shaking in response.

“Well, I’m gonna to assume dis is not gonna be good.”

(Initiative: 3 vs 3, reroll. Party Steel 3 vs Enemy Red/Black 2)

Time now is Day 13, 7:34 AM

(OOC)

Bless: 57 Minutes

Mirror Images (4 and 2): 57 Minutes

Shield: 18 minutes

Decapus wasn’t close enough to close to combat last round – but it WILL be there for sure this round. Group is at the door with Kovid, Abraxas, and Wyn sort of in the front. Let me know who is going in, who is not, and what you guys are doing. From what you can see, the Decapus has 15’ long tentacles so it does not have to be next to you to attack. Good luck!!

PBEM - Episode 547. Making Preparations

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN

(I/C)

“I’ll take the mana stone out.” Lyra turned to the Iron Statue and sighed. “Sorry buddy - you might need to nap for a bit.” It flashed purple underthe helm and then moved back to the corner of the room, presenting its shield towards her. “I’ll make you a deal… if we can get through this without busting this up I’ll bring it back to you. You can spend your days… I don’t know, making potions for Candella.”

Abraxas joined her there, offering support if she needed it. "Lo Siento Señora Luryas. Se que no es facil cuando tienes a take el Manastone.”

She nodded thanks, reached out, and placed her fingers around the edges of the stone. As she pulled it, she could feel emotions welling up within her, sadness and loss, exhaustion and loneliness, and purple shots of electric energy flowed out as she pulled until…with a snap, it broke free and the statue ceased to move.

Lyra looked down, her hair billowing about from static discharge, looking at the glowing manastone and getting her feelings under control. “It’s ok. Thanks.” She went to put the stone in her pocket and frowned. “I seem to be full up. Are we heading to the Vault for any reason?”

“Oui! Want to unlock de locks on the doors and put my uniform away.”

“Si, I have all the potions to give out,” Abraxas said.

“Good, I want to drop off the Artificer doll,” she held up the mini-Lannis. “Don’t know if I need it for this last go round.”

The group headed back to the Hall and Wyn used the uniform to remove both locks from the Summoning Room door. We then went around to the Throne Room and opened the Vault Hall and then the Vault. The party moved some gear around one last time, and they had been discussing the potion options they had in front of them.

“Before we go anywhere,” Wyn said, “Let’s get a handle on what potions we carryin' into dis mess?” The party had laid them all out and Wyn went through them, “So after lissening to ye all, dis is wot we be all tinkin, oui?”

“Let’s hear it, Elffriend,” Kovid said.

“Hokay, Lyra keeps 2 Healing un 1 Invulnerable.”

“Got it,” she said (no adjustment to Magic Inventory.)

“Wyn keep one Healing, an take de Fly and de Giant Strength.” He turned to the Fighter. “Abraxas keeps one Healing, and takes de X-Healing an de Haste.”

“Going to use that on Confluence!”

“Oui! Bonne chance. Monsieur Du Lac, take a total of 2 Healing, de Climb, un de Recall.”

“Got it, Chief,” Brendon adjusted his pack and took the potions.

“Dwarffriend, you ‘ave de Giant Growth, Healing, and de X-Healing.”

“Will do.” He took them and frowned. “Seem a bit full up,” he took out his elven rations and placed them in the Vault. “Can always eat after this is all done. Now I have room.”

“And Monsieur Offop, you ‘ave dis Healing potion. Assumin you need it after de Dragon Prot Scroll wears off.” He turned to Abraxas. “Keep de Tainted Invisos in de box just in case.”

Lyra tapped one. “As soon as I get some room, I’d like one of those 4, ok?”

“Si, Senora. Will do.” He went to the south secret door and popped it open, looking at the Ballista. “I’d like to move that to the east hall, and south near the door to El Coriander. Better to be ready then not.”

“Good idea, I’ll help,” Kovid offered, stepping into the Vault and taking the Bolt.

Brendon flipped the Climb potion up once and caught it, smiling as he put it away. “Let me take the spider climb potion and scout out the garden before we go in. Look for the Plant monster. Maybe I can find the center of the tootsie pop in less than three licks.”

The group filed south, closing and locking all the doors behind them. As they went on, the two fighters pushing the war machine ahead of them, Wyn was thinking ahead. “De Corfard Statues. We need to split dem up, Oui? So if Offop be takin one statue, en Salazar has de odder statue, den afta we dispatch Decapus... Offop, de dwarf en Wyn cen go move de ballista. Wyn uses de giant strength to help move it, Offop's brain to help aim it, en de dwarf cen fire it? What do ye all tink about dat?”

“I thought we had Lyra, Kovid, and Abraxas going in to face the dragon?” Lannis asked. “That should be one team, meaning the other should be you, me, and,” he pointed at Brendon and shrugged.

“Mayhap. Alternatively, Wyn cen stay wit Salazar en Priestess to shoot his dragon killin arrow first, en Du Lac goes wit de strength potion to help move de ballista... De alternative works only if Du Lac does not drink the climbing potion.” He looked at Brendon and help up a finger, “Regardless.... Du Lac... ye not be goin in dere by yerself. Why don't ye crack de door en use de sextant first, oui? Den we cen plan on what to do next.”

The party had pushed the Ballista down the hall, parking it in front of the 1st set of double doors on the west wall. Kovid looked at his map. “This door is just forced closed from the other side. The other double door, further south, that one has been badly damaged and will most likely collapse if we try to open it. So here is where put it.”

“Sounds good,” Lyra looked around. “What next? Garden? Before we go into the room I’ll use the bless scroll - get that out of the way.”

Abraxas pointed to Brendon. “Scout first, Senora.” The party turned and started heading back north. “Señor Burdnen, vayas con dios, especialmente Aine, cuando miras en el Jardin por el Decampus. H'okay Amigos... Ha...ce...mos!"

Humming Nearer My God to Me, Lannis had a pumped up look on his face, almost giddy with excitement. "I think we have gathered all our supplies and stand on the precipice of greatness. Greatness and a plant that rips heads off.” He looked them over and made a short bow. “Gentlemen, Ladies, it's been an honor playing with you."

“You too, Big Brain,” Kovid echoed.

The party stopped at the hall south of the Summoning Room hall and north of the Garden door. Taking out the Sextant, Brendon lifted it to his eye and scanned left and right in the dark hall. Confident, he nodded to Kovid who grabbed the handle and pushed the door in, allowing the Scout to Scout around.

The light coming in was muted and dull, washed out through the skylights by the thick canopy of vines, creepers, and plants growing wildly around the room. There were still the strange 4 to 5’ tall thorny bushes here and there, and through the thick ground growth, traces of crushed marble white pathways could be seen. But for the Scout, he was looking for different quarry.

He panned the Sextant around the room, sighting up and looking carefully (Hides 5/6: Lol! Green 6), eyes tracing for any movement or anything that seemed out of place. It took almost 2 minutes, but he did catch something. Training the Sextant over that area, he caught the faint trailing motion of the odd vine like tentacle swinging idly from the foliage. He followed it back and saw a bulging shape. Almost 5’ in diameter, it looked like the pants around it, but it did crack an eye, sickly yellow and rheumy looking, followed by a tongue almost 1’ long made of ropy vines wrapped around itself, that licked its chin before slithering back in. He backed up a step and had the dwarf shut the door.

“Ok,” he said. “About 1/3rd off center on the western side of the room, I’d guess 40, maybe 50’ back from this wall. Hanging from the ceiling, and looking ugly.”

“Thanks,” Lannis smiled. “I look forward to B Seventeening, you fireballed my Demonic Plant Battleship, very shortly.”

“We doing this?” Lyra asked, taking out the Scroll.

Time now is Day 13, 7:30 AM

(OOC)

Holy crap. Very cool, almost there. We good? What happens next – exactly please, who does what, and in what order.

PBEM - Episode 546. Making Preparations

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY SIX

(I/C)

“Bon travail today, mes amis!” Wyn snapped his fingers and struck a heroic pose before laughing. “I be so happy doze guardians be gone. We earned a nice sleepy time tonight, oui?”

Brendon sighed, looking around wistfully. “Wouldn’t it be cool if the universe accelerated and we were standing at the door to the garden. All the potions were collected as well as both crystals and I was holding a part from the sextant ready to go in and look around.”

You have got to stop day drinking,” Lyra scolded the Scout. She went over to Wyn and laid her hands on the elf, “Aine. Give this fine elf a good blessing and cure his wounds. Lightly!” (CLW 1d6+1: White 4+1=Heal 5!)

“Merci fer de Aine’s blessin, Priestess. Dat feels much better.”

“Happy to help,” she answered. Looking at the group, she clapped her hands together and asked, “So we take a field trip and go get the potions? We should try to get a good night’s sleep after.”

“To de potions!” the elf cheered, “Den you should remove de manastone from de golem, Priestess. Dis way you have it in have fer tomorrow.”

Lannis shook his head. “In due time. The potions will not be finished until tonight, long after we have fallen asleep. As for the Manastone, I have one crafting now, and I assume I had done the ritual right. Either way, it will not be ready until the morning right after sunrise.” He opened his book and proceeded to flip through the tome. “We will go and gather our potions and mana stone on the morrow. We should gird ourselves now for the troubles that come. My friends, when we lay us down to bed…tonight may be the last time any of us sleep ever again. We should savor these moments as if they are our last, for tomorrow we may die.” He looked over at the party, smiling broadly. “I fear not however, for I shall have you at my side"

The Cleric cocked an eyebrow in Lannis’ direction but did smile in return, “If I die in this castle the rest of you better be dead too or I’ll just follow you all around until the rest of you die. I’m that petty.” 

Abraxas laid his mattress flat on the ground and then sat upon it, taking off his books and stripping out of his platemail.  "Si Amigos. Es our noche ultimo en ese Bastille. Mañana, con el grace de Aine, luchamos El Decampus y problamente Corftart una despues de el otro.”

Lyra nodded in thanks and then muttered, “I know something about Aine was just said, so I feel it was directed in my direction.”

The fighter continued, “Necesitamos strike rapido y con mucho fuerza. Y con Fuego. Fuego my mucho. Fuego, Fuerza y Corazon. Sin Corazon, no podemos ganar. Pero tenemos Corazon. Grande Corazons. Y mucho fuego. Y mas Fuerza que Cordlorp pienses que tenemos. Asi, mañana, luchamos con el drago y solomente el o nos caminar con ellos vida. Vive mas amigos. Vivemos grande y con mucho Corazon por mañana es la día ultima que miramos en ese Bastille. Dormamos muy bueno y con suertes bueno."

Lannis nodded, head bowed and a pious expression on his face. “I could not have said it better, hermano de mi Corazon.” Wiping a tear away he gave a single thumbs up and added, “Eres un príncipe entre los hombres.”

The party worked on getting their gear in top shape, talking and laughing. Wine was drunk, stories were told, tales were sung. Wyn idly took out an arrow and a stone, casting Continual Light on both of them, before putting them away on his person for now. Lannis had finished scribing his last Fireball spell and handed it to Wyn, who cast Read Magic to familiarize himself with the difficult incantation.

The party ate the last of the Iron rations anyone had (knocked off three) and supplemented the last of it with some of the magical elven rations we had taken from the Ispan’s vault, Kovid and Lannis supplying the enchanted victuals. Abraxas had checked the potions in the chest one last time and finslly it was getting time to rest. Lyra applied bandages to herself, Lannis, and Abraxas and by 9 PM, the party was going to sleep tucked away in the vault, comfortable without the need to leave a watch.

And the group rested. And rested well.

They awoke the next day feeling great (everyone is back up to full hp. Full!!) and the party then broke their fast, Wyn, Lyra, and Lannis studying their spells for the day. “Remember,” Lannis admonished, “Don’t cast anything yet Lyra, in the off chance we can get the Manastones, we need to be full up when we take possession of them.”

“Got it.”

“Incidentally,” he asked, rubbing his thigh, “I think I am nervous or something about today, because my mattress was damp. It is possible I might have had an accident while I slept.” Lyra pointedly was looking away during all this, feeling pretty bad at her action the other day, but opted to say nothing. “Oh well. I’d rather it happen now then during the heat of battle. Let’s go.”

Chcuckling, Kovid spun his Theystran hammer and flipped it once. “Everyone ready? I’d say this will be hoooorible but that doesn’t feel right. How bout: This is going to suck Thor’s balls!”

With a laugh, the group leftthe Vault through the Summoning Room, Wyn opening the doors for us, overriding the lock his uniform had imposed, and we made it to the hall. We travelled east and then south, working down the long hall until we arrived at the passage north of the Sanctuary. We passed through, the funk of the dead bodies a cloying smell in the air, and then went through the Sanctuary to the Chapel itself.

Lannis opened the door and went right to the table to check out the Manastone, picking it up and glancing at it, using the large window as a back drop. “Well?” Kovid asked. “How’d you do?”

(>Int Check, -8 Ritual difficulty, Pink 14) Lannis sighed, turning the gem a few times. “Poor. The matrix of the Crystal morphed during the night. There is a trinity of destabilizing inclusions that tank this possible specimen as a worthwhile manastone.” He frowned and then shrugged good naturedly. “I’m sure it’s ok, everyone fails the first time.” He flipped it in the air and laid it down. “I’m no agent of rituals. Only an oracle would have known if this would have worked.”

“I never know what the hell you’re going on about half the time,” Kovid grumbled. “Just say, No. Didn’t work.”

“Pretty sure I did, but I’m sorry if I wasn’t being clear. My training has taught me to see things in code.”

“To de potions den?” Wyn asked.

“Yep. The Lab.” Brendon and Abraxas had been checking over the Sextant at the table, the two of them confabbing and eventually the Scout taking the delicate tool. “I hope I get to keep this,” he said, hoisting it high (Add Sextant [50] to inventory). The party walked north, through Mirabellis’ chamber, the Duchess, the Goblin room, and ending up at the lab.

Brendon opened the door with the key and we entered after Lyra, the Cleric heading to the Iron Statue and the table (1d3+1: White 2: 1+1 = 2 Potions of Extra Healing). There were 2 gleaming vials there and she smiled. “Good job.” She held them up. “Ok. We have potions. Am I, er,” she pointed at the Statue and mimed yanking the stone free, “you know, doing that?”

“We should talk about the potions we have, what the plan is for the Decarpool, and then the Corflagle.”

Time now is Day 13, 7:00 AM

(OOC)

Sheets will follow. Ok. Do we have a plan? Who is taking the extra healing potions. Are we taking the Manastone and who is taking that?

Lannis: no potions. Lyra: 2 Healing, 1 Invulnerable, Wyn: 2 Healing, Abraxas: 2 Healing, Recall, Climb, Giant Strength, Haste, 4 Tainted invisibility, Brendon: Healing, Kovid: Giant Growth, Healing.

PBEM - Episode 545. Making Preparations

Party is putting all their thoughts and plans into the penultimate last day tomorrow, Decapus and Garden area, and then Corfard!

Follows:

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE

(I/C)

Brendon smiled, looking around, “That was refreshing, how are you feeling Lannis?” The Magic User seemed to not hear him so the Scout shrugged and looked north towards the Throne Room. “I guess we could move the ballista closer to the garden as I’m guessing eventually it’ll be rolled in there.”

Abraxas grinned, pointing a finger at Brendon and said, "Since no one has mentioned it, we should probably move la ballista.”

“Movin de ballista seems like a bon idea,” Wyn agreed.

“Think it’s possible to get into a position to use the ballista against the Decapus?” Lyra asked. “Maybe a shot with that and then a fireball will be enough to loosen it up. Could even try to sling a bottle of oil in there to make sure it burns good. Sounds like there’s more in that room than just that beast. I would say maybe fire should be our plan A… unless someone has something better.

“Con todos el trabajo que los Orcasas, Grintoof, Los Roberts y alguin otros hacen en la ballista, creo que es una condition perfecto. No usamos en el Decampus, es mejor a usamos en Gorgflute. Fuego y fuego y mas fuego should be el plan solo."

The party was walking up to the Throne Room again. On the way, the Cleric asked, “Also… anyone know if a Decapus is diurnal or nocturnal? Maybe we can catch it off guard. As off guard as a large carnivorous plant can get.”

“Dunt tink it ‘as a ‘urnal’ to it, Priestesse.”

“How much longer are we waiting on those potions?” Kovid asked.

“Tonight,” Lyra replied, “After 10.”

“Monsieur Dwarf, cen ye and Monsieur Salazar check de ballista ta see whedder it cen be moved? En would some oil on de wheel axels help ta make it move a bit quieter?”

“Gotcha, gotcha.” The group walked to the ballista, the dwarf and Fighter looking it over with a series of grunts and nods. “What’s the plan for scouting the garden? We all going in?”

“Not today,” Lannis muttered, “Would be my guess.”

As the two warriors were going over the machine from bottom to top, Wyn asked, “Monsieur Offop, do ye tink dere might be potion ingredient elsewhere in de castle to make any odder potions? Or are we done afta dis set of potions en we cen remove de manastone from de golem to use it tomorrow?”

"Not from what I have seen Master Elf, I don't think we'll find anything inside the castle that would allow us to make something new. I think we can allow our Giant Iron friend got Fast to his un Furious rest, may his eyes go Pitch Black one last time.” He looked the machine over, “Perhaps we should spend a few minute with the ballista to familiarize ourselves with its operation. After that? Time for rest, it may be the last we ever get."

“It’s good,” Kovid said, Abraxas agreeing with him. “Between the kobolds, the orcs, and the hobgoblins – they actually did a pretty good job fixing this up for use.” He frowned, “For you know, less than savory race types. But still, good job.”

Abraxas was looking it up and down. “Needs a mucho macho man to shoot it. Strong to load it, turn and lock the firing pins in place. Needs a smart person to aim it. Ballista is a 2 person job. If you want it done right.”

Giving the machine a roll, satisfied it made no more noise than just that of the heavy wheels on stone, Wyn looked south. “I tink maybe we move it to de summoning room for de night. Den Wyn cen lock both door leading to de hallway en we cen prevent anyone gettin’ to it.”

“Expecting it to get stolen?” Brendon inquired.

“Who we be keepin it from? Wyn don’t have a clue, but ye don’t live as long as I ‘ave witout being cautious.” He took out the key and the party opened the secret hall door and maneuvered the machine inside, Lyra and Lannis moving the beds up and against the wall to make a path for the ballista. Once on the other side of the hall, Kovid opened the door and the party moved the war machine into the summoning room.

Meanwhile Abraxas borrowed the Vault key and opened it up, heading to the Ballista bolt and tried to see if it would fit in the Bag of Holding, dismayed that it did not (a good 2 ‘ stuck out the top of the sack).

Brendon scouted out the old barracks (it was clear) and Wyn went south to the outer door by the hall and locked it with the uniform, and then did the same to the second door opening to the summoning chamber. Once all was in place and sealed up, the elf turned to the group and asked, “Anytin else we want ta do while we wait fer de potions?”

Time now is Day 12, 1:30 PM

(OOC)

Ballista is moved. Anything else? Or time passes? And how much time? Just hang around till tomorrow morning? If so, bandages? Lyra cast spells before hand (has 1 more CLW)? Let me know!

PBEM - Episode 544. Now what do we do?!

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR

(I/C)

"Well that went about as well as we could have hoped.” Lannis rubbed his hands together, holding out one lightly curled fist with which he ‘bumped’ it gently with Wyn and then let it rise up, fingers spread. “Looks like we'll have a big day tomorrow and have some time to kill before our gem is ready, if I was up to muster that is.” He looked down at his dirty hands and sighed, “A bath would be lovely, and I would so like to see Candela again."

Wiping his hand idly on the back of his pants leg, Wyn agreed, “Oui oui. A bath would be nice.”

Grumbling, Kovid stood up and stretched, heading for the secret door again. Once it was opened, he arced his thumb at the ballista. "Okay back to the goblin lady it is. Don't tell me we forgot about the ballista when the time comes."

"Vamonos Amigos, a el Bath!" Abraxas made sure the rest of the group was out of the hall before closing it up behind them. Brendon was leading the party north through the Throne Room and then listened to the hall (no roll needed) before leading them east towards the Adept area and Baths.

As they were walking along, Lyra was watching Lannis as he whistled happily, almost skipping as he walked, head bobbing to some internal music only he could hear. “You know I hear if you almost drown someone it can cause brain damage. Maybe there’s a sweet spot for just enough drowning that can reverse brain damage.” She shrugged, “Just a thought.”

"Brain damage starts to occur after about five minutes of oxygen deprivation,” the Magic User said musingly, “and drowning can take less than forty seconds, but what brought that up?”

“Oh nothing,” Lyra replied, “Just idle thoughts.” They walked on to the corner and turned south, “I know Candela was pretty zen and unbiased but you guys think she’s cool that we just killed almost everyone in here?”

“I hope she isn't upset, I'd hate to make her sad."

As they approached the door, Wyn said, “I’m sure she’ll be fine. But I tink someone suggested asking Candela about Decapus while we be dere. I be doing dat while we be dere, too!”

The group made their entrance to the baths where the Matronly goblin was already waiting for them, the tub filled. “Well, well, well. Twice in 2 days. I am a lucky person, especially in these strange days we’ve been having. Welcome travelers. I assumed a bath was in order?”

“Oh yes,” Lannis said with a smile, stepping up and removing his hat. “May I go first? I have been having a doozy of a day.”

Candella gave the Magic User a beatific smile and gestured with a spread hand. “Of course. You look like you are either too much or not enough of yourself. Would you like a washcloth and pumice stone? You have some dried blood in your scalp line.

“I thought I did.” Lannis entered the tun and the rest of the group relaxed, Kovid and Brendon making sure the door was locked.

Most of the conversation was light and non confrontational, the Matron helping each person as they made their way through the baths, helping them relax and feel good about themselves. It seemed, in answer to Lyra’s gentle questioning, that she was growing lonely with the lack of daily visitors as of late, but, “Sometimes change is a good thing even if its implementation might be jarring or fraught with hardships. I have a hopeful feeling and am not too bothered with how things have been playing out.”

“Dats good. Glad to ‘ear it.” Wyn had settled back in the tub at one point, letting the hot water soak into his sore muscles. “Dere is still a big sumptin dough awaitin us. Madame, de ye know iffin Decapus was here before de dragon came around? Or did he cause it to grow?”

“That?” She shrugged. “Sometimes dragons have been known to make friends and allies with unsavory beings. And the Decapus, well, that is what happens when a bad alliance is made with bad influences. No, such a being would never be here when the Ispan Halgafar was in power.”

“Gotcha. Iffin ye know anytin about de monsta, besides de obvious head removal actions to be wary of, we would appreciate dis greatly.”

“I am a simple bath keeper, Master D’Endee. And not so learned about monsters and beasties. I can say though that the foul flora’s presence so close to the dragon’s position means that it is both a powerful defender and a staunch ally. I would make sure that you deal with it and treat it with that thought in mind as tasking yourself with the aforementioned Decapus, will be most likely the second most dangerous encounter you will have to face here, behind only Corfard himself.”

“Oh. Dat’s…bad den.”

“Indeed it is. And I am pretty sure, the Decapus is not alone in that chamber. It has had the time to work its twisted arboreal twinings on other plant life within there. And those menaces will seek to defend its benefactor and thwart you.”

The party listened attentively, but there was little more information given or to be gleaned. At the end of a bit over an hour, we had thanked Candella for her time and attention. “I suspect that I will not have the luxury of speaking with you again until after you have achieved your end goal…or not.” She smiled at the group and nodded her head. “But allow me to say that has been wonderful to have met you and I cannot thank you for all you’ve done to date. Go with my blessing, for all its worth. Remember, no task is finished, until it is entirely resolved. Good luck, adventurers.

The party left the bath, felt good, stood in the hall and asked, “Where to now?”

Time now is Day 12, 1:15 PM

(OOC)

That’s it! Where to?

PBEM - Episode 543. Now what do we do?!

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY THREE

(I/C)

“Well… dat went well. Glory be to Aine!” Wyn cheered, the rest of the group following. We quickly went to searching the few bodies remaining, with the exception of the chainmail, proved to be fruitless. “Where we off to now?” the elf asked. “We already cleaned de bandages, so we could just hang out. Or maybe collect some more beds so everyone cen have a nice sleep tonight?”

Moving to the Throne Room, Kovid gave the ballista outside the Secret Hall a critical eye. “Do we want to move the ballista into a strategic position? Obviously, we have to take out Decapus before Corfard, but it may limit backtracking in the future.

Standing near the dwarf, Brendon cast his eye on the Isthari Crystal, “Lannis can you check the orb, I hope the fire ball didn’t shorten our time in here.”

As the Magic User walked over to the prismatic crystal, Lyra was rubbing her chin in thought over the war machine. “Even in the least if we can’t move the ballista anywhere if use I would like to make sure there’s no bolts around or just disable it. Burn it I don’t care. I know there’s no one around to use it against us but just in case.”

“Bolts are in the Vault, Lass,” Kovid said. “And between the kobolds, the hobgoblins, and the orcs, I don’t think its been in better condition for use.”

"Amigos, let's miramos over ese Guardianos y take que podemos.” Abraxas gave Lannis a comforting clap on the shoulder, smiling and feeling good. “Despues de luchamos El Decampus, si? Como estas Señor Lanzikess? Necessitas rest o no? Vamonos amigos."

Giving the Crystal a thumbs up , confident it hadn’t been compromised in anyway from the Fireball spell, Lannis turned to the Fighter and asked, "Now I ask you Señor Abraxas, would you rather have fought Decapus? To your point I don't think we should fight Decapus now, let us wait until tomorrow and gather all our resources together before us. Manana mi amino, primero dormir y sanar"

Moving towards the Secret door in the Throne Room with the rest of the party, Lyra was uncomfortable with Lannis’ behavior since he had been hurt recently. “Might be a tad bit early for rest, but if you want my opinion - Lannis is in rough shape. Let’s do we need to do today, collect supplies do inventory, and then let’s see if Candella will let Lannis bathe there. At best it might do something to help his scrambled brain, at worst he’ll just enjoy a nice bath. I think he deserves that at least.” 

Wyn opened the door and the group filed in, Lannis looking back at the Cleric and smiling comfortingly, "My brain? I appreciate your concern Lady Lyra, but I've never felt better in my life, like a shroud has been lifted from my eyes.” He looked down at his hands, the skin on them covered in first and second degree burns. “Not my hands though, those hurt terribly."

Shaking his wine skin, Brendon asked, “Whadda ya mates say, let’s call it and get some rest. Let’s get Lannis a relaxing bath to ease his mind.”

“It’s noon,” the Magic User commented, “A bit early for day drinking, isn’t it?”

Closing the door behind them, Wyn asked, “How long we got fer de gem?”

“According to my calculations, the gem, if it works, will be ready on the morning tomorrow, just after 6:30 in the AM.”

“Grande,” the elf smiled, turning to Lyra he asked, “En how long fer de potions?”

“Tonight,” she replied, “about10:15.”

“Hmm.” Wyn was looking around, thinking. “So we go out? Stay? Anyting else? Monsieur Offop, we’re dere any books dat we found dat you haven’t gone through yet?”

“Nothing specifically. But if there is a larger plan, I’d love to have an intelligent and thought provoking conversation about it with everyone. And please, all of you chime in, your voices matter to me.”

Kovid looked at Brendon, both of them mimed hitting something over the head, unsure of what to do.

Time now is Day 12, 12:02 PM

(OOC)

Ok – is there any plan? What would you guys like to do? Or is it, “Time passes…”?

PBEM - Episode 542. Positive Outcomes!

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY TWO

(IC)

Seeing the undead readying another attack, Wyn had his bow out and was loading up an arrow. “Monsieur Salazar, you be coverin de Priestess, oui?”

“Si! I’m on it!” Abraxas had his Scythe out, shoving the closest Guardian back a step, and sidled his way in front of Lyra.

“Let me dump Aine’s might on these chumps,” she said, holding her symbol aloft and starting her prayer. 

“De nada,” The Fighter blocked a series of blows, Kovid doing the same. “Amigos, let us avoid killing their weakest for now. Mueremos los Guardianos que tienen el vive mas. Tienes ese, Señora Leyrawr!”

“Get ready,” the closest Guardian moaned, trying to reach past the Fighter. “To face your doom!”

Getting a spell up in place, Lannis started his incantation, smiling in the Cleric’s direction. "Excellent thinking Lady Lyra, let Aine’s might sweep away our first! You are a credit to your vocation!"

“Ok, that is really starting to creep me the hell out,” Lyra muttered

“Yeah, Lass, us too,” Brendon had an arrow out, ready to fire, “Lyra you got this!”

All the Guardians said in a single voice, “Get ready to face your doom!”

“Lady Aine!” A wave of power started to run through the Cleric, a wind coiling behind her as she held her symbol aloft. “Lend me your blessing! Drive away the foes arraigned before us! Turn! Turn you abominations!” Her symbol burst into a white ball of power that flowed out and slammed into the undead with a constant roaring thrum (2d6 HD: White 6+3=9 hd!). And that build up to a shriek that tore through the three closest Guardians, ripping them apart and sending blackened grit and dust to fly down the hall as their forms were shredded.

Leaving a single Guardian remaining.

“Praise be to Aine in all ‘er sunshine glory!” Wyn cried out.

“How’s Aine feeling, Lyra?!” Kovid asked with a grin.

“Uhhhhh, good?? I think? I think Aine feels good!” she replied.

The last Guardian shuddered, black fire ran down his face and form, running over his body, encasing it in a black light devouring armor like glow. He smiled at the party and lifted one hand up to strike, the other held out to grab. “Thanks for that,” it said with a rumbling voice. “I’m going to kill you now in Corfard’s name.” And then it charged forward

“Ah, suck it!” Brendon fired (<+6 to hit, Red 4), his arrow hitting the Guardian and getting batted away with an errant hand. Abraxas and Kovid lifted their weapons high, ready to receive the charge and strike hard.

“’Llow me,” Wyn said, shooting (<+8 to hit, Orange 7 – miss. Sure Shot – reroll...>+8 to hit, Orange 16), his arrow seemingly curving down and then up again as it flew out, hitting the Guardian in the weak part of its armor (1d6 Damage, Orange 4), making it grunt from the impact, the undead still suffering the hurts it took from Lannis’ Fireball.

“Please, we just want to finish our mission and go home,” Lannis said, wrapping up his spell, “And your presence is impeding that. IN BET GRAV POR! Magic Missile!” (MM 1d6+1 Damage, Pink 6+1=7 Damage and killed!!) A pink shaft of magical chaos tore through the last Guardian’s face, blowing out the back side and arresting its charge forward, pitching it off its feet. It fell over and just…died.

“Well!” Lannis said with a sigh. “That was certainly a team effort. Great job everyone. Thanks for everything.”

“Do we have to hit him in the head again?” Kovid leaned over and asked the Fighter on the down low, Abraxas shrugging and giving a questioning nod in response.

Time now is Day 12, 11:52 AM

(OOC)

Wow – very anticlimactic. Lol

Monster XP: 95, 125, 155, 185, 215 divided

Kovid and Abraxas – 129 xp

Brendon – 130 xp

Wyn – 154 xp

Lannis – 194 xp

Lyra – 279 xp

Alright! What now and where to?

PBEM - Episode 541. Positive Outcomes!

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY ONE

(I/C)

The group ran out towards the Throne Room where the howling guardians could be heard, when Abraxas stopped the group just past the “T” intersection heading south, pulling his Crossbow out and loading a bolt.  "Amigos, we charge in, pero no podemos let them surround us. We stay in the hallway let them come a us dos, at un tiempo.”

The party nodded, spreading out behind each other, Kovid taking the front and Lyra readying her flail, stepping just in front of Abraxas who had his crossbow up. “I’m holding on the turn undead until I know what’s going on,” she advised the party. “Everyone be careful. If you’re overwhelmed let me know and I’ll just turn anyway!” 

"Be careful everyone,” Lannis advised, holding on to the wall for balance and wiping his face clear of spilled blood. “The beasts may be wounded but they are no less dangerous. A victory should one of us fall is no victory at all."

Brendon made sure to stand in front of the Wizard, his bow out and an arrow loaded. “Ya did real good little buddy, real good. You just take it easy right now.”

We could hear the Guardians regrouping and then charging towards the entrance of the Throne Room and the hall. 

“Andale amigos!"

Wyn rubbed his hands together, magic sparking from his hands as he prepared a spell. “Here we go, mes amis! I bet 10 silva dat we break 550 on dis fight.”

“What?” Kovid asked with a smile.

“Wait... 550 what?” Wyn scratched his temple and shrugged. “Hm… must be residual magic’s in de air from dat fireball.” He looked over at Lannis and frowned. “Monsieur Offop, ye nose be bleedin’… take a potion s’il vous plaît.”

"Oh, thanks Wyn, but I'm pretty sure if I just let it go long enough all the blood will fall out and it'll stop; should be pretty soon because it's coming out my ear too." The undead hit the hall, turned to the group, and began to run at them. "Please don't think me selfish,” Lannis dragged his pack around and fished inside for a Healing potion, “but I must attend to my wounds last I find myself falling victim to the terrible blows of these fiends."

Abraxas fired (<+5 to hit, Blue 8), the crossbow bolt slamming into the lead Guardian, impacting his chainmail but failing to penetrate. “Puta armor!”

Lannis cracked open his potion vial and drank it fast, (Healing Potion 1d6, Pink 3 – Heal 3!), the bleeding from his nose and ears coming to end. “Ah! Much better!”

“Let’s see if I can win the cupie doll,” Brendon fired, (<+6 to hit, Red 7), the arrow striking the closing Guardian in the thigh, but again, turned aside by the armor.

The undead closed and Lyra and Kovid met them with Flail and Hammer, “Have at you, Guardian scum!” The Cleric swung hard, striking the lead one on the left (<+4 to hit, White 10) rocking it back, but even burned and scarred from the Fireball, it absorbed the hits and kept on coming. Kovid on the other hand (>+6 to hit, Yellow 14) timed it just right and two handed swinging it, smashed the Theystran Hammer at the next Guardian’s side (1d8+3 Damage, Yellow 5+3=8 Damage and killed!!), folding it over and slamming it face first into the wall. It fell back and hit the ground in a heap, unmoving and dead.

Wyn finished uttering his spell and an orange smoke swirled around his hands. “IN BET GRAV POR!” He fired it off and a 2’ long electric shaft smashed out and hit the next undead in the side (Magic Missile 1d6+1 Damage, Orange 4+1=5 Damage!), smoke rising from the impact.

The remaining Guardians all seemed to shudder, and a black light surrounded them on the passing of the fallen one. “This farce,” the lead one said tonelessly, “ends in one way only.” It pressed forward, swinging at the Cleric (>+5 to hit, Red/Black 18), and connecting (1d8+1 Damage, Red/Black 4+1=5 Damage, Lyra take 5!).

“Your death.”

Lyra took the hit and was watching the combat, judging the zombies as they moved and swung (<Wis check allowed Cleric, -4 penalty, White 2), eyes darting, getting a feel for their capabilities and skills. Abraxas drew his Scythe and was waiting for a chance to swap positions with the Cleric who was nodding to herself. “Damn it all, Aine,” she thought, “I bet you I CAN make the attempt to turn these bastards!”

“This farce ends in one way only,” the remaining 3 Guardians said, the next one striking at Kovid (+5 to hit, White 9), bouncing the dwarf back a step and bruising him, but nothing more. “Your death.”

Time now is Day 12, 11:51 AM

(OOC)

Top of the next round – 4 left. The Chainmail they are wearing boosts their AC by 4, making hitting them no longer and automatic feeling situation – as evidenced by the to hit rolls. Lyra, you are sure they would be affected by your turn – how deeply (auto dispel, auto turn, or random check turn) you don’t know until you try it – but turning chaeck is certainly an option. You guys go!

PBEM - Episode 540. Positive Outcomes!

And sometimes after some bad decisions, things do work out.

Follows:

FIVE HUNDRED FORTY

(I/C)

“We have a plan, yes?” Brendon asked, looking down the hall. “Let’s do it and get to it now. Come on people.”

Kovid agreed, "Dodge city, let's get out of it!" The dwarf started running to the south.

Abraxas reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him, pointing north and then west. "Señor Koyphid! No es correcto. Ese way!”

“Monsieur Dwarf! We go to de wight room! WIGHT room! En close de door behind us.”

"The white room?! What white room?” Kovid demanded, the dwarf stomping his feet in exasperation. “Every damn room in the poorly designed and constructed ELVEN castle is the WRONG room!"

Wyn clapped his hands, motioning the dwarf to get with Brendon. “To the wight room!”

Grumbling, Kovid grabbed his statue and crystal from the ground, giving Lannis a thumbs up as he ran on.

Lannis gave the dwarf a warm smile and held on to the pedestal to steady himself, head pounding and body feeling weak. He called to the Cleric as she was moving to the Throne Room entrance, "My good friend Lyra, if you would be so kind as to let me know when the Guardians are coming so I can plan my attack I would be in your debt. Everyone else get to cover before I let my magic’s loose"

Lyra slowed down and looked back at Lannis, concerned. She stepped over and looked in his eyes, frowning. “Good friend? Either you’re really serious right now or every time you get badly hurt you suffer some sort of brain damage.”

“I’d go with “B”, Lass,” Brendon replied.

“Look, I’d love to stick around, my dude, but I’ll be burned to a crisp. You need to depend on your own eyeballs for this one. But I’ll keep an eye out from the door. If something looks like it’s going wrong and you can’t recall back to the vault I’ll be back to defend your weak ass.”

“Thanks, Lyra. You are a wonderful person. I’m honored to have a friend like you.”

She shuddered and moved away, jogging off. “He needs to get hit in the head again and soon, this is just freaking me out.”

“Offop, ye should stand in the middle of de room in a place ye cen still see de door but far enough away dat dey cennot rush ye.”

Abraxas was shoving everyone out of the room, forcing them to run off down the hall. “Andale amigos. Mas rapido. Vamonos. Señor Lagos tiene una sopresa especial por los Guardianos. Pero, necessitamos move it rapidamente. To el room de Señor Wight. Vamonos!"

They charged down the hall, Brendon checked the corner, and gave the group the ok to run, the party moving on to the first door. Once there, they quickly entered, the reek of the room as being used as a abattoir and larder by the former ghouls made their head spin, but they all filed in and shut the door hard, ears perked up, weapons ready.

And it was luck that they did, for less than 2 or 3 minutes later, they could hear the pounding of moving feet and jangling chainmail coming up the hall as the 5 count of Guardians made swift and forceful time towards the Throne Room.

(Sense party, -4 penalty, >Black 9)

In the Throne Room, Lannis had the empty Recall potion in his hand, the words to the Fireball spell dancing on his lips. He felt tired, worn out, his hands hurt, and the presence of the dragon in his brain, although gone, was like an open sore. It hurt, like nails rasping over and open cut. “Hang in there, Lannis,” he muttered to himself, hearing the moving Guardians as they came closer and closer. “Just get it done.”

The Guardians turned past the entrance and their eyes fixated on the wizard standing in the lurid prismatic light. “Finally,” the lead one growled out, “Your death is at hand.” And they all ran forward with purpose as Lannis rattled through his spell.

They drew closer, hands outstretched, dark bale fire in their eyes, moving to grab and eventually rend the Magic User apart. “Finally, your death is at hand,” they all said together.

“Sounds great,” Lannis smiled, “Start without me. IN VAS FLAM GRAV…,” he dropped the vial, watching it fall towards the throne room floor, “…POR! FIREBALL!!!” And the air in front of him caught fire and streaked away, impacting the lead Guardian at under 15’ distance, bursting into a rapidly expanding sphere of superheated flame. (Save vs Spells, >15, >18, <5, <4, <3)

And the vial hit the ground, whisking Lannis away suddenly and dropping him in the former Wight Room with the rest of the party. “Hey!” He said…and then the concussive blast of the Fireball was felt through the soles of their boots a split instant before we heard the roar of flames in the distance amidst the wails of the Guardians. (5d6 Damage: 6,4,2,1,1 = 14 Damage, 7 if saved)

Staggering a bit against the wall, Lannis looked decidedly pale and wiped his face, blood staining the back of his robe sleeve, "Lyra I think my brain is dripping out of my nose, is that normal?"

Wyn and Abraxas both grabbed the door handle and pulled it open, the smell of burning flesh billowing into the fecund stinking chamber. “Let’s go!” “Allons-y!” Weapons out, they moved to charge back to the Throne Room.

Time now is Day 12, 11:48 AM

(OOC)

Alright! Plan worked. Let me know who is doing what on the run BACK to the Throne Room and the attack on the Guardians. In the beginning, until 3 go down, you guys get initiative (zombies auto go last). Lyra, you haven’t tried any turning on these sort of guys for 2 levels at least. Let me know what’s what!

PBEM - Episode 539. Bad Decisions

FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY NINE

(I/C)

“Scare bleu! You son of a Took, Offop!”

“I KNEW spying on the fucking dragon was a bad idea!” Lyra froze briefly, unsure of what to do to help. “YOU DO NOT get to use our last raise scroll!” 

"Madre de Dios!” Abraxas swore, dancing back a step as Lannis jerked wildly in the air, the burning Crystal ball held before him. “Señor Brepdink, prybar por favor!” He held out his had as Brendon reached behind and pulled the prybar free, tossing it underhand to the Fighter as he ran from the door towards the gyrating Magic User.

“Don’t touch the ball directly, you don’t know if you’ll take damage!” He said, unclasping his cloak and wrapping around both of his hands. “Lyra put on your gloves.”

“I’ve got something better in mind,” she said, ripping her pack open and digging out the simulacrum of the Magic User. “Ah ha!”

Wyn had his hands out, judging on when the best time to lunge forward and try to restrain the blubbering mage. “I tink de dragon saw de scryin’! We got to get him to let go of it!”

Running behind him, Abraxas wrapped both of his arms around Lannis’ midsection and held on tight, lifting him slightly off the ground. “Abraxas can you grab his arm and get the ball out?!” He felt him self twisted left and right as Lannis was dragged about by the Crystal Ball. The party could hear deep laughing coming from the ball, nimbus fires running up and down the drooling wizard.

**Ha Ha Ha! You fools! I will devour each and everyone one of you!**

“Grab him amigos,” Abraxas spun the Prybar up and around, making a few motions forward and back. “I'll get el ball."

“I got de right arm. Can someone grab his left?  Tanks for ‘oldin’ him still! Bonne idée to pull de orb wit de cloth ting, du Lac.!”

Lyra held the Artificer Doll and muttered, “Come on Aine! A bit of help!” (Righteous Favor, <19% White! +2 bonus next dice check.) She could feel her goddess riding right behind her. “Yes!!” She hissed and grabbed the doll’s hands and pulled them apart, willing the same thing to happen to Lannis (>Half Str check +2 bonus, White 14). But the wizard did not or could not let go even though she could feel herself straining to make the doll do so. “It’s…it’s fighting me!” She complained.

With the rest of the group around Lannis, Wyn nodded to Abraxas who dropped the Prybar BEHIND the ball and then grabbed the bottom of it as Brendon shoved his cloak over the Crystal’s surface. We could hear Corfard’s continuing laughter coming from the sphere. “Ok,” Wyn called out, “we all pull at de same time on tres. Uno! Dos! Tres!!”

(Abraxas Half Strength Check, <Blue 6! Good job) As the group held or yanked back on Lannis, Abraxas PULLED hard, the metal bar rasping against the back of the Crystal, Lannis shrieking in pain as the connection was violently severed. The Fighter staggered back, trying NOT to touch the Sphere as Brendon did his best to keep the Cloak in front of it, arresting its trajectory as Abraxas kicked and jumped, falling back and hitting the ground with a series of clanks, rapidly crab walking back to avoid the Ball as it bounced free and hit the ground (<Save vs Fall, Red/Black 6) with a crystalline “PLINK” and the fire ended immediately.

Taking quick stock of himself and sighing deeply on seeing he was unhurt, Abraxas gave a long nervous laugh and said, "Suddenly El Decampus no mira as malo, si?"

“Lannis? Lannis?” Lyra was over the comatose looking wizard, holding his head off theground and lifting an eye lid, peering at his blank gaze. “Hey. Hey! You ok? Lannis?” She rubbed his chest and glanced at his fingers and palms already blistering with first and second degree burns. He was breathing rapidly and shallowly, gurgling as his mind tried to right itself.

Finally he blinked once. And then again on his own. He looked around and turned his head, choking and hacking, eyes screwed shut. “Lannis. Lannis. Stay with us, we got you,” Lyra was pounding lighting on his back and helped the Magic User back to a sitting position. “You did it. You ok? It’s over.”

Shaking his head, he tried to talk twice to no avail. He drew his waterskin with shaking fingers, took a swallow of it, and tried a third time. “No,” he croaked out. “Fucking Dragon. Knows about us. Waiting for us.” He coughed again, getting a bit more strength and said, “But the plan worked to some degree. The Guardians are coming. And coming now.”

Brendon moved the cloak off the Crystal Ball and nudged it with his toe, a very visible crack was running through the center of the sphere, marring its formerly unblemished interior. “Well, shit,” he muttered. “Sorry Big Brain. It was either the ball or someone was going to have to cut off your hands.”

Lannis was helped to his feet and chuckled. “Then I’d say you made a good choice.”

Time now is Day 12, 11:42 AM

(OOC)

Crystal Ball is broken and no longer a magic item – sorry dude.

Guardians on the way, how much time? Can’t say! What do you want to do. Lannis, right now your effective Con is a 4. So keep that in mind. Still with the stay and Resist Fire, Fireball, Recall plan? Or something else now? Fireball down the hall, everyone makes a line at the “T”? Something else?

PBEM - Episode 538. Bad Decisions

FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT

(I/C)

"Donde agora amigos? Where now?” Abraxas asked, Scythe twirling slowly. “We can always luchamos con El Decampus, y si Los Guardianos show up, podemos run away y draw los Guardianos out, since el Decampus no leave el Jardin. Que es que pienso.” He pointed to the north west and said slowly. “We fight Decampus. Eef Guardianos show up, we run. We call out los Guardianos. We finish them. Then go back for Decampus. Despues de todos que, dormamos. Sleep. Finalmente, luchamos con Cortgharst y Finish Eeem off. Por siempre."

“Yeah, that simple,” Lannis shook his head. “No, no. Too many fights and I’d like to arrange even one of them on our terms. I'd like to try to lure out the Guardians if we can. Go to the throne room, set up, I don’t know, a barricade to funnel them. Then we set the Corfard statues by his gemstone or the rainbow gem. That much magic in one place should be enough to entice him, you know? If he sends them out to get them we take them out. If that doesn't work we go toast the Deconstructer like Kronk said."

“Either direction is bad,” the Scout offered, “and we’re running out of time before the ward drops. Let’s get a move on.”

"So…Garden or no?” Kovid asked. “Do we check out the Garden? Or as Big Brain suggests and we try to lure out the Guardians from the Throne Room?"

The group discussed it a bit before Wyn held up a finger and suggested, “Monsieur Salazar... I tink we try Monsieur Offop's idea first. I don't feel ready ta go into de Garden yet.” He turned to Kovid and asked, “Monsieur Dwarfriend, cen I see dat wonderful map of yers?”

“Wait, wait,” Lannis interrupted as the dwarf was presenting it to Wyn. “you have wonderful map? How come all we’ve ever seen is that piece of shit you keep working on?”

After Kovid showed Lannis the friendship finger, Wyn laid it out flat and pointed out the corner by the Lab and at the north end of the hall by the Adept’s room. “Ok, so we barricade here en here wit furniture. Dis limit de passage of dem to one hallway.” He pointed to the Magic User, “Offop drink a Recall potion in de old wight room. Den we escort him to de throne room en give him one of de silver dragon statues. Maybe tie de statue to his body so he cen use his hands still. Den he scrys on Corfart to see what he cen. Maybe it gets Corfart's attention en he sends out de Guardians to get de statue.”

“I seem to be doing a bit of the heavy lifting here, Sundancer,” Lannis groused. He gave Brendon and Kovid a narrowed glower, and took of the cat book, thumbing through the pages as he went looking for the depiction of the room with the Elven Vault in it.

“At dat point de rest of us wait here,” his finger settled on the northwest part of the map, “in de Wight Room... wit de black curtains. Dat will be where we set up our station... of waiting fer de Guardians. Behind a closed door.”

Lyra looked uncomfortable, “This plan sounds incredibly dangerous. Those Guardians are no joke and remember - if one survives I think it’ll get stronger.”

“We’ve fought them before, Lass,” Brendon said. “A few times. I think we’ve got their number.”

“Most likely,” Wyn agreed. “We give it about 30 minutes after de scry to see if dey come around. If dey do, Offop fires de ball en drops de vial to come back to us. We den rush de Guardians dat are not very badly burned en kick some butt.

Questions? Toughts?

“You say, Fire the Ball,” Abraxas asked, “Does this actually happen? Es real? O es una toro mierda?”

“Oh,” Lannis nodded confidently. “Don’t worry. My balls are very much real.”

“So your mom says,” Brendon chuckled, getting a brief high five from Kovid.

Lyra smirked and then shrugged. “I want to get the fuck out of this place so that plan sounds as good as any.”

“Let’s do it. Allons-y.”

The party left the Sanctuary, making their way up north through the various bedrooms before they came at last to the Goblin bedroom. From there they worked together carrying various furnishings, beds, desks, chairs, and other assorted material out to the hall where they blocked up the “T” intersection at the hall running west to the Garden entrance. From there they went north and at the fire ravaged Adept chamber and assorted rooms beyond, they dragged more furnishings up and around to the north corner where there was some climbing and jockeying about to plug up the entire corner and still end up with everyone on the west wide of the hall.

“Dat will not be comin’ down anytime soon,” Wyn said with satisfaction.

The group then went to the Throne Room and checked it over, satisfied nothing had changed. Abraxas went into his Bag of Holding and then further into the chest where he withdrew one of the 2 remaining Recall potions and gave it to Lannis. “Mangia,” he said, putting everything back. The wizard, along with Lyra, went over to the Wight room where Lannis drank it down and put the empty vial in one of his robe’s pockets before the 2 of them headed back to the Throne Room.

Kovid had taken out one of the Corfard statues, the silver metal gleaming in the prismatic light, and then took out the multifaceted Crystal that had at one point sat on the opposite pedestal. He placed both of them on the floor by Lannis who had taken out his Crystal Ball and stand and was getting ready to make his third scry of the day. “Keep an eye out people.”

Brendon had already moved to the door, eyes searching the hall, ears cocked and listening.

The Magic User was deeply studying the Crystal, he also had the cat book open on his lap, the pages obscured by the folds of his robe, trying to use the picture within as a focus of the room with the elven vault in it. “Come one, come on,” he muttered. “Let’s get a looksie, alright?” (<Int check, -4 penalty, Pink 12)

“Ah…Ah! Ah ha! Is there anything my dizzying intellect is incapable of doing?” He asked with a smile, eyes fixated on the Crystal. “I can see the room.”

“Describe it for us, Big Brain,” Kovid asked. 

“Ok. Ok. Well, normally this par is read last, but fuck that. There is a big assed red dragon in this room. Like big, and he’s in the middle of the room, his snout is by a huge weird marble and wooden looking vault with 4 key holes and a fuck ton of burn and scratch marks all over it. Describe the room? How about the damned dragon first, huh?!”

“What else?”

“Let’s see.” He ran his fingers over the ball. “This room… it’s really big. Like 30’ ceiling, massive skylights, I’d say it was the castle’s ballroom at one point. Lots of red, blue, and gold.” He frowned. “2 doors on the east side of the chamber, 1 on the north side.” He bent lower. “Over…hmm…over all 3 doors, there is a mesh steel and rope net.”

“To catch someone?” Lyra asked.

“No,” he bent lower. “They are filled with granite blocks. Likes dozens, maybe hundreds of them.” He pulled back and moved his fingers. “And I can see. Yep. Corfard cuts a cable, and some poor fuck coming in gets buried under a metric ton of fallen building equipment.”

“So…big assed trap,” Brendon frowned. Lannis ignored the Scout and continued.

“Let’s see. 2 wooden boxes, like animal cages? Hard to tell. Can’t see anything within.” He spun the image. “5 guardians as well. Zombie fuckers. These are wearing chainmail…that’s new.”

**Are you done spying on me, Lannis?**

“Um…” The Magic User spun the image back to the dragon, to see Corfard staring seemingly at him through the Crystal Ball. “Well! That’s new! And Asher level of horrible!”

“What?” Lyra asked. “What? Is it?”

(Combative Cha check: Corfard Red/Black 2 (under 11) vs Lannis Pink 10 (Over 3) – 14 point swing – um.. Fuck dude. Sorry.)

**Let’s just make sure you don’t hang up first, shall we?** Lannis felt his fingers were stuck to the surface of the ball, his eyes flicking about. But his will was latched hard in place by the mental strength of the dragon.

**There. That’s better. You have been a thorn in my scales, manling. But a necessary one. Because you have gotten the keys for me. And you have an elf who will open the Vault here for me.** In the image, the dragon flicked the vault with a single claw.

The surface of the Crystal ball was growing lighted and wisps and auras were dancing around it as Lannis was fixated on looking within.

“Monsieur Offop?” Wyn asked getting a step closer. “Dat does not appear normal? You ok?”

“Hey, Big Brain, you need help?”

“Why isn’t he answering?”

**And look. I can see my uncharged Crystal and one of my spliced statues there as well. I look forward to getting ALL of my property back in time, Lannis. I’ll make sure to spare you long enough to see me devour your friend’s burnt corpses right after I free my mother’s heart from this elven shit hole.** The image grew bigger in the Crystal, **And then I’ll rip you apart and eat you from your guts up to your head. You FUCKED with the wrong GOD!!!!!!!!!** He could see over the dragon’s shoulder, the 5 Guardians heading north to the double door set there, moving with determination and purpose.

The strain of being forced to keep the conduit open through the Crystal Ball fired off into the Magic User as the ball seemed to be writhed in fire that ran up Lannis’ arms and drew forth a painfilled wracking scream that tore straight from the wizard’s soul (1d4 Con damage and 1d3 Damage: Red/Black 4 – Take 4 Con Damage (Down to 4). Red/Black 6:3 – Take 3 Damage (fuck – both maximum! Thanks Kelly!).).

“Offop!” “Lannis!” The group sprang forward, unsure what to do as the wizard was seemingly dragged to his feet by the burning crystal ball in his hands, the reek of charring flesh filling the air, nimbus fire running across the ball and over his arms.

Time now is Day 12, 11:40 AM

(OOC)

Every minute Lannis is forced to maintain connection through the ball, saps his life force away @ 1d4 Con and d3 damage. Con is healed at 1 point every day of rest. What do you guys want to do, and hurry!

PBEM - Episode 537. Scry, Sense, and Walk-a-round.

 FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN

(I/C)

"So we have two options, either mana crystal or time skip.” Lannis paces slowly back and forth. “Both have their merits. I would say Mana Crystal so we can still capitalize on the knowledge of where the guardians are. I would say that, but instead I'll be going with option C. I will do nothing, no spells, no crystals, no time skipping, until Brendon explains how he knows what's in the book I keep in my pack to my satisfaction. We have plenty of time really, standing around in here for a few hours has the same effect as the time skip spell, should he not feel very chatty. Once that's done however, I'll gladly do whatever the group prefers, let no one say I'm unreasonable. So, Brendon, we are all waiting on you." With that, he leaned against the wall and put on his best ‘concerned listening’ face.

Feeling a bit flustered, Brendon purposefully avoided the wizards question and instead offered, “Since Lyra can detect where the evil us should we split up and check out what the brass balls do while Lannis dies… I mean does his oh so powerful magic thing?”

The Magic User shook his head, face hard, and cleared his throat, eyes narrowed. "We already did that, and I'm not doing anything until you explain yourself first."

“Oh we did,” Brendon exclaimed with false surprise. “Hours seem like months as of late.” He cocked his head and snapped his fingers dismissively. “Not to keep us all in suspense. Lil man asked me to get the book because he needed paper for his maps. I gave him paper that I had instead if destroying the book.” He looked Lannis full on in the face, making eye contact and shrugged, “Yeah I lifted it and we looked thru it. Now,” he let his voice drop half an octave, “go ahead and call me a thief.”

"So let me get this straight,” Lannis held up one hand and began ticking off points, “At some point you and Kovid took something out of my bag, looked through it, and returned it without my knowledge or consent. You then kept this secret, presumably, without telling anyone else. Who else's bag did you go through? Lyra? Abraxas? Wyn? Were you ever going to tell me?” He turned to the dwarf and extended both hands in a presenting motion, “Kovid? Thoughts? I almost expect this from him but I always considered your honor to be inversely related to your height. Did you take anything else out of my bag while you were in there Kovid?"

No expecting a reply, Lannis turned to the ponderous tome and prepared setting up for the mana stone ritual. “Could someone go get me a gem? Not Brendon, he might steal it and forget to tell anyone on the way back."

Lyra sat down on the edge of the altar and brought her pack around to her front. “You can both shut up now. You’re giving me a headache.” 

A long and awkward silence passed before Wyn awkwardly cleared his throat and tried to interject. “H’okay… De actions of Monsieurs Dwarf en du Lac to look at yer cat book we’re not great… Offop, I dont tink now is de time ta truly deal wit it. Fer all we know, the two of dem were drunk when dey did dis. Seriously.” 

"I honestly can't think of a better time to do this,” Lannis replied with righteous indignation. “Still, it certainly does seem easier to be forgiving when someone, drunk or not, went through someone else's pack instead of yours.”

“Please. We be on de final lap… or at least de penultimate lap… of dis long weird race we been goin on, en de unsavory actions of a self-proclaimed pirate “scout” should not surprise ye nor should dey keep ye from doin sometin dat will actually benefit ye. Dat is…. Making an awesome mana restorin’ crystal.”

“Don’t worry. I said I would do as the party asked once Brendon explained himself, and I am,” he gestured to the tome. “I have no designs on putting this group at risk over this, but I reserve the right to be feel offended and invaded.”

“When we get trough dis, we cen deal wit tings den.” Wyn then turned to Brendon and admonished the Scout, “In de meantime, ye may want ta keep ye mouth shut for a bit. Ye be in de wrong at dis point, Monsieur. Offop be a pain in de ass, but dat don’t mean ye be goin trough ‘is stuff.” Brendon placed one hand on his chest and made a mock look of surprise before wiping it away and nodding in understanding.

“I agree we litigate the morality of Master Brendon’s sticky fingers another time,” Kovid muttered, “But, if I was in any way a party to events that lead you to feeling violated, Lannis, this dwarf apologizes.”

Lannis gave a the dwarf a hard look and then the tiniest of nods. He resumed, “As to your question Wyn, if someone did find a suitable gem I would check Brendon’s pack first, he has already admitted to going through others belongings when it suits him."

Taking a deep breath, Wyn went on, “Anyway…Normally Wyn would stay to help wit de Magic’s, but I need to open de vault en I know where de gems are… unless someone else found a gem wort at least 100 crowns? Eidder way, Wyn needs ta open de vault.  gonna go get dat gem, but I need someone to come wit me in case we come on sometin.”

Looking through his pack, Kovid grunted and pulled out a single colored stone. “On the gemstone front, sadly I have only this Fire Agate worth about 50 gold I believe. Not sure if we can use multiple agate stones to satisfy the hocus pocus required here even if any of you are still carrying the others. The only other is Corfard’s Crystal which may have been manufactured or corrupted in some way. Might not be a good fit for what we are trying to do.”

“Anudder option be iffin we all want to go to leave Monsieur Offop to ‘is tinkerin’ Wyn cen lock de door to de sanctuary. Or mayhaps Dwarfriend cen hang back en use his hammer ta keep de doors locked? Just a tought.”

“Wyn, If you would like me to stand wait in the Sanctuary while the you and others search for a suitable gemstone, I will, but I don’t like splitting up for too long, there still might be unaccounted for dangers wandering these halls.”

Abraxas took a deep breath and joined in. "H'okay, Señor Brejnom y Señor Loindiss, tus stay aqui y work ese out. Señor Kottnid y Señora Lapyra can hang out en el Sanctuary y keep it locked. Senor Wynrune y yo will go a el Vault y get una gem por una Piedra de Mana. That way, no one es solo y todos de equipo tienen some one a mirar their back. Comprenden? Vamonos, Señor McWyb."

"Work what out, exactly?" Lannis replied with a clipped tone.

Throwing his hands up and walking away from Lannis, the Fighter explaimed, "Que!? No comprendo que dices. Adios!"

“Hold on, hold tight. No one go anywhere.” Lyra dug to the bottom of her bag and pulled out a pretty nice sized gemstone. “I have a diamond here worth 500 crowns - worth a lot more than what we need really, but I think it’s just safer to use this one, then we might as well. It’s not like we’re short on money at this point.” She tossed it to the wizard who caught it and gave it a good once over.

“Thanks, Lyra. That’s using some horsesense.” He waved the group aside. “Everyone get out, let me get this started, need 10 minutes to start the ritual and then I have to close the door and we don’t come back until the morning right after sun up. If I did and do my job right, we’ll have a much needed manastone.”

The group filed out, waiting the in Sanctuary as the Magic User did his thing. Lannis read the complex spell, took sightings with the sextant, confirmed the time, wove that into the ritual, and then placed the gem square on the altar’s surface and backed away, closing the door behind him. The rest of the group stopped whatever hushed conversation they were having and looking over. “Ok, that’s doing it’s thing. What now, because this won’t be done for 20 hours.”

Time now is Day 12, 10:53 AM

(OOC)

Will make the Int check tomorrow (in game time). Ritual on the way. Can’t go back in until tomorrow AM. Where to now?

PBEM - Episode 536. Scry, Sense, and Walk-a-round.

FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY SIX

(I/C)

“Can you scry in the Vault Room? You know, where Corfard is?” Brendon asked.

“I could,” Lannis shrugged, “but I need to know or have seen the individual in question before or seen the room. And I’ve done neither directly with Corfard.

“Too bad you couldn’t use the picture in the cat book to look at the vault room.”

The Magic User turned his gave slowly, frown deepening as he looked Brendon over. "How do you know what's in the cat book? I never gave it to you. I'm sure you'll explain it to me later.” The Scout went to say something but Lannis continued on without pausing. “If we leave here and walk around, Lyra could cast Detect Evil. That way if something is wandering about we could get the jump on them now rather than later. If there is something we go fight it now, before they regroup. If not we take the time to make another mana stone, speed up time if necessary, gather potions from the golem, then rest and heal up. Tomorrow will be a big day.” He then nodded to the Scout and said, “And somewhere in there Brendon will explain himself on how he knows specific things about something I won that I never showed him or anyone else. How does that sound? Wyn, I stole your job here, how was that?"

“What would be the point of explaining anything to you Lannis?” The Scout complained, deflecting the wizard’s complaint. “You’re just going to twist everything around, continue being belligerent, or make a joke at someone’s expense.” He threw his hands up and scowled, “The locusts in my ear weren’t as annoying as you.”

"What are you talking about? I just laid out a whole plan, you refused to listen to reason and dragged us down there to play with bugs…only to give up almost immediately. At least the locusts didn't force me to come down there."

“You did tres bien. Oui, Monsieur Offop,” Wyn smiled at Lannis, “I tink patrolling en lookin for whatever be roaming dere hallways now ees a good idea. Den we make a new mana stone. Den we prepare ourselves fer tomorrow.”

Abraxas was looking around, face a bit haunted. "Amigos, we need - NECESSITAMOS - a kill Corglesnart soon. No puede be allowed a sit en mi cabeza. Nunca mas! Asi, sé we want usamos caution, y we will, pero we also need estar rapido. El Ward de Rainbow will no last por siempre. Let's prepare for him ahora. We do una sweep de 2nd floor. We find los Guardianos wandering o we dont. We go to el room por el ritual por manastone. Whatever necessitamos, we grab during our sweep. Hacemos el ritual por manastone. Speed up the day. Get our manastone y potions from el golem. Despues de que, luchamos Decampus. Ahora, Señor Brandedsin, te quieres ese - Do You Want This - Crossfaldo? Y you give todos - ALL - los arrows a Señor WyndedKnee? En la lucha con Corfnukes, maybe both de tus stay back y shoot at el idola falso? Dices me que tu quieres."

“I have over a dozen arrows,” Brendon replied, “And honestly, the crossbow weighs a bit. When it comes time for the fight, I think I need to be lighter and shoot faster, so the bow is good for me, thanks.”

“I too ‘ave over a dozen arrow, 2 o dem are magical,” Wyn added. “I’m good too. Wit a full compliment of regular en extra healing potions, de Priestess’ spells, en anodder fireball scroll, en a scroll ov magic missile, I tink when de time comes an we finish checkin’ round, we be good to roll on trew de Garden, no matter what we be findin’ in dere.” He wiggled his fingers and smiled, “I know, magic missile not as impressive as de ball of fire, but it what Wyn cen do.”

“Mayhap, But we know that Misil Magico is real and Bola en Fuego has not been seen yet.”

“Hey!” Lannis exclaimed.

"Señor Wyvernicus, Señora Liorita puede cast Detection de Evils, y mirar donde los Guardianos, Decampus, y Corpselnarp estan, si?"

Lyra looked at Abraxas and squinted, mouthing back the words and trying to figure it out. The Fighter sighed and repeated himself, slowly, "Señora Lewyra, she can cast Detection de Evils and see... come dices... WHERE! Si, es... where. She can see where the guarianos, el Decampus and Corpulselarp all are, correct?"

“Ah! Yes!” The Cleric smiled. “That is a right all right duty do do, yessir.” She let out a breath and looked around. “Well sounds like the plan has all been laid out. I don’t disagree with another mana stone and healing up for the day. Would be nice for everyone to be at their best. But let’s wander around first.” 

Lannis smirked. "You better like it Valegro, I even called you by your real name for it."

She merely looked at him and walked away.

Looking at his map and tracing out a line with Wyn, Kovid turned to Lannis and asked, “Big Brain, when you scried you saw paths in the garden yes. I have them on my map as well. Perhaps when we go there, we should try to stick close to those areas when exploring?”

"What map?"

“Let’s go people,” Wyn said, herding everyone to the north door back to the Throne Room. “Eyes peeled and focus.”

Brendon made sure there was no one on the other side of the door (No roll needed) and the party left the secret area, Wyn relocking the door. We then walked out of the Throne Room and turned west, heading for the former wight and ghoul area. Lyra muttered, “Aine, let me know if any evil is around.” And her senses felt odd as the detection of evil overlaid her normal sight, smell, and hearing – picking up any pings as need be.

They went south at normal walking speed, checking the Ogre area and then a brief stop at the goblin section and peering in (WMC: Red/Black 6). So far all was good and Lyra gave a thumbs up. The party then went east, passing through the archway of the 4 goddesses, with a second glance south towards where Brendon told us the tub of vaporous liquid was. As we passed along the north wall to the garden, Lyra was frowning. “Ok,” she whispered, pointing south,” Something pretty evil in there, tastes like, I don’t know, rotting watermelon? Hard to describe, but I’d guess a good 40 to 60 feet away and bit off the ground.”

“Decapulator,” Abraxas nodded. “Anything else?”

(Lair 2/6? Red/Black 1).

“Wait…” She concentrated, “Yeah, real muted. Behind a couple of stone walls and stuff, but 5 more pings as well. Has that necromantic feel to it. Nasty stuff. Another 40 to 60’ beyond the Bad Melon tasting thing.”

Lannis rubbed his chin as they walked. “I’d guess Guardians. Good job, extra carrot and sugar cube with your hay tonight.”

“Douche.”

“And now you get nothing. Ungrateful beast.”

They went to the end of the hall and turned north, went through the Adept area and around the baths, and then headed south. They cut through the bedrooms and Duchesses area and then went south towards Mirabellis and the Sanctuary. Lyra kept looking west, frowning. “Yeah, those 5 things are beyond this wall…but there is another real malevolent feeling thing. Feels like chili peppers, fireplace ash, and angry sadness to me.”

“Dat would describe Corfard to me.”

“Yeah,” she muttered, “It also tastes a bit like the Guardians, you know? Can’t explain it.”

“He did make dem, Chances are dey actually “taste” like him.” Wyn frowned. “Dat is disgusting to contemplate.”

The party entered the Sanctuary and from there made their way to the Chapel at long last. A look around showed the place was a bit disturbed but nothing was untoward. “Ok,” Lannis said, flipping the book around on the table and scanning it, “Let’s see what we need.” (Already had done the Read Magic on it, so good to go.) “Yeah. Manacrystal. Takes a full day and I need a gem worth at least 100 crowns. Effectively set it up, read the words, and walk away. And the next morning right after the sun rises – voila, manacrystal.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, but it’s horribly complex, and requires a pricey bauble. And even then there is no guarantee it’ll work, given the fact that I’m a genius, I’d give it maybe half the time success (-8 on Int check). And if it fails, the gem stone turns into black cracked glass. Also, once cast, the room has to remain empty and undisturbed from sundown to sunset.”

“So we need to cast it at sundown,” Kovid said slowly, “And there is another ritual in there to speed time up to sundown?”

“Not exactly. Actually about half hour before sundown.” He looked around. “I assume we have some gems?”

“Oui, Oui we do.”

Brendon scratched his chin. “So. We doing this?”

Time now is Day 12, 10:33 AM

(OOC)

Found nothing while wandering and according to the dice, Guardians are in with Corfard right now. You are all in the Chapel. 1 ritual will poof time forward to half hour before sunset, other ritual will make a manastone (half the time if Lannis does it) but no one can be in the room until sunrise. What do you want to do?