012: Mind Flayer Part II: The Flaying

[Yuthirin]

[16:15] <@Kotono> ---
[16:15] <@Kotono> OOC: You guys are following Shardsense?
[16:16] <Iris> OOC: yep!
[16:16] <Fiora> OOC: ofc
[16:17] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[16:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 31." [1d100=31]
[16:17] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[16:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 78." [1d100=78]
[16:18] <@Kotono> How long your party travels in the breeze silver void is unknown. There is an unreality to it, a timelessness that makes a step take too long and at the same time pass too swiftly. You while away the endless now that never goes to the future or recedes to the past as best you can - until ahead you can see a dark shape approaching. It's extremely far away, but it stands out against the starkness
[16:18] <@Kotono> of the Astral.
[16:20] * Iris squints and tries to make out more details before approaching this thing. "Perhaps we would benefit from acquisition of a spyglass in future," she considers.
[16:20] <Fiora> "....please tell me that's not another one of those horrid storms," Fiora pales a touch at the approach of the unidentified dark shape.
[16:20] <Thyan> "... Or another Mind Flayer."
[16:21] <Iris> "We are, unfortunately, *looking* for a mind flayer," Iris reminds Thyan.
[16:21] * Thyan sighs.
[16:21] <Thyan> "... I know.."
[16:22] <@Morana> "Maybe, maybe not. With any luck, some astral adventurer found him, killed him, and is willing to part with it," Morana says optimistically and cheerfully.
[16:22] <@Kotono> It's hard to see - but as it naturally comes closer, you can see more. It is a ship. A great galleon, strung with color bunting and decoration. It sails towards through the air.
[16:24] <Iris> "Please relate to me how much luck with have had thus far," Iris replies. "Shall we avoid this ship?"
[16:24] * Thyan squints.
[16:24] <Thyan> "Is that the same ship as before?"
[16:24] <Fiora> "I don't recall the earlier ship being so festively adorned," Fiora notes.
[16:26] <@Morana> "With that many decorations, it's surely friends! We should go visit them!" Morana suggests.
[16:26] <Iris> "There is no law of the universe which states that brigands and murderers cannot be festive," Iris points out.
[16:26] <@Morana> "Well, if they are that, they won't be so festive after we get through with them?"
[16:27] <@Kotono> OOC: Not hiding then?
[16:27] <Thyan> "I.. suppose it can't be any worse of an idea than what we've already done."
[16:28] <Fiora> OOC: Make sure we aren't on a collision course, and...just keep going, I suppose.
[16:28] * Iris rewards MOrana's heroic attitude with a skeptically raised eyebrow.
[16:30] <@Kotono> Thus the ship comes closer! As it passes by, you see one man on the deck. He is dressed in a crisp black tunic and hose, cupping his hands to his mouth, "Hail there!" he calls, "Travelers, are you searching for fun and festivity?"
[16:30] <Iris> "I am not," Iris is obliged to state for her own sake.
[16:31] <@Morana> "Hail there! And it depends! What's for fun and festivity?" Morana calls back at the same time.
[16:31] <Thyan> "I am.. not *opposed* to it."
[16:31] <@Morana> "Also, is the booze free?"
[16:32] <Fiora> OOC: the ship is heading the opposite direction of where we want to go, yes?
[16:33] <@Morana> ooc: was it?
[16:36] <@Kotono> OOC: Opposite, yes.
[16:36] <@Kotono> "Endless parties and festivies are belowdecks!" hec alls, "Gambling, drinking, dancing and good times!"
[16:37] <Iris> "None of things facilitate our goals," Iris reminds her companions.
[16:37] <Fiora> "Hmm," Fiora shrugs, "I normally wouldn't be adverse to passing some time, but they are heading in the wrong direction for us it seems."
[16:37] * Thyan nods.
[16:38] <Thyan> "If it were a short stop, I'd agree. But the last time we spent too long here, think about where we ended up."
[16:39] * @Morana sighs. "Fair enough. Maybe another time then," Morana says.
[16:40] <@Kotono> "Suit yourselves," The man calls back as the ship passes. OOC: Continuing on?
[16:40] <Fiora> OOC: yup.
[16:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[16:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 23." [1d100=23]
[16:42] <@Kotono> Eventually, the endless now ceases for one reason - your pull becomes stronger! As it does you can see it ahead. A great floating mass of what looks to clumps of tangled dirt, rock and other things. Like great big hunks of the surface of plains, forests, deserts and other such things were ripped offa nd left floating here. A grand, chaotic cavalcade of them.
[16:44] <Fiora> "So..." Fiora looks over the land before them, "he's hiding in there somewhere, is he? I hope he hasn't recruited more minions...or worse, others of his kind."
[16:44] <Thyan> "That's.. not good. He picked a place that has lots of hiding and ambush places this time."
[16:45] <Iris> "I feel confident he has prepared in all manner of inconvenient fashion," Iris says, summoning some magical protection for the inevitable trouble ahead. (OOC: Mage Armor up)
[16:45] <Thyan> "Well, the good news is that his cover is also my cover. I can scout around more effectively in that."
[16:46] <Fiora> "And you have a magical sense telling you what direction he's in." Fiora adds, with a slight smile, "while he should have no such way to be aware of us."
[16:48] <Iris> "Well, shall we?" Iris says, gesturing ahead. There doesn't seem much option but to drift closer to the landmasses and see how much they have to search through.
[16:49] * Thyan nods and prepares himself, readying arrows and watching for cover..
[16:50] <@Kotono> You get closer. There are four entry points, cracks amid hunks of land. One looks to enter into a thick forest, the next an empty desert, the third more forest and the fourth cracked, broken ground. No creatures are immediately in sight for any of them.
[16:51] <Thyan> ".. I know the forests and deserts the best. Beyond that, I only have general experience."
[16:51] <Iris> "Desert, perhaps?" Iris suggests. "Visibility would likely be best."
[16:52] * Thyan nods.
[16:52] <Thyan> "Goes both ways, though. We wouldn't have anywhere to mask our approach, either."
[16:52] * Fiora focuses on the shardsense, seeing if she can figure what part of it thier quarry may be in!
[16:54] <@Kotono> It's ahead - Fiora cna't really tell where precisely from here.
[16:55] * Fiora shakes her head, then nods to Thyan, "This is your area of expertise, we'll follow your lead."
[16:55] <@Morana> "Let's try the forest, as you pointed out, his visibility is more likely to be frustrated than ours when we have an expert with us."
[16:56] <Iris> "I suggest we walk spread out a ways," Iris says, "lest we have a repeat of our last encounter." For her part, Iris intends to be near the end of the line.
[16:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay then, what marching order?
[16:56] <Thyan> "That's fine. You all keep eyes on each other, and I'll shadow the group."
[16:57] <Thyan> OOC: I'd be.. Second, technically, I guess. Though I'd be moving hidden.
[16:57] <@Morana> ooc: I'll proudly go in front!
[16:57] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Morana-Thyan then ????.
[16:58] <Aleira> OOC: Put me wherever.
[16:58] <Fiora> OOC: I'll take the next spot I suppose. Leave...uh...robo-ham with teh cart? His psi would be useful, but he's not here, so...
[16:58] <Iris> OOC: I guess I am second to last, before Hamish
[16:58] <@Kotono> OOC: Yuth's due in soon from work.
[16:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Morana-Thyan-Fiora-Aleira-Iris-Hamish+Cart.
[17:00] <@Kotono> Thus the party passes into the forest! As you settle in you find there is still no gravity. The trees seem to be alive and green, as if plucked away from the summer forest. As you take a few steps in, you can see there's dim light at best. It's tight going, with the ground a mass of dirt, rubble and logs. 10ft to 30ft up is relatively clear with minor branches, and higher up is thick with the
[17:00] <@Kotono> tree canopy.
[17:00] <Thyan> OOC: Hide/MS?
[17:01] <@Kotono> OOC: Go for it.
[17:01] <Thyan> roll d20+18 Hide
[17:01] * Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+18 Hide and gets 23." [d20=5]
[17:01] <Thyan> roll d20+14 MS
[17:01] * Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+14 MS and gets 25." [d20=11]
[17:01] <Iris> Obviously the sensible thing to do is maneuver along ten feet away from the "ground."
[17:02] * Muirfinn is now known as Hamish
[17:03] * Hamish brings the cart up in the rear!
[17:04] <@Kotono> Thus the party proceeds along. In the dimness it's hard to see anything at all - just dark and unpleasant. As you go...OOC: Spot check, or K:N check, whichever is higher, all.
[17:04] <Iris> roll 1d20+13 eyes
[17:04] * Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+13 eyes and gets 27." [1d20=14]
[17:04] <Thyan> roll d20+12 K:N
[17:04] * Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+12 K:N and gets 30." [d20=18]
[17:05] <@Morana> roll d20+10 spot
[17:05] * Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+10 spot and gets 27." [d20=17]
[17:05] <Hamish> roll 1d20+3 spot
[17:05] <Fiora> roll 1d20+2 spot whee
[17:05] * Hatbot --> "Hamish rolls 1d20+3 spot and gets 23." [1d20=20]
[17:05] * Hatbot --> "Fiora rolls 1d20+2 spot whee and gets 15." [1d20=13]
[17:05] <@Morana> ooc: I actually have nature too, but it's lower for me.
[17:06] <Aleira> roll 1d20+6
[17:06] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 11." [1d20=5]
[17:06] <@Kotono> The party, save for Fiora and Aleira, notice that in the rubble and undergrowth are several long vines. Assassin vines, animated vines that can grab and drag prey down if they get too close.
[17:07] <Hamish> "Oi, assassin vines up ahead! Watch yer necks!" Hamish calls.
[17:07] * Fiora stops moving immediately.
[17:07] <@Morana> "And your legs, and your arms, and anything they can grab you by, really!" Morana agrees, as she stops, stretching her arms to stop anyone from passing her.
[17:08] * Iris nods in confirmation, and points out the offending foliage so the group can maneuver around this area safely.
[17:08] <Hamish> "Want me to burn em out, wifey?" Hamish says to Iris with an inappropriately large grin.
[17:08] * Thyan avoids them as well, but tries to remain hidden.
[17:08] * Iris studiously ignores people who can't be bothered to refer to her by name.
[17:10] <Fiora> "No need to waste resources fighting foliage, I think," Fiora offers, "can we go around?"
[17:10] <Iris> "We should go around," Iris suggests instead, pointedly for people who are not Hamish. "there's no need to waste effort on foes than can be circumvented."
[17:10] * Hamish shrugs.
[17:12] <@Kotono> With the vines spotted, avoiding them is simple enough. You advance ahead and past it. A few minutes later you come on something - leaning against a tree is a pale, pasty skinned elf. He is lean and with his ears extensively pierced, studs and rings all over. He wears old, ratty looking leathers and has a longbow. As you approach he raises a hand, "Hold there, travelers!" he calls.
[17:13] <Iris> "Greetings?" Iris manages, not having expected peaceable inhabitants here.
[17:13] * Thyan remains hidden, but moves to get a clear shot at the elf..
[17:14] * Fiora focuses on her shardsense as she halts, letting Morana or Iris do the talking this time.
[17:14] <@Kotono> The shardsense is still somewhere ahead. "You're at the border of Quinles territory. You need to turn around," he makes a shooing motion with one hand, "And go back whence you came."
[17:15] <Iris> "Who or what are the Quinles?" Iris asks.
[17:16] <@Kotono> "The..." His Common pauses, "Tribe here. Flatears aren't welcomed here."
[17:18] <Hamish> "Flat ears?"
[17:18] <Iris> "We are pursuing quarry that has something that belongs to us," Iris explains. "Quite unearthly quarry--an illithid--and we believe he waits somewhere ahead of us. It would be well for you to be rid of this creature, if perhaps passage can be negotiated for us to pursue him."
[17:18] <Hamish> "My ears are round."
[17:19] <@Morana> "I have to agree with that, none of our ears are flat, they all extrude quite well from our heads. Mine are even nice and pointy, if shorter than yours," Morana says, agreeing with Hamish's statement about their ears and expanding on it.
[17:20] <@Kotono> "Point is you aren't welcome." The elf grunts, "Now be good and turn around or you'll regret it."
[17:21] <Iris> "Are you not at all concerned that a devourer of minds may be hiding in lands you claim as your own?" Iris presses.
[17:23] <@Kotono> "If he is, he's our business - until our arrows make him no one's business," The elf retorts.
[17:23] * Hamish snorts.
[17:24] <Iris> "Are you at *all* familiar with fighting these creatures?" Iris asks. "We are. I can tell you your arrows are of little use when you cannot see your target, or for that matter move a muscle."
[17:27] * Thyan begins hunting the surrounding forrest, looking for other possibly hidden elves.
[17:28] <@Kotono> "Can this mindflayer do it to an entire tribe?" The elf asks back, "I doubt it."
[17:28] <Thyan> roll d20+10 Spot
[17:28] * Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+10 Spot and gets 23." [d20=13]
[17:30] <@Morana> "You don't care what happens to the individuals? Only the tribe? That's rather...cold," Morana mutters.
[17:30] <Iris> "There would hardly be any need after he has covertly hypnotized some of your number into doing his bidding," Iris points out. "You are not impressing upon me that your confidence has any real basis."
[17:33] <Fiora> "Sir," Fiora speaks up, "I am a healer of no small skill, and I would be willing to use my skills to aid any lingering wounds or ills you and your tribe may be suffering if you have need of such, if you will permit us to search for this mindflayer. He has something that belongs to us, and it is vital we reclaim it."
[17:33] * Thyan tries to sneak near Hamish, as he is at the back of the group, and tries to get his attention using hand signals.
[17:33] <@Kotono> OOC: What languages do you speak, Fiora?
[17:34] <Fiora> (OOC: Common, Celestial, forgot to take a third one.)
[17:34] * Thyan motions towards Hamish, holding up all ten fingers, then two more and pointing up, and pats his bow.
[17:34] * Hamish sees Thyan and projects into his head, "What?"
[17:35] <Hamish> OOC: Telepathy
[17:36] * Thyan returns, "There's about a dozen elves higher up in the canopy. All with bows, all aimed at us. I imagine everyone has at least two arrows trained on them."
[17:36] <@Kotono> In slow, halting words of Celestial, "Are you a walker of light?"
[17:37] * Fiora responds, in slow and clear Celestial so he can understand, "I...am a paladin, and a blessed of Lathander, Selune and Sune all. I do not know if that is what you mean by 'walker of light', but if so then yes."
[17:38] * Hamish relays to everyone in the group via telepathy. "Hamish here. Thyan says that there's a dozen or so elves above us. All with arrows on us."
[17:38] <@Kotono> A nod, then in Common, "You have the right to challenge for safe passage. You may select a champion to challenge me, and if they succeed, you will be escorted through." A glance, "Perhaps the one with red hair?" he says, looking ot Aleira.
[17:45] * Aleira shrugs. "If you want a fight, I'm up to the challenge."
[17:50] <Fiora> roll 2d8+11 retroactive CMW
[17:50] * Hatbot --> "Fiora rolls 2d8+11 retroactive CMW and gets 18." [2d8=2, 5]
[17:51] <@Kotono> Putting his bow and arrow aside, the elf cracks his knuckles, "I am." He stands 30ft away, "No need for anything fancy or a clearing. You ready?"
[17:52] * Fiora stands to the side, ready to use Close Wounds if anything unfortunate happens accidentally.
[17:52] * Aleira stretches for a few moments, throwing out a few lightning fast jabs before nodding. "Let's go."
[17:54] <@Kotono> "Right!" And with that, the elf darts towards Aleira, fist out! OOC: Init, Aleira.
[17:54] <Aleira> roll 1d20+7 init
[17:54] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+7 init and gets 27." [1d20=20]
[17:55] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Elf
[17:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Elf and gets 25." [1d20=18]
[17:55] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aleira(27)>Elf(25)'
[17:55] <@Kotono> OOC: Open Aleira. He's 30ft away from you and approaching.
[17:56] <Aleira> OOC: I'd like to hold and ready a full attack. Letting him come to me.
[17:57] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[17:57] <@Kotono> With that, the elf charges with one big swing at Aleira! OOC: Go for it Aleira, he's comign right at you.
[17:58] * Aleira carefully aims a fist at the elf's temple, aiming to stun him before unleasing a combo of blows!
[17:58] <Aleira> roll 1d20+7 stunning fist attack one
[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+7 stunning fist attack one and gets 15." [1d20=8]
[17:58] <Aleira> roll 1d20+11 attack 2
[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+11 attack 2 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[17:59] <Aleira> roll 1d20+6 attack 3
[17:59] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+6 attack 3 and gets 7." [1d20=1]
[17:59] <@Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[17:59] <Aleira> roll 2d6+4 damage
[17:59] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 2d6+4 damage and gets 9." [2d6=1, 4]
[18:00] <Fiora> (OOC: should be +4 on that stunning attack. It does get Str added, like a normal attack. It's not BAB only.)
[18:00] <Aleira> OOC: Well, too late. I'll remember that next round.
[18:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Attack still hasn't resolve. That one hit too. Damage and I'll roll the stuns ave.
[18:00] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 fort
[18:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 fort and gets 25." [1d20=19]
[18:01] <Aleira> OOC: You mean roll damage again?
[18:01] <@Kotono> OOC: For the first hit, yeah, since you actually hit twice. Two hits, not one.
[18:01] <Aleira> 2d6+4 damage
[18:01] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 2d6+4 damage and gets 14." [2d6=4, 6]
[18:06] <@Kotono> Two punches leave the elf wobbling, one in the gut nearly jackknifing him! But he recovers and finishes his swing at Aleira!
[18:06] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 AC?
[18:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 AC? and gets 11." [1d20=1]
[18:07] <@Kotono> But he misses wildly, leaving himself wide open! OOC: Aleira, go.
[18:07] * Aleira readies another volley of punches, aiming to stun the elf into submission!
[18:07] <Aleira> 1d20+11 stunning fist attack 1
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+11 stunning fist attack 1 and gets 24." [1d20=13]
[18:07] <Aleira> 1d20+11 attack 2
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+11 attack 2 and gets 19." [1d20=8]
[18:08] <Aleira> 1d20+6 attack 3
[18:08] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+6 attack 3 and gets 11." [1d20=5]
[18:10] <@Kotono> OOC: Two hits.
[18:11] <Aleira> 2d6+4
[18:11] <Aleira> 2d6+4
[18:11] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 2d6+4 and gets 12." [2d6=4, 4]
[18:11] * Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 2d6+4 and gets 11." [2d6=5, 2]
[18:11] <@Kotono> With the two punches, the elf spins back in the air! His face is a bloodied mess, body beaten by Aleria's swift punching assault! "Give..." he gasps, "Give!" OOC: Free act.
[18:12] * Aleira blinks, lowering her fists and absentmindedly slinging the warm blood from her hands. "Pity not all fights are so easy."
[18:12] * Hamish applauds lightly.
[18:12] <Aleira> "You fought well," she adds and bows politely to the elf.
[18:13] <@Kotono> Groaning and slowly righting himself, the elf takes the time to wipe blood from his lips and nose. With slightly slurred words, "You've earned the right of safe passage. I will escort you through our territory."
[18:17] <Hamish> "Cheers, then!" Hamish cracks the reigns, urging the horses forward.
[18:18] <@Morana> As a sign of good faith, Morana heals some of the man's injuries as she lays her hands on his shoulder and heals him a bit. (OOC: LoH for 10HP)
[18:21] <@Kotono> OOC: Going to do anything but follow along?
[18:21] <Thyan> OOC: Did his buddies show themselves?
[18:22] <Iris> OOC: monitor shardsense and keep an eye out for nasties, I guess
[18:22] <Hamish> OOC: I
[18:22] <Hamish> OOC: blerg
[18:22] <@Kotono> OOC: No, Thyan.
[18:22] * Fiora will incant a cure spell for him, to keep with good relations with thier hosts. And knowing that it won't heal naturaly here.
[18:22] <Fiora> roll 2d8+11 cure mod.
[18:22] <Hamish> OOC: I'll keep in contact with Thyan in case he notices anything else.
[18:22] * Hatbot --> "Fiora rolls 2d8+11 cure mod. and gets 20." [2d8=2, 7]
[18:23] <Thyan> OOC: Then I'll continue to shadow the group, incase they try something.
[18:26] <@Kotono> The next period is spent traveling ahead and through the forest. You're lead expertly along, your shardsense growing subtly closer but not close. After a time your guide stops, "This is the end of our territory," he announces, your shardsense telling you that it's still further on.
[18:26] <@Morana> "Thank you for your guidance through your territory," Morana says politely enough.
[18:27] * Fiora nods to him, "Well, it looks like our quarry lies further ahead still." "Light be with you, if your people need my aid, I am still willing to offer it on our way back," Fiora adds in carefully spoken Celestial.