Adventure 2 - DRAGON OH FUCK DRAGON

[Anastasia]

> A few days have passed since Silvat's Reach was left a memory. While the small and forgotten township will heal, the memories will last for a very long time. However, with any luck, Lord Volte will last far shorter a period - handed over to a local outpost with a report. With that done, the group continues along the coastal forest of Almekia. The air is pleasant these days, the scents of the forest strong. But today, as the path goes subtly uphill and south? The salt tang of the ocean seems to filter in as well - is the shoreline nearby?
> the scents of the forest strong. But today, as the path goes subtly uphill and south? The salt tang of the ocean seems to filter in as well - is the shoreline nearby? (More)
> Perhaps it is. Coming along, you can see the starts of a bend in the road, no forest ahead - instead only the sky, a cliff dropoff ahead. The salty tang is stronger now, the breeze cooling and good. You can't see much of the bend or beyond it, however, the angle off.
> Riding his smilodon without worry, Darius hangs in the middle of the group. "Good weather, eh, Serith," he pats the side of his noble 'steed' with a little smile. "Hunting tonight."
* Saul heads to have a look over the edge of the cliff, careful not to get too close to the edge.
* SirGavin follows Saul, a bit eager to see what lies ahead from the vantage point.
<Elaine> "See anything interesting, guys?" Elaine asks as she waits for the two macho hombres to look over the cliff's edge.
> A great blue expanse, the ocean below! The waves of the sea are seen, a decent cliff drop from here to the ocean, rocky and straight down. If Saul and Gavin were to easily see from this small cape, that's what they would see. However, as they come around the bend...oh my. (More(
* Seryf yawns softly, an elven warrior(ess?) stretching and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature around her, as well as the companionship of her friends, elven and non-elven. "Yes, there is a secret invasion going on from across the great seas," Seryf notes.
> Now this is unusual. From forest edge to  near the cliff, old wooden logs are stacked up. Stacked up three feet tall, small walls made. Raw logs, bark covered and functional. Only a small open gap in the middle is noted in this waist high barrier - which there stand four men around this, spread out, and two behind it. (More)
> The first is FILTHY - if that's leather armor he wears, it's either buffed with black oil or dirtier than sin itself. His short hair is black simply by not having been washed in likely years, his small stature bringing to mind dwarven blood. A wide and broad sword rests in the ground as he leans on it, almost as tall as he. The second is the opposite - taller and cleaner, well kept and bulky pads of armor underneath along with a simple brown tunic and pants. A massive sword is across his back, curly blonde hair more or less clean. (More)
> The second is the opposite - taller and cleaner, well kept and bulky pads of armor underneath along with a simple brown tunic and pants. A massive sword is across his back, curly blonde hair more or less clean. (More)
* Elaine blinks and looks at Seryf. "It's not very secret if you know about it though..." she mutters.
> The third stands a little bit away...a giant iron pole, fashioned to look like a quarter staff rests in his hands. Not too tall but bulky, muscles and wearing only a pair of old peasant's pants. His muscles shine in the sun, wiping at his forehead with his free hand amoment. The last...to your surprise, it's an elf. His heritage shows in his ears and his emerald green hair, shining chainmail visibly worn, a shield and dainty rapier at his sides. He looks on at you as if you're dirt or bugs in his soup, idly brushing at the front of his chain mail. A simple leaf is the helraldry there, pained with care, if still crude. (More)
>  His heritage shows in his ears and his emerald green hair, shining chainmail visibly worn, a shield and dainty rapier at his sides. He looks on at you as if you're dirt or bugs in his soup, idly brushing at the front of his chain mail. A simple green leaf is the helraldry there, pained with care, if still crude. (More)
> Behind the logs are two longbowmen - both similiar, wearing brown peasant's garb and having their bows half drawn. "Hail," A high word, spoken in the common tongue, by the elf. He stands right at the small gap, his three other frontment to his side - one to the forest side and two to the cliff side. "Travelers, this is a toll road. If you wish to proceed in your galavantery, the fee is 20 Griffons."
> Looking onto the group, he eyes Seryf first, thena round, seeming to note many of the pointed ear variety. "Hmph..." his expression lessons, a motion to his men. "Elves...and a knight," he notes. "How unusual."
* Saul turns and casts his eyes across the men, blinking. He looks at Gavin, raising an eyebrow.
<SirGavin> "Under whose authority do you presume to charge toll?"  Gavin looked them over, sizing them up.
<SirGavin> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{18}
> "Under my own," the elf answers with aplomp, his men with weapons ready - at least most of these look well kept, deadly instruments of adventurer bashing? "Now, you seem like civilised folk - elves, after all. Pay the toll and be on your way, so that there is no unneeded...incidents.
> "
> His hand plays on his rapier, his shield idly readied with a casual movement. He looks quite calm and confident, his men a little less so, but readying as well.
> Gavin - You fail to identify the crest. It's not one you've seen before and nothing comes to mind.
<Elaine> roll 1d20 for heraldry check
<Misukibot> Elaine rolled 1d20 for heraldry check --> [ 1d20=12 ]{12}
> Elaine - It's not a formal heraldric symbol you're familiar with. It appears to be homemade to your guesses, and probably with no meaning of note beyond whatever meaning it has to whom wears it.
* SirGavin barked a short laugh, drawing his blade and shifting to quickly become combat ready. "Bandits, I see. You should know clearly from the crest I wear that I cannot simply walk by such a thing on the roads, paid or not."
* Saul takes a step back and stands behind Gavin, mentally preparing himself for another spell. Oh, how many more people must he mercilessly chloroform?
> "Good," Darius smirks, patting Serith again. "Just as good as hunting, eh?"
<Seryf> A small sigh from Seryf, drawing both her swords and standing beside Gavin. "And I thought today was going to be a peaceful day...oh well."
> "...pity," the elf says in a drawn out and reluctant sigh. "Try and take them alive, except for the knight," he commands, a sneer at the human warrior.
<Saul> "You know how things are," nods Saul. "Goblins, elves who want to be goblins. All in the life of an adventurer."
> "Okay, boss," one nods, the dirty one getting his sword up and ready.
* Elaine draws her daggers as well, as it seems Gavin has the right idea about the group. "You know, you -are- outnumbered. Are you sure you want to fight?" Elaine notes in amusement.
* Saul raises an eyebrow, and quickly glances back, checking to see if there's anywhere someone could be hiding behind them.
<Elaine> ooc - scratch that, I misread somewhere.
> "Let you drag us to some prison or just hang us," A laugh from the squat bald man, staff twirling. "We ain't fools, lady." A long look to Elaine, "Mmmm, pretty thing..." he eyes the Blade up and down.
> OOC - 1d20, Saul.
<Saul> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Saul rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{14}
> Saul does not see anything but the forest path behind him.
<SirGavin> "If death is the fate you wish, I shall not delay you." Sir Gavin moved forward, not cowed as he moved to engage.
<Elaine> "Ewwww, UGLY thing..." Elaine mutters with a scruched up nose as she notes the leer, as she pulls out her daggers.
> OOC - Okay, I'mg oing to assume combat is starting. Declare your actions to me.
* Saul reaches for his spell components, hands over his pouches like a gunslinger.
<Saul> OOC - Sleep, aimed to hit the cowardly longbowmen first, the melee guys second.
> OOC - Once you state your aim, roll your initiative.
<Saul> roll 1d10+1
<Misukibot> Saul rolled 1d10+1 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{10}
<Seryf> roll 1d10-1
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d10-1 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{8}
<Saul> Cover me, Gavinman!
<SirGavin> roll 1d10-2
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d10-2 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{3}
<SirGavin> OOC: Moving forward.  If the elf is in range, I strike at him, if not, I strike at the closest to me, providing a wall between them and the party sort of.
<SirGavin> OOC: add 5 to that for an 8.
<Elaine> roll 1d10 (-2 reaction, +2 dagger)
<Misukibot> Elaine rolled 1d10 (-2 reaction, +2 dagger) --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
<Seryf> OOC - Moving up with Gavin, probably a bit behind him, looking for any other melee range opponents, and generally covering his flanks. Also, yay 13.
<Saul> OOC - I'm trying to stay behind both of them while I cast, in general. >_>
> roll 1d10
> roll 1d10
> roll 1d10
> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=3 ]{3}
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=10 ]{10}
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
> roll 1d10
> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
> DirtyBroadSword(8)Gavin(8)=Elaine(8)>Saul(10)>Seryf(13)=IronStaffBald(13)=ElfRapier(13)=Archer1(13)>Archer2(17)CleanTwoSword(20)
> OOC - Elaine, Gavin and Mr. Broad Sword go first. Declare your actions each of you, all three will act at the same time.
> *Take your actions.
<SirGavin> OOC: I did.  Who is the closest?
<SirGavin> OOC: *said his action was dependant on whether he could easily attack the elf or not*
> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
> Darius(7)>DirtyBroadSword(8)Gavin(8)=Elaine(8)>Saul(10)>Seryf(13)=IronStaffBald(13)=ElfRapier(13)=Archer1(13)>Archer2(17)CleanTwoSword(20)
> With a cry of bloodthirsty intent, Darius spurs Serith on! Man and smilodon race forward, choosing the one with the two handed sword! Lunging in, swipes with those fell blades take place!
> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{4}
> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{1}
> The first is a total miss! The first is just to the side, and the second has Serith stumble, sending Darius half out of the saddle, dropping one  blade and leaning against the other! Both man and tiger are dazed, badly out of position and right in front of all of the footmen!
> Seeing Darius charge in, the man with the broad sword nods to the missed target of the Beast Tamer, going forward and engaging...Gavin, after amoment of looking at that tiger and making haste towards the knight!
> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{17}
> It's a good strike, but Gavin's shield comes up in the nick of time, deflecting a blade away from his throat!
* SirGavin deflecting the blade moves swiftly into a strong horizontal strike with his blade, seeking to cut him in two.
<SirGavin> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{10}
* Elaine hangs back next to Saul as she begins to twirl her daggers rapidly and making menacing motions with them, smirking madly as she does so, letting the bandits know that they picked a very dangerous group to mess with.
> It's a good swipe, but your blade only dances across his dirty leather armor, the stench of a lack of bathing overwhelming! (Why doesn't anyone around this area bathe, it seems like?)
* Saul pulls out a pouch of dust from his spelt and flings it across the 'tollmen', hoping to catch all of them in the murky depths of sleep. The elf, of course, won't succumb.. but the humans might!
<Saul> roll 2d4
<Misukibot> Saul rolled 2d4 --> [ 2d4=3 ]{3}
> The man with the broad sword slumps over ad this, falling down right in front of Gavin! Then the one with the two handed sword shivers and keels over, but that's it!
> OOC - Now the tier at 13. All act at once,s o go ahead.
> Glancing at his friends as they falla sleep, "This ain't good, boss," eh calsl to the elf, as he rushes up to the side, heavy staff swung at Seryf!
> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{10}
> A clean miss, however, only the ground getting pounded!
> As this happens, "Milala..." is faintly heard! From behind, a ripple in the air a few feet behind the gate! A man in black robes appears, two tiny balls of light darting from his outstretched fingertips towards Gavin!
<Seryf> Smiling as she ducks out of the way of that clumsy staff, Seryf's twin blades whip at the man, to spill his life out...
<Seryf> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{9}
<Seryf> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{14}
> Old and beared is he, as the two darts slam right into Gavin, going through his armor like it doesn't exist!
> roll 2d4+2
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 2d4+2 --> [ 2d4=3 ]{5}
* SirGavin grunts, standing firm though before the assault.
<Seryf> roll 1d8+1
<Seryf> roll 1d8+1
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=4 ]{5}
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=5 ]{6}
> As the elf grunts grimly, "Damn strong travellers..." he observes, darting forward and going after Gavin!
> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{11}
<Saul> "That mage has at least three more spells to throw," mutters Saul. "Elaine! You'll need to try and stop him casting again!"
> A miss of that rapier, however, as twin slashes slice through the bald man and send him to the ground, his innards falling faster than his body!
> Meanwhile, a single arrow flies forth, this aimed...right at Saul, hanging back and having uttered a spell that left one archer asleep!
> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Dungeon_Girl_Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{5}
> But the slim arrow misses by a mile, plunking into a tree trunk far away!
> OOC - Reactions and initiative. Oi.
<Seryf> Smiling while her opponent drops, blood streaked blades shining in the sunlight while Seryf turns to seek the next nearest target...
<Seryf> roll 1d10+4
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d10+4 --> [ 1d10=3 ]{7}
* Saul flinches at the arrow, but sets to work blessing his party in the name of Waukeen. How dare tollmen attempt to wrangle money by this black trade!
* Elaine nods at Saul as she ends her display of weaponry and goes into the fray, following Saul's recommendation and moving towards the mage with the plan of throwing her daggers at him once she's close enough.
<Elaine> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Elaine rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
* Saul takes a long time to cast bless.
* SirGavin moves forward, aiming to get near and strike down the leader of these bandits.
<SirGavin> roll 1d10-2+5
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d10-2+5 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{8}
* Ana (WinNT@ip24-253-133-211.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
* Seryf sets mode: +o Ana
<Ana> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}
<Ana> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=6 ]{6}
<Ana> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
<Ana> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<Ana> roll 1d10
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d10 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
<Ana> Wizard(3)Darius(5)>Seryf(7)>Gavin(8)>Elaine(9)>BroadSword(11)>Elf(12)>Archer(13)>>Saul(End of Round.)
<Ana> "Delsenlo Re Meval Milala!" Words chanted in an insane tongue, two more darts of light appearing! Not backing down, the black robed wizard points towards Saul this time, bolts of light unerringly flying towards the rival spellcaster!
<Ana> roll 2d4+2
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 2d4+2 --> [ 2d4=4 ]{6}
<Ana> They both strike Saul's chest, burns and blood both coming forth at the command of arcane energies!
* Saul staggers, losing the spell and gripping his staff for balance.
<Ana> Slowly righting himself, "Serith, get'em," Darius calls, getting out of the saddle entirely! Without more provacation, the tiger leaps at the elf, fangs bared!
<Ana> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{15}
<Ana> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{19}
<Ana> roll 1d4+1
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d4+1 --> [ 1d4=2 ]{3}
<Ana> While one claw misses, the other tears a gash through chain mail a bloody trail left in the elf's side!
<Ana> OOC - You can act, Seryf, but something is going to happen on the same initiative tick.
<Seryf> Leaping the crude and low wall, Seryf's weapoins flash again, whipping in the air for the mage befgore he can do much further!
<Seryf> roll 1d20
<Seryf> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{19}
<Seryf> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{8}
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{16}
<Seryf> roll 1d8+1
<Seryf> roll 1d8+1
<Seryf> roll 1d8+1
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=2 ]{3}
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=6 ]{7}
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=5 ]{6}
<Ana> The first sword strike is simple - running the mage through! The second comes a moment later, seperating most of his scalp and brains from his head to Seryf's sword and the verdant earth below! Spurts of blood and matter gush out as the mage is killed violently, then...just as this happens?(More)
<Ana> The ground quivers! A light shaking, as if the entire terra firma is being jostled in it's sleep!
<Ana> The elf staggers at this, "What in the name of..." he mutters darkly, glancing back in blanching horror as Seryf severs the mage into paste!
<Ana> "Boooosss..."t he last one up says, his broad sword slacking. "This ain't good...this really ain't good!
* Iddy (~iron_drag@c-67-163-114-219.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) has joined #dunes
<SirGavin> "What madness is this?" Gavin looked over them, moving to deal with them quickly and move away from the cliff.
* Seryf looks around in surprise, her by now blood soaked swords still held at the ready, wondering just what is happening.
* Iddy is now known as Darius
* Saul staggers, stumbling away from the cliff.
<Ana> OOC - Act, Gavin.
<Ana> The rumbling continues very softly, then a sharp note of shaking, then a lesser rumble. (-2 all attack rolls currently due to sahking.(
<SirGavin> OOC: So +1 from Merc and -2 from shaking?
<Ana> OOC - Right.
* SirGavin moves to strike down the elf quickly.
<SirGavin> roll 1d20-1
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d20-1 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{17}
<SirGavin> OOC: +1 in other words.  so that's a 19.
<SirGavin> OOC: No wait, 17.  Grawr
<SirGavin> OOC: anyhow, 17, hits an AC 2?
<Ana> OOC - Hit. Damage.
<SirGavin> roll 2d4+2
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 2d4+2 --> [ 2d4=6 ]{8}
* SirGavin brings his sword powerfully down across the distracted elf, seeking to rend him apart.
<Ana> It does a very good job of that - a deep gash in his chest, drawing a magnificent blood flow! But despite it and the shaking he stays up, as...
<Ana> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Ana rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{12}
<Ana> "...this ain't worth it," the guy with the broad sword calls, darting back and running behind the gate, fleeing!
<Ana> "....damn it..." The elf staggers, shield arm drooping as blood gushes freely...as the, another SHARPER shake, as if the ground is being tossed nito the air like a pizza pie!
<SirGavin> OOC: Wait, I have another attack ;_; ^^;
<Ana> OOC - Do it now, then.
<Ana> OOC - See if you can finish him.
<SirGavin> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{7}
<Ana> OOC - Not happening.
<SirGavin> OOC: No.
<SirGavin> OOC =D
<Ana> OOC - Reactions, all.
* SirGavin swings trying to finish him off, his blade missing as he's jostled by the shaking ground.
<SirGavin> "Hurry, move away from the cliff edge." Gavin orders, staying between the enemies and as much of the party as possible until they get moving.
* Elaine nods as she takes Gavin's order to heart, given the current ground state, looking for an opponent amongst those left of the bandits.
<Ana> There aren't many left - it's easy to fall back, too, but...another final quake then...nothing?
<Ana> Staggering back more, on his knees amid the carnage..."Stop..." the elf cries, head going down as his sword drops, hand at his bleeding chest.
* Saul stumbles back, the only thing presently on his mind to put himself back together.
* Seryf moves away cautiously, blades kept up and ready with an intense look of not quite enjoyment in the feel of battle.
<SirGavin> "What is this, Elf?"
<Ana> "Don't...know.." he gasps, trying to stay on his knees and not keel over, the blood not stopping.
* Saul takes the opportunity to cast a healing spell on himself.
<Ana> No shaking now, quiet returning as no one seems to oppose the now distant and fleeing broadswordsman.
<Ana> OOC - enact your spell then I'll go, Saul
<Saul> roll 1d8
<Misukibot> Saul rolled 1d8 --> [ 1d8=7 ]{7}
* Saul chants and glows with a soft light, the only wounds remaining having been dealt to his unfortunate clothing.
<Ana> As this happens, healing occuring...not the breaking of Earth, but the sounds of a great splash from below! Water arcs up high, great billows of aqua sent flyin gin sun speckled glory!
* Saul pulls himself upright, glancing about, before cautiously starting for the cliff edge, glancing over to see if anything has changed.
* SirGavin turns, watching where Saul's going, but not moving towards the cliff, not trusting his footing entirely.
<Seryf> Keeping an eye on the elf, frowning darkly. "Gavin, the sleeping ones...?" she asks, waitng on the officer of the kingdom in their little group. "And that...elf," she mutters, voice unhappy at the admission of him to her own kind.
<SirGavin> "Let's tie them up.  Quickly."
* Seryf sets mode: +v Darius
* Darius retrives his swords, keeping them in his hands, ready for a quick finishing blow should they wake up.
* Elaine looks slightly put out that she didn't get to actually see any battle, but at least she wasn't knocked out like with those stinking gobs, but merely walks closer to the others since the battle seems to be over.
* Darius heads over to Seryf, helping her to tie the still asleep bandits up.
* SirGavin is now known as Drac-eats
* Ana (WinNT@ip24-253-133-211.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
* Drac-eats is now known as SirGavin
> As Darius and the others begin tying up, they note the elf is fumbling for something at his belt, a small vial with blue liquid. Meanwhile...(Saul, PM.)
* SirGavin is checking out what is making that noise?
> Saul goes to the edge fo the cliff, looking down...
* Saul gapes and turns around, running back to the forest! "Run! It's a wyvern or a dragon or.. I don't know, *something!*"
* SirGavin eyes widen, and nods, grabbing for the prisoners and moving towards the woods. "Let's get under some cover."
* Darius looks at Serith and gulps.
> "D-D..." the elf gasps weakly, fumbling with that vial, trying to brin git up to his lips, shivering.
* Seryf nods sharply, grabbiing that elf and dragging him with as well.
* Darius grabs the wounded elf and tosses him over Serith's saddle.
<Darius> "Don't move, don't speak, don't try anything. If you do, I'll kill you. There's a dragon or something comming up, we're leaving. Don't mess with us right now, got it?"
> OOC - Can I assume you're just going to drag the elf along?
> The last archer turns, and without a word, runs like all the hounds of hell are after him!
<Darius> OOC- No, I slung him over Serith's Saddle.
<SirGavin> OOC: I think we all grabbed him >_>
<Saul> OOC: He's well and truly coming with us.
<Saul> >_>
<SirGavin> OOC: Oh well.  Whatever, we're carrying the prisoners towards the woods?
> OOc - Okay.
> A great roar from below, as if the heavens are being shaken! A sky shattering cry, the very world cowering in fear, as soaring up and cloaking the sun out...a great dragon! Scales the color of green sea water and wings like the foam of a seacrest, it's roar sounds as it cries out, looking about. Balefully it looks down, those dragon eyes surveying all in the area! "Who dares continue to make human distractions so close to Xan'Trea?"
> As this happens the prisoners are dragged to the woods, the party speeding back to the cover of the woods! (Elaborate where, exactly.
<SirGavin> OOC: Away from the cliff and the dragon?
> OOc - Down the path or into the woods outright? That's what I want to know, really.
<Saul> OOC - The woods outright.
<SirGavin> OOC: The woods outright
> OOC - Okay, you're in there by a little bit. Reactions and actions, people.
<Seryf> OOC - I like my treecover. *nods*
<Darius> OOC- Keep the fuck going is my reaction.
<Saul> OOC - Ditto.
<Seryf> Eyes widening quite a bit at the appearance of such a creature. "Do we...try to reason with it?" she whispers to her fellow party members, trying to remain quiet while they move away and away from the monster
* SirGavin whispers back. "I'm not sure...while cowardice is..undesirable, we shouldn't seek to fight and kill it without reason..."
* Darius stares at Seryf.
* Saul stares at Gavin.
<Saul> "There's no cowardice in fleeing from an unbeatable foe," he says, disgustedly. "If it wants a culprit.. well.. it wasn't *our* fault we had to fight. We could just hand him" - a gesture towards the elf- "over."
* SirGavin gestures once their in the woods, speaking quickly and softly. "let's lay low for now."
> The elf isn't doing much besides bleeding and clutching to that vial tight. "Urgh...." he whimpers in pain, as:
<Darius> "Saul, can you do something to keep this fool alive?"
<Saul> "We have more pressing concerns," note Saul, blandly. "If he's not dead once they're dealt with, I'll heal him."
> Looking about and glaring at the battle ground, the dragon takes a deep breath, seeing the downed humans.
> The dragon's gaze sweeps about, to the battle ground to the forest to the paths beyond, seeming to burn into everything its ees...
* Saul grabs the captures elf by his neck, and stalks out towards the dragon, his natural greed, perhaps, giving him courage! "Wait!"
<Elaine> "What's Saul doing?" Elaine whispers towards the others, as she watches the cleric-mage step into the open.
> Oh, that dragon turns right to you, elf bleeding profusely as you do! "Elf..." the dragon rumbles, little puffs of air coming from it's reptile nose. "You DARE disturb a dragon's rest?"
* Darius sighs and squares his shoulders.
<Darius> "Well, it's been fun so far, guys. If we don't live through this, just wanted you all to know that."
<Darius> "So, are we going to go out there and help him... Or not?"
* SirGavin stares in shock.
<Saul> "I would not dare!" shouts Saul, shaking his head pitifully. "No, I tremble at the very thought! Mighty Lord Dragon, I would never have the courage to disturb your rest!"
<Saul> (More.)
<Elaine> "Well...at least he's a good suck up, right?" Elaine mutters in favor of Saul's foolhardy action.
<Saul> "No, it was not I who would do such a thing, but I was forced to defend myself from.. from these common bandits!" he says. "Forgive me for awakening you- but had I known you were here, I would have fled, rather than risk awakening you by defending myself."
<Seryf> "And quite insane," Seryf adds quietly, swallowing hard on their friend's actions.
* Darius sighs.
<Darius> "So, are we going to leave him out there alone?"
* SirGavin whispers. "We'd do nothing good by interrupting him...Let's wait and position ourselves to try and save him if he can't talk his way out of it."
<Darius> "Alright. I'll see if Serith is willing to carry him back if this does turn out like I think it will."
> A rumble from that dragonic mouth, staring ahead hard at Saul. "Elfkind...Prove your actions," it snarls. "I smelt an elf disturbing my slumber!"
> Flying in a little closer, closr to the edge of the cliff and Saul...OOC - Saving throw versus petrification, Rat. +1.
<Elaine> "Well...at least he doesn't want to kill -you-, Gavin, right?" Elaine whispers.
<Saul> roll 1d20+1
<Misukibot> Saul rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{14}
<Saul> OOC: Pass, I think.
<Saul> OOC:  Yeah, pass by 4.
> Saul feels fear batter at him, but he stands firm despite stomach melting terror!
* Saul tosses the captive elf in front of him, trying to ignore the shaking at his boots. "He lead the bandits, mighty one!"
* Darius unslings his bow and readies an arrow.
<Darius> "All Gods, I pray.. Let me land a shot in it's eye if I need to fire.."
* SirGavin blinks at Darius, moving more in position to run out and grab Saul and keep running, sheathing his sword.
> "Did he...drop him," the dragon commands abruptly.
<Saul> OOC: Already did.
> OOC - Oh.
> OOC - Go me.
> "Step away," the dragon commands sharply, starting to fly in closer, oh god it's so close and big and oh god it's...OOC - Fear checks for everyone else, +1. Save versus petrification.
<SirGavin> roll 1d20+1
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{14}
<Elaine> roll 1d20+1
<Misukibot> Elaine rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{13}
<SirGavin> OOC: fail by 1.
<Darius> roll 1d20+1
<Misukibot> Darius rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{6}
<Seryf> roll 1d20+1
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{15}
<Darius> roll 1d20+1 for Serith
<Misukibot> Darius rolled 1d20+1 for Serith --> [ 1d20=15 ]{16}
* Saul bolts.
> Those effected feel terrible fear overwhelming them, loosening bladders, wrecking fearful havoc, and inducing a -2 to all attack rolls while effected. The sort of fear that leads one to want to die, as Saul flees back to the woods!
> As this happens, the dragon swoops in, down with a command. "Not too far, other elf," the dragon calls, before chomping down and swallowing the rapier wielding elf in a gulp!
* Saul obediantly stays nearby. I mean, what do you say to a dragon? No?
<Seryf> Following her most immediately natural instinct, Seryf finds the thickest part of the foliage within easy reach, slipping into it to hide.
* Elaine remains silent, watching the dragon, looking for the first sign that she should be bolting.
> Sniffing the air as it gulps the elf down, it's scaled neck moves once as that elf surely finds it's last moments inside that maw! The gruesome chewing echos throughout, the slightest sound of metal, bone and flesh being rended!
<Elaine> What a gruesome sight...Elaine isn't sure she wants to tell a tale of -this- part of the adventure as she watches in horrified awe.
> Tossing it's neck up and seeming to revel a moment, Xan'Trea finishing. "Elf..." it rumbles, then coming low to rest on the ground. "Come to me."
* Saul slowly walks towards the dragon, looking at it in the eyes, somewhow.
* SirGavin flinches, staying put and forcing himself not to flee, even as he quivered within his armor.
* Elaine cringes, as it looks like the dragon is still interested in Saul. 'Please don't let that idiot die...' she prays to Waukeen. She might not be a follower of Waukeen, but Saul definitely is.
> It's head comes right up to you, dragonic mouth only a foot from Saul! It then sniffs once, eyeing the elf, before, "Begone," it says in it's softest voice, finally. "Go back to quivering with your kind in the woodlands."
* Darius grips his bow, white knuckled, an arrow in the other hand, shaking.
* Saul eyes the dragon, somehow forces a nod, and backs away to the forest.
> Once Saul is a little bit away, the dragon roars again! A great sound, it's tail thrashing and knocking some of those piled logs around and apart like twigs! Then it takes off into the sky, circling once before desending down the cliff!
* Darius drops to his knees in relief before looking at Saul.
* Saul slowly emerges from the woods after a long, long moment, staring at the sky the dragon once occupied. Shaking his head, and setting his jaw, he ignores his companions and heads to his real aim- the body of the fallen mage.
<Darius> "If you ever do anything like that again, I'll have Serith claw the meat from your body."
<SirGavin> "T-that..was..interesting...whatever possessed you to do that, Saul?"
* Saul abruptly turns around, and raises his finger to his lips.
* Saul then proceeds to check out the mages corpse.
* Elaine sighs with relief as the dragon departs and she nods in agreement with the statement from both men.
<Seryf> "Well...it DID work..." Seryf notes quietly.
* Usagi (WinNT@user-4309.lns3-c10.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
* ChanServ sets mode: +oa Usagi Usagi
* Midnight (danchou@adsl-210-31-36.mco.bellsouth.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
* Darius puts the arrow back in his quiver, and slings his bow, using Serith's saddle to lever himself back to standing and then stumbles out after Saul with the cat's help.
* SirGavin moves to help loot, and checks on the other prisoners they absconed with.
> OOC - I'll go over the loot you guys find from the other bodies, already PMed Saul what the wizard had.
* Seryf finally extracts herself from the forest, helping out with the usual body searching, and finding a rag to clean her swords.
* Saul pauses, stands up from the mage and bites back a curse. He checks out the fortifications, to see if there's any place someone might hide a spellbook.
> From the bald staff guy - Iron Quarterstaff and a pouch with 21 SP inside. From the elf - nothing, but he did drop his rapier, you note. (Since he's, you know, eaten.) The unconcious archer has 25 flight arrows, a longbow in okay shape, and a 8 CPs on him. The two handed sworder has his two handed sword, well kept padded armor worn, and a pouch with a single GP in it. Must not have brought much money?
<SirGavin> "Let's check their fortress, and then get these two we caught out of here.'
* Seryf nods, picking up the arrows and bow in particular, lightly testing it. "Right."
> Saul goes to the wooden and half ruined fortress first. It's mostly just banded together logs, nothing fancy at all. There is another quiver of arrows left behind, 25 flight arrows found in it. That's it, though, no chest with loot or anything so lucky at the moment.
<Darius> "Hmm.. They have no packs, and no food.. Near-by camp?"
* Saul curls his hands into quivering fists, and a look of intense frustration covers his face. When Darius speaks, though, his face brightens. "Yes. What I was thinking. Can you track them?" he whispers, fervently.
* Darius shrugs.
<Darius> "We can try. The dragon might have made a mess of the tracks, though.. It's sent might have covered the trail, too, for Serith. We can try, though."
<Seryf> "I can," Seryf shrugs, smiling a little.
<Saul> "Good. Yes, let's do that, then," he whispers. "Seryf. If I.. if I even look like I'm going to do something like that again."
<Saul> "Knock me out."
<Saul> "Please."
<Elaine> "If she forgets, I'll do it for her, you lunatic," Elaine pipes up with a shake of her head. "Jeez..."
<Darius> roll 1d20 to find the Bandit trail
<Misukibot> Darius rolled 1d20 to find the Bandit trail --> [ 1d20=3 ]{3}
<Seryf> "Sure thing," Seryf answers, a bit more brightly.
<Seryf> roll 1d20
<Misukibot> Seryf rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{20}
<Darius> roll 1d20-4 for Serith to track
<Misukibot> Darius rolled 1d20-4 for Serith to track --> [ 1d20=20 ]{16}
> The party seems to have no reservation to leave this scenic cape alone, heading off! Following the trail is easy for the three...except as soon as you've left the bend behind, Serith and Seryf thinks it heads right into the woods, and Darius wants tos ay it heads along the path further.
<Saul> "Split up, I think," says Saul. "I'll go with Seryf. Elaine, you go with Darius. We'll meet up back here."
<Seryf> "Mmm...yeah, who knows. They could've just taken a walk in this direction," Seryf nods, tapping the earth.
* Darius shrugs.
<SirGavin> OOC: You being me?
<SirGavin> "Mmm, fine."
* SirGavin shrugs. "Lead off, Darius. Meet back here if we don't find anything?"
<Darius> "Sounds good. We should move further off the road to meet, though.. Say, where we were when the dragon showed up?"
* SirGavin nods.
<SirGavin> OOC: *pokes the others?*
<Seryf> Seryf nods, beginning to head down the path she seems to have found. "Right, let's move out."
> OOC - Who's going where now?
* Saul follows Seryf, shaking his head as he thinks about what he just did.
* Darius moves down his path with Elaine and Serith.
<Darius> OOC- Elaine and Serith are going with me, Saul and Seryf are following Seryf's path.. I'm not sure what Gavin is doing.
<SirGavin> OOC:...I am now confused o__o
<SirGavin> OOC: Since I thought saul was implying I go with Darius
<SirGavin> OOC: And elain and Seryf went with him.
<SirGavin> OOC: Bah, comma/period.
<Saul> OOC: Go with darius.
<Saul> OOC: three in each group.
<SirGavin> OOC: *is confushed how THAT math works* but...okay.
* SirGavin follows Darius. "Come on."
<Darius> OOC- Wait, wait.. I've already got Serith and Elaine.
<Saul> OOC: Oh, uh, never mind.
* SirGavin follows Saul then and god dammit I don't care let's just go >_>
* Darius *goes* down the path with Elaine and Serith.
> Saul, Darius and Elaine are going one way. I'll quickly sketch out the other path in for Seryf and the others.
<Elaine> OOC: CHOO-CHOO! EVERYONE GET ON THE PILE-UP TRAINS!
<SirGavin> OOC: @_@
> Darius, Serith and Elaine continue on! Not too much farther down, the path leads to a clearing at the side of the road. Some tents are here, five in total, in a circle around a stoned line campfire ring. Looks like it.
* Darius stares at Serith for a moment.
* Elaine attempts to listen for sounds of the bandits, just in case they're planning a trap like those goblins had.
> Serith looks at the camp before lowering her feline head. No one is around in the camp that you see...
<Elaine> roll 1d100
<Misukibot> Elaine rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=70 ]{70}
> Stalking to the sides of this clearing, Serith looks around...
> Elaine doesn't hear anything unusual.
<Elaine> "I don't hear anything unusual, but they could be hiding or something," Elaine whispers to the other half-elf
* Darius nods.
<Darius> roll 1d20 for tracking
<Misukibot> Darius rolled 1d20 for tracking --> [ 1d20=16 ]{16}
<Darius> "Hmm.. I'm not seeing any extra tracks.. And Serith isn't finding anything either.."
<Darius> "Just walk out, then?"
<Darius> "Though.. I'm not getting a good feeling about this.. Wait a minute."
* Darius stares off into the trees across the camp.
<Elaine> "Hrm? What's up?" Elaine asks as she pulls out her daggers again. "Did you sense something?"
<Darius> "I'm going to have Serith go get the others and come back here.
> OOC - Going to wait for the others?
<Darius> OOC-Yep.
<Elaine> "Oh...alright," Elaine says with a nod.
> It's not long until a slightly more battered group of friends return. As if they went in a wild goose chase into the trees...
> Serith returns with them, slinking back from Seryf's side to Darius smoothly.
* Darius stares at them for a second.
* Saul gazes at the camp, then glances at Darius. "Is anyone hiding?"
<Darius> "What happened to you guys?"
<Elaine> "Have fun, guys?" Elaine asks before responding to Saul, "Haven't seen anyone enter or leave since we arrived."
* Saul nods. "Let's look around, then," he says, walking out into the camp.
<Darius> "Not that we can find.. Serith isn't scenting anything, and I haven't seen any tracks. But, I remember the stories about the goblin camp, so decided better safe than sorry."
<Seryf> "Mmm," Seryf nods, drawing just one sword. "So...let's begin the search?" she prompts, looking to the others.
<Darius> "Sounds good. Splint in to pairs or just go in?"
<Darius> OOC- Splint/Split*
<Saul> "However you want," replies Saul, absently, heading into the nearest tent.
<Elaine> "Well, can't Saul just cast sleep and put to sleep anyone who might be there?" Elaine asks, looking towards the cleric-mage.
* SirGavin follows Saul in, in case someone happens to ambush him.
> OOC - Going to start searching?
<SirGavin> OOC: Yeah, in pairs, at random~
<Saul> OOC - Yup. Going to give it to us all in one go, or what? >_>
> OOC - Okay, I'll outline the basics.
* Elaine shrugs as the other two simply begin to walk towards the tents and joins them to go searching.
* Darius glances at Seryf.
<Darius> "Shall we, then?"
> Two tents have nothing of note - used for sleep pretty clearly. The third has food in it, and a lot. A tleast two weeks of wild game and berries perserved, and it looks pretty tasty. The fourth has a heavy iron chest, a massive iron lock on it. The fifth...a single person's bedroom, another smaller iron chest inside.
* Saul tries opening the smaller iron chest.
> The smaller chest is surprisingly unlocked, no lock seen. Lucky! A heavy cloth bound tome is here...a spellbook?!
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
* Saul quickly picks up the book and flips through it, ecstatic.
* Darius tests the lock on the larger chest, checking to see how difficult it would be to bash it open.
<Elaine> "What'd you find, Saul?" Elaine asks as she comes into the tent where Saul is and sees him flipping through a book.
> It's pretty damn sturdy. It won't be easy, it's bulky as hell. Also, you notice there isn't a keyhole.
* Darius tries to simply open it, wary of traps.
> There's a fair bit in here, but looks ilke a low level spellboo...reading it all could take Saul awhile.
> The chest won't open without the lock being opened or forced somehow. Simply opening it does nothing.
* Darius scratches his head and calls in Gavin and Seryf.
<SirGavin> "Huh?"
* Saul nods, immensly satisfied, and turns to Elaine, happy. "I have my prize," he says, putting it into his packback. "Now, then.. oh, yes. The mage was wearing a ring," he says, musing, and he takes a close look at it.
* SirGavin heads over to Darius.
<Darius> "We need to bash this one open.. Who wants to give it a shot?"
* Seryf blinks at the lock. "Where's that iron quarterstaff?" she asks curiously.
<SirGavin> OOC: It has a lock or not?
> It's pretty battered and old, nothing of note on it for Saul.
<SirGavin> OOC: didn't it have no keyhole?
<Seryf> OOC - It does.
<Darius> OOC- it has a lock, but one with no keyhole.
> It has a lock, Gavin, but no keyhole.
<SirGavin> "What for?" Gavin turned the box around, examining it from all sides.
* Saul nods, and pockets the ring, deciding to try casting detect magic on it later.
> OOC - Str check +3, Gavin.
<SirGavin> roll 1d20+3
<Misukibot> SirGavin rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{22}
> No good, it's too heavy for Gavin to lift!
<Seryf> "If we're going to have to break this thing open..." Seryf shrugs, humming. "Or that two handed sword...I'm certainly not trying to cut iron with my swords."
<SirGavin> OOC: *Blinks*
> OOC - You said you were trying to turn it, it's too heavy. Extremely heavy.
* Saul glances at the bigger chest. "Perhaps one of our prisoners can tell us how to open it," he says, eyeing them.
<SirGavin> "This is...pretty heavy." Gavin groaned, letting it go.
> OOC - Gack, I knew to forget to get something in order. Stupid prisoners.
<SirGavin> OOC: Yeah.
> Having been kept along and awake now, the two prisoners eye their captors. "Shut up," the former greatswordsman grumbles.
<Darius> "I suppose.. Put the fear of Serith into them?"
* Darius smirks.
> "Yeee..." the archer shivers, "The wizard opens it somehow..." he explains. "It locks when he's done with it, it's where we keep our loot!"
<SirGavin> "So, where is the bounty you've been stealing from travelers?" Gavin asked.
> "Oh, shut up," the clean man sighs, "Have some loyalty to the dead, at least?"
<SirGavin> OOC: Saul, knock spell from the spellbook?
<Saul> OOC: Gavin, no dice, I couldn't cast it anyway.
<Saul> OOC: I'll try his ring!
<Saul> OOC: Oh, and read that scroll.
* Saul reads the scroll he pockets.
<Saul> *pocketed.
<Seryf> "They're dead," Seryf notes, shrugging. "Much as you could be...what loyalty is there to be had towards them in a venture such as this?"
* Darius grins and sends a command to Serith.
> "She's right, Oldare," the archer sighs. "Look, I liked Balphon for what he was, but he's DEAD."
> As Serith goes around, "...bah," the other one grumps, as Serith goes to him. Digging in with her claws, a great cat roar comes, right in his face!
* SirGavin blinks.
* SirGavin glances back at Darius.
* Darius grins at Gavin.
<Seryf> "Serith..." Seryf shakes her head, smiling a little. "Unnecessary, dear."
> "AAAAH!" he screams, falling bakc. "FINEFINEFINE! I get it!"
<SirGavin> Control your cat.
<SirGavin> "Control your cat, Darius."
<Darius> "Shes hungry, what can I say?"
> Serith slinks back, this time to Seryf, and settles at her feet, virtually purring away.
> "Fine! He says some word and the lock opens," the greatswordsman stares openly at Serith.
* Darius wanders into the tent holding the food stores and returns with a slab of meat, feeding Serith by hand.
<Seryf> Smiling a bit, petting and rubbing the giant predator. "Well maybe we should let her chew on some of the meat?" the elven maiden asks.
* Elaine shakes her head in slight amusement as the swordsman opens right up after some prodding from the feline.
<Seryf> "...Or you could beat me to it," Seryf laughs outright.
* Saul puts away the scroll, shaking his head. "No clues there. Perhaps he wrote something about it in his spellbook," he says. "Hmm. I will need to study it. Perhaps we should camp here tonight."
* SirGavin blinks.
<SirGavin> "Sounds fine to me.  Should be defensible enough."
<Darius> "We'll have to find some more meat for her soon. That bit will tide her over, but she's big and hasn't eaten today, yet."
* Darius stares at the prisioners with a small smile.
* Saul nods, and retreats into the formers mages tent, fervently studying his spellbook.
<Saul> "This man was stronger than me," he comments. "Much stronger. A pity he decided to waste his talent on simple banditry..."
* SirGavin sat near the prisoners. "So, what in tarnations convinced a group of bandits to set up camp above a dragon's lair?"
> As Saul studies and the others get to business, "Like we knew......wha?"
> Gavin is so addressed, as Serith stays closer to her near namesake, before getting up, as if to lead her to the supply tent.
<Seryf> Seryf raises an eyebrow, getting up as Serith does. "Hungry? You could go hunting, Serith..."
<SirGavin> "Wha?" Gavin blinked and shrugged, setting up to keep watch while the others were getting the camp/dinner ready.

[Anastasia]

Bonus wrap up logs! See Saul! See Saul use brain! Use brain, Saul, use brain! Now with extra hot and spicy Gavinry added in!

--

> ---
> That evening, by the light of a single tallow candle, Saul fervently spends his time with a recovered tome of magery. A cloth bound book, written in a large and looping hand, ranging to and fro from subjects arcana to the more mundane.  In the first few pages, the first spell becomes evident - Detect Magic. An old mage stable, understandibly so.
> *staple
* Saul continues to flip through the pages, glancing through the text in the book not directly related to spellcasting as well.
> Right after that familiar incantation, you find a rambling rant that goes nowhere at all magically. Nothing of note, only the ramblings of someone maybe just a little too into writing. The next magery is another familiar one - Read Magic.
* Saul idly wonders where this man learned his trade, and why he decided to take up banditry. Ah, well.
> Next is another magery, this one VERY familiar to Saul and Gavin: Magic Missile, ten pages devoted to intriacate diagrams and names to call on, phrases of power to be spoken.
* Saul winces, but nods as he goes over the spell, deciding to save copying it into his book for later.
> After that, another rant, shorter. 'Oh Sun God above, the apex of your journey shall open my eyes.'. Then another magery, Hand Lighting - it bears a familiarance to an extreme with another similiarly named spell, Shocking Grasp.
* Saul blinks. A pious mage? Not unheard of, but.. well, perhaps he's just rambling. He seems the type.
> Going on, another incantation - this one too difficult for Saul to comprehend, but the title is 'Cloaking Light of the Eternal Night.'
* Saul assumes it's either a darkness spell or an invisibilty spell, but reserves judgement, and continues to read.
> More ranting, one small fragment away from the others. 'In the name of the forgotten, let me speak of that word in the lost script.'.
* Saul glances at the bit, checking to see if it goes anywhere, or refers to what that script might be.
> Nope, the other ramblings on the page are totally unrelated.
* Saul grumbles, but continues reading.
> Having gone through at least 50 pages of long and winding script, the spellbook's writing ends. But at the very last page, 'The union of the two leads past the apex.'
* Saul puts the book down, and on that final page, jots down the other two phrases above it, assuming they have something meaningful to them. What, exactly, is quite a puzzle, presumably with meaning only to the mage himself.
<Saul> "The first phrase is simple," he says to himself. "The Apex of the Sun's journey is, of course, when it is highest in the sky."
<Saul> "The second phrase indicates some word should be spoken," he continues. "And the final part indicates that when both of these events occur concurrently.. well, *something* will happen."
<Saul> "If they're linked at all, of course." He sets that thought aside for now- lots of work to do today, as he opens his own book and starts to scribe the two new spells he *can* understand.
> OOC - MAke checks on each, declaring which you're trying at each roll.
<Saul> roll 1d100 magic missile!
<Saul> Ow.
> OOC - Sec.
* Rei-chan (WinNT@user-6522.lns3-c11.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
* Anastasia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
<Saul> roll 1d100 magic missile!
<Rei-chan> 12,0Saul rolled :12,0 1d100 12,0magic missile! --> 12,0 10
<Saul> OOC: yar pass
<Saul> roll 1d100 shocking grasp!
<Rei-chan> 12,0Saul rolled :12,0 1d100 12,0shocking grasp! --> 12,0 16
<Saul> OOC: Shocking!
<Saul> OOC: By the way, if you try to scribe a spell from a scroll, do you lose the scroll? >_>
> OOC: Yeah.
> OOC: That only applies to scrolls or other one shot items, though, of a like type.
<Saul> OOC: Even if you *fail* to scribe it?
> OOC: Mmmm. I'll check if that rule is covered, and if not, I'll rule on it myself a little later.
<Saul> OOC: Ok.
<Saul> OOC: Now I have some questioning to do.
> OOC: Whatcha gonna do?
<Saul> OOC: Pester the prisioners.
* Saul closes both books, and abruptly stands up, turning to walk towards the prisoners.
* SirGavin (WinNT@vpnwl-228-69.net.rpi.edu) has joined #dunes
> Heading out to one of the directly unused tents, Saul goes out! Sitting at the front and keeping an eye at two prisoners in there, bound. The tent flap is propped up, the knight warrior keeping his watch as the remnants of his dinner sit in a bowl at his feet.
<Saul> "Gavin," says Saul, in greeting. "I need to talk to them. Are they awake?"
* Anastasia sets mode: +o SirGavin
* SirGavin checks, looking over the prisoners.
> Both are awake, having been at least fed and given water. They look out, quiet and not talking, really, glaring sullenly.
* Saul walks forward, looking down at them and gazing, calmly.
<Saul> "Your mage friend. What was his name?"
> "Balphon," th earcher replies without hesitation, nodding. "Look...you don't seem like bad folks. You ain't gonna hang us, are you," he asks outright. "Maybe if we help you, you'll be willin' to let us go in the night, since you want information?"
<Saul> "I will do all in my power to see that you aren't executed," says Saul, honestly. "Imprisionment, perhaps."
<SirGavin> "I don't know about that...  But we'll see about forgetting that you didn't come peacefully."  Gavin nodded in agreement with Saul.
* Saul doesn't mention, but currently feels more than a little guilty after feeding the elf to the dragon. Highwayman or not...
> "Thank you, sirs," the archer replies, as the taller, cleaner man glares to his friend. "What do you need to know? Anythin' to avoid the nooseman."
<Saul> "The mage. When he opened the chest, what time of day was it?"
> "Hm..." Considering that, "Whenever we got back, usually. Wasn't usually until sometime int he 'noon or evening." Nodding, "Once we counted everything, he'd go put it in there."
<Saul> "Hmm. And you have no idea what he said to open it," continues Saul, thinking. "I wonder... nonetheless. Do you have any idea what langauges he spoke?"
> "Yeah...now that you mention it..." the archer goes on. "He spoke this funny stuff sometimes - said it was an old languauge back before Zamzar and all that! Really ancient stuff."
* Merc-zzz is now known as Merc
<Saul> OOC: Y'know, I know an ancient langauge.
<Saul> OOC: I don't actually know what it *is*.
<Saul> OOC: >_>
> OOC: I know. It's just generic 'ancient'. <_< >_>
<Saul> OOC: It could just be a generic 'ancient langauge' skill or a specific language- aha.
> OOC: Le hint. <_<
<Saul> "But you can't repronounce anything he said," continues Saul, thinking.
> "You kiddin? I can barely remember what it sounded like, like oil through my head." Finally the other, dainty man speaks up. "I overheard him with the chest once. It started with an R, I think, but it's really hard to remember. It's ilke a non sense word."
* Saul thinks of words in the ancient tounges that a) have something do with the sky, sun, or horizon, b) begin with R.
> OOC - Mmm. Make a prof check on languagues. I think that's INT.
<Saul> roll 1d20
<Rei-chan> 12,0Saul rolled :12,0 1d20 --> 12,0 7
<Saul> OOC: paaaas.
<Saul> OOC: Yeah, it is.
* Merc is now known as Elaine
> "Hey, Knight boy," the archer calls. "I mean, sir knight...can we get seconds," he asks hopefully.
<SirGavin> "Sure, why not."
* SirGavin goes to get the two a second helping since they're being helpful, but keeping an eye on them still while he does so.
* Saul nods. "Hmm. We'll see if this works," he says, heading towards the chest. Standing before it, he pronounces "Rosayala!" in a clear voice, trying not to think of how silly he'll look if the chest doesn't open.
> There is a soft clink! A feeling of a lock shift, before the chest simply pops open, the lock falling away! Wooow...the shine of coins inside glistens and glows in the faint light Saul brings, gold and silver and copper, oh my!
<Saul> "Aha! Gavin! Elaine! I opened it!" pronounces Saul, taking a quick estimate of how many coins are in there.
* SirGavin blinks handing the two prisoners another dish and looking. "Wow, they've definitely been busy."
* Elaine runs into the tent at the cry from the cleric-mage. "You opened the chest?" she asks in both surprise and excitement.
<Saul> "Mmhmm. And Tomo said I had no head for riddles, too."
<SirGavin> "Nice job, Saul."
<Saul> "Mmm, thank you," replies Saul. "Here, have you got a sack, or something? The chest is too heavy to take with us, I think... wonder how they got it here in the first place?"
> -------------