The Dunge-- Monastery!

[Corwin]

[16:30] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> <-->
[16:31] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Al'Maz, Thaeos, and Kethean have left the town on Saradush, riding towards a monastery that Al'Maz
 has suggested they search. Veering off the
[16:31] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> well-trodded main road and into the northen forests, they spend some time wandering around the leafy
 confines, just looking for the place.
[16:31] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> The sun slowly sets, and the filtered light that shines through the gaps in the foliage is more
 disconcerting than illuminating. Even with
[16:31] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos reading a map Al'Maz had, the going is slow, and the group barely finds the place they seek.
[16:31] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> A place of former grandeur, now lost amongst this wave of green- a testament to the transient power
 of man against the ever-steady power of
[16:31] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> nature. They glimpse the corner of a stone-wrought wall, still standing, despite cracks and the
 impacts of weather and age. It surrounds a large area, from what you can tell, the wall itself not boasting any parapets or
 battlements- a simple thing, only a few meters high. It's an aesthetic creation, though, evenly spaced and neatly laid out.
[16:36] <Thaeos> "Well... How do you want to do this, then? Just go right in?"
[16:38] * Maz shrugs. "Not really my thing. How about we scout it?"
[16:39] * Thaeos shrugs.
[16:40] <Thaeos> "I suppose. You want to keep watch on the enterence just in case and I can circle around real quick?"
[16:42] <Maz> "Sure, I'll wait here," Maz agrees. "Just don't try sneaking inside if you find the entrance, alright?"
[16:42] * Rei-chan (WinNT@user-2273.wfd74a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[16:42] <Thaeos> "Yeah, I think I've learned my lesson.."
[16:43] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean glances at the wall, remaining silent and contemplative for now.
[16:43] * Thaeos rubs the back of his neck.
[16:43] * Thaeos slides out of his saddle and hands the lead to Maz, and heads into the forest, but keeping the wall in sight.
[16:44] <Thaeos> roll d20+10 for Move Silently
[16:44] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=7 ]{17}
[16:44] <Thaeos> roll d20+10 for Hide
[16:44] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=9 ]{19}
[16:44] <Thaeos> roll d20+9 for Search
[16:44] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=15 ]{24}
[16:45] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos moves through the forest like a ghost, not sound or sight in evidence of his passing! His
 trained eyes move across the wall- now that he's paying attention, he can notice the presence of strange murals all
 alongside it, like nothing he's seen outside a temple.
[16:46] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> And after rounding another corner of the wall, he can see it - the monastery gate- two heavy wooden
 doors, creaking slightly in the dusk.
[16:46] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> They stand open, letting you see a large clearing and buildings inside.
[16:48] * Thaeos eyes the open gates a bit before heading back to Maz and Kethean and motioning for them to follow him.
[16:49] <Maz> "Did you spot anything else besides the entrance?" Maz asks, following as requested.
[16:50] <Thaeos> "Not yet, stay here and keep an eye out for anything, I'm going to follow the wall and meet back with you
 before I try to go inside the wall."
[16:56] * Maz nods, and goes to tie the horses a ways back into the forest, marking the route on a few selected trees.
[16:57] * Thaeos heads further out and follows the wall past the gates, looking for anything of note..
[16:57] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean helps Maz, fumbling with the tethers a bit- but none of you were really that experienced in
 riding, anyway.
[16:58] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos finds more of the same, really. The 'monastery' seems to be a walled compound smack in the
 middle of the forest. As he takes his time wandering around, the light from the sun continues to dim, making it hard to see.
 The only thing of note he makes out as he searches are the continued depictions of.. things on the walls.
[16:59] * Thaeos returns to Maz and Kethean, motioning them for silence and leads them to the edge of the gates before
 whispering to them.
[17:00] <Thaeos> "Okay, stay here for a few.. I'm going to get the basic lay of just inside the gate and find a place for us
 to use as cover. Sound good?"
[17:00] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> The only noise in the wind, causing the trees to whisper and the heavy, open gates to creak
 slightly. Both Maz and Kethean can make out the murals on the walls as well, as they draw closer...
[17:02] <Maz> "Can you make anything of the murals?" Maz asks her companions, matching Thaeos's whisper, as she moves to study
 them herself.
[17:02] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> OOC: Knowledge: Religion checks, everyone.
[17:02] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+1 for ketheaning
[17:02] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=9 ]{10}
[17:02] <Maz> roll 1d20+6
[17:02] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=16 ]{22}
[17:02] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> OOC: you lucky whore.
[17:03] <Thaeos> roll d20+2
[17:03] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=17 ]{19}
[17:08] * Thaeos nods to Maz and Kethean before slipping inside the gates and bolting towards the darkest shadow he can see
 and taking in the area he finds himself in..
[17:10] * Maz winces
[17:10] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> The darkest shadow would be between the gate and the wall, where the sun can't touch at all. A large
 clearing, perhaps a former practice yard, is what you see from your position. Obviously left to fend for itself, tufts of
 dead grass and small lumps of dirt remove it from being the straight, even grounds that monks today practice on frequently.
 A forbidding building sits in front of the yard, a large, closed building that se
[17:10] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> A forbidding building sits in front of the yard, a large, closed building that seems to have ignored
 the decay of the ages, remaining wholly intact- a high-roofed, intricate temple, with a slanted roof that blocks out the
 setting sun. Surrounded by darkened ornaments and empty stone lanterns, the black place seems to cast a long shadow of its
 own.
[17:12] * Thaeos watches the various shadows for more movement for another moment before going back out and pulling the other
 two into the notch between the gate and the wall, whispering to them.
[17:12] <Thaeos> "Okay, what do you want to do now?"
[17:13] <Maz> "Make sure no one is using this place as a hide out," Maz replies quietly, "And then explore the courtyard."
[17:13] <Thaeos> "Alright, I can follow the wall to the main building and give it a once over if you want to stay here..
 Unless you can think of something else?
[17:17] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> It's dark. The sun has almost completely set, and virtually only pale moonlight and stars illuminate
 the interior of the walls...
[17:18] <Maz> "Beware the shadows," Maz says after a moment. "The religion the creators of this monastery followed may be
 dead, now, but then again it could still have a few followers left."
[17:20] * Thaeos nods to Maz and heads out around the wall, sticking to the shadows where he can.
[17:21] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> There aren't many shadows to speak of, really- it's an open clearing, albeit a scruffy one, but not
 filled with shrub. Still, there doesn't seem to be a reaction to Thaeos' movements... OOC: Hide, Move Silently, and Spot
 checks.
[17:21] <Thaeos> roll d20+10 for Hide
[17:21] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=19 ]{29}
[17:21] <Thaeos> roll d20+10 for Move Silently
[17:21] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
[17:22] <Thaeos> roll d20+9 for Spot
[17:22] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=20 ]{29}
[17:22] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos trips over his feet as he rushes along, but his eyes pick up something, despite the darkness
 of the area! Some flitting movement, across the other side of the courtyard? Dammit! You're sure there's something, but you
 can't track it or identify it in the dark from here!
[17:24] * Thaeos looks to the building and back to where Maz and Kethean are and grits his teeth before heading back to them...
[17:25] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> You can't pick up the thing again- it was opposite, near the wall, you're sure.
[17:26] * Thaeos edges close to them and lays a hand on their shoulders, whispering to them.
[17:26] <Thaeos> "There's something on far side of the wall... I'm going to go back the way I was before and if it's a guard,
 I'll end up behind him, hopefully.
[17:27] <Thaeos> "
[17:28] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> With a sudden rush of air, the gate doors slam shut! A gong sounds from somewhere within the
 building, a reverberating sounds that shakes you all to your bone! But after that, there seems to be nothing... OOC: Listen
 checks, everyone.
[17:29] <Thaeos> roll d20+9 for listen
[17:29] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=1 ]{10}
[17:29] <Maz> roll 1d20+2
[17:29] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=18 ]{20}
[17:30] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos doesn't hear anything, but Maz does- a soft, catlike pur, coming from just across the other
 end of the gateway... OOC: Not across the other side of the wall- where the gate meets the wall at the other side. Get it?
[17:31] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20
[17:31] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=19 ]{19}
[17:33] <Maz> "Okay, so it's not abandoned," Maz mutters to herself. "And something's purring to our left," she says, raising
 her voice enough for the other two to hear.
[17:33] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean turns towards the sound Maz heard before she lets him know, crouching into a ready position.
 "Something that isn't human," he nods.
[17:33] * Thaeos snaps his head around and nocks an arrow, waiting for whats to the left..
[17:35] <Maz> "Well, they did seem to have undead servants back in the day," she agrees, taking out her crossbow.
[17:36] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> The shadows around the other edge of the gate suddenly twist and ripple, forming some kind of black
 beast! Wisps of unseeable darkness- even to Maz's vision- twist around a feline form, as big as a large dog! With a growl
 that sounds like acid, it pounces towards the group!
[17:36] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> OOC: Init.
[17:36] <Thaeos> roll d20+5 for init.
[17:36] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=5 ]{10}
[17:36] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> : 1d20+5, 4 , Total: 9
[17:36] * Midnight (~danchou@adsl-210-39-145.mco.bellsouth.net) has joined #dunes
[17:36] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Midnight Midnight
[17:37] <Maz> roll 1d20+3
[17:37] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=10 ]{13}
[17:37] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> rolll 1d20+3
[17:37] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=17 ]{20}
[17:37] * Wrathful-GM-Rat changes topic to 'Kethean > Maz > Thaeos > Shadowcat'
[17:38] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean is able to move quickly, rushing the creature and attacking it with a swift kick!
[17:38] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+4
[17:38] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=2 ]{6}
[17:38] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> But it's like trying to kick empty air, the shadow beast easily shifting it's whole body out the way!
[17:48] * Maz shuffles back, tracing a snowflake in the air and grasping for it once it's finished, slamming it against her
 chest.
[17:49] * Thaeos snaps his bow in line with the mass and lets a shot loose.
[17:49] <Thaeos> roll d20+9
[17:49] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=12 ]{21}
[17:50] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d100
[17:50] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d100=100 ]{100}
[17:50] <Thaeos> roll d6+3
[17:50] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d6=2 ]{5}
[17:51] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> There's something in the shadowy mass! You can hear the distinct sound of an arrow meeting flesh,
 and the creatures aura seems to seep away, drawn back into the dim wall! Snarling with fury, it leaps towards Kethean!
[17:51] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+9
[17:51] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=4 ]{13}
[17:52] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> But Kethean simply steps to the side, the dark feline landing just next to him! His hands blur in a
 furious flurry of fatal fame!
[17:52] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+2
[17:52] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+2
[17:52] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=5 ]{7}
[17:52] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=8 ]{10}
[17:52] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> But the cat nonetheless is unaffected, his hands grasping cold shadow alone!
[17:56] * Maz whispers under her breath, blue motes of light gathering at her fingertip, as she touches her nocked arrow,
 sliding the finger down from its tip.
[17:57] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> The crossbow bolt glows brightly, illuminating the area for all to see! Even a few metres away, the
 cat recoils, the wispy shadow that once protected it now making it a target!
[17:57] <Thaeos> roll d20+9
[17:57] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=3 ]{12}
[17:58] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> But the nimbleness of the creature is not dissauaded! Thaeos fires an arrow, but the creature
 flattens itself, almost right into the ground! The arrow whistles past harmlessly, and the creature pounces again- this
 time, on Maz!
[17:58] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+9
[17:58] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=5 ]{14}
[17:59] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> But it misses again, shrieking as it fails to cut off the source of it's sudden pain! Kethean moves
 in, more confident this time, trying to give it the beating it deserves!
[17:59] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+3
[17:59] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+3
[17:59] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=4 ]{7}
[17:59] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=4 ]{7}
[18:00] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> But even so, his blows just aren't connecting...
[18:02] * Maz brings two fingers from her free hand to her lips, kissing the fingertips lightly, and snaps her hand at the
 beast, sending an arrow-shaped icicle at it.
[18:02] <Maz> roll 1d20+6
[18:02] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=9 ]{15}
[18:03] <Maz> roll 2d8
[18:03] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
[18:04] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> The icy blade cuts right through the beast! The sound of shattering glass, coupled with a pained
 yell- a mans yell- echo from the creature. Shadows splinter and dissolve, leaving behind only a small figurine- a tiny cat...
[18:06] * Thaeos scans the area, arrow nocked and ready, looking for any other signs of movement.
[18:06] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> OOC: Spot check.
[18:07] <Maz> roll 1d20+2
[18:07] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Maz's crossbow bolt sits silently, ready to fire, still emitting a bright, glowing light.
[18:07] <Thaeos> roll d20+9 for Spot
[18:07] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=3 ]{5}
[18:07] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=18 ]{27}
[18:07] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos can't pick up any immediate movement- he thinks.
[18:08] <Thaeos> "Come on, we need to move from here, at the very least."
[18:09] <Maz> "Let's head right along the wall," Maz suggests.
[18:10] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean nods in assent, frowning to himself.
[18:10] * Thaeos leads off, moving ahead of Maz and Kethean, but staying in their range of vision, but minimizing his exposure
 to the light comming off Maz's bolt.
[18:14] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos reaches the corner of the building, preparing to quickly try and sneak around it. A low hum
 seems to emit from the structure, echoing through Thaeos' skull. Meanwhile, Maz and Kethean reach a corner of the clearing,
 where some slightly shifted dirt lies...
[18:16] * Maz takes out her wand and activates it, studying the area of the shifted dirt.
[18:17] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> There's something under that part of the dirt- it reacts cleary to Maz's enhanced senses, something
 just underneath, waiting to be picked up!
[18:17] * Midnight (~danchou@adsl-210-39-145.mco.bellsouth.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[18:17] * Maz studies it further
[18:18] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> There's evocation magic down there, magic for invoking and evoking powerful forces! And conjuration,
 and some other kinds.. all jumbled together, but no one strong power.
[18:19] * Maz nods to herself, turning to study the building.
[18:21] * Thaeos closes his eyes and focuses on his hearing, straining to hear anything out of place over the hum.
[18:21] <Thaeos> roll d20+9
[18:21] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=14 ]{23}
[18:22] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+16
[18:22] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=16 ]{32}
[18:22] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> There's nothing. Thaeos can't hear anything but his companions, the low hum, and the sound of his
 own beating heart.
[18:23] * Thaeos keeps towards the door of the building, stopping at the edge of it and waiting for Maz and Kethean to get to
 his old position next to the building.
[18:25] * Maz reaches Thaeos, and glances at him and Kethean. "There is a small spell that will allow us to communicate, even
 if we're not close by. This seems like a good chance to use it." She looks at them for approval.
[18:25] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> As Thaeos keeps to the side of the building, further and further away from the light, he feels a
 coldness about him. Everywhere the dim light of the stars does not touch him, he feels freezing...
[18:25] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> ..but as Maz approaches, with a glowing crossbow bolt, the horrible feeling seems to fade away for a
 moment.
[18:26] * Thaeos wrinkles his brow a bit but shakes it off and leans into the doorway, looking to see what he can.
[18:26] <Thaeos> roll d20+9 for Spot
[18:26] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=2 ]{11}
[18:26] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos sees a door, nice and closed.
[18:27] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> It's a big door, too, nicely carved, with murals of it's own across it.
[18:27] * Thaeos nods to Maz and waits for the spell before dealing with the door.
[18:28] * Maz concentrates briefly, mumbling the words to her spell as she points at Kethean and Thaeos
[18:30] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> A flicker of magic appears in the minds of each adventurer, and Thaeos, Kethean, and Maz feel
 connected in a way they never have before.
[18:30] * Thaeos whispers to Maz.
[18:30] <Thaeos> "How's this spell work?"
[18:31] * Maz shivers at the unnatural feeling, and then turns to face Thaeos. "It picks up on my words and carries them to
 you, and vice versa," she whispers back. "We don't have to have a line of sight, but it would be best not to stray too far
 away."
[18:33] * Thaeos nods and moves out to roughly ten feet infront of the door and whispers, "Kethean, open the door, but stay
 out of the doorway, if you would," and raises his bow to aim in preperation.
[18:34] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean nods, quickly moving towards the door, and trying it... "It's jammed," he mutters. "Or
 locked... I could try to force it, but I would make some noise doing so."
[18:35] <Maz> "I think they're expecting us," Maz comments dryly.
[18:37] <Thaeos> "Well, ideas? We can look for another way in..."
[18:38] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> "A place such as this will likely have another entrance into the main hall," nods Kethean. "A
 smaller one, but it would be easier to force, if it was also locked."
[18:39] <Maz> "I'm pretty certain subtlety has flown the coop," Maz says, "but you would know better. Either way is fine by
 me."
[18:40] * Thaeos nods and heads off to search the building walls for the enterance, motioning for them to follow him.
[18:40] <Thaeos> roll d20+9 for Search
[18:40] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=2 ]{11}
[18:40] <Maz> roll 1d20+2
[18:40] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=15 ]{17}
[18:40] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> roll 1d20+3
[18:41] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Wrathful-GM-Rat : [ 1d20=15 ]{18}
[18:41] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Thaeos doesn't spot it, but Kethean and Maz do- a small, sliding door in the side of the wall,
 unobtrusive and barely notable.
[18:43] * Maz points at the door, whispering, "There!"
[18:45] * Thaeos approaches the door and gives it a once over.
[18:46] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> It's a nondescript door- someone took pains to make it look mostly like the rest of the building's
 wall, but it's clearly a sliding panel, on inspection.
[18:47] <Thaeos> "Well, here it is.. Kethean, wanna give it a try?"
[18:49] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean slides the door open, standing out the way, allowing Thaeos to peer in and see... not much.
 It's too dark to make anything out, except a few feet of rotted wooden floor, and that a passageway extends into..
 somewhere. Maybe if the light was brought closer...
[18:50] <Maz> "Do you have a torch?" Maz asks Kethean.
[18:50] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> "Yes," replies Kethean, nodding. "Shall I light it?
[18:51] * Maz nods. "Light hurts the shadows, and they're expecting us anyhow."
[18:51] <Thaeos> "At this point, it won't make much of a diffrence. Go for it."
[18:52] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean works quickly, and lights his torch with a piece of flint and steel.
[18:53] <Thaeos> "I don't think I should take lead from here on in. I'm not exactly a close in fighter."
[18:54] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> "I'll take the lead, then," says Kethean, stepping forward into the dark corridor...

[Carthrat]

[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:49] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean slides the door open, standing out the way, allowing Thaeos to peer in and see... not much. It's too dark to make anything out, except a few feet of rotted wooden floor, and that a passageway extends into.. somewhere. Maybe if the light was brought closer...
[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:49] <Maz> "Do you have a torch?" Maz asks Kethean.
[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:50] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> "Yes," replies Kethean, nodding. "Shall I light it?
[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:50] * Maz nods. "Light hurts the shadows, and they're expecting us anyhow."
[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:50] <Thaeos> "At this point, it won't make much of a diffrence. Go for it."
[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:51] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> Kethean works quickly, and lights his torch with a piece of flint and steel.
[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:53] <Thaeos> "I don't think I should take lead from here on in. I'm not exactly a close in fighter."
[00:17] <@Thrall> [16:53] <Wrathful-GM-Rat> "I'll take the lead, then," says Kethean, stepping forward into the dark corridor...
[00:17] * Thaeos sets mode: +v Maz
[00:18] * Hotaru-chan is now known as Seraphin
[00:21] <@TheNpcSays> ...and the torch doesn't really seem to illuminate much. It's as if the walls of the temple close in on the light, making Kethean and Thaeos only able to see a few feet ahead of them at a time. What he *can* see is that he's in a narrow corridor, with wooden walls and a creaking wooden floor..
[00:35] <@Kethean> "Hrm...Wait here if you wish, while I continue on for a bit, and make sure it's safe," Kethean suggests as he steps forward. "I've got the best chance of getting around any trouble, probably. Wouldn't surprise me in such a corridor."
[00:37] <@Thaeos> "I'll stay a few feet behind you, just in case."
[00:40] <@TheNpcSays> As Kethean slowly makes his way forward, he sees something to his left- a familiar sight, a sliding door, one he saw many a time whilst training in the monastery. It should easily open- and if it doesn't, it should be easily broken. There's no telling what lies on the other side...
[00:40] * @Kethean nods and moves forward, holding the torch ahead of him, looking cautiously for any danger.
[00:40] * @Thaeos follows behind him, on the edge of the light.
[00:43] * @Kethean moves towards the door, and gives Thaeos a look warning to be ready, before attempting to slide it open from the side.
[00:45] <@TheNpcSays> Behind the door lies a room! Kethean can see the immedaite entrance - it's not very big, and there's some kind of object up against the centre of the back wall, opposite the door.
[00:48] * @Kethean motions Maz towards them, before entering the room, and looking around a bit more carefully with the torch providing more light.
[00:48] * +Maz follows quietly, and tries to see if her glowing arrow sheds more light on the situation.
[00:49] <@TheNpcSays> It's some kind of shrine- Kethean can sort-of-not-quite make out the alter, now that he's further into the room. Even Maz's extra light seems dulled inside this place, somewhat...
[00:50] <@Thaeos> roll d20+9 for spot
[00:50] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+9 12,0for spot --> 12,0 22
[00:50] <@Kethean> roll 1d20+9 for spot
[00:50] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 1d20+9 12,0for spot --> 12,0 21
[00:50] <+Maz> roll d20+2
[00:50] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 d20+2 --> 12,0 7
[00:52] * @Thaeos looks around the room, but keeps an eye on one corner..
[00:52] <@Thaeos> "Guys, I don't think we're alone in here.."
[00:52] <@TheNpcSays> Thaeos' voice seems blasphemously loud inside this room, breaking the quiet footsteps that was all that was previous.
[00:52] * @Kethean nods in agreement. "I saw it too," Kethean comments.
[00:53] * +Maz sighs. "Figures," she whispers.
[00:53] * @Kethean grips the torch tighter, turning his body and aiming the light in the direction of that corner.
[00:54] <@TheNpcSays> With a rolling motion, the strange shadow in the corner twists and takes a solider form! With a black hiss, it twists alongside the walls, hurling itself at the group!
[00:54] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Init! Maz, you don't get to act this round, you're still not sure what's happening.
[00:54] <@Kethean> roll d20+3
[00:54] <@Thaeos> roll d20+5
[00:54] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+3 --> 12,0 18
[00:54] <+Maz> roll 1d20+3
[00:54] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+5 --> 12,0 21
[00:54] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+3 --> 12,0 13
[00:54] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+5
[00:54] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+5 --> 12,0 21
[00:55] * TheNpcSays changes topic to 'Shadowcat = Thaeos > Kethean > Maz'
[00:55] <@TheNpcSays> Lunging towards the group, the strange cat lashes out at Kethean, inky claws trailing blackness in their wake!
[00:56] * @Thaeos releases the arrow he had nocked as he steps further back, leaving Kethean the room he needs to fight.
[00:56] <@Thaeos> roll d20+9 to hit
[00:56] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Roll
[00:56] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+9 12,0to hit --> 12,0 26
[00:56] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+9
[00:56] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+9 --> 12,0 13
[00:58] <@Thaeos> roll d6+3
[00:58] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d6+3 --> 12,0 9
[00:58] <@TheNpcSays> But Kethean reacts almost instinctively, his body easily twisting out the way in reflex to the attack! Meanwhile, Thaeos's attack lashes towards the cat, hitting it straight on...
[00:58] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d100
[00:58] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d100 --> 12,0 67
[00:58] <@TheNpcSays> ...and he's rewarded with a screech of pain!
[01:01] * @Kethean moves in, thankful for his reflexes as he proceeds to swing the torch to slam the beast hard with the lit piece of wood.
[01:01] <@Kethean> roll d20+4
[01:01] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+4 --> 12,0 24
[01:03] <@Kethean> roll d20+4
[01:03] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+4 --> 12,0 14
[01:03] <@Kethean> roll d6+6
[01:03] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d6+6 --> 12,0 10
[01:05] <@TheNpcSays> A searing blow, the shadowcat screeching in pain... even as part of it's body, it seems, wraps around Kethean's torch, stifling it! The cat flees the room, melting into the shadows... this brief period of excitement rapidly fading into silence.
[01:07] * +Maz looks around the room for their attacker.
[01:08] <@Kethean> "Good. Looks like it certainly didn't like that," Kethean comments as he keeps his eyes peeled for that feline reappearing.
[01:10] <@TheNpcSays> Maz can't make out anything, the shadows in the place seeming to actually belong to things, rather than things that aren't there. The large alter rests to one side, casting a weird shape across the light.. now, only Maz's light illuminates the room.
[01:10] * +Maz moves around the room, examining it with the light provided by her arrow.
[01:11] <@Kethean> "It looks like it's gone for now," Kethean says once the cat fails to reappear, and he proceeds to try and relight the torch while Maz takes a look around.
[01:13] <@TheNpcSays> It's weird. This torch doesn't seem to want to light, anymore. Meanwhile, Maz can't find much but the alter.. the room does have a nice carpet in it, as far as she can tell, though. Aside from that, it seems to be an ordinary prayer room, similar to that found in any temple.
[01:13] * +Maz moves to examine the altar next.
[01:14] <@TheNpcSays> No matter how close that light-blessed bolt gets to the alter, it still seems to be shrouded in darkness. It's difficult to make out anything specific, but the shadows *were* pushed away a little. Maybe if you got a bit closer...
[01:15] <@Thaeos> "Wait... I might have an idea..
[01:15] <@Thaeos> "
[01:15] <+Maz> "Do tell," Maz comments, stepping to the side.
[01:16] * @Thaeos takes a bundle off his pack and holds it, glancing over to Kethean.
[01:17] <@Thaeos> "Remember what that priest said? Think I should give it a try?"
[01:17] * @Kethean blinks and ceases frowning at the torch when noticing Thaeos' stare. "Hum? Well, why not?"
[01:17] * @Thaeos sighs and turns to Maz.
[01:18] <@Thaeos> "Not a word of this to anyone in a place where strangers might hear, got it?"
[01:19] * +Maz shrugs. "Sure. Do your thing." She steps farther back to let Thaeos do his trick.
[01:21] * @Thaeos sets the bundle down and unties it, taking the bow out carefully... Reverently looking at it and then approaches the alter, preparing to set the bow onto it.
[01:22] * @Thaeos takes a breath and sets it on the alter, quickly taking a step back.
[01:22] * +Maz blinks.
[01:23] <@TheNpcSays> The bow seems to glimmer slightly as Thrall sets it down upon the alter... and indeed, the shadows seem to recoil a little at the ornate, silver, stringless weapon! But black tendrils spill out across the bow, seeming to struggle against the Thaeos' prize! The room itself shakes as the two forces fight an invisible battle!
[01:24] <@TheNpcSays> *Thaeos. -_-
[01:25] <@Thaeos> "Fharlanghn, guide my steps.. Selune... Just don't get angry with me.."
[01:25] * @Thaeos reaches out and grabs hold of the bow, ready to pull it away at the first sign he should.
[01:26] * +Maz readies her crossbow, just in case, pointing it at the altar.
[01:27] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20
[01:27] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20 --> 12,0 12
[01:28] <@TheNpcSays> With a strange cry, the room shakes beyond reckoning! A shattering sound is heard as the alter crumbles, and something solid hits the ground as it breaks! But a creaking noise is heard, too, and the carpet seems to fall away- as Kethean suddenly feels the ground drop under his feat!
[01:28] <@Kethean> roll d20+6
[01:28] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: *feet
[01:28] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 25
[01:29] <@TheNpcSays> But he nimply jumps away, and all three of them can see a trapdoor, leading to somewhere underground! Wisps of light over around the room, similar to the stars... and Thaeos' bow glows briefly, for a moment, before the light fades and it rests on the ground, inert, next to... two lengths of darkwood, chained together.
[01:31] <+Maz> "Not bad," Maz says, nodding to herself. "Nice bow, there."
[01:31] <@Thaeos> "Yeah, I like to think so."
[01:32] * @Thaeos reaches down and picks up the bow, wrapping it back up in the cloak and strapping it to his pack again.
[01:32] <@Kethean> "Nice trap too. Good thing the two of you were standing away from that trapdoor," Kethean mutters as he peers into the trapdoor, and down below.
[01:32] <@Thaeos> "So.... Who wants to pick those up?"
[01:32] <+Maz> "There's a story behind it, I take it? One that involves a priest?"
[01:33] <@TheNpcSays> It's dark down there, but you can make out a set of stone stairs leading downwards, to something...
[01:34] <@Thaeos> "Yeah.. I suppose since you're interested I can tell you and Kethean the whole story some time.."
[01:34] <@Kethean> "There are some stairs down there, though I'm unsure if you wish to explore in that direction," Kethean comments as he walks towards his companions, taking a glance at the items Thaeos and Maz have found.
[01:34] * +Maz nods and then suggests to Kethean, "Try to light your torch again."
[01:34] <@TheNpcSays> There's only one item- a pair of black nunchuku.
[01:35] <@TheNpcSays> It's still lying on the ground.
[01:37] <@Kethean> "I haven't had much luck re-lighting it since I hit that shadow beast with it, but alright," Kethean replies as he stops himself from grabbing the nunchuku and attempts to relight the torch again first.
[01:38] <@TheNpcSays> It's still resistant to being lit on fire, the torch refusing to light.
[01:38] * +Maz takes out her wand, and asks the others to stand back a bit, before activating it in the direction of the nunchuku.
[01:39] * @Kethean shakes his head. "I'll have to relight another torch," Kethean comments before stepping to the side so Maz can look over the nunchuku.
[01:41] <+Maz> roll 1d20+2
[01:41] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+2 --> 12,0 3
[01:42] <+Maz> OOC: Strike that  -_-
[01:45] <+Maz> "Well, it's definitely magical," Maz says, putting the wand away.
[01:45] <+Maz> "Doesn't look like it'd explode if you touched it," she adds dryly.
[01:49] <@Thaeos> "I can't really use them.. But.. I suppose I should at least keep them since the bow *did* release them for me.."
[01:49] * @Kethean nods, but decides to take the potential risk of a magical weapon, and picks up the darkwood nunchukus.
[01:49] <@TheNpcSays> They're nicely balanced, you find, but a little cold to the touch, and unnerving to hold. As you pick them up, the trail a faint, black strand of something, but nothing more.
[01:51] * @Thaeos takes the bundled up bow off his pack and opens it.
[01:51] <@Thaeos> "Kethean, put it in here with the bow. Might as well keep them togeather."
[01:51] <@TheNpcSays> It's not doing much, now. Not even a glow out of it- just the same hunk of silver metal you've been carrying around for, what, a few weeks?
[01:53] <@Kethean> "They seem alright," Kethean replies before looking at Thaeos. "I think I should carry them for now, in case we encounter more beasts. It never hurts to have a weapon around with such creatures, I think, and I currently am unarmed."
[01:54] <@Thaeos> "Alright."
[01:54] * @Thaeos ties the bundle back up and straps it down.
[01:54] <@Kethean> "Shall we go down the trapdoor and see where the stairs below it lead, then?" Kethean replies.
[01:55] <@Thaeos> "Lead the way."
[01:55] * +Maz is all too happy to bring up the rear.
[01:56] * @Kethean nods, as he goes down the trapdoor, and takes a look ahead.
[02:01] <@TheNpcSays> The stone steps lead down, into a larger, open space. The shadows seem less cloying, here, less prevalent, even though there's still no light but that which you brough with you. The floor of the cavern is dirt, not stone, and it's quite large- where's the foundation for the monastery?
[02:02] <@Kethean> "It seems safe to come down," Kethean calls upwards, moving to the side to give the others space to jump down.
[02:03] * @Thaeos follows after Kethean, moving out of Maz's way once he hits the ground.
[02:03] * +Maz descends through the trapdoor, taking a glance around the new room she finds herself in.
[02:06] <@TheNpcSays> It's large, that's for sure, but as you move around, you can see pillars around the area, holding up the roof and arranged in a circle. In the centre of the dirt-and-rock cavern, however, there's a large, rectangular object- perhaps a tomb...
[02:09] * +Maz searches the surface of the tomb for any letters or other markings.
[02:10] * @Kethean goes around the object while Maz looks at the front of it, taking a quick look further ahead.
[02:13] <@TheNpcSays> There's imagery on it, but you're getting a strong necromantic pulse from the tomb. There's writing on it, as well, but it's not in any langauge you can name.
[02:16] <@TheNpcSays> Kethean: There doesn't seem to be much further ahead. The whole room is just a giant resting place, no doubt for someone highly important.
[02:17] <@Kethean> "Doesn't seem like there's anything beyond this tomb in here," Kethean comments out loud. "Discover anything while you were looking at it, Maz?"
[02:17] * +Maz concentrates, turning in place as she draws a circle in the air around herself. Maz presses her free hand against her chest, commanding her spell to come forth, and the glowing band snaps closer together, until it wraps around Maz's body, and then seeps into her.
[02:18] <+Maz> "Maybe," she responds curtly, and returns her attention to the writings.
[02:20] <@Kethean> "Oh?" Kethean asks before turning back to the front of the room, to look at what Maz is.
[02:23] <+Maz> "Their First Shadow, Sardinius is there," Maz comments, pointing at the tomb. "And he's not quite dead, with aspirations to become less so when light and darkness are combined." She frowns. "Which might well have happened already, at the altar."
[02:23] * @Thaeos watches the room, what he can see of it, intently while listening to Maz and Kethean.
[02:24] <@Kethean> Sardinius...Kethean strains his brain to recall anything about the name.
[02:25] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Mmm. Knowledge: Religion check, Kethean and Maz.
[02:26] <+Maz> roll 1d20+6
[02:26] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 24
[02:26] <@Kethean> roll 1d20+2
[02:26] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 1d20+2 --> 12,0 16
[02:32] * +Maz whistles to herself. "He has quite a reputation, too. Worships shadow, rumored to be evil." She glances at Kethean and Thaeos. "I vote for leaving him alone and going elsewhere. Seriously."
[02:34] <@Thaeos> "I wouldn't mind the same.. But.. Is this someone we really want following us? I mean.. We *did* destroy that alter of his.."
[02:35] <@TheNpcSays> The air reverberates, and a low hums seems to stretch through the room. Your hearts beat that little bit faster as you feel a strange chill wash through you.
[02:38] * @Thaeos draws his arrow back a little more.
[02:38] <@Thaeos> "Uh, what was that?
[02:38] <@Thaeos> "
[02:39] <@Kethean> "I think you were right just now about this guy not being happy with us," Kethean says seriously, as he resists shivering to that chilling feeling. "Let's get out of here. I'm going to set this tomb on fire as we leave."
[02:39] <+Maz> "If you want to do stuff like set him on fire, there's your last chance," Maz says, drawing back and pointing the crossbow at the tomb. "Seems like he's waking up."
[02:42] * @Thaeos spins around and levels his bow at the tomb.
[02:45] <@TheNpcSays> White and black seep out the edges of the tomb, the top of the encasement rumbling a little.
[02:46] * @Kethean nods as he places the torch against the tomb, hoping it'll catch on fire. "Come on, let's get out of here," Kethean comments once that's done, already starting to move away.
[02:46] * @Thaeos heads up the stairs, keeping his bow ready.
[02:46] * +Maz heads up after Thaeos.
[02:50] <@TheNpcSays> Stone doesn't catch fire so well, Kethean sees as he hurries to leave. As you're taking your leave, though, a voice echoes through your minds... "...my thanks..." it whispers, a chilling echo that disturbs you all greatly.
[02:52] <+Maz> "Okay," Maz says, frowning. "This is bad. I should get what I came here for so it's not all a total loss."
[02:55] <@Thaeos> "I don't think we'll be getting out of here without a fight.."
[02:55] <+Maz> "We just need to get to the courtyard," Maz responds, heading towards the place Linda buried her things at.
[02:56] <@TheNpcSays> Your trip back seems strangely unimpeded. There's still plenty of monastery you haven't seen, but prudence dictates that it can wait, perhaps forever. But when you leave the tunnels, you still see that the gate is closed... though the courtyard remains untouched, otherwise.
[02:58] <@Kethean> "Well, we're out," Kethean comments as he looks back, surprised more of those shadow beasts had not shown up.
[02:59] * +Maz gets towards the spot she noticed earlier, and takes a moment to set up her Alarm spell around them before digging.
[02:59] * @Thaeos watches the courtyard, bow at the ready.
[03:00] * @Kethean also keeps a watchful eye out for trouble.
[03:03] <@TheNpcSays> As Maz quickly digs, he shovel soon makes a 'thunk' sound! Something's there, something made of wood!
[03:03] * +Maz digs around it, unearthening the wooden object.
[03:06] <@TheNpcSays> Emnating throughout all your minds, the same voice comes across, just as Maz finds the box! "Hahaha... your release is still blocked, I see? Let me loosen that for you... though, of course, freedom does not come cheaply..."
[03:07] <+Maz> "A villain's laugh, to boot." Maz palms her face.
[03:07] * +Maz quickly scans the box for any markings.
[03:08] * @Thaeos looks around, searching for Sardinius.
[03:09] <@TheNpcSays> It's a plain wooden box in appearance, though it is magical. However, as you retrieve it, your alarm spell goes off! Quickly looking around, you can all see one, two, no, four shadowcats, creeping out the black cast of the gate, the walls of the monastery, and one straight from the whole Maz just dug!
[03:09] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Init, everyone~
[03:09] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+5
[03:09] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+5
[03:09] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+5
[03:09] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+5
[03:09] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+5 --> 12,0 23
[03:09] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+5 --> 12,0 12
[03:09] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+5 --> 12,0 11
[03:09] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+5 --> 12,0 17
[03:09] <@Thaeos> roll d20+5
[03:09] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+5 --> 12,0 24
[03:09] <+Maz> roll 1d20+3
[03:09] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+3 --> 12,0 11
[03:09] <@Kethean> roll d20+3
[03:09] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+3 --> 12,0 15
[03:10] * TheNpcSays changes topic to 'Thaeos > Cat1 > Cat 4 > Kethean > Cat 2 > Maz = Cat 3'
[03:12] * @Kethean pulls out the nunchukus, and holds them at the ready, prepared to act against whatever beast approaches him.
[03:12] * @Thaeos releases his arrow, aiming for Cat1
[03:12] <@Thaeos> roll d20+9
[03:12] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+9 --> 12,0 20
[03:12] <@Thaeos> roll d6+3
[03:12] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d6+3 --> 12,0 6
[03:13] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d100
[03:13] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d100 --> 12,0 83
[03:13] <@TheNpcSays> The shot slams into the shadowcat, but it does only minor damage, the cat rushing up to Thaeos undaunted!
[03:13] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+7
[03:13] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+7 --> 12,0 26
[03:13] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[03:13] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 7
[03:13] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Make a fortitude saving throw.
[03:13] <@Thaeos> roll d20+7
[03:13] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+7 --> 12,0 8
[03:14] <@TheNpcSays> Thaeos feels cold as the creatures rake into him, his body succumbing to a strange, numbing coldness!
[03:14] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: -2 Dex and -2 Strength, temproary stat drain.
[03:15] <@TheNpcSays> The fourth cat, approaching from the gate, runs and pounces, but isn't fast enough to reach here quickly!
[03:15] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Kethean!
[03:17] <@Kethean> With none of the cats immediately approaching, Kethean thinks defensively as he lets loose one of his hands on the nunchukus, and digs into his pocket for a piece of leather, and with a few words, casts some magic armor on himself.
[03:17] <@TheNpcSays> But with his spellcasting done, one cat does approach Kethean! Lunging out from the wall, it lashes out with furious, dark claws!
[03:17] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[03:17] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 2
[03:17] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Er.
[03:17] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+7
[03:17] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+7 --> 12,0 16
[03:18] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Maz, do something.
[03:19] * +Maz moves back quickly, and lets her glowing arrow fly at the beast that leapt from the hole.
[03:19] <+Maz> roll 1d20+5
[03:19] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+5 --> 12,0 19
[03:19] <@TheNpcSays> Even as she does so, it lashes out as you step back and shoot, claws going wild!
[03:19] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+7
[03:19] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+7 --> 12,0 21
[03:19] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: KARMIC STRIKE, roll damage.
[03:19] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[03:19] <+Rei-chan> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 4
[03:19] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: And make a fort save.
[03:19] <+Maz> roll 1d8
[03:19] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d8 --> 12,0 5
[03:20] <+Maz> roll 1d20+3
[03:20] <+Rei-chan> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+3 --> 12,0 6
[03:20] <@TheNpcSays> The bright light removes the shifting shield the creature had, and it screams in agony as Maz's bolt slams into it! But it's claws lashed out at Maz, too, and she feels the same cold, clammy feeling that Thaeos felt just a moment ago!
[03:20] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: -2 Str and -2 Dex, again.
[03:23] * Usagi- (~eb@user-2309.l5.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[03:24] * Usagi- is now known as Usagi
[03:24] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Usagi Usagi
[03:27] * @Thrall (WinNT@user-2309.l5.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (Ping timeout)
[03:27] * Usagi is now known as Thrall
[03:29] * +Rei-chan (WinNT@user-2309.l5.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (Ping timeout)
[03:29] * DK_Rei (WinNT@user-2309.l5.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[03:30] * Thrall sets mode: +v DK_Rei
[03:31] * Seraphin is now known as Hotaru-chan
[03:31] * Thrall is now known as Usagi
[03:37] * @Thaeos hastily swings his bow over his shoulder and draws his shortsword, slashing at the beast! (cat1)
[03:38] <@Thaeos> roll d20+7
[03:38] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+7 --> 12,0 19
[03:38] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: damaaaaage
[03:38] <@Thaeos> roll d6+3
[03:38] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d6+3 --> 12,0 6
[03:38] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d100
[03:38] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d100 --> 12,0 12
[03:38] <@Thaeos> OOC- Wait, it's only 5 damage.
[03:38] <@TheNpcSays> Thaeos' sword hits the figure of the cat.. but it only really strikes empty air, twisting shadows obscuring the real form of the creature! Snarling, it fights back with a vicious claw!
[03:39] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+6
[03:39] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 17
[03:39] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: AC?
[03:39] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[03:39] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 3
[03:39] <@Thaeos> OOC- AC is 16.
[03:40] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Ah. Bad luck. 3 damage, and fort save it up.
[03:40] <@Thaeos> roll d20+6
[03:40] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 25
[03:41] <@TheNpcSays> Thaeos takes another blow, but it's just a scratch, and he shrugs off further numbness easily! The other cat from the gate, however, has reached the group, and lunches towards Kethean!
[03:41] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+6
[03:41] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 13
[03:42] <@TheNpcSays> It's inky claws glance off his protective spell, the monk saved by his magic alone!
[03:42] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Kethean.
[03:43] * @Kethean goes after the cat that attacked him first, knowing it'll follow with an attack if he focuses on the new attacker, as he swings the nunchukus with his hand, letting the other end fly towards the cat's side.
[03:43] <@Kethean> roll d20+4
[03:43] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+4 --> 12,0 13
[03:44] <@TheNpcSays> Kethean feels the nunchuku swing towards his foe, and he's sure it will be a miss. But it's as if they're guided by an unseen hand, one that twists the weapon and sends it thwacking straight into the strange cat-creature!
[03:44] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Damaaaaage.
[03:46] <@Kethean> roll d6+2
[03:46] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d6+2 --> 12,0 8
[03:47] <@TheNpcSays> As your weapon meets the cat, it flashes, suddenly, turning bright white and emitting a pale glow!
[03:47] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6
[03:47] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6 --> 12,0 2
[03:47] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: er, wrong type
[03:47] <@TheNpcSays> roll 2d6
[03:47] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 2d6 --> 12,0 3
[03:47] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: hahaha
[03:48] <@TheNpcSays> The cat recoils as the nunchuku hit it, but as Kethean feels the weapon shift in his hand, he feels his mind change slightly, too, echoing through him... "...I am..."
[03:49] <@TheNpcSays> The cat, despite being struck, strikes out again against Kethean, trying to deal him a wound right in the stomach!
[03:49] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+6
[03:49] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 20
[03:49] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: You know, your AC vs him is 21, isn't it? >_>
[03:49] <@Kethean> ooc: yes ^_^
[03:50] <@TheNpcSays> The blow just glances off the cat! Between the torch, Maz, and Kethean's new weapon, light is shining all over, ruining the cat's shadowy advantage!
[03:50] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Maz, action.
[03:50] * +Maz loads another arrow into her crossbow, and casually releases it at the shadowcat with a glowing arrow in its fur.
[03:50] <+Maz> roll 1d20+4
[03:50] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+4 --> 12,0 24
[03:50] <+Maz> roll 1d20+4
[03:50] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+4 --> 12,0 18
[03:50] <+Maz> roll 1d8
[03:50] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d8 --> 12,0 2
[03:51] <@TheNpcSays> The blow just seems to go into the cat's leg, as it strikes back against Maz, with one final blow!
[03:51] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+6
[03:51] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 21
[03:51] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[03:51] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 5
[03:51] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: fort SAVE.
[03:52] <+Maz> roll 1d20+3
[03:52] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d20+3 --> 12,0 19
[03:53] <@TheNpcSays> The icy numbness seeps through her again, but she shrugs it off this time, already use to it! The cat in the whole goes limp, and shatters into shadowy dust, leaving behind nothing but a tiny figurine!
[03:53] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Thaeos!
[03:53] * @Thaeos continues to stab at the cat!
[03:53] <@Thaeos> roll d20+6
[03:53] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 10
[03:53] <@TheNpcSays> Thaeos continues to miss the cat!
[03:53] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+6
[03:53] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 18
[03:53] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[03:53] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 3
[03:53] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Fort save. >_>;
[03:53] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Thaeos.
[03:54] <@Thaeos> roll d20+6
[03:54] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 23
[03:54] <@TheNpcSays> Another claw into his chest, his spirit tossing off the enroaching numbness that would otherwise plauge him! But his wounds are starting to become serious, blood staining his shirt!
[03:54] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: HP Check, people!
[03:55] <@Thaeos> OOC- 18
[03:55] * TheNpcSays changes topic to 'Thaeos > Cat1 > Cat 4 > Kethean > Cat 2 > Maz'
[03:56] <@TheNpcSays> One of the cats alongside Kethean strikes out, aided by his distraction with the other cat!
[03:56] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+8
[03:56] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+8 --> 12,0 20
[03:56] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[03:56] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 2
[03:56] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Fort save KETHEAN
[03:57] <@Kethean> roll d20+6
[03:57] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 20
[03:58] <@TheNpcSays> It's not much of a cut, Kethean has done worse shaving, honestly. It still draws a little blood, but there's no accompanying frost going with it!
[03:58] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Kethean. You're wielding a +2 weapon, factor that in.
[04:02] * @Kethean continues to focus on the other cat, taking another swing with the nunchukus at the beast.
[04:02] <@Kethean> roll d20+5
[04:02] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+5 --> 12,0 10
[04:03] <@TheNpcSays> Kethean's strike misses, his now-glowing nunchuku whipping past the cat, which then strikes back, even though it's wounded!
[04:03] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+6
[04:03] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 15
[04:03] <@TheNpcSays> But it misses also, claws distracted by the glow of Kethean's weapon!
[04:03] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Maz.
[04:04] * +Maz makes way as quickly as she can towards her prone glowing arrow and picks it up, before taking out one of her healing potions and drinking it.
[04:04] <+Maz> roll 1d8+1
[04:04] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Maz rolled :12,0 1d8+1 --> 12,0 9
[04:04] <@TheNpcSays> Healing energy speeds through Maz, closing her wounds and making her whole!
[04:04] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Thaeos.
[04:05] * @Thaeos swings his blade again, sending a small spray of blood out from his wounds with the movement.
[04:05] <@Thaeos> roll d20+6
[04:05] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Thaeos rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 8
[04:06] <@TheNpcSays> The blood spatters across the cat as Thaeos strikes, but as he does so, something happens! With a loud creaking noise, the monastery gates open once again, open to the world outside! As they do, Thaeos' cat lashes out once more!
[04:06] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+6
[04:06] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+6 --> 12,0 12
[04:06] <@TheNpcSays> But this time, it misses, Thaeos darting out of the way just in time! Kethean's flanking cat, likewise takes it's chances once more!
[04:06] <@TheNpcSays> 1d20+8
[04:07] <@TheNpcSays> Er.
[04:07] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+8
[04:07] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+8 --> 12,0 24
[04:07] <@TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[04:07] <+DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 3
[04:07] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Forrrrrrrrt saaaaave
[04:07] <@Kethean> roll d20+6
[04:07] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 22
[04:07] <@TheNpcSays> Another blow to Kethean, blood running down his leg!
[04:07] <@TheNpcSays> OOC: Kethean's action.
[04:10] * @Kethean grimaces, but continues to attack his original target while keeping an eye on his other opponent, taking a swing at the feline even as he starts moving around it to put it in the way of the cat that's been managing to hit him.
[04:10] <@Kethean> roll d20+5
[04:10] <+DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+5 --> 12,0 10

[Corwin]

[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <TheNpcSays> But this time, it misses, Thaeos darting out of the way just in time! Kethean's flanking cat, likewise takes it's chances once more!
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <TheNpcSays> 1d20+8
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <TheNpcSays> Er.
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <TheNpcSays> roll 1d20+8
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d20+8 --> 12,0 24
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <TheNpcSays> roll 1d6+1
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <DK_Rei> 12,0TheNpcSays rolled :12,0 1d6+1 --> 12,0 3
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <TheNpcSays> OOC: Forrrrrrrrt saaaaave
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <Kethean> roll d20+6
[18:58] <Maz> [19:57] <DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+6 --> 12,0 22
[18:58] <Maz> [19:58] <TheNpcSays> Another blow to Kethean, blood running down his leg!
[18:58] <Maz> [19:58] <TheNpcSays> OOC: Kethean's action.
[18:58] <Maz> [20:00] * Kethean grimaces, but continues to attack his original target while keeping an eye on his other opponent, taking a swing at the feline even as he starts moving around it to put it in the way of the cat that's been managing to hit him.
[18:58] <Maz> [20:00] <Kethean> roll d20+5
[18:58] <Maz> [20:00] <DK_Rei> 12,0Kethean rolled :12,0 d20+5 --> 12,0 10
[18:58] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Thaeos > Cat1 > Cat 4 > Kethean > Cat 2 > Maz'
[18:59] <Carthrat> It's another miss, the newfound magical nunchuku's shining light dodged by the nimble creature, which lunges back, refusing to flee!
[18:59] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[18:59] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=12 ]{18}
[18:59] <Carthrat> Kethean is far too quick for it, easily ducking out the way! Skill and magic combine to create the ultimate defence!
[18:59] <Carthrat> OOC: MAz.
[19:01] * Maz loads the Arrow of Light, and seeks out a suitable target for it amongst the shadowcats. Finding none, she tries to take careful aim at one of the cats flanking Kethean.
[19:01] <Carthrat> OOC: -4 to hit, fun fun.
[19:02] <Carthrat> OOC: Oh. Ok. Thaeos, you're in melee with one wounded cat.
[19:03] * Thaeos wipes some blood off of himself and stabs his Short Sword out at the cat.
[19:03] <Thaeos> roll d20+6
[19:03] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=3 ]{9}
[19:04] <Carthrat> Thaeos misses as he lunges forward! The now-open monastery gates creak in the wind, accompanied by the wispy sound of undead cats attack, numbing claws ready to rend Thaeos apart!
[19:04] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[19:04] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=16 ]{22}
[19:05] <Carthrat> OOC: Present AC, Thaeos?
[19:05] <Thaeos> OOC- 16
[19:05] <Carthrat> OOC: Snap. Fort saaaave.
[19:05] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+1
[19:05] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d6=1 ]{2}
[19:05] <Thaeos> roll d20+4
[19:05] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=14 ]{18}
[19:06] <Carthrat> It's another slight cut against Thaeos, talons raking away a little more blood from the Scout each time! Kethean continues to battle his pair of cats, nunchuku flailing amongst wispy claws!
[19:06] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[19:06] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=19 ]{25}
[19:06] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+1
[19:06] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d6=1 ]{2}
[19:06] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[19:07] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=17 ]{23}
[19:07] <Carthrat> The shadowcat deals another slight wound against Kethean, who fails to be affected by the more sinister forces at work behind it's claws. He lashes out against his original opponent, hoping to put it down for good!
[19:08] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+7
[19:08] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=3 ]{10}
[19:09] <Carthrat> It's a miss! Is the monk's skill being affected by the strange weapon he now holds? Impossible to tell, as the cat he struck out at tries to take him down!
[19:09] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[19:09] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=14 ]{20}
[19:09] <Carthrat> But he skitters out the way just in time, finely-tuned monkish senses putting him out the way!
[19:10] * Maz figures she has the 'cat in her sights by now, and even if she doesn't, maybe the glow from it as it passes in front of the 'cat will distract it. Nodding to herself, she releases the arrow.
[19:10] <Maz> roll 1d20+2
[19:10] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=7 ]{9}
[19:11] <Carthrat> The bolt flies wide, light flying off into the monastery wall, source of light now too far to do any good!

[Corwin]

[16:12] <Maz> "Disable the cat closest to me, Kethean," Maz whispers, heading towards said cat.
[16:15] * Thaeos lashes hout with his blade at the cat!
[16:15] <Thaeos> roll d20+6
[16:15] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=3 ]{9}
[16:17] <Carthrat> The nimble cat dodges again, Thaeos' blade missing through the twisting shadows! A voice echoes through the courtyard, a mocking tone! "Fufufu... to think that you could release me, but are troubled here..."
[16:18] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[16:18] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=2 ]{8}
[16:18] <Carthrat> The cat strikes back, shadowy claws falling just short of Thaeos' body!
[16:18] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[16:18] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=11 ]{17}
[16:19] <Carthrat> Kethean's dance partner strikes out at him, as well, but there's no way these cats are fast enough to even touch him, let alone hurt him!
[16:19] <Carthrat> OOC: Kethean
[16:20] * Kethean (Merc@cpe-70-116-156-7.houston.res.rr.com) Quit (Ping timeout)
[16:28] <Carthrat> Blazing nunchuku in hand, Kethean lashes out once more, light poised to tear apart creatures of darkness!
[16:28] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[16:28] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=7 ]{13}
[16:28] <Carthrat> roll 3d6+2
[16:28] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 3d6=15 ]{17}
[16:29] <Carthrat> With a flash of light and a screaming sound, one of the shadowcats is no more!
[16:29] <Carthrat> OOC: Maaaaz.
[16:31] * Maz sighs, and then loads another arrow and takes aim at the remaining cat circling Kethean, before letting it fly.
[16:31] <Maz> roll 1d20
[16:31] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Maz : [ 1d20=9 ]{9}
[16:33] <Carthrat> The cat's body isn't anywhere near the bolt, but it's not likely to hit Kethean, either! Startled by the intense flash of light from his newfound weapon, it wisps away, diving towards the shadows that remain! Only Thaeos' opponent remains, now!
[16:33] * Thaeos once more swings his blade!
[16:34] <Thaeos> roll d20+6
[16:34] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=1 ]{7}
[16:35] <Carthrat> Thaeos is being heavily reminded of just why he preferred bows over swords, almost dropping his as he overbalances in attacking the cat! It lashes back, refusing to flee!
[16:35] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[16:35] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=19 ]{25}
[16:35] <Carthrat> OOC: jeeeez. fort save. -_-
[16:35] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+1
[16:35] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d6=6 ]{7}
[16:35] <Thaeos> roll d20+4
[16:35] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=17 ]{21}
[16:38] <Carthrat> Greviously wounded, now, Thaeos is struck again by the cat! Cold talons rake through his body, but the numbness that creeps over him isn't due to that- it's just his wounds!
[16:38] <Carthrat> Kethean leaps over to assist, nunchuku flailing, a loud cry escaping his mouth as he sees his wounded comrade's state!
[16:38] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+6
[16:38] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 1d20=9 ]{15}
[16:38] <Carthrat> roll 3d6+2
[16:38] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 3d6=15 ]{17}
[16:40] <Carthrat> With one swift stroke, he banishes the evil cat to nothingness, just a tiny figurine being all that's left of the creature! Silence reigns once again, little trace of the hard battle left in the courtyard...
[16:40] <Maz> "Okay, seems like a good time to leave," Maz comments.
[16:41] * Thaeos pants as he sheathes his sword and grips his bow.
[16:41] * Maz comes closer and uses her wand on the figurine.
[16:41] <Thaeos> "Aye, let's get the hell out of here."
[16:42] <Carthrat> There's faint magic about the figurine- but it's fading fast. Wisps of illusion and necromancy sputter and fade about it, leaving a simple stone of some black material.
[16:42] * Maz picks the figurine up, and then makes sure the package she was sent to retrieve is safely tucked into her pack, before heading towards the gates.
[16:45] <Maz> "The numbness from their claws should pass in an hour at the most," Maz tells her companions on the way out.
[16:46] * Thaeos nods to her as he follows, scanning the area constantly for any more threats.
[16:47] <Carthrat> The monastery is silent. It's just like how it was when you came... even though you all know that something fundamental here has changed. Admittedly, there's a cold feeling about the place, now, an ominous chill that does you no good at all.
[16:47] <Carthrat> All of you are feeling weary- from the journey here to the recent excitement, it's been a tiring day.
[17:00] <Carthrat> OOC: Timeskippery, now.
[17:00] <Carthrat> OOC: I'll assume you rested along the way, so you can regain HP. I'll also say Kethean healed you up, Thae, so I'll roll that.
[17:01] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+2
[17:01] * Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Carthrat : [ 2d8=11 ]{13}
[17:12] <Carthrat> It's getting dark when Maz, Kethean, and Thaeos return to Saradush. The guards stop you as you enter, giving Maz a shrewd glance. "He's fallen asleep," one says, disgustedly, "But the captain of the guard wants words with you.. tomorrow, I suppose," he says.
[17:12] * Maz inclines her head. "I will visit him tomorrow, then."
[17:13] <Carthrat> "Mmm. It's about your.. the other mage you brought back," he says, thoughtfully. "Was found naked, dead in his bed. All his stuff was gone.. but there wasn't a mark on him. Captain thinks some demon or mage did it."
[17:14] * Maz winces, hoping that it was a demon. "I see," she says.
[17:15] <Carthrat> "Mmm. Be ready for that, then. Carry on," he says, stepping aside.
[17:15] * Maz nods again, and steps past the guard, heading inside.
[17:18] <Carthrat> Saradush, in all it's glory. It's dark, but the streets are well-lit, at least, some revelry taking place in The Second Wind, one of the newer taverns. Most people seem to keep indoors at these hours, though...
[17:19] * Maz heads towards the inn to leave her horse there, stabled.
[17:23] <Carthrat> It doesn't take long to arrange, Mayor Castor still, apparently, willing to fit the bill. You've still got a date to keep with him in a few days, you remind yourself. Thaeos and Kethean head inside the Inn with no Name, leaving Maz to her own devices.