Thaeos vs. Arvoltanain

[Carthrat]

[22:15] <@Arvoltanain> <-LastChancetoQuitThisisReallyUnfairI'mnotKidding->
[22:17] <@Arvoltanain> "You're staying here, then?" asks the leader of the carava, a barrel-chested man with great, carefully cut moustaches. "Jann caravan could be here in an hour, could take a week. Sure you'll be fine alone?"
[22:17] <@Arvoltanain> (More.)
[22:18] <@Arvoltanain> The caravan is packed up about an oasis somewhere in the desert, having briefly stopped overnight. It's ready to go, now, your former companions somewhere admist the throng.
[22:18] <@Thaeos> "I should survive just fine. If not, I can make it back to the town on my own."
[22:20] * Corwin (corwin@88.153.55.78) has joined #dunes
[22:20] <@Arvoltanain> "Lady luck be with you, then," he shrugs. "You'll certainly need it..." With a shout, the camels and labourers swing into action, desert traders starting to move across the sands once more.
[22:21] * @Thaeos watches them leave, settling into some shade and waiting.
[22:23] <@Arvoltanain> An hour passes. Then another. Thaeos is kept waiting a long time, able to perhaps ruminate on the choices and events that have brought him here, and perhaps longer to think about what he plans to do from now on. Day turns to night, the desert plunging from scorching heat to freezing cold almost in an instant.
[22:25] * @Thaeos lays out his bed roll, settling in for the night, but keeps his weapons close by.
[22:25] <@Arvoltanain> He's resting when the Jann arrive, tall, finely crafted specimens all; powerfully built and quite at home in the desert, no matter the tempereture. You hear their camels from a hundred metres, a nomadic bunch of them slowly congregating around the oasis at this time of night. Like miniature gods amongst men, they have humans gathered with them as well, masters of the wagons and swathed in heavy robes.
[22:27] * @Thaeos sits up in his bed roll, and calls out, not shouting, but louder than normal.
[22:28] <@Thaeos> "Evening, gentlemen."
[22:29] <@Arvoltanain> "Nice night to be out alone!" calls back one of the Jann, the nomads not stopping in the slightest, children running to the oasis, armed with buckets and waterskins.
[22:33] * @Thaeos gets up, puts on his boots, and heads over to them.
[22:33] <@Thaeos> "Aye, it's a nice night. Been waiting for you."
[22:34] <@Arvoltanain> The caravan is heading to you, no doubt to set up camp about the oasis. Nonetheless, a couple of the Jann- six foot tall, both of them, confidence all over- stand to meet you. "Have you, young one? And now, we are here. Of what.. service.. might we be to you?"
[22:37] <@Thaeos> "Well... That's kind of a long story.. Which ends up leading to stories of a drake guarding an oasis.. One I have to find."
[22:39] <@Arvoltanain> "A drake, an oasis, eh? Might be that we'll be heading somewhere y'might want to be heading," says the Jann, frowning. "I be thinking that's what you be hoping, mmm?"
[22:40] <@Thaeos> "Best I was hoping for was directions, actuallly."
[22:42] <@Arvoltanain> "Directions, eh? Want us to point you towards your doom?" chuckles the Jann. "A drake be a mighty foe, young man, even if it is but a young blue." He frowns, glancing you up and down. "Perhaps it be better for I and I to not give you directions, best ye keep your life intact. What say you?"
[22:43] <@Arvoltanain> A couple of the humans, walking past, titter at your conversation. You can hear mumblings of 'foolhardy' as they walk past, their eyes not resting on you for more than a moment.
[22:43] <@Thaeos> "I wasn't looking forward to going into the maw on my own."
[22:43] * @Thaeos grins at the man.
[22:45] <@Arvoltanain> "Brash words, but perhaps that brashness is all that stands between you and the gates of the fugue," witticizes the Jann, smirking back. "Aye, then. I know not of no individual blue drake- they strike at whim, leaving no survivors, I daresay- but I'll tell you a story, and you may be one who finds such a story interesting."
[22:46] <@Thaeos> "Please do."
[22:48] <@Arvoltanain> "Aha! Wise is the one who listens," replies the Jann, sitting down promptly on the sand. "Well, then. It began with a party of would-be heroes- like yourself- five in number, who walked along with a Jann caravan- much like this one-" he says, gesturing to the people gathered. "Aye, but no dragon did they seek to slay- only looting and pillaging was on their mind."
[22:50] <@Arvoltanain> "They felt that looting and pillaging was easier when there was nobody to stop them, though, and thus went bravely forth to do battle with the emptiness of Castle Kundrath, ancient stone walls still standing in the sand, somewhere in, oh, that direction," he continues, waving his arms theatrically. "And it's said they did go forth, and find relics of a bygone age untold there."
[22:51] <@Arvoltanain> "Now, Castle Kundrath is far from water of any kind, and it's said their cleric, one of Kossuth, the patron of fire and brimstone, could summon none to aid them. Presumed it is that they went to the hourglass oasis, named for it's shape, but used by few- along no trade routes, along no nomadic paths."
[22:53] <@Arvoltanain> "Five in number, this brave souls were. Five left, and none returned- and they had battled the ankhegs of the earth, the elementals of the sand- nay, who knows what they faced inside the castle? But worse still- what did they face when they left, that did them in, all the same?"
[22:54] <@Thaeos> "The drake, of course."
[22:55] <@Arvoltanain> The Jann frowns. "Aye, could be so. Another brimstone-cleric went forth to know what happened to her mate. She claims she found such an oasis en-route, and was one to take a drink, were it not for the symbol of her god found lying near the water. Surely, evidence enough that something- of some kind, lurks near. What, though, who can say? A drake, perhaps... or, as a scholar would put it, "Any dragon who has not yet reached it's second century."
[22:56] <@Arvoltanain> "Any dragon who has not yet reached it's second century."
[22:56] * @Thaeos nods.
[22:57] <@Arvoltanain> The Jann laughs uproariously. "And you, my friend, alone, would attempt to.. what? What can one such as you possibly do against a blue drake? Do you carry a mighty weapon? Is your sword-arm stronger than it appears?"
[22:57] <@Thaeos> "Hmm.. Well, from what I've been told, what I'm looking for is guarded by a drake near an oasis. It's sounding like, from your story, that this drake is using the castle as its lair.."
[22:57] * @Thaeos chuckles.
[22:58] <@Thaeos> "Nay. Insanity and silent foot-falls are my friends. I'm not planning to do anything to the drake. One item I'm looking for, and one only."
[23:00] <@Arvoltanain> "Insanity is surely your friend, for a dragon is jealous by it's very nature," replies the Jann. "Silent foot-falls avail one not in the sands, for a drake will be not your only issue if you travel to Castle Kundrath. Fierce ankheg and elemental alike prowl the sands for the unwary. Though, perhaps you could defeat one on your lonesome... chance, they say, favours the bold."
[23:02] <@Thaeos> "Aye, I was expecting to fight something at some time.. But only when I had no other choice, and never the drake. If the drake didn't look to be something I could get past, then I planned on comming back here and then to the town we left from."
[23:04] <@Arvoltanain> "'Get Past', hah! Well, my friend, I know not the lairing habits of a drake. Luck be with ye, I suppose, for you'll surely need it."
[23:04] <@Thaeos> "Aye. I was hoping Shaundakul would cover that for me, and guide my steps true."
[23:05] <@Arvoltanain> "Shaundakul, hmm? That one has a habit of rescuing lost or stranded adventurers, I have heard," nods the Jann. "Not foolish ones."
[23:06] <@Thaeos> "My foolishness in this comes from him. I have the dubious honor of having the need of this item being given from him, and Selune."
[23:06] * @Thaeos sighs.
[23:08] <@Arvoltanain> "The gods may demand faith, friend. But only the cruel ones demand this sort of labor," replies the Jann, a little kindlier. "If you wish to stay your course, then so be it- in their absence, I shall show you the way. But, a thousand urgings on you to reconsider- that is the last I will speak on that."
[23:08] * Dracos (WinNT@128.113.196.86) has joined #dunes
[23:08] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Dracos Dracos
[23:09] * @Thaeos shrugs.
[23:09] <@Thaeos> "Insane I may be, foolish, not as much. If, once I get there, it becomes obvious that I have no chance, I will leave without a look backwards."
[23:12] <@Arvoltanain> "Wise words. Surely, should you return, your boldness will serve you well in the future," states the Jann. "Come. You will accompany us part of the way, for one untried in desert ways will not survive the trek to Kundrath on his own. Then, I shall direct you to the fort- which will take you pass the oasis, to be sure. How you proceed... is up to you."
[23:12] * @Thaeos nods and goes to pack his gear back up.
[23:13] <@Arvoltanain> "We're not leaving now," chuckles the Jann. "We're just making camp! We leave to-morrow, for better or worse. Should you have a question, I and we can answer best we can. As a friend of the Jann to begin, no payment is necessary."
[23:14] <@Thaeos> "Heh, I would appreciate learning the ways of desert living, actually.. I'm a survivalist, you could say, so I enjoying learning what I can."
[23:16] <@Arvoltanain> "The desert interests you, does it? She is beautiful, but deadly," replies the Jann, wistfully. "Then, I will speak to you of what I know."
[23:21] <@Arvoltanain> <-Timeskippery!->
[23:22] <@Arvoltanain> Three days of scorching travel later, the Jann approaches Thaeos, confident face creased with a frown. "Travel, straight to the east, and you will find castle Kuldrath," he states. "We have replenished your water, for you will need it- it's three days there, and four days back to the closest oasis."
[23:23] * @Thaeos nods.
[23:23] <@Thaeos> "I thank you friends.. Good luck and safe travels to you."
[23:24] <@Arvoltanain> "Assuming you ignore the closest one!" chuckles the Jann. "Safe travel, my friend, and one note of advice- in the desert, water can be a mirage. But even if it is real, surely something lies amiss when found amongst such scorching heat."
[23:24] <@Thaeos> "I'll keep it in mind."
[23:25] <@Arvoltanain> The Jann bows elaborately before he walks after his comrades, who are already a ways in front.
[23:25] * @Thaeos turns and heads out to the east, making sure to conserve his water.
[23:28] <@Arvoltanain> You almost lose track of time as you travel straight east, the sands seeming the same all around...
[23:28] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Make a SURVIVAL check.
[23:29] <@Thaeos> roll d20+9
[23:29] * +Serith bats the dice around, getting a roll for Thaeos : [ 1d20=2 ]{11}
[23:29] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+9 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{26}
[23:29] <@Thaeos> OOC: Think I passed.
[23:29] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Now, make a listen check!
Session Close: Tue Apr 18 23:29:48 2006

Session Start: Tue Apr 18 23:29:57 2006
Session Ident: #dunes
[23:29] * Now talking in #dunes
[23:29] * Topic is 'Ding dong, the Jadeite is gone!'
[23:29] * Set by Usagi on Sun Apr 16 20:31:05
[23:30] * Thaeos sets mode: -v Serith
[23:30] <@Thaeos> roll d20+10
[23:30] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+10 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{15}
[23:32] <Arvoltanain> As you walk along in the featureless sands, you can hear the faintest kind of.. rumble, coming from underneath you.
[23:32] #dunes You need voice (+v) (#dunes)
[23:32] * Arvoltanain is now known as Carthrat
[23:32] * Carthrat is now known as Arvoltanain
[23:32] <Arvoltanain> As you walk along in the featureless sands, you can hear the faintest kind of.. rumble, coming from underneath you.
[23:32] #dunes You need voice (+v) (#dunes)
[23:32] * Dracos sets mode: +o Arvoltanain
[23:33] <@Arvoltanain> As you walk along in the featureless sands, you can hear the faintest kind of.. rumble, coming from underneath you.
[23:33] * @Thaeos shifts his weight onto the balls of his feet, and moves away from the area.
[23:36] <@Arvoltanain> You can hear it before it comes, a churning and rumbling sound from underneath, as something huge and green erupts from the ground just underneath you! A huge, insectile beast burrows upwards at a rapid speed, sand showering everywhere as it tries to claw you!
[23:36] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d20+9
[23:36] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{20}
[23:37] <@Arvoltanain> roll 2d6+7
[23:37] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 2d6+7 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{16}
[23:38] <@Thaeos> OOC: 18 AC with dodge.
[23:38] <@Arvoltanain> The claw tears a massive chunk out of Thaeos, pincer grasping back leaving terrible wounds across him as he stumbles away! OOC: Action!
[23:39] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Oh, and you take 16 damage.
[23:39] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Remaining HP?
[23:39] <@Thaeos> OOC: 20
[23:43] * @Thaeos darts away at a sprint, gaining range on the beast, before turning and firing an arrow.
[23:43] <@Thaeos> roll d20+6
[23:43] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+6 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{20}
[23:43] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Hits! Damage.
[23:43] <@Thaeos> roll d6+3
[23:43] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d6+3 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{6}
[23:43] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Fuck, I forgot the AoO.
[23:44] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Lucky. This time.
[23:44] <@Thaeos> OOC: Go for it. My AC against an AoO is 22.
[23:44] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d20+7
[23:44] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{10}
[23:45] <@Arvoltanain> The ankheg swipes at you as you retreat, fiendish claw grasping only air! It stampedes towards you, and with a mighty belch, excudes a line of foul green liquid towards you, the stuff rushing at an extreme pace! (Reflex save!)
[23:45] <@Thaeos> roll d20+8
[23:45] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+8 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{18}
[23:45] <@Arvoltanain> roll 4d4
[23:45] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 4d4 --> [ 4d4=8 ]{8}
[23:46] <@Arvoltanain> You twist out the way, just in time! The searing acid nonetheless cuts across you! (4 damage!)
[23:46] <@Arvoltanain> (Annnnd action!)
[23:47] * @Thaeos darts around, keeping as much range as he can, and fires again. (Skirmish)
[23:47] <@Thaeos> roll d20+6
[23:47] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+6 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{18}
[23:47] <@Thaeos> roll d6+3
[23:47] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d6+3 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{4}
[23:47] <@Arvoltanain> You're leaving the ankheg in the dust now, far away enough that your arrow doesn't find a chink in it's plated back! The creature stares at you, too far away to chase- then retreats to the hole it made, burrowing into the ground!
[23:49] * @Thaeos waits a few moments, tensed, to see if the beast is digging its way towards him..
[23:49] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Listen cheeeck
[23:49] <@Thaeos> roll d20+10
[23:49] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+10 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{30}
[23:49] <@Thaeos> OOC: I hear *EVERYTHING!*
[23:49] <@Arvoltanain> You can hear it plain as day, the sound of churning earth heading towards you!
[23:50] * @Thaeos darts away, heading towards the east, hoping to gain enough lead on it so that it gives up.
[23:51] <@Arvoltanain> Your wounds tinge with pain, acid burning and blood staining the sand before you! The sound of burrowing eventually vanishes... and, before you, over a dune ahead, you can see what seems to be a lake, just in the middle of the desert.
[23:52] * @Thaeos stops a moment, and downs his last CLW Potion, before heading towards the water, carefully..
[23:52] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Make... a spot check.
[23:52] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: And a survival check.
[23:52] <@Thaeos> roll d20+10 for spot
[23:52] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+10 for spot --> [ 1d20=14 ]{24}
[23:52] <@Thaeos> roll d20+9 for survival
[23:52] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d20+9 for survival --> [ 1d20=1 ]{10}
[23:53] <@Thaeos> OOC: What's the roll for the potion?
[23:53] <@Arvoltanain> The oasis, a lake framed by sand all around, is shaped like an hour glass, two large 'bulbs' joined together by a single small stream. OOC: 1d8+5
[23:53] <@Thaeos> roll d8+5
[23:53] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d8+5 --> [ 1d8=7 ]{12}
[23:53] <@Arvoltanain> You can see a skeleton, half-covered by the sand lying partially inside the oasis.
[23:54] * @Thaeos heads down, and checks the skeleton, looking over it and around the area.
[23:55] <@Arvoltanain> White energy flows straight through you, partially healing your terrible wound. As for the oasis- there's not much to see. It's just an hourglass-shaped pool of crystal-clear, perfect water, sitting in the middle of the sands. There aren't any trees or the like, but it's a very large pool, about a hundred metres long!
[23:56] * @Thaeos checks the water he's carrying, seeing how much he has left.
[23:56] <@Arvoltanain> Thaeos has about five days of water left. It's enough to get him to Castle Kuldrath, and back to a second oasis.. probably.
[23:57] * @Thaeos approaches the water, checking for any smell or taste that's out of the ordinary.
[23:57] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: You're tasting the water?
[23:58] <@Thaeos> OOC: Aye, there's actually a whole process to checking if something is posionous, but I won't bother with the details =p
[23:59] <@Arvoltanain> The water tastes beautiful, even though it's slightly warm. It's a taste you're kind of missing.
Session Time: Wed Apr 19 00:00:00 2006
[00:02] * @Thaeos fills up his empty skins, and then sets out towards the castle.
[00:03] <@Arvoltanain> roll 5d8
[00:03] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 5d8 --> [ 5d8=20 ]{20}
[00:04] <@Arvoltanain> As you're filling up your waterskins, a faint roar rushes through the water, followed by powerful electrical current rushing through your veins! Your body twitches maddeningly as the power shocks through you, charring through skin and boiling blood!
[00:04] <@Arvoltanain> OOC: Take 20 damage. @_@
[00:06] * @Thaeos jumps away from the water, breathing heavily, and calms himself down, before hauling himself to his feet.
[00:08] * @Thaeos catches his breath and closes his eyes, focusing on praying to Shaundakul to convert Command into healing.
[00:08] <@Thaeos> roll d8+1
[00:08] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d8+1 --> [ 1d8=3 ]{4}
[00:08] * @Thaeos shakes off the odd feeling and again prays, this time converting Sanctuary into healing.
[00:08] <@Thaeos> roll d8+1
[00:08] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Thaeos who gets: d8+1 --> [ 1d8=3 ]{4}
[00:09] <@Arvoltanain> Suddenly, the water breaks in front of you, shattered earth and rolling wave blasting out from the center! From the middle, a majestic, winged creature bursts forth! Covered in great blue scales, possessing four legs, bigger than several houses and having the face of an incredibly cruel smile, it stares at you, a stench of ozone and electricity rippling forth from the horrible creature's lips! A terrifying, animal laugh echoes from deep within it's throat!
[00:09] <@Arvoltanain>  A terrifying, animal laugh echoes from deep within it's throat!
[00:11] * @Thaeos drops to a crouch and darts away towards the east, hoping to make it inside the castle and use it for cover.
[00:13] <@Arvoltanain> 12"FWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! RUN, MANLING, BUT YOUR FATE IS UNDENIABLY SEALED!"
[00:14] <@Arvoltanain> The dragon pounces after you, leathery wings spread wide! Practially right on top of you, it lashes out with brutally mighty claws that a stone fortress could not survive!
[00:14] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d20+23
[00:14] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d20+23
[00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{29}
[00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{38}
[00:14] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d8+6
[00:14] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d8+6
[00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d8+6 --> [ 1d8=4 ]{10}
[00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d8+6 --> [ 1d8=8 ]{14}
[00:16] * Dracos is now known as Drac-writing
[00:18] * @Thaeos (iron_drago@c-67-163-114-219.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[00:19] * Thaeos (iron_drago@67.163.114.219) has joined #dunes
[00:19] <@Arvoltanain> [00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{29}
[00:19] <@Arvoltanain> [00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{38}
[00:19] <@Arvoltanain> [00:14] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d8+6
[00:19] <@Arvoltanain> [00:14] <@Arvoltanain> roll 1d8+6
[00:19] <@Arvoltanain> [00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d8+6 --> [ 1d8=4 ]{10}
[00:19] <@Arvoltanain> [00:14] <+Ami_no_Yuki> Ami smiles politely and rolls for Arvoltanain who gets: 1d8+6 --> [ 1d8=8 ]{14}
[00:20] * Serith (iron_drago@c-67-163-114-219.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
[00:20] * Serith (iron_drago@c-67-163-114-219.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) has joined #dunes
[00:20] * ChanServ sets mode: +v Serith
[00:22] <@Arvoltanain> The last thing Thaeos sees before the pain becomes to much is the sun, shining above the endless desert and the endless horizon, far away, unattainble.. and, faintly, the moon, hovering palely in the bright blue sky.