008. The Crimson Guard, Donal and the river of bone!

[Corwin]

[22:12] <Kotono> The two groups meet ouside the garrison. The trip to Helm's temple is without incident. It's a tall building near the front gates, it's own watertower and high walls. A pair of acolytes in chain mail stand vigilant guard at the grand doors inside. A few people come and go...
[22:13] <Seira> "I propose approaching the clergy directly," Seira says once they are there.
[22:15] * Berlioz taps his foots nonchalantly with a snicker. "As long as it's not too brutally so. Dealing with clergy isn't exactly a straight railroad. We might not want to be too blunt, after all."
[22:16] <Seira> "If our working theory is correct, they themselves might be in great danger. Should they not be warned?"
[22:16] <Shamal> "No reason not to," Shamal nods, approaching the guards. "Excuse me, we're here to see the head cleric," she begins, her crimson guard insignia prominently displayed on her attire.
[22:16] <Lyselle> "Helm's people aren't known to be oily," Lyselle informs Berlioz, shrugging a little before following Shamal.
[22:18] <Kotono> A bow, "Sir Arbach is currently away on business of the faith. Watchman Karl is the acting head in his place." The acolyte doesn't break his posture, "What business do you have with him?"
[22:19] <Seira> "Official Guard business," Seira tells him, before asking again, "May we see the Watchman, then?"
[22:20] <Kotono> A nod at this, "Go inside." The two open the gates, calling forth, "Visitors from the guard to see Watchman Karl!" Ahead is a hall, the sound echoing. It's stately and serious, an open place of worship. No pews or seats, just an altar and lots of free space. There are some works of religious art on the wall, however.
[22:21] * Seira ignores the religious art, proceeding inside.
[22:22] * Shamal walks inside with Rin padding along beside her as she looks around for said Watchman.
[22:23] * Lyselle just crosses her arms, walking inside and taking a look around, mostly at the art, sicne she won't do much talking, and is rather here to be informed about what she might need to kill in the near future. Or re-kill, that's always a possibility.
[22:24] * Berlioz follows silently, somewhat awkward regarding the interiors.
[22:25] <Kotono> At the altar a short man waits. He stands at perfect vigliance, wearing a cloth robe with chainmail clearly visible underneath. He bristled with a beard still not yet shot with gray, not quite to middle age yet. "I bid you welcome to the House of Helm. If your hearts have been true to your duties, come before Helm."
[22:26] * Seira doesn't let this vague warning stop her as she approaches. "Watchman Karl?" she asks.
[22:27] <Shamal> "It is our duties that bring us here today, Watchman," Shamal adds in, deferring to Seira to handle the talking. She actually fought the undead, after all.
[22:28] <Kotono> "I am he. Speak." He goes from the altar, coming around. While short, he's in good shape and has a spring to his step. A heavy warmace hangs at his side.
[22:29] <Seira> "Do you know of the plague of undead assailing Balmuria these past few nights, Sir?" she asks him, cutting to the chase.
[22:30] <Kotono> "I have heard of it." He nods grimly, face settling into a serious scowl. "Need you aid?"
[22:31] <Seira> "Perhaps we will, soon," she agrees. "But we are here because these have been found on every slain ghoul, tied to their legs." She shows the Watchman the golden chain once more. "Do you recognize this, Sir?"
[22:32] <Kotono> He takes it, eyes going wide. "...I do. I do know it so well. I placed one on a corpse on it's final rites a mere week ago!"
[22:33] <Seira> "Our theory has been proven right, then, it seems," Seira continues calmly. "We believe that a fell necromancer is using Helm's burial grounds to raise his army of ghouls."
[22:34] <Kotono> The deep rumbling of rage from him makes his entire frame quake. "...How DARE they...no less, when our leaders gifted with the magic of Helm are away. Blasphemy!" He snarls and swears, fist banging into his thigh.
[22:36] <Seira> "We require guidance to your burial grounds, and help with inspecting them," Seira asks of the man. "Also, I would like to ask for your permission as the acting head of the temple to stake them out, if it proves necessary."
[22:37] <Kotono> "Done." He nods quickly, going back to the altar. HE comes back with a plain silver key, undecorated. "This will open the gates."
[22:37] <Seira> "Equip the guards with silver, if at all possible, Sir," Seira suggests, taking the key. "Or maces," she adds, with a glance at Lyselle.
[22:38] <Kotono> "Yes..." He nods a moment, clutching the chain. "...also. This bracelet...I must ask of you a favor."
[22:38] <Lyselle> "Maces have worked plenty well on the ghouls so far, I'd suggest silver for good measure, though," Lyselle nods, solemnly offering her professional opinion as a brainer.
[22:39] * Seira nods at Lyselle, before saying, "Yes, Sir?"
[22:41] <Kotono> "We would be grateful if you returned any chains recovered from undead to us. We will compensate you for this if you desire." He nods once, grave.
[22:41] * Ginrai is on IRC (Ginrai)
[22:42] <Kotono> "Another seeks the Watchman!" The guards cry asy ou hear the great doors open behind you.
[22:42] * Seira nods, this time at the priest. "We currently have two in our possession. As they are your property, they shall be returned to your temple."
[22:42] <Shamal> "We're civil servants, not adventurers," Shamal interjects with a light chuckle.
[22:44] <Kotono> "I thank you. But do not feel bound to refuse the money fo-?" HE stops, looking behind you. "I bid you welcome to the House of Helm. If your heart has been true to your duty, come before Helm."
[22:44] * Shamal glances back a moment to see who else is visiting.
[22:44] * Berlioz glances as well.
[22:45] <Kotono> Donald strides in, back lugging his silver greatsword along. He stops as he sees Shamal and Berlioz, "...hm? We meet again?"
[22:47] <Kotono> "You'll have to wait. We are discussion important matters," Watchman Karl clears his throat, "I apologize."
[22:47] * Berlioz snickers and muses lightly to himself. Bad news travel far, you could say... and it applies for both parties, most likely.
[22:48] <Shamal> "Hello," Shamal nods in greeting with a smile. "Don't worry, we won't be much longer, though I suspect our reasons for being here may be similar."
[22:48] <Kotono> "Are you after the..." He begins, scowling a bi.t "If they're here about the graveyard, that's what I'm here for!" Thrusting his hand out, you see a gold chain in his hand.
[22:50] <Kotono> "I see." WAtchman Karl rumbles. "Yes, that isone of ours. Would you please return it?"
[22:50] <Kotono> So the chain is handed back, a nod. "The city guard is on matters well already. Are you with them?"
[22:52] <Shamal> "He seems very devoted, if nothing else," Shamal vouches for the strange newcomer. "And he gave us these lucky charms!" she holds up said supposedly undead repelling item.
[22:53] <Kotono> "Well then." The chain is pocketed away, "You have the key. Go on as you wish."
[22:54] <Seira> "Your acquaintance with the really big sword seems quite friendly," Seira mentions casually as she asks the Watchman for directions to the graveyard.
[22:55] <Kotono> "The graveyard is deeper in, closer to the east wall. It has a wrought iron gate around it, and it's mostly a large masoleum." Watchman Karl informs the party.
[22:56] <Kotono> *deeperin the city
[22:56] * Seira bows at the man in gratitude, and turns to head there, following his instructions.
[22:58] <Kotono> "Are you going," Donald asks as Seira starts to go. "Let me go with you if you are!"
[22:58] <Shamal> "We can call you a citizen collaborator," Shamal agrees brightly. "Um... there's no pay or anything, though," she hastily adds.
[23:00] <Seira> "Since Shamal vouches for you, you may as well come," Seira allows.
[23:00] <Kotono> "The pay doesn't matter. I'm here on my own will, not to chase coins! I'm not some greedy travelaround that goes after these things for gold!" At this he crosses his arms, looking offended.
[23:00] * Berlioz bites his lips for a moment, and folds his arms. "Well, you are definitely dedicated to a cause, I must say."
[23:00] <Lyselle> "Then just try to be helpful and don't go charging," Lyseele suggests, ruffling the boy's hair and heading on behind Seira.
[23:01] <Shamal> "That's the spirit!" the blonde witch agrees happily, patting his back. "You'll get free healing if you suffer any wounds in the course of duty, at least."
[23:02] <Kotono> Donald blushes but quickly follows to match Seira's pace, muttering to himself.

[Corwin]

[21:03] <Anastasia> The path to the graveyard is not a very long one. You cut through a few main streets heading along towards it. As you do, you find that the day is turning cool and cloudy. Ahead is the masoleum - it's a fenced in space of green, a tall wrough iron fence and gate. The masoleum looks to be two stories high and made of gray and white stone, the symbol of Helm atop the gate and front entrance.
[21:07] <Anastasia> Donald peers ahead, "It all looks normal. Nothing on the outside, of course."
[21:08] * Berlioz sighs. "Of course it looks normal, we haven't even searched for anything. Anyone more competent than a Kobold would at least make sure appearances were kept."
[21:11] <Shamal> "You shouldn't underestimate kobolds, Berlioz," Shamal remonstrates with a gentle smile as they approach the gate, "They live by the credo of 'appearances can be deceiving'."
[21:11] <Anastasia> The gate is plain black iron, wrough tinto twists and curls. In the center, over where the two halves meet, is a simple key lock and chain. It looks quite sturdy.
[21:12] * Seira uses the key to unlock it, gathering up the chain.
[21:13] <Anastasia> This goes well. The chain is well kept and oiled, not even creaking as the gates open. You can smell grass and fresh earth ahead, the gates of the large stone masoleum awaiting.
[21:14] * Shamal looks rather content as she breathes in the earthy scents, petting Rin as they walk in towards the mausoleum.
[21:15] <Anastasia> It's quiet here as the party approaches the front. It's one wide stone door to lead you in, a pull ring on the front side.
[21:15] * Lyselle glances around, mostly just admiring the architecture as they remain on the relatively innocent exterior of what must be the hunting grounds of their foe.
[21:15] * Berlioz follows, unremarkably quiet. Quite unassuming, indeed. Almost predictably so.
[21:16] * Shamal opens the door!
[21:16] <Anastasia> OOC - Spot check if you like, Lyselle.
[21:16] <Seira> "Any better ideas than searching for disturbed earth and dug up graves?" Seira asks.
[21:16] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+1
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 and gets 19."12 [1d20=18]
[21:18] <Anastasia> Lyselle notes that the grass around the masoleum's front and sides is rather disturbed. Not the sort of thing you'd notice at first, but it's clearly been walked/trampled on recently. Meanwhile, Shamal opens the door. A whiff of cooler air and mustiness greets her nose, as inside you see a short hallway leading to another door. On the walls are verses carved into the stone, written in common.
[21:20] <Shamal> "I'm afraid not," Shamal admits to Seira as she steps inside. "This is the only lead we seem to have, so far."
[21:20] <Lyselle> "Hmm...someone's been walking around here," the blonde brainer observes, Lyselle glancing back to the entrance, looking within.
[21:22] <Anastasia> Donald sniffs the air, giong inside. "Pfah." He glances at the verses on the wall, "Looks like normal religious writings here. Hm?" A glance out at Lyselle, curious.
[21:22] <Shamal> "Could be mourners or priests... or could be a necromancer and his animated dead," Shamal notes, likewise taking a look at the footsteps to see if anything out of the ordinary presents itself.
[21:23] <Lyselle> "Grass around here has been trampled," Lyselle explains, gesturing to the greenery.
[21:23] <Berlioz> "Considering the current circumstances, betting on unwanted visitors would be the most likely. But it's a pretty faint lead what we have here."
[21:24] <Anastasia> The footsteps look humanish on Shamal. OOC - Spot check if you like as well.
[21:25] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 22."12 [1d20=12]
[21:25] <Anastasia> Shamal does notice a yellow glint of something just off one of the footsteps as she examines.
[21:26] <Shamal> "Hello, what's this?" Shamal muses aloud, kneeling down to examine said yellow glint.
[21:26] <Anastasia> Kneeling down, Shamal finds another golden chain. A tiny bit of rotten cloth clings to it.
[21:28] <Shamal> "Well, now..." Shamal picks it up, holding it to the light. "This might be something for Rin to track by, assuming the necromancer keeps his or her zombies close. But let's examine the mausoleum first before we try that?" she suggests.
[21:29] * Seira decides to be prepared, and holds onto her bow as she nods in agreement.
[21:30] * Berlioz scratches his head. "Might as well."
[21:30] <Anastasia> "Damn," Donald observes, turning back, "That means that..." With a grunt he draws his sword out, starting to go forward.
[21:30] * Shamal is happy to let the people with armour and big weapons take the lead, following along with Rin at her heel.
[21:32] <Anastasia> Ahead past the verses is another pull ring stone door. Looks easy enough if anyone wants to open it.
[21:35] <Anastasia> Seeing no one else step up, Donald goes to the ring. "Well?" he grunts, taking it in hand.
[21:37] <Lyselle> "Might as well," Lyselle nods, bracing with her shield and drawn silver longsword.
[21:38] <Anastasia> With a yank the door opens! Another rush of musty air, for inside here:
[21:38] <Anastasia> A long, wide hall. Here are coffins lined up on biers, several rows deep and back. The only light comes from occasional stone bowls that cast radience up, sending shadows all over. It's a very long hall, a set of stairs going both up and down seen several hundred feet ahead. Coffins everywhere - including a few that are crudely broken apart, here and there. One's even close...
[21:42] * Shamal enters the room, assuming others are also doing so, and goes to investigate the nearest broken coffin. "No doubt left, now," she murmurs.
[21:43] * Seira counts the broken and otherwise opened coffins.
[21:44] <Anastasia> It's two up and two deep. The coffins are generally made of wood, dark stained but otherwise plain. As Shamal approaches the broken one, she can see that no body can be found. Seira can count four broken coffins total here."
[21:44] * Berlioz (assis_san@200.175.229.135.adsl.gvt.net.br) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:44] * Lyselle moves slowly forward with her shield held forward, looking into the coffins. "Nothing...?"
[21:45] <Anastasia> OOC - Looking into a fresh coffin or the broken one, Lyselle?
[21:45] <Lyselle> OOC - Broken
[21:45] * Shamal shudders. "Yes, looks like the bodies went for a walk," she announces.
[21:46] <Seira> "We can account for three of the four missing bodies," Seira muses out loud.
[21:46] <Anastasia> Lyselle can notice a few bits of cloth and bone, nothing spectacular. "I stopped one as well, it's how I knew to come here,"  Donald annouces.
[21:47] <Anastasia> As the party talks, they here a soft voice. "Hello...?" A woman's voice, a little girl's.
[21:48] <Shamal> "There's more upstairs and downstairs - we should check to see if more have been taken," Shamal suggests distastefully, moving towards the stairs before stopping at the new voice. "Who's that?"
[21:49] <Anastasia> "I'm down here..." The little girl calls, "In the earth...down here. Just past the glowing rune door..."
[21:50] <Seira> "Sounds like an invitation," Seira tells the others.
[21:51] <Shamal> "Er... yes," Shamal nods dumbly to Seira before raising her voice, "What are you doing in this crypt, miss?"
[21:52] <Anastasia> "Hurry...it's cold here and they're hungry! THey're going to eat me up!"
[21:53] <Seira> "Do you have the Message spell, Shamal?" Seira asks her quietly, approaching the blonde.
[21:53] <Anastasia> Donald grits his teeth, "We can't just leave her here.." he mutters.
[21:54] * Shamal nods to Seira, already drifting towards the stairs despite her better judgement. If there's even a chance of it being legitimate, it can't be ignored.
[21:54] <Lyselle> "Nope, we can't," Lyselle plainly agrees, nodding and heading forward, to go deeper into the catacombs, and find the source of the child-voice!
[21:54] <Seira> "I want to scout a bit up the stairs, to ensure we're not ambushed. Could you cast it on me?"
[21:56] * Shamal nods and promptly casts the spell to link herself and Seira, before ushering Rin close to her and taking out her scroll of Mage Armour to cast said spell before she follows Lyselle downstairs. "We're coming, miss," she calls loud enough for the presumed child to hear.
[21:57] * Seira whispers, "Call me back if you need me," and tries to proceed stealthily.
[21:57] <Anastasia> OOC - Seira, #evil, I think, while the rest of the party goes downstairs and stays here.

[Corwin]

[21:57] <Anastasia> ---
[21:58] <Anastasia> Up the stairs! Each step echos as she walks along, chilly air brushing her skin. It's a rather long stair, each step taking her closer up.  Darker, too, little light indeed as she climbs up.
[21:59] * Seira is committed to her plan!
[21:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 hide
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 hide and gets 21."12 [1d20=10]
[21:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 move silently
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 move silently and gets 30."12 [1d20=19]
[22:00] <Anastasia> Nary a sound comes as Seira goes up the stairs. Quietly she creeps along - up here is a vast space, coming up in the back/center. More biers and more coffins mostly, but there's a clearing from the stairs to the rear wall. It's colder up here, and there's no light at all by that clearing. It all goes dead dark, not even Seira' elven vision helping.
[22:01] * Seira stops for a moment, relying on her ears to locate any sounds or movement, mentally comparing the ambient noise to what she heard of the ghouls the other night.
[22:02] <Anastasia> OOC - Hearin' check here, I think.
[22:02] <Seira> roll 1d20+3 listen
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 listen and gets 12."12 [1d20=9]
[22:03] <Anastasia> Seira notes her own breathing first. It's by far the strongest thing in here. Past that? You can faintly here something, something hard hitting something, perhaps?
[22:04] * Seira slowly proceeds towards the far wall, going on a straight line and glancing sideways to examine what little of the coffins she can see on either side of the aisle.
[22:05] <Anastasia> OOC - Hearing check. IC - The coffins are generally wooden and intact...you think? OOC - Make a spot check as well if you like.
[22:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+3 listen
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 listen and gets 14."12 [1d20=11]
[22:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+3 spot
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 spot and gets 21."12 [1d20=18]
[22:06] <Anastasia> Seira notices many of the coffins have little holes in the sides, like something poked out of them.
[22:06] * Seira examines one such coffin in more detail, coming closer.
[22:06] <Shamal> "Seira, what was that noise?" Shamal's voice is heard in the half-elf's mind.
[22:07] <Anastasia> It's a few holes. Perhaps the size of three inches around, jagged torn open from the inside.
[22:11] <Seira> "There might be something here," she whispers back. "I think I'm too far up to hear anyone come through the ground level, so keep an eye out."
[22:12] * Seira listens at the aforementioned coffin, trying to stay absolutely still and hear whether there is any sign of movement from it.
[22:13] <Anastasia> OOC - Heh, listen check again, then.
[22:13] <Seira> roll 1d20+3
[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 and gets 18."12 [1d20=15]
[22:14] <Anastasia> You can hear the thumping coming from the darkness. It's like something hard striking something similar. A boney, thumpy sound. Clattery and dry. It's getting louder.
[22:16] <Seira> "Fire would be appreciated, I think," Seira whispers. "I have no proof, yet, but the space here is enormous and some of the coffins appear to have been clawed up from within."
[22:22] <Shamal> "Yes, I know Seira, because there are a bunch of ghouls coming right for us!" Shamal's somewhat alarmed mental voice registers.
[22:22] * Seira retreats at once upon receiving the message!
[22:23] <Anastasia> As Seira retreats towards the stairs, the sound gets louder! Clittering and clattering from behind her, rustling along quick!
[22:24] * Seira throws a glance back once she has more light to work with.
[22:26] <Anastasia> As Seira reaches thes tairs and can go down if she wishes, she can see it starting to come out of the darkness! Like a river of bone and jagged bone shards coming from the darkness, a smooth snake of old white! Several bony mouths are around it, nasty daggers of pure human bone sticking out all over it, as it's starting to fly in the air towards the stairs!
[22:29] <Seira> "Flying snake of bone. Really big. On my tail," Seira reports tersely, putting her speed to good use. "Retreating."
[22:30] <Anastasia> Down the stairs Seira goes! Going downstairs, she can see six more ghouls, all nearby and heading for the downward stairs! OOC - Go ahead and make an actino here, the ghouls aren't reacting to you.
[22:33] * Seira dashes past them, firing an arrow at the lead one once she is past it.
[22:33] <Anastasia> OOC - So you're giong to dash past them and down the stairs, basically?
[22:33] <Seira> OOC: That's the plan!
[22:37] <Anastasia> OOC - Okay.
[22:38] <Seira> roll 1d20+8
[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24."12 [1d20=16]
[22:38] <Anastasia> Seira races downward! STrangely the ghouls don't even protest this, as she reachesthe top of the downward stairs! OOC - Attacking up if you like.
[22:38] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 6."12 [1d8=7]
[22:43] <Anastasia> The arrow slams into it's head, tearing away most of it's eye socket! Direct hit! OOC - Go ahead and go into #dunes, roll initiative. I'll get you in next round.

[Corwin]

[21:58] <Anastasia> Downstairs the party goes. Down a long flight of stairs to a lond hall and landing. At the end of it is a large stone door. It's the only light in here, symbols and runes of soft blue and brilliant white on the door.
[22:00] * Shamal holds up a hand to stall the others from going to close to the door as she first utters a brief incantation that allows her to see magic.
[22:02] <Shamal> roll 1d20+12 for door
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+12 for door and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
[22:02] <Shamal> roll 1d20+12 for ambient aura
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+12 for ambient aura and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
[22:03] <Shamal> "There is magic on the doors, and also an aura all around, stronger near the stairs," Shamal announces. "I cannot discern its nature, however," she concludes, looking somewhat ashamed.
[22:04] <Anastasia> Donald goes to the door, peering. "Hmph. ...hey! The symbol of Helm's on the doorframe," he points, just above the runes.
[22:04] <Anastasia> OOC - Hearing checks.
[22:05] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 Shamal
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 Shamal and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[22:05] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+1
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 and gets 12."12 [1d20=11]
[22:05] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 Rin
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 Rin and gets 19."12 [1d20=14]
[22:05] * Berlioz (assis_san@201.86.155.254.adsl.gvt.net.br) has joined #dunes
[22:05] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Berlioz
[22:06] <Shamal> "Seira, what was that noise?" Shamal whispers, looking up and waiting for one of the brave people with big weapons and armour to open the door.
[22:06] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 13."12 [1d20=11]
[22:07] <Shamal> Or Berlioz. He could do it, too.
[22:07] * Berlioz hides behind Shamal conspicuously. No, he couldn't.
[22:07] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+9
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+9 and gets 24."12 [1d20=15]
[22:08] <Anastasia> ..."Wait." Donald shakes his head, "These runes. I know them, they aren't a necromancer's at all. They're a warding used by religious priests."
[22:09] <Shamal> "The watchman didn't mention anything like that..." Shamal mutters, before raising her voice. "Miss, how did you get in here?" she calls.
[22:10] <Anastasia> No response. No voice at all.
[22:12] <Anastasia> OOC - Hearing checks again.
[22:12] * Shamal cocks her head slightly, murmuring, "Okay, Seira," before resuming on a more normal level, "I don't like this - it feels like a setup..."
[22:12] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 Shamal
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 Shamal and gets 29."12 [1d20=19]
[22:12] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+1
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 and gets 9."12 [1d20=8]
[22:12] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 Rin
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 Rin and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
[22:12] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+1
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 and gets 11."12 [1d20=10]
[22:14] <Shamal> "There's something upstairs," Shamal announces flatly, before turning and hurrying back up the way she came with Rin by her side.
[22:15] * Lyselle follows behind Shamal without further ado, shield and sword leading the way to rescue(?) Seira!
[22:16] <Anastasia> As the party rushes to the stairs, Shamal and Rin at the head - ack! Two ghouls are heading down now, two more hot behind them. They're rushing down the stairs, rotting hands stretched out! OOc - I'll calli t even on surprises, so initiative.
[22:17] <Shamal> roll 1d20+2 Shamal
[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+2 Shamal and gets 8."12 [1d20=6]
[22:17] <Shamal> roll 1d20+3 Rin
[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+3 Rin and gets 13."12 [1d20=10]
[22:17] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2 Donald
[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 Donald and gets 20."12 [1d20=18]
[22:18] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+2
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+2 and gets 15."12 [1d20=13]
[22:18] <Anastasia> roll 1d20 ghoul 1
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20 ghoul 1 and gets 20."12 [1d20=20]
[22:18] <Anastasia> roll 1d20 ghoul 2
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20 ghoul 2 and gets 8."12 [1d20=8]
[22:18] <Anastasia> roll 1d20 ghoul 3
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20 ghoul 3 and gets 9."12 [1d20=9]
[22:18] <Anastasia> roll 1d20 ghoul 4
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20 ghoul 4 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[22:19] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+1
[22:19] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+1 and gets 7."12 [1d20=6]
[22:20] <Anastasia> Donald=Ghoul 1>Lyselle>Rin>Ghoul 4>Ghoul 3>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative
[22:22] <Shamal> "Yes, I know Seira, because there are a bunch of ghouls coming right for us!" Shamal replies quickly, getting ready to defend herself.
[22:22] <Anastasia> Seeing what's going on, Donald whips his sword out and rushes up the stairs! At the same time the first ghoul rushes past Shamal, going right for Donald as well!
[22:23] <Shamal> Shamal takes the opportunity to strike at the ghoul with her quarterstaff, while Rin lunges in for a bite as the undead monster rushes past!
[22:23] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 Shamal
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 Shamal and gets 9."12 [1d20=5]
[22:24] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7 Rin
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 Rin and gets 17."12 [1d20=10]
[22:24] <Anastasia> OOC - Rin hits!@
[22:24] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 5."12 [1d6=1]
[22:24] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 trip check and gets 5."12 [1d20=1]
[22:25] <Anastasia> The ghoul gets a part of it's foul flesh chomped off by Rin, but it doesn't slow as it lunges for Donald!
[22:25] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+9 Donald
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+9 Donald and gets 10."12 [1d20=1]
[22:25] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2 ghoul oh god he sucks
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 ghoul oh god he sucks and gets 8."12 [1d20=6]
[22:25] <Anastasia> But the two meet at the middle, neither getting an advantage! OOC - Lyselle.
[22:27] <Lyselle> Lyselle moves in beside Donald, lashing out with her silver sword to take down the zombie in their midst!
[22:27] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25."12 [1d20=18]
[22:27] <Anastasia> OOC - Damage.
[22:27] <Lyselle> roll 1d8+2
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d8+2 and gets 3."12 [1d8=1]
[22:28] <Anastasia> The ghoul's side is ripped over by a solid thrust from Lyselle! It's not stopped all the way, but it slowed! OOC - Rin.
[22:29] <Shamal> Rin waits for Shamal before acting!
[22:31] <Anastasia> The fourth ghoul ambles forward! It's arms reach out for Donald, obivious as it goes for him and ignores the others! IT's arms are out, teeth chomping!
[22:31] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 9."12 [1d20=7]
[22:32] <Anastasia> But it's not much of an attack, parried aside by a quick swipe of his blade! The third ghoul attemps the same, but can't get in! Instead it bites at Shamal, while it's eyes stay focused on Donald!
[22:32] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+@
[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+@ and gets Error: Numeric values only."12 [1d20=6]
[22:32] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 16."12 [1d20=14]
[22:32] <Anastasia> roll 1d6+1
[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6+1 and gets 7."12 [1d6=6]
[22:33] <Anastasia> OOC - Oh wait, I'm sorry, I rolled for Donald's AC without thinking. What's yours, Shamal?
[22:33] <Shamal> OOC: 16, sadly
[22:33] <Anastasia> OOC - Okay. Hit
[22:33] <Anastasia> roll 1d6+1
[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6+1 and gets 7."12 [1d6=6]
[22:34] <Anastasia> OOC - Fort save.
[22:34] <Shamal> roll 1d20+6
[22:34] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+6 and gets 10."12 [1d20=4]
[22:34] <Shamal> OOC: Rin goes now
[22:35] <Anastasia> OOC - Okay, lemem at least describe what happend.
[22:35] <Anastasia> roll 1d4+1
[22:35] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d4+1 and gets 2."12 [1d4=1]
[22:35] <Anastasia> OOC - Oh, and roll another fort save for the disease.
[22:35] <Shamal> roll 1d20+6
[22:35] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+6 and gets 13."12 [1d20=7]
[22:36] <Anastasia> With a lucky strike it bites right into Shamal's arm! Her cry of pain is duleld as she falls down, unmoving and paralysed! OOC - 2 rounds paralysed. Rin, go.
[22:36] * Anastasia changes topic to 'Donald=Ghoul 1>Lyselle>Ghoul 4>Ghoul 3=Rin>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative'
[22:37] <Anastasia> *Shamal is frozen in place!
[22:37] <Shamal> Rin growls angrily and promptly lunges at the carrion fiend that dared attack her mistress!
[22:38] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7
[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25."12 [1d20=18]
[22:38] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 6."12 [1d6=2]
[22:38] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 trip check and gets 18."12 [1d20=14]
[22:38] <Anastasia> As the battle rages, you can see Seira come to the very top of the stairs, firing an arrow ahead!
[22:39] <Anastasia> Rin's bite is accurate, tearing a chunk out of the foul thing! It leaps up, a shoulderblade exposed! But yet it doesn't stop, as Shamal stands paralysed! OOC - Round 1 of it.
[22:39] <Anastasia> The last ghoul ambles forward, going after Rin with big, meat seeking teeth1
[22:39] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[22:39] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 10."12 [1d20=8]
[22:40] <Anastasia> But the noble canine simply whips to the side, it's tail brushing against the side of the ghouls' face! OOC - Berli.
[22:41] <Anastasia> OOC - Sec, that trip check.
[22:42] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2 dex check
[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 dex check and gets 22."12 [1d20=20]
[22:42] * Berlioz dusts off and lunges with his silver rapier to finish off the ghoul damaged by Rin!
[22:43] <Seira> roll 1d20+4
[22:43] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+4 and gets 11."12 [1d20=7]
[22:44] <Anastasia> Berlioz lunges well, the front lines a crowded mess of ghoul, human and blood! But he misses, a noble but failed effort! OOC - Lemme adjust initaitive, but Donald/Ghoul 1 are both up now.
[22:45] * Anastasia changes topic to 'Donald=Ghoul 1>Lyselle>Ghoul 4>Ghoul 3=Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative'
[22:45] <Anastasia> OOC - Oh. I mistook...oh dammit. Okay, strike that and roll you to hit, Berli.
[22:45] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+4
[22:45] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 9."12 [1d20=5]
[22:46] <Anastasia> Berlioz lunges well, the front lines a crowded mess of ghoul, human and blood! But he misses, a noble but failed effort! OOC - Lemme adjust initaitive, but Donald/Ghoul 1 are both up now.
[22:46] <Anastasia> OOC - Give me a second to get everything in order since it's been a panicked round.
[22:46] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+3
[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+3 and gets 15."12 [1d20=12]
[22:46] * Anastasia changes topic to 'Donald=Ghoul 1>Bone River?>Lyselle>Ghoul 4>Ghoul 3=Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative'
[22:47] <Anastasia> Donald and the first ghoul k eep at it, locked in close combat!
[22:47] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+9
[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+9 and gets 15."12 [1d20=6]
[22:47] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 13."12 [1d20=11]
[22:47] <Anastasia> roll 2d6+4
[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6+4 and gets 13."12 [2d6=3, 6]
[22:48] <Anastasia> While it misses, Donald takes a quick step back and swings his sword with all his might! The ghoul's head is bisected, the warrior scoring a direct hit and kill! But above, Seira can hear and see it! It's rushing down the stairs now, the river of bone starting to come in view! All can hear the loud chittering soudn!
[22:48] <Anastasia> OOC - Lyselle.
[22:48] <Anastasia> OOC - Oh and goddamit. Some days you're just an airhead.
[22:48] <Anastasia> roll 1d20 ghoul pack 5-10
[22:48] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20 ghoul pack 5-10 and gets 16."12 [1d20=16]
[22:49] * Anastasia changes topic to 'Donald=Ghoul 1>Bone River?>Lyselle>Ghoul 4>Ghoul 3=Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative>Ghoul remainder'
[22:49] * Anastasia changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Lyselle>Ghoul 4>Ghoul 3=Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative>Ghoul remainder'
[22:50] <Lyselle> Lyselle lashes out at the nearest ghoul with her silver blade, trying to cut it to pieces!
[22:50] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[22:50] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 9."12 [1d20=2]
[22:50] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (to work -=SysReset 2.53=-)
[22:51] <Anastasia> Lyselle's efforts are in vain, missing one altogether! The fourth ghoul, still untouched, charges past Rin and Lyselle, going for Donald! OOC - Those two an AOO if they like.
[22:51] <Shamal> Rin takes the opportunity presented to put the bite in!
[22:51] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7
[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 12."12 [1d20=5]
[22:52] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+7 Lyselle's AoO
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+7 Lyselle's AoO and gets 18."12 [1d20=11]
[22:53] <Anastasia> roll 1d8+2
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d8+2 and gets 4."12 [1d8=2]
[22:53] <Anastasia> Whilst Lyselle tears into it, the unfeeling horror is barely budged! As it's ribs are broken open, it lunges at Donald!
[22:53] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+@
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+@ and gets Error: Numeric values only."12 [1d20=4]
[22:53] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 18."12 [1d20=16]
[22:53] <Anastasia> roll 1d6+1
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6+1 and gets 6."12 [1d6=5]
[22:53] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+6
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+6 and gets 10."12 [1d20=4]
[22:54] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+6
[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+6 and gets 7."12 [1d20=1]
[22:54] <Anastasia> roll 1d4+1
[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d4+1 and gets 4."12 [1d4=3]
[22:55] <Anastasia> Donald nary gets a cry out as his chin is bitten into! It's not a deep bite, but it's a messy one as he goes stone stiff! OOC - Ghoul 3 still lives, and it's also Rin's go!
[22:55] <Shamal> Rin growls and stands her ground, prepared to attack any undead who come anywhere near Shamal.
[22:56] <Anastasia> The third ghoul, wounded but having a free attack at Shamal, trying to bite her again!
[22:57] <Shamal> Rin attacks first, hoping to take it down before it injures the innocent witch!
[22:57] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7
[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 24."12 [1d20=17]
[22:57] <Anastasia> OOC - Damage.
[22:57] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 9."12 [1d6=5]
[22:57] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 trip check and gets 23."12 [1d20=19]
[22:57] * Anastasia changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Lyselle>Ghoul 4>Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative>Ghoul remainder'
[22:57] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[22:57] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Lyselle Lyselle
[22:58] <Anastasia> Rin's speed is impressive, leaing up and ripping out the throat and gullet of the attacking ghoul! As dead flesh falls to the ground, Rin stands over the body, it's mistress protected! OOC - Seira.
[22:58] * Seira decides to try and whittle down the incoming mass of ghouls for the time being.
[22:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 25."12 [1d20=19]
[22:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 13."12 [1d20=7]
[22:59] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 4."12 [1d8=5]
[23:00] <Anastasia> The silver shot flies good and true, impacting into the charging lead ghoul! It staggers badly, body damaged by an arrow into it's hip! OOC - Last round of Shamal's paralysis, she can go next round.
[23:00] <Anastasia> The second ghoul lunges, taking a bite at Berlioz as it's eyes burn at the paralysed Donald!
[23:00] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+@
[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+@ and gets Error: Numeric values only."12 [1d20=15]
[23:00] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 17."12 [1d20=15]
[23:01] <Anastasia> roll 1d6+1
[23:01] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6+1 and gets 5."12 [1d6=4]
[23:02] <Anastasia> OOC - For save for paralysis and a fort save for disease.
[23:02] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+2 palsy
[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+2 palsy and gets 12."12 [1d20=10]
[23:02] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+2 disease
[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+2 disease and gets 15."12 [1d20=13]
[23:02] <Anastasia> Despite a bite into Berlioz's chest and clawing there, he manages to maintain control of his facilties! OOC - Go.
[23:04] * Berlioz grits his teeth and takes his stance, trying to slash the ghoul who just attacked him in retribution for his kindness!
[23:04] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+4
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 8."12 [1d20=4]
[23:05] <Anastasia> But Berlioz aims wide, a skillful lunge whizzing in the air and a total miss! Meanwhile, the ghouls are closing around Seira...but none attack! They're going two at a time down the stairs in three waves, passing her by! OOC - Donald is up but paralysed. Round 1/4. Boney is up.
[23:05] <Anastasia> Down the stairs the River of Bone floats about. TI's about fifteen feet long or so, full of chompy, nasty mouths! It's staying where it is, a faint dark glitter forming around it! OOC - Lyselle.
[23:07] <Lyselle> Lyselle lashes out again at the nearby fourth ghoul, tearing at it with her silver sword that is sadly proving far less effective so far!
[23:07] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 15."12 [1d20=8]
[23:07] <Anastasia> OOC - Hit.
[23:07] <Lyselle> roll 1d8+2
[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d8+2 and gets 5."12 [1d8=3]
[23:08] <Anastasia> The ghoul's back is ripped up, spine severed! Yet it keeps going, it's upper body wobbling around wildly! It chomps down on the armored but immobile Donald!
[23:08] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+2
[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+2 and gets 10."12 [1d20=8]
[23:08] <Anastasia> roll 1d6+1
[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6+1 and gets 3."12 [1d6=2]
[23:09] <Anastasia> The bites rip off some of Donald's neckf lesh, jugular intact but a wound still scored! OOC - Rin.
[23:10] <Shamal> Growling low in her throat, Rin still remains close to defend Shamal in her time of need.
[23:11] <Anastasia> OOC - Elfess!
[23:11] <Anastasia> You can begin to hear a strange noise from the Bone River. The noises coming from it are discordant and loud, rustling. It doesn't sound very good at all.
[23:12] <Seira> "What about a strategic retreat?" Seira asks her companions.
[23:13] <Anastasia> Donald just stands where he is, becoming a lovely ghoul snack.
[23:14] <Seira> Not getting a response, Seira resigns herself to more of the same!
[23:15] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[23:15] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[23:15] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 10."12 [1d20=4]
[23:15] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 23."12 [1d20=17]
[23:15] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[23:15] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 7."12 [1d8=8]
[23:15] * Berlioz coughs for a moment and mutters. "Fleeing is probably a wise idea, but what do we do about our valorous frozen paladin?"
[23:16] <Seira> "You're strong and manly, if it comes to that, carry him," she deadpans in response.
[23:16] <Anastasia> The fifth ghoul falls, riddled with another silver arrow to it's chest! OOC - Shamal and Ghoul 2.
[23:17] <Shamal> Snapping out of her paralysis, Shamal quickly gestures to the ghoul assailing Donald, "Rin, get that one!" she commands, moving along with her dog to cover him and preparing a spell while Rin lunges at the undead.
[23:17] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7 Rin goes now
[23:18] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 Rin goes now and gets 26."12 [1d20=19]
[23:18] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[23:18] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 9."12 [1d6=5]
[23:18] <Anastasia> Rin gets it's exposed backside, taking down it's legs and making it tumble down the stairs, where it finds eternalr est once more1
[23:19] <Shamal> At the same time as she draws up alongside the paralysed Donald, Shamal holds her hand aloft as flames begin to coruscate around it, "Inferno, light that burns through the unclean... Flaming sphere!" causing a large ball of fire to manifest atop the large skeleton thing!
[23:19] <Shamal> OOC: reflex DC 15
[23:20] <Anastasia> roll 1d20+4
[23:20] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d20+4 and gets 21."12 [1d20=17]

[Corwin]

[20:42] * Kobrb changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Lyselle>Ghoul 4>Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative>Ghoul remainder.'
[20:42] * Kobrb is now known as Kotono
[20:43] * Kotono changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Lyselle>Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative>Ghoul remainder.'
[20:44] <Kotono> As a Flaming Sphere appears, the river of bones parts! A perfect circle, letting the sphere just fall right throuhg it safely! Meanwhile the second ghoul looks on in it's hunger, lunging at Donald!
[20:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 8."12 [1d20=6]
[20:45] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (Relocating, back in 15ish -=SysReset 2.53=-)
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and gets 6."12 [1d6=5]
[20:46] * CC is now known as Seira
[20:48] <Kotono> The helpless and paralysed Donald is bitten into, his leg wrapped around and torn open! Bloodf lows to the floor, a serious injury on top of the others! OOC - Berli is up.
[20:54] * Berlioz begins to mutter a few words, and extends his hand, aiming the words to Donald. "Cure Moderate Wounds..."
[20:56] <Berlioz> roll 2d8+4 for ze healing
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 2d8+4 for ze healing and gets 14."12 [2d8=5, 5]
[20:56] * Berlioz is now known as Berli-AFK
[20:59] <Kotono> In the heat of the battle, Berlioz summons healing energy! His woudns glow white and then seal, scarless and pure skinned again! But as this happens the battle rages! The 6th and 7th ghoul are down the stairs, now rushing Donald! The other four are coming as well! OOC - Okay, AoO wichever you like if you're done there. Also, I'm going to de group initiative them after this now that they're in the fray.
[20:59] <Shamal> Rin and Shamal both strike at the lead ghoul as it rushes past them to Donald, Rin trying to bring it down so Shamal can inflict the finishing blow!
[21:00] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7 Rin
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 Rin and gets 15."12 [1d20=8]
[21:00] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 5."12 [1d6=1]
[21:00] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[21:00] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Lyselle Lyselle
[21:00] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 trip check and gets 20."12 [1d20=16]
[21:00] <Kotono> OOC - Other three. I fail at math.
[21:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 9."12 [1d20=7]
[21:01] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8 Shamal
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+8 Shamal and gets 12."12 [1d20=4]
[21:03] <Kotono> Rin leaps forward, biting and clawing the fron ghoul! It's hamstring is torn, yet it keeps going with the grim, grinding energy only undeath can grant! But not even this is enough, as it falls down in a heap, a solid takedown! OOC - I'm waiting a moment since I figure Lyselle might get in on this.
[21:10] <Lyselle> Lyselle takes the opportunity of a ghoul running past hre, lashing out with her silver blade, wishing it was anywhere near sa effective as her mace...
[21:10] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25."12 [1d20=18]
[21:10] <Lyselle> roll 1d8+2
[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d8+2 and gets 9."12 [1d8=7]
[21:11] <Kotono> Lyselle rips into the other ghoul, tearing it's flesh open! With an expert swing she nearly rips it's armo ff, only staggering forward with grim, unyielding intensity! It's the only one to reach Donald, lunging at him with wounded abandon!
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 10."12 [1d20=8]
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and gets 5."12 [1d6=4]
[21:12] <Kotono> IT clamps onto his arm, swinging a bit as it chews on his wristbone! Yet Donald can still not move. OOC - Donald is in roudn 2/4 of statuetime. Bone is up.
[21:14] <Kotono> The grotesque noise from it reaches a cresendo! A dirge of death fills the ears of everyone here! Seira in particular is chilled, her ears fully in range of the auditory madness! The others are somewhat protected by distance, as they feel incomprehensible wailing tears at the ears, eardrums, ear canals...and deeper in, into the mind itself! The River of Bone twists and starts to glow black between the shards of bone, malevolent! OOC - Will sav
[21:15] <Kotono> OOC - Will saves, all. Everyone downstairs (Everyone but Seira here) Gets a +3 circumstancial bonus.
[21:15] <Seira> roll 1d20+3
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 and gets 6."12 [1d20=3]
[21:16] <Shamal> roll 1d20+12 Shamal
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+12 Shamal and gets 21."12 [1d20=9]
[21:16] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 Rin
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 Rin and gets 6."12 [1d20=1]
[21:16] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+5
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 19."12 [1d20=19]
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 10."12 [1d20=6]
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7."12 [2d6=6, 1]
[21:17] <Kotono> OOC - Those that passed the save take 4 damage. Those that failed...
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d3
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3  and gets 1."12 [1d3=1]
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d3
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3  and gets 1."12 [1d3=1]
[21:18] <Kotono> OOC - Seira, Rin, and Berlioz take 7 damage and 1 point of damage to intelligence and wisdom.
[21:20] <Kotono> As the dire song echos in the masoleum halls and ghouls rampage...OOC - Lyselle, you're up.
[21:21] <Lyselle> Lyselle turns on the nearest ghoul trying to assault Donald, silver blade blurring as she whips it around to rend another foe...
[21:21] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 20."12 [1d20=13]
[21:21] <Lyselle> roll 1d8+2
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d8+2 and gets 8."12 [1d8=6]
[21:22] <Kotono> Lyselle rushes forward, a swift whip through it's neck! It's head falls to the ground, body following! It's gnawing on Donald stops, a successful strike right at it! Yet you can still hear the ghastly song, at a low level but starting to pick up again, slowly! OOC - Rin.
[21:24] <Shamal> Whimpering like a wounded puppy at the horrific noise, Rin's ears flatten down as she lowers her head, contenting herself with savaging the ghoul she brought down previously.
[21:24] <Shamal> roll 1d20+11
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+11 and gets 23."12 [1d20=12]
[21:24] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 9."12 [1d6=5]
[21:25] <Kotono> It's finished off, innards ripped open! As it's hands and head go still, the action goes on above! OOC - Seira.
[21:26] * Seira switches targets to the biggest threat, attempting to put a couple of glittering, silvery arrows into the hideos river of bones.
[21:26] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 26."12 [1d20=20]
[21:26] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
[21:26] <Kotono> OOC - No critical on undead, but both hit.
[21:26] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 5."12 [1d8=6]
[21:26] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 2."12 [1d8=3]
[21:28] * Kotono changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Lyselle>Rin>Seira>Shamal=>Berlihatesinitiative>Ghoul remainder.'
[21:28] <Kotono> The two silver arrows go into the dark bone like heavenly guided shots! The old sinews offer no defense against the silver! The black flickers as the ghouls screetch as one!  Arms fall off theg houls, skin cracking and obvious signs of damage all over them! The song stops, the river of bone starting to shift! OOC - Shamal.
[21:28] * Kotono changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Lyselle>Rin>Seira>Shamal=Ghoul 2>Berlihatesinitiative>Ghoul remainder.'
[21:29] <Shamal> "Lupus, the hunter that howls at the moon..." Shamal chants as she refocuses her flaming sphere to follow the river of bone and try once more to burn it, "Come forth and bring my enemies to ground!"
[21:29] <Shamal> OOC: DC 15 reflex vs flaming death
[21:29] <Shamal> roll 1d3 for wolves
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d3 for wolves and gets 1."12 [1d3=1]
[21:29] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 5."12 [1d20=1]
[21:29] <Shamal> roll 2d6 fire damage
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 2d6 fire damage and gets 7."12 [2d6=5, 2]
[21:30] <Shamal> A solitary grey wolf springs into being before the undead creature, eliciting a muttered and indignant "Stingy!" from Shamal even as it lunges to bring its prey down!
[21:30] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 and gets 13."12 [1d20=8]
[21:30] <Kotono> The Flaming Sphere moves about, scoring a few burns on the skeletons! While a few white bones turn yellow-charred, the effect seems minimal. MEanwhile, a single wolf is summoned to appear, as it misses the river of bones completely!
[21:30] <Kotono> The ghoul still untouched, the second one, continues to chew on Donald!
[21:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 3."12 [1d20=1]
[21:31] <Kotono> Yet somehow it chews only on his metal breastplate! OOC - Berli is up. We'll wait a moment on him.
[21:35] <Shamal> As the party is assailed by the sonic force of the evil skeleton thing, Berlioz pipes with an interesting story in his soothing dulcet tones, providing an aural respite from the din!
[21:36] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 24."12 [1d20=17]
[21:37] <Kotono> Berlioz sings strong and true, while meanwhile the ghouls act! The last three are shambling forward, still towards Donald! OOC - You can AoO at them if you want.
[21:38] <Shamal> Rin and Shamal again try their double team one-two combination!
[21:38] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7 Rin
[21:38] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 Rin and gets 20."12 [1d20=13]
[21:38] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[21:38] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 9."12 [1d6=5]
[21:38] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
[21:38] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 trip check and gets 17."12 [1d20=13]
[21:38] <Kotono> The 8th ghoul, already weakened by the effect of the silver arrows, falls apart entirely to Rin's biting and clawing!
[21:39] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 Shamal on some other ghoul
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 Shamal on some other ghoul and gets 15."12 [1d20=11]
[21:39] <Shamal> roll 1d6+1
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+1 and gets 7."12 [1d6=6]
[21:39] <Kotono> The ninth ghoul is slain, head used like a baseball at the home run derby! It goes flying, bouncing up and then down the steps, coming to a rest on the very bottom one!
[21:40] <Lyselle> Lyselle goes from a destroyed ghoul to the next, lashing at the next one to come by!
[21:40] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 13."12 [1d20=6]
[21:41] <Kotono> This blow just misses, Lyselle not able to connect in time! So this one tries to get to Berlioz - but the connection of dead ghouls and alive heros is too much! It instead tries to bite Lyselle back!
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 15."12 [1d20=13]
[21:42] <Kotono> But she raises her shield, blocking away the undead quite skillfully! OOC - Donald's turn, roudn 3/4 of statueland. Boney isu p.
[21:43] <Kotono> Rearing back and then forward, the River of Bone makes no more obscene melodies! Instead it ripples forward, going right at brave Seira! It's boney mouths look to make a meal out of the halfelf, dozens of them opening all ove rthe river's long body!
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 24."12 [1d20=17]
[21:43] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 please work wolfie
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 please work wolfie and gets 11."12 [1d20=6]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d8+3
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+3 and gets 5."12 [1d8=2]
[21:45] <Kotono> Seira takes several bites, lots of shallow wounds all over her body! The river is arcing back up towards the ceiling after that, doing a long loop de loop! OOC - Lyselle.
[21:45] <Seira> "How about attacking the giant river of floating, evil bones?" Seira grumbles non-too-quietly as she is bitten.
[21:48] <Kotono> Lyselle holds for now, waiting! OOC - Rin.
[21:49] <Shamal> Rin spins around as if chasing her tail, but then proceeds to lunge at the ghoul that's been gnawing on Donald for the last little while!
[21:49] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7
[21:49] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 21."12 [1d20=14]
[21:49] <Shamal> roll 1d6+4
[21:49] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d6+4 and gets 7."12 [1d6=3]
[21:49] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip if it matters
[21:49] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 trip if it matters and gets 24."12 [1d20=20]
[21:50] <Kotono> Doing what it's proven to do quite well, Rin bites the ghoul to death, breaking it's windpipe from behind! OOC - Seira.
[21:50] * Seira simply must return the favor to the snake-like creature of bone, even if she has to do it herself!
[21:50] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 24."12 [1d20=18]
[21:50] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 14."12 [1d20=8]
[21:50] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 7."12 [1d8=8]
[21:51] <Kotono> OOC - Second one just hits.
[21:51] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[21:51] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 0."12 [1d8=1]
[21:51] <Seira> OOC: That'd be the minimum of 1  >_<
[21:52] <Kotono> The two arrows fly again! The first slams deep into the bone, making the back energy between the bones shudder! The second is only a graze, but combined it makes the last ghoul fall apart completely! OOC - Shamal.
[21:52] * Kotono changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Lyselle>Rin>Seira>Shamal>Berlihatesinitiative'
[21:53] <Shamal> "Lyselle, her's a spell to help you reach that flying thing," Shamal tells her fellow blonde, gesturing briefly as arcane energy flies from her fingertips to the armour-clad fighter, making her suddenly double in size! Also, the flaming sphere makes one last leap at the skeleton before dissipating.
[21:53] <Shamal> OOC: DC 15 reflex vs fiery death
[21:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 17."12 [1d20=13]
[21:54] <Kotono> The flaming sphere misses, as Lyselle grows larger ! Her head scrapes the roof of the stairs, but she can still move fine! OOC - Going, Lyselle?
[21:55] <Lyselle> Lyselle charges the giant boney death-thing, newly large and pushing all the force of a larger weapon and her muscles into the blow! OOC - Not -technically- charging.
[21:56] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 9."12 [1d20=2]
[21:56] * Kotono changes topic to 'Donald>Bone River?>Rin>Seira>Shamal=Lyselle>Berlihatesinitiative'
[21:56] <Kotono> Lyselle's brave slash is just between bones and darkness, missing by a narrow but complete margin! Meanwhile Donald is still frozen good! OOC - Last statue round for him. Now river goes.
[21:57] <Kotono> The bone river stops, bracing in front of Lyselle! It's not in full position yet, but a powerful bite swarm still goes for her!
[21:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 16."12 [1d20=9]
[21:58] <Kotono> But despite her newfound size, she is able to withstand the swarm of teeth with expert, careful parries! OOC - Lyselle.
[21:59] <Kotono> OOC - Oh wait, I'm a total fucking idiot. Rin.
[21:59] * Berli-AFK is now known as Berlioz
[21:59] <Shamal> Rin growls a bit, still seeming a bit out of sorts and looking to Shamal for guidance. (OOC: holding for Shamal)
[22:00] <Kotono> OOC - Seira.
[22:00] * Seira has nothing better to do than shoot at the flying monstrosity!
[22:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 18."12 [1d20=12]
[22:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 16."12 [1d20=10]
[22:00] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 4."12 [1d8=5]
[22:00] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 5."12 [1d8=6]
[22:03] <Kotono> Two more silver arrows slam it, making the entire bony mass quiver!  It's still together, even if shaken, raining a few spare bones down to the ground where they echo in the chaos of battle! OOC - SHamal and Lyselle.
[22:04] <Shamal> With Donald now safe from ghoul ravaging, Shamal and Rin hurry up the stairs, Shamal casting a spell as she goes to summon flames to her fingertips!
[22:04] <Lyselle> Lyselle whips her sword about again, crashing the silver blade into the boney mass, trying to slash it down into pieces of boney bits!
[22:05] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10."12 [1d20=3]
[22:05] <Kotono> Tink! Lyselle's shot is inaccurate, tinking off a hipbone that appears to block her assault!
[22:07] <Kotono> OOC - Berliooz.
[22:10] * Berlioz continues the praising tales of bravery, encouraging his friends to at least not horribly die against the nigh-formless ghouly mass!
[22:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 21."12 [1d20=13]
[22:13] <Kotono> At last Donald snaps out of it! He stumbles forward, a breathy cry as he staggers up the stairs! "That thing is..." he tries to get out as he approaches, "It's called a Lesser Abomination! It's a focal point for undead!"
[22:13] <Seira> "That much became evident when the ghouls fell apart," Seira comments wryly.
[22:14] <Shamal> "I'd hate to see a greater one..." Shamal murmurs, even Rin shrinking back a bit at that concept.
[22:14] <Kotono> The Bone River continues it's assault on Lyselle, locked in combat with it and unleashing it's full potential! Not just bites, but two bony jabs as well!
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 18."12 [1d20=11]
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 8."12 [1d20=4]
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 24."12 [1d20=20]
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 crit check
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 crit check and gets 14."12 [1d20=10]
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d8+3
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+3 and gets 11."12 [1d8=8]
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d4+3
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+3 and gets 7."12 [1d4=4]
[22:17] <Kotono> Lost int he melee, Lyselle can only withstand the flurry of abuse! Her stomach is chewed up, her arm is skewered, her neck is scratched, her calf is scraped! Through it all she still stands! OOC - Rin? Held the entire time and all that.
[22:17] <Shamal> Rin remains close to Shamal, ready to protect her mistress if that skeleton thing happens to get too close. Not much else she can do with it currently flying around, sadly.
[22:19] <Kotono> OOC - Seira.
[22:19] <Seira> "You picked the wrong city to terrorize," Seira calmly informs the abomination, drawing yet another pair of arrows.
[22:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[22:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[22:19] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 18."12 [1d20=12]
[22:19] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 7."12 [1d20=1]
[22:19] <Seira> roll 1d8-1
[22:19] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8-1 and gets 7."12 [1d8=8]
[22:22] <Kotono> Another arrow flies home, going like a knife through the bones! Several bones fall away, shattering on ground impact! The entire mass is starting to wobble, shaking like a leaf! OOC - Shamal and Lyselle.
[22:23] <Shamal> "Donald!" Shamal speaks up with rare urgency, quickly foisting a clay flask into his hands. "Make yourself useful and throw that at it!" she tells him, before gesturing with her other hand and releasing a miniature fireball at the abomination!
[22:23] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 touch attack
[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 touch attack and gets 5."12 [1d20=1]
[22:24] * Lyselle sets mode: -v Hatbot
[22:24] <Kotono> Donald takes the clay flask, nodding as the fireball flies onto the ground, sputtering out there. "Got it!" With that he nods, tossing it like a grenade!
[22:24] * Lyselle sets mode: +v Reikobot
[22:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20 (I'll check his mod and the rules on these in as ec.)
[22:24] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d20 1,0(I'll check his mod and the rules on these in as ec.) --> 1,0[ 1d20=20 ]12,0{20}
[22:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20 (I'll check his mod and the rules on these in as ec.) Crit check?
[22:24] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d20 1,0(I'll check his mod and the rules on these in as ec.) Crit check? --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{19}
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 2d6 comedy
[22:25] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 2d6 1,0comedy --> 1,0[ 2d6=6 ]12,0{6}
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d6
[22:26] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d6 --> 1,0[ 1d6=5 ]12,0{5}
[22:26] * Kotono changes topic to 'Bone River?>Rin>Seira>Shamal=Lyselle=Donald>Berlihatesinitiative'
[22:26] <Lyselle> Lyselle grits her teeth against the pain, slashing again as hard as she can at the bone creature!
[22:26] <Kotono> The tossed flask is perfectly accurate! Flames lick and pour over the flames, doing some damage! Yet the bones seem resistant, only charring somewhat!
[22:27] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[22:27] <Reikobot> 1,0Lyselle rolled :1,0 1d20+7 --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{17}
[22:27] <Kotono> OOC - Hit!
[22:27] <Lyselle> roll 2d6+3
[22:27] <Reikobot> 1,0Lyselle rolled :1,0 2d6+3 --> 1,0[ 2d6=10 ]12,0{13}
[22:27] <Kotono> The great slash rips apart many of the bony mouths! It's a direct hit, staggering the beast like little else! All the bones are wobbling, wavering in the air! OOC - Berli.
[22:29] * Berlioz takes the opportunity to try and dent the creature further! Berli takes out his bow and arrow, aiming for a central point on the abomination and letting an arrow loose!
[22:29] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+5
[22:29] <Reikobot> 1,0Berlioz rolled :1,0 1d20+5 --> 1,0[ 1d20=18 ]12,0{23}
[22:29] <Kotono> OOC - Hit!
[22:30] <Berlioz> roll 1d6
[22:30] <Reikobot> 1,0Berlioz rolled :1,0 1d6 --> 1,0[ 1d6=3 ]12,0{3}
[22:31] <Kotono> While the natural arrow largely tinks off the bones, it does seem to do a little more damage! The Abomination drifts a little into the air, bones shaking...until they all start dropping and going right for Lyselle, a bony burst all around her! OOC - Ref safe, Lyselle, and more coming after this.
[22:32] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+3
[22:32] <Reikobot> 1,0Lyselle rolled :1,0 1d20+3 --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{12}
[22:32] <Kotono> roll 3d6
[22:32] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 3d6 --> 1,0[ 3d6=8 ]12,0{8}
[22:33] <Kotono> The flying bones pierce andr ip apart Lyselle's body! She's still alive, but several chunks of old human ivory jut out of her body at crazy angles! Where the bone river was is a trail of black energy, faint but shimmering. OOC - Rin and Seira are up,r espectively.
[22:34] <Shamal> Rin growls but can't see what she can do in this situation, waiting for Shamal's guidance.
[22:37] <Seira> roll 1d100 spellage with a shield~
[22:37] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d100 1,0spellage with a shield~ --> 1,0[ 1d100=22 ]12,0{22}
[22:37] * Seira eyes the trail of ominous black energy and decides to change tactics. A short chant produces an iridescent ball of acid in her palm, and she flings it in the direction of the ominous trail of black energy!
[22:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 ranged touch
[22:37] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d20+6 1,0ranged touch --> 1,0[ 1d20=15 ]12,0{21}
[22:37] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[22:39] <Seira> roll 1d8 acid
[22:39] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d8 1,0acid --> 1,0[ 1d8=7 ]12,0{7}
[22:40] <Kotono> The ball of acid splashes directly on the black energy! There is a sizzling all over it, some of the acid remaining on it! The smell of something...odd cooking fills the air, lighter than meat but heavier than most other things. Somehow stomach turning, ashy! OOC - SHamal/Lyselle/Donald braintrust time.
[22:41] <Lyselle> Lyselle lunges forward, tearing at the black energy with her silver blade just as ferociously as it struck at her, slashing and bashing with the longsword!
[22:41] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+7
[22:41] <Reikobot> 1,0Lyselle rolled :1,0 1d20+7 --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{16}
[22:41] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[22:42] <Lyselle> roll 2d6+3
[22:42] <Reikobot> 1,0Lyselle rolled :1,0 2d6+3 --> 1,0[ 2d6=6 ]12,0{9}
[22:42] <Kotono> AS the silver sword passes through the negative energy, the entire mass of it flashes silver! OOC - Sec.
[22:42] * Shamal gently touches Lyselle's side, trying not to get in the way of her ferocious sword swinging as she bestows some healing energy.
[22:42] <Shamal> roll 1d8+3
[22:43] <Reikobot> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d8+3 --> 1,0[ 1d8=4 ]12,0{7}
[22:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20-1
[22:44] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d20-1 --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{0}
[22:46] <Kotono> Most of the energy fades away, gone! Yet Lyselle's sword darkens. From silver to a dusky black. It feels cooler in Lyselle's hand, chilly. OOC - Make a Will save, L-chan.
[22:46] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+2
[22:46] <Reikobot> 1,0Lyselle rolled :1,0 1d20+2 --> 1,0[ 1d20=14 ]12,0{16}
[22:46] <Kotono> Lyselle feels a little chilly, but the sensation inside passes. But her sword is cold and black...? OOC - Battle over, free actions.
[22:48] * Berlioz sighs heavily, letting his arms down in slight abandonment. "Urgh."
[22:48] <Shamal> "That seems to be it..." Shamal sags a bit, proceeding to take out a wand and a few scrolls. "Who needs healing?"
[22:48] <Lyselle> "O...kay..." Lyselle mumbled softly, staring at her sword. "This is...extremely creepy..." she pronounces, frowning. "Aside...thanks, Shamal," she nods, eyes still on the blade.
[22:49] <Kotono> Donald sighs, "I think that's over with..." he sighs as well, "I also think that...this was pretty clearly a trap, wasn't it?"
[22:49] * Berlioz scratches his head. "Mad clergymen trying to kill a bunch of nosy guards. We are idiots."
[22:50] <Seira> "You believe the Church itself is infiltrated?" Seira asks out loud.
[22:50] <Shamal> "Most definitely," Shamal nods, reading off her scroll and then tapping Lyselle again with a smile, "Think nothing of it," she tells her friend, bestowing a slower but more efficient healing spell from her scroll.
[22:50] <Kotono> "I don't know. Whatever this is..." A shake of his head, tired. "I saw...the information I have here is that a vampire came to this city."
[22:51] <Lyselle> "Knowing Berlioz, he's about to accuse our commander, too," Lyselle adds with a wry expression, shrugging. "It could be that a spirit or necromancer just inhabited this place."
[22:52] * Shamal then wanders over to Seira and uses her last scroll of lesser vigour to give the half-elf her own pick me up. "I agree, the Helmites are a pious bunch if ever there was one. I can't see them being responsible. But we were definitely expected."
[22:52] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[22:52] * Berlioz sits down, chanting a healing dystic to restore himself. "I'm not accusing Sir Oberuth. I just wouldn't trust some clergy circles with a nickel, much less my life."
[22:52] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[22:52] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Lyselle Lyselle
[22:53] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (Client exited)
[22:53] <Seira> "Perhaps we were spotted on our approach, or expected eventually, once we connected the dots," she muses.
[22:53] <Kotono> "Bastard," Donald says, brushing off his clothes and wincing. He wipes his brow, "I can assure, every member of the Helmite clergy I've met has been good."
[22:54] <Shamal> "Or perhaps it wasn't meant for us specifically, just whomever poked their nose in..." Shamal murmurs, before eyeing Donald. "They seemed most focused on yourself, to the exception of any sound tactics."
[22:54] <Seira> "This vampire," she states, leveling a look at Donald. "How do you believe it involved in all this?"
[22:54] <Berlioz> "Or just excellent at hiding their intentions to you. I'm certain it's not terribly hard", Berlioz remarks acidly, walking to Shamal. "I'd gather you wouldn't mind a hand with healing, unless you're fond of spending gold on scrolls."
[22:55] <Kotono> "I'm not sure...look." A breath, "Can we talka fter we finish here? I'm exhausted and dizzy."
[22:55] * Shamal gives Berlioz a somewhat flat look. "I thought you'd never ask. Rin and I will survive, but Lyselle and Donald both look like they could use a bit more assistance."
[22:57] * Berlioz nods. "I see. We probably want to leave this place as soon as possible, regardless", Berlioz deadpans as he heads to Donald and Lyselle.
[22:58] <Seira> "We should make certain no ghouls or ghouls in the making remain here, first," Seira objects.
[22:59] <Shamal> "Let's not be so hasty," Shamal chimes in supportively after Seira, "We should look for clues."

[Corwin]

[20:43] <Dinadan> --------------
[20:43] <Dinadan> So the party searches and so forth. After atime they are together again, the next move theirs! OOC - As I say, ball's in your court. Go ahead and do what you want/move on/whatever.
[20:44] <Seira> "We should check in with the Watchman once more," Seira suggests, after locking the gate.
[20:45] * Berlioz folds his arms and nods. "I guess."
[20:46] <Shamal> "Yes, let's stop by the temple and then see about getting some more men to watch this place in case the necromancer or more undead return," Shamal agrees, idly petting Rin who still appears somewhat spooked and unsettled.
[20:49] <Dinadan> The trip back to the temple is without incident. While the afternoon is starting to wear on when you breath in the fresh air of Balmuria's streets, you reach the Temple of Helm once more. Inside the gates are open, two score men in arms and armor gathering therein.
[20:49] <Shamal> "Something tells me this isn't just the afternoon sermon..." Shamal mutters as they step inside, looking about for the Watchman they saw earlier.
[20:55] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
[20:55] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
[20:57] <Kotono> The watchman is at the altar, bristling. He's preaching to the gathered, voice carrying loud. "...allow such defilation! The Gods will weep at us while scoring our lack of attention! Our leader leaves for a soujourn and vile tragedy comes!"
[20:57] <Kotono> "Men at arms! Those loyal to the Gods..." So he goes on, quite irate.
[20:57] * Seira steps forward, trying to catch the man's attention.
[20:58] * Shamal decides to let Seira field this one, not really wanting to interrupt when he seems so enthusiastic.
[20:58] * Lyselle just smiles a little to herself, quickly smothering the expression. This could be sincerely anti-climactic, though they'll still probably search the whole place.
[21:00] <Kotono> "Now then..." he goes on, but stops as Seira is viewed. "Members of the guard, how went it?"
[21:00] <Kotono> The few dozen men turn, some attention given to the four heroes and one adventurer.
[21:00] <Berlioz> "Chaotic", Berlioz coughs.
[21:01] <Seira> "Well," she tells him. "May we speak to you in private?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "Very well." He nods briefly, going and leading the party into a small side room. It looks used for absolutions and confessions, quiet and with heavy oak benches.
[21:04] <Seira> "I see you intend to gather up men to guard the final resting place of Helm's followers?" she says, making it a question.
[21:05] <Kotono> "Yes," He nods tersely, "It is a direct failing of ours that we allowed our guards down in such a crucial way."
[21:06] <Seira> "This is admirable," she tells him. "We found more of the ghouls there, as well as what our friend called an Abomination. For now, we are fairly confident none remain on the grounds, but that may well change if the place is left unguarded."
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[21:07] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d20+7 --> 1,0[ 1d20=13 ]12,0{20}
[21:07] <Shamal> "It was clearly a trap," Shamal interjects. "A voice lured us to the lower level, after which the ghouls cut off our escape... unless we could have left via that warded door. We did not try."
[21:08] <Seira> "Yes, the warded door," Seira picks up smoothly. "What does it guard against?"
[21:08] <Kotono> "An..." The churchman's eyes go wide at that, "I thank you greatly for your services. There will not be another undeath that sets foot in our sacred masoleum-?" He stops at Shamal's words, "The warded door? A door with blue and white runes in the basement?"
[21:08] <Shamal> "That's the one," the blonde nods.
[21:11] <Kotono> "It's where we hold those that die in the highest esteem of Helm. Was the seal broken?"
[21:11] <Seira> "I do not believe so," Seira says, glancing at Shamal.
[21:12] * Shamal shakes her head. "I am no expert in such things, but there was magic still lingering on the door."
[21:12] <Berlioz> "Although... it's at least vaguely suspicious that those kinds of creatures could hang around in a sacred mausoleum, wouldn't you think?", Berlioz sighs and remarks, leaning on the tree.
[21:15] <Kotono> "Thank Helm." A bow of the Watchman's head, "While it is a sacred tomb, it's protections rely on the faith of those that would respect it. If a vile blight came to it with power...I am sad to say you have seen that and our own failings combine."
[21:16] <Seira> "Could you check the ward, and whether it would hold against assault from within the lower chamber?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "I can," he nods once more. "I shall as soon as we are ready to go guard the tomb once more."
[21:21] <Seira> "How many of those held in Helm's highest esteem were entombed within?" Seira asks the man. "And were they placed there with they weapons?"
[21:22] <Kotono> "Four. They were buried with some effects, yes." A nod, as he thinks, the short man, "Why?"
[21:23] <Seira> "If the chamber has been breached, those effects became the property of our enemy. We must be able to properly assess their strength."
[21:24] <Shamal> "It does bear investigating," Shamal nods her assent.
[21:24] <Kotono> "We shall." Now ready to go, the Watchman starts to go, "But first...I feel that you deserve our temple's blessing and reward."
[21:25] <Kotono> Donald hangs back during all of this, wiping his forehead and leaning against a back wall.
[21:28] <Kotono> The Watchman briefly leaves the room, soon coming back with two men at arms. They bear several sacks, each one large.
[21:31] * Shamal looks somewhat uncomfortable at the sight of the large sacks. "We were merely doing our duty," she demurs, not wanting to accept any sort of large gift from a taxpayer simply for doing what she's paid to do anyway. Much as she needs the money.
[21:32] <Kotono> "If you wish, each of you may take a sack." The Watchman nods at Shamal's words. "Three hundred gold coins are in each. It is a lot of money, but we are grateful to those that do not shirk their duty."
[21:33] * Berlioz blinks and awkwardlynudges his collar. "It's... very flattering, but I'm not sure it would be acceptable within our ethics code..."
[21:34] * Shamal nods. "I cannot speak for everyone - and Donald here is not actually a member of the guard - but I'd prefer if you used my share to continue the temple's good works in the city," she offers as gracefully as she can.
[21:35] <Kotono> Donald murmurs something that sounds like a, "Yeah...", but he's being quiet and withdrawn.
[21:35] <Kotono> "As you wish." The guardian nods, then looks to Lyselle and Seira.
[21:36] * Seira contemplates this. "I'll gratefully accept the gift," she tells the man. "To fight the undead more effectively, I require more magical knowledge than I currently possess."
[21:36] <Kotono> "Then take a bag," The Watchman nods once, one of the men bringing it to Seira.
[21:37] * Seira nods, and takes the proffered bag.
[21:38] <Kotono> It's quite heavy with gold coins. Ooof. Meanwhile, "What of you," he asks, gaze on Lyselle now.
[21:38] * Lyselle ducks her head somewhat, stepping forward wtih Seira. "Likewise, my back up weapon for use against undead is...less than ideal, I'll endeavor to use the gold for the effort agaisnt such monsters," she offers.
[21:38] <Kotono> The second bag if gold is given, as...
[21:38] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:38] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=84 ]12,0{84}
[21:38] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:38] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=51 ]12,0{51}
[21:38] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:38] <Reikobot> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=60 ]12,0{60}
[21:45] <Shamal> "Ahh..." Shamal's eyes widen a moment, looking around in vague surprise. "What was that?"
[21:47] * Berlioz shakes his head and blinks incessantly for a moment. The bard coughs faintly, putting the hand in his chest, and breathes deeply. "... this is... strange."
[21:48] <Kotono> "What is it?" The Watchman asks, looking on at both of them.
[21:48] <Shamal> "Is this Helm's blessing?" the blonde asks weakly, tilting her head back and looking upwards.
[21:50] * Berlioz nudges a bit and raises his head slightly. "Quite an unusual feeling, I must say."
[21:50] <Kotono> Donald grunts once, suddenly perking up. "Another is mine." he murmurs, eyes clearing.
[21:50] * Berlioz also coughs for a moment, and raises his eyes a bit, as if he heard something. "..."
[21:53] <Kotono> The Watchman stops, staring in surprise, but not seeing to be able to say anything. He tries to speak, but strangely, no sound comes from his mouth.
[21:54] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+4
[21:54] <Reikobot> 1,0Berlioz rolled :1,0 1d20+4 --> 1,0[ 1d20=16 ]12,0{20}
[21:54] <Shamal> "Oh, um... this feels somewhat awkward, but not unpleasant," Shamal evidences a somewhat silly smile for a second before she schools her expression into something more prim. "I do hope the Forest Queen doesn't object, if nothing else. I'll need to pray extra hard, tonight."
[21:56] * Berlioz bites his lips and mulls over his thoughts for a moment. "... this is definitely strange. I... might have to ponder a few things over."
[21:56] <Kotono> The Watchman's eyes go wider, licking his lips. "Lord...Lord Helm..." he breathes out, kneeling. The two men at arms do the same, fervent. Lyselle and Seira feel something as well, passing. Something majestic and grand, uplifting.
[21:57] * Seira raises an eyebrow.
[21:59] * Lyselle lifts both eyebrows, rather sharply as she lifts a second sack of gold, looking both perplexed and nervous. "If this is Helm's insistence..." she murmurs quietly.
[21:59] * Seira bears the deity no malice, either! "Lord Helm wanted me to have more money," she tells the assorted clergy. "It was very kind of him."
[22:00] <Kotono> "I..he has spoken to me," he nods once more, "He said the same, and...chastied me for our failings." The Watchman gets up quickly, "I am sorry, but we must go now. We have been negligant too long." His face is drawn and pale, making a quick exit out.
[22:00] * Seira shrugs, and takes the money, pondering a new, better bow.
[22:01] <Shamal> "The Vigilant One is very generous," Shamal allows, still somewhat surprised. "I'm just..." she shakes her head after a moment, "I'm sure Mielikki will not begrudge this."
[22:01] <Kotono> "Heh," Donald smirks, "Good timing. I was getting sick and I didn't even realise it. Damned ghouls."
[22:01] * Berlioz covers his mouth with a backpalm, grimly glaring as the man leaves. "This is somewhat eerie. I think we'd best leave."
[22:02] <Seira> "Waukeen must approve," Seira decides, ignoring Berlioz's words as her newly-developed tendency goes. "So, what would be our next move?"
[22:02] <Kotono> "Rest? I think we're all tired and I assume you have other duties?" Donald suggests.
[22:03] <Shamal> "Yes, we should report our findings to our commander," Shamal nods. "Don't be afraid to look us up if you find any more clues yourself, Donald!" she offers with a smile.
[22:03] <Seira> "Rest, yes. But I am not quite willing to leave this alone, and the Commander gave this mission to us. It supersedes all other duties."
[22:04] <Berlioz> "That, and we don't have the vitality and cheerfulness to hunt ghouls all day. We could even return tomorrow, but we shouldn't jump through steps."
[22:04] <Lyselle> "I need to replace my longsword," Lyselle nods, musing to herself.
[22:05] <Seira> "We could also check in with those kids and see if we find new information," she says to Lyselle.
[22:05] <Shamal> "Berlioz is right," Shamal nods. "Rin and I would struggle if we had to endure another battle like the last one. We should report in so that the rest of the guard can be made aware, and rest so we'll be fresh for the next encounter with the walking dead."
[22:06] * Lyselle nods to Seira, stretching. "Rest first, then we can interrogate the children and their 'castle'," she murmrus, humming.
[22:07] <Shamal> "Castle?" Shamal asks curiously, not being privy to any details about children and interrogations thereof.
[22:07] <Seira> "We believe a group of children may have witnessed the ghouls," Seira elaborates. "Perhaps, they can even tell us about the necromancer, if we are lucky."
[22:08] <Seira> "And if that fails, perhaps our other... friend," she adds, glancing at Lyselle again, "will have something fresh to share with us tomorrow morning."
[22:09] <Shamal> "Then let's look them up after we report back to the commander," Shamal nods decisively. "Maybe he might have heard more from other guards during the day as well. It doesn't look like these undead are very shy."
[22:10] * Berlioz nods. "It's a refreshing change of pace from struggling against ghouls and ghosts, anyhow."
[22:10] * Seira nods. "I agree. Also, it bears considering that the catacombs were not the necromancer's base after all, if he was willing to use it as a trap and then let us leave without showing himself."
[22:12] <Kotono> OOC - Okay, sec.
[22:12] <Kotono> ---
[22:12] <Shamal> "It's worth looking into how he gained access there - he had to come and go... Oh!" Shamal stops, "I forgot all about that - remember that scrap I found outside? We can see if Rin can track its scent, perhaps?"
[22:12] * Seira nods once more.
[22:12] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[22:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 detect undead
[22:18] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0detect undead --> 1,0[ 1d20=18 ]12,0{23}
[22:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 burning hands
[22:18] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0burning hands --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{9}
[22:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 MM
[22:18] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0MM --> 1,0[ 1d20=13 ]12,0{18}
[22:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 MA
[22:18] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0MA --> 1,0[ 1d20=12 ]12,0{17}
[22:20] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 shield
[22:20] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0shield --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{24}
[22:20] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 detect secret doors
[22:20] <Reikobot> 1,0Seira rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0detect secret doors --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{14}
[22:26] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 (Shamal uses aid another)
[22:26] <Reikobot> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+10 1,0(Shamal uses aid another) --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{29}
[22:26] <Shamal> roll 1d20+9 Rin's tracking go
[22:26] <Reikobot> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+9 1,0Rin's tracking go --> 1,0[ 1d20=5 ]12,0{14}
[22:27] <Dinadan> ---
[22:31] <Dinadan> After a night of rest the party gathers to check out an abandoned house. In the morning you have to sidesteps carts of goods and citydwellers, the abandoned house easily neglected as people bustle past it. But even as you approach, you notice that a few children are playing around it.
[22:32] * Seira decides to approach the children, her Guard outfit easily visible.
[22:34] * Lyselle follows behind the elfling, smiling and offeringa warm expression to try and keep the children at ease.
[22:36] * Berlioz breathes and remains a somewhat healthy distance between himself and his companions - enough to be easily spotted by the others, but also enough to be away from the children.
[22:36] * Shamal hangs back a little, not having met these children, but still projects a friendly and reassuring presence as looks around, Rin padding along docilely at her heel.
[22:38] <Dinadan> It's four of them, all young boys. They're running around with toy sticks, fake fencing. "Hiyaaah!" one cries, as the playing stops. "Um..." The children pause a moment, "Hi! Um, are you in the guard? Are those guard uniforms?"
[22:39] * Seira observes the children before her head dips briefly. "Do you want to join the Guard, too, when you grow up?" she asks them.
[22:40] <Dinadan> "Yeah!" One nods, making a few swipes with his toy sword. Another nods more restraedly, as a third has his eyes drawn towards Rin. "Doggie..." he murmurs.
[22:41] <Shamal> "You can pet her - she's friendly," Shamal encourages, briefly scratching said canine behind the ears but content to follow Seira's lead on this.
[22:41] <Dinadan> The child reaches out, eyes bright if glazed as he goes to Rin. "Nice doggie...?"
[22:42] <Seira> "Would you like to help the Guard now, without having to wait years until you can officially join?" she asks the boy with the toy sword.
[22:43] * Shamal looks down a moment at the child's glazed eyes, wondering if there's something wrong with them or if he's just overwhelmed by the sight of her awesome dog.
[22:44] <Dinadan> "Sure!" Another nods quickly. "You mean we can help you?"
[22:45] <Seira> "We would like that, too," she says. "Have you been playing here this past week?"
[22:46] <Dinadan> "We always play around here," one says with as mile, "It's our base and garrison!" Meanwhile, the other is trying to climb into Rin, giggling. "Cute doggie horsie!"
[22:47] <Shamal> "Er, she's not meant to be ridden..." Shamal blushes a bit even as Rin takes the treatment with good grace, the blonde trying to gently usher the child off her dog.
[22:48] <Seira> "Do you sometimes sneak out at night, too?" Seira asks the children.
[22:50] <Dinadan> The last one pauses at this, "Um...are we going to get in trouble?"
[22:52] <Seira> "No," she tells them categorically. "We failed to patrol the area several nights, recently, and knowing someone did it for us after all would be very helpful."
[22:53] <Dinadan> "I did!" The last agrees quickly, "I did it!"
[22:54] <Seira> "We need to know who was out on the streets at night," she tells the boy. "Like I said, it is very important. Could you let us know?"
[22:56] <Dinadan> "Not many, it was scary. Just...well..." A pause, the child licking his ilps. "Um...ther ewas one person..."
[22:56] <Shamal> "Scary?" Shamal inquires, "What did you see that was scary?"
[22:58] <Dinadan> "There was a ...a..." The kidl ooks around, "I really won't get in trouble?"
[22:59] <Seira> "Why do you think you would get in trouble?" she asks him.
[23:00] <Dinadan> "Well...there were...things! Those scary things that smelled bad." The last kid nods quickly, "We were supposed to stay in side..."
[23:01] <Seira> "It would be better to stay inside for a while as we take care of those scary things," Seira agrees, "but you can't be punished for helping the Guard, now can you?"
[23:02] <Dinadan> "Well...there was a thing...it was scary so I hid. It went into an alley, and a little while later I saw a man with a hat on."
[23:03] <Shamal> "At the same alley?" Shamal asks to clarify.
[23:04] <Dinadan> A nod t othat. "He went into it."
[23:04] <Seira> "What happened next?"
[23:05] <Dinadan> "He came back a little later and left," The child says, as meanwhile poor Rin is hugged and ridden.
[23:05] <Seira> "Can you describe the man or his clothing?" Seira asks of the boy. "And tell us when and where exactly this happened?"
[23:06] <Shamal> Rin is not ridden! Shamal lifts the kid off Rin. "She's not meant to be ridden," she repeats gently. "Just pet her, like this," she demonstrates, stroking the german shepherd's coarse fur.
[23:06] <Dinadan> "It was over there!" The child points to a nearby alley, "It was a few daysa go and um, it was really dark in the middle of the night."
[23:07] * Seira correlates this with her knowledge of the attacks that took place in the city.
[23:08] <Dinadan> There was an attack around this area, yes. You investigated it.
[23:10] <Seira> "Can you tell me more about the man, beside his hat?" Seira asks then. "Did he have a weapon with him?"
[23:11] <Dinadan> A pause and then a nod. "One of those funny swords, like he has!" A point to Berlioz and his silver rapier. "The skinny ones."
[23:20] <Seira> "Did he say anything? Do anything? Either before entering the alley or after leaving it?"
[23:20] <Dinadan> He walked and he looked around a little," The child adds after amoment of thought. "He moved really fast."
[23:21] <Seira> "And no one else appeared in the area?"
[23:21] <Dinadan> A shake of his head after. "No one else, sir."
[23:21] * Seira nods. "Thank you, you've been very helpful."
[23:22] <Dinadan> "Thanks!" The child nods, "So it did help?"
[23:23] * Seira nods once more. "The Guard thanks you."
[23:24] <Shamal> "I think so," Shamal nods, before looking down at her dog, "Say goodbye to the nice little boy, Rin," prompting a happy bark from the dog before they turn to leave. "Shall we check out the alley, then?"
[23:24] * Seira glances at the others. "We should probably make another stop first," she tells Shamal. "Lyselle and I did investigate the scene."
[23:24] * Berlioz nods blankly to himself as he sees the group returning. "Anything of note?"
[23:25] <Seira> "Perhaps," Seira says, and turns to Lyselle. "Fancy talking to our friend once more?"
[23:25] <Shamal> "Lead on, then," the blonde demurs readily.
[23:25] * Lyselle nods, humming softly to herself. "It doesn't quite line up with any of what we saw tonight, but it's unlikely the children lied..." she muses, nodding to Seira. "It might be good to interrogate him further, perhaps."
[23:26] <Seira> "That man, Donald, claimed he was chasing a vampire into the town, didn't he?" Seira muses out loud.
[23:27] <Shamal> "That's what he said," Shamal confirms.
[23:27] <Seira> "Interesting...."
[23:28] <Dinadan> The Dawn Pointe inn is quiet, the butchery  nearby smelling of blood and charnel. But inside the inn you just find one woman at front, sewing a quilt and yawning.
[23:29] * Shamal politely leaves Rin waiting outside as she follows Seira and Lyselle into the establishment.
[23:30] * Seira approaches the woman and asks her whether Mr. Febras is in.
[23:30] <Dinadan> "Hm?" She yawns vastly, "Yes, I think so. He's always coming and going, but I think he came in around an hour ago."
[23:31] <Seira> "Could you tell us where he was yesterday, around--" Seira asks, giving them time they went to visit Helm's temple and all the way till their return from the graveyard.
[23:32] <Dinadan> "I think he was out..." Another yawn, the woman looking quite tired, nearly slumping over on her quiltwork. "Yes, I think he was...out."
[23:32] * Seira nods and proceeds to his room.
[23:34] <Dinadan> The walk is quiet and the hallway sunny at the end. The door is closed as per usual.
[23:35] * Seira knocks on the door!
[23:35] <Dinadan> "Enter." Febras's voice carries easily, an invitation given.
[23:37] * Seira enters, and glances at her own shadow to confirm its presence.
[23:38] <Dinadan> Inside Febras sits at the window. His hat is pushed back a bit, sunlight coming in. The window is halfway open, his eyes mostly squinted close in the light.
[23:38] <Dinadan> There is indeed a shadow that you see.
[23:38] * Seira moves her eyes towards where his shadow would be, before raising them to meet his.
[23:40] <Dinadan> You can see a hint of green in his eyes, but most of them are hidden. He reaches up as if to bring down his hat, but considers and instead slowly pops his fingers, brushing across a ring he wears. "Yes? How goes your searching?"
[23:41] <Seira> "Very well, thank you," Seira responds. "But we have more questions, now."
[23:42] <Dinadan> "Go on," he murmurs, glancing at Shamal and Berlioz. "Ah yes. Do go on now. You brought friends?"
[23:43] <Shamal> "I don't believe I've had the pleasure," Shamal smiles, though privately wondering a bit at who this is and what he knows. "Shamal Velka," she introduces herself.
[23:43] <Seira> "I needed backup," she affirms. "Questioning is very strenuous work."
[23:44] <Dinadan> He rises at this, a short bow to Shamal. "Charmed to meet all of you," he says, eyes glinting before he sits back down. "Now then, go on."
[23:45] <Seira> "It just so happens that you have been implicated in other ghoul-related incidents," Seira tells the man. "We would like to hear all about your exploits since you came to Balmuria, if it is not too much trouble."
[23:47] <Dinadan> "I've looked around the city a few nights," he demurs simply, looking back out to the sunray streaked morning. "They are not difficult to defeat one on one, as I assume you have found out?"
[23:48] <Seira> "We did, yes!" Seira agrees. "We even defeated them under worse odds when we were ambushed!"
[23:49] <Dinadan> "Oh?" he turns, looking the party over. "You look none the worse for wear, so I assume you were quite victorious?"
[23:49] * Berlioz sighs. "Not that excitingly victorious."
[23:50] <Seira> "Oh, certainly." She smiles at him. "Unfortunately, as one of the few people who knew about our actions I'm afraid I must ask you again about your recent activities. I'm sure you understand."
[23:51] <Dinadan> "Well, you live here. That's good enough." His gaze is out the window, squinting again. "I've walked the streets. I've battled one a s you saw."
[23:52] <Seira> "Just one?" she asks him.
[23:52] <Dinadan> "Just one." Febras confirms simply.
[23:53] <Seira> "What if I told you someone saw you with another ghoul?" she asks curiously.
[23:54] <Dinadan> To this Febras doesn't even pause. "I'd say it's a case of mistaken identity and little else." He doesn't even turn - well, he does al ittle, just the corner of his eyes visible.
[23:56] <Seira> "If you were in our situation, what would you do?"
[23:57] <Dinadan> "What a silly question." He turns and smiles just a bit, away from the sunshine. "I'd consider where I was, what I was doing and if it was productive or not.  I'm afraid I also know that I know little else to help you with as it stands right now, so I can only waste your time and hope you do well in stopping them."
Session Time: Sat Mar 03 00:00:00 2007
[00:00] <Seira> "It would make me very happy if you could come with us and lend us a hand at dispatching the rest of the ghouls," Seira tells the man. "That would be one way to help us."
[00:02] <Dinadan> "If you wish," he sighs at last, after a pause. Febras stands, checking over his equipment - quiet dark clothes and his wide brimmed hat, a ring on his finger and a rapier at his belt. "You seem quite determined."
[00:03] <Seira> "You are not the first to tell me that," she agrees.
[00:05] <Dinadan> "Hmph." Looking to the party, "Well then, what is your plan?"
[00:05] <Shamal> "We're taking on another citizen collaborator?" Shamal asks in surprise, clearly not having been privy to this plan.
[00:06] <Seira> "Working with one had been interesting," Seira affirms. "Do you object?"
[00:06] * Berlioz coughs. "That may be imprudent of our part. If anything happens to him, we'll be held responsible."
[00:07] <Shamal> "I'll trust your judgement, though Berlioz makes a good point," Shamal replies.
[00:07] <Seira> "I'll vouch for his skills," Seira offers. "The responsibility for this civillian would be mine."
[00:07] <Dinadan> "I have no concerns for my own safety, let alone when I have four others with me," Febras seems unstirred completely, "I care not for this, as long as we go then and not waste any further time."
[00:07] * Berlioz shrugs. "I'll be outside. The gentleman might want to prepare for this first", he remarks as he leaves.
[00:09] * Seira shrugs. "The crypt it is, then? To check up on the seal?"
[00:10] <Dinadan> "Very well," Febras nods once, "Crypt?"
[00:11] <Shamal> "That or the temple itself - I'm sure the Watchman can tell us if he found it defiled," Shamal shrugs, feeling somewhat out of sorts at their new friend's presence.
[00:17] <Dinadan> "What crypt?" Febras asks curiously.
[00:17] * Berlioz stops outside the inn, away from the view of people, and chants a few mumbling words. "Detect Thoughts...", he lets out in a whisper.
[00:17] <Dinadan> The spell triggers without incident.
[00:17] <Seira> "We can fill you in on the way," Seira offers. "Ready to go?"
[00:18] * Berlioz nods to himself, and steps back a bit, returning to Fedras' room. "So. Everything ready?"
[00:19] <Dinadan> "Yes," Febras says, starting to go.
[00:22] * Berlioz adjusts his monocle and coughs. "Well, then, let us go", the bard remarks, subtly scrying the gentleman's surface thoughts as he starts walking.
[00:23] * Lyselle keeps out of the way of Berli's gaze, bringing up the rear of the group to follow the others out. She wasn't much of one for this innuendo-intrigue-suspicion stuff.
[00:24] <Dinadan> So you walk out of the inn. As you do...
[00:24] <Dinadan> roll 1d20+11
[00:24] <Reikobot> 1,0Dinadan rolled :1,0 1d20+11 --> 1,0[ 1d20=6 ]12,0{17}
[00:28] <Dinadan> You can't make out his thoughts at all, however. So you go back to the masoleum grounds! Febras is quiet for the trip, often pulling his hat down and squinting in the sunshine. The air is cool and sea tipped, the masoleum now having four guarding it's gate, and several around the actual front entrance..
[00:29] <Shamal> "Hello," Shamal greets the guards, glad to be back with something more familiar. "Has there been any trouble here since yesterday?"
[00:30] <Dinadan> The guards stop a moment, before both nod. "No, it has been quiet. The Watchman is inside, he left instructions for you to come in if you wish."
[00:30] <Seira> "We wish to enter," Seira says for their benefit, and attempts to do just that.
[00:30] <Shamal> "Thank you," she nods pleasantly to both, starting to head inside with Rin in tow.
[00:31] * Berlioz nods and bows silently, heading inside as well.
[00:31] * Lyselle nods to the guard, following into the temple. Once more unto the breach...
[00:31] <Dinadan> The inside has been cleaned up. Broken coffins have been removed, workers cleaning the floor. You're directed downstairs, to the rune covered door, where the watchman is. He's sitting in front of it, reading a heavy book and lost in concentration.
[00:32] * Dinadan is now known as Kotono
[00:32] * Shamal coughs gently to get the Watchman's attention from behind.
[00:32] <Kotono> He starts a little bit, standing up quickly. "Ah. Oh. There you are," he says, grim and slightly glum. "I'm happy to tell you that the barrier has not been breeched."
[00:33] <Kotono> Febras hangs back, cap pushed up. He looks at the runes, smiling a little bit.
[00:33] <Seira> "May I ask who set the barrier up in the first place?"
[00:34] <Kotono> "Our High Priest, whom is currently out of the city. I can't break the barrier myself," he admits plainly. "But all signs say that it isn't disturbed."
[00:35] <Shamal> "But there's no way to be sure that what's behind hasn't been tampered with?" Shamal confirms thoughtfully.
[00:35] <Seira> "When you entomb someone else beyond it, must your high priest tear it down and then recast it?" Seira asks curiously.
[00:35] <Kotono> "I doubt it very much!" The watchman says most seriously, "The door is solid and the runes ar emagical! He can have the spell fade on his command, of course."
[00:38] <Kotono> Febras snorts a little, still hanging back. "Do you think some bored lich is hiding behind paltry runes?" He lazily enquires, but chuckles after. "But if you wish to know, breaking down the wall would suffice. Otherwise, I daresay thatthey would be difficult to breech."
[00:39] * Berlioz snickers. "That would defeat the point of the seal entirely, but yes."
[00:40] <Seira> "Something certainly is hiding behind them," Seira responds. "Can you tell what it is, though?"
[00:40] <Shamal> "It would be the perfect hiding place, when you think about it - who would suspect the undead to be hidden behind sacred wards after all?" Shamal comments idly, "But perhaps we're reaching. This place is our only real lead so far, sadly."
[00:41] <Kotono> "Then break the walls down," Febras smirks, amused, "It's just a holy barrier, after all."
[00:42] <Kotono> The Watchman shakes a bit at that, "By Helm's Guantlet, you aren't serious, are you? Do you truly believe that undeath has snuck behind the raw protections of Helm?"
[00:43] * Shamal shakes her head, "No, I'm satisfied - certainly we don't have any sort of evidence to be defiling tombs over," she states firmly.
[00:44] <Seira> "How are you at tracking things?" Seira suddenly asks Febras.
[00:44] <Berlioz> "I wouldn't discard any possibility myself. I just think that crumbling a wall down might be more effort than it's worth. If undeads managed to scrape into the barrier, they certainly could scrape out", Berlioz remarks.

[Corwin]

[20:03] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Tracking? I know a bit..." He smiles slowly, seeming to relish it. "What do you have in mind?"
[20:09] <Shamal> "There are some indications that the necromancer had ghouls walking out of the crypt. Unfortunately the trail was too hard to follow by the time we got to it... it's been another day since then, too," Shamal fills in uncertainly.
[20:10] <Dungeon_Kotono> "It's unlikely, but...I could try," Febras shrugs a bit, pulling down his hat.
[20:10] <Seira> "We appreciate it," Seira tells him.
[20:11] * Shamal leads Febras outside and shows him where she saw the tracks start.
[20:11] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 beat 10 to aid another
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 beat 10 to aid another and gets 22."12 [1d20=12]
[20:11] * Hotaru (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[20:11] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Hotaru Hotaru
[20:11] * Loligothica (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[20:11] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Loligothica Loligothica
[20:12] * Loligothica is now known as Lyselle
[20:12] <Dungeon_Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Dungeon_Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
[20:12] <Dungeon_Kotono> OOC - +2 more, Shamal?
[20:12] <Shamal> OOC: yeah
[20:14] <Dungeon_Kotono> Febras goes to the tracks, kneeling down. Quite close, face hidden but near the ground indeed. About twenty seconds pass before he stands. "...hmph," he mutters, pulling his hat down and hiding his face.
[20:15] <Seira> "There is another thing we should try," Seira voices then. "As our necromancer had been cut off from his supply of corpses, he is bound to turn to other graveyards. I believe we should alert the remaining clergy, and ascertain that none of their mausoleums had been disturbed so far."
[20:16] <Shamal> "You okay, Rin?" Shamal asks quietly, hanging back and scratching her dog behind her ears.
[20:16] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Makes sense," Febras mutters, looking up to the sun briefly. "Lead on, then."
[20:16] <Dungeon_Kotono> Rin looks a little hesitant, but barks once.
[20:17] * Hotaru (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (Ping timeout)
[20:18] <Seira> "Anything the matter, Shamal?" Seira asks.
[20:20] <Shamal> "Don't know..." Shamal still looks a bit dubious, kneeling down a bit by the canine. "Something smell bad, Rin? Go find what it is!" she instructs quietly, letting Rin run loose to locate any unsavoury scents she may have picked up.
[20:20] * Lyselle nods to Seira, frowning a bit. "We might want to post watches, maybe? With orders to not engage, since a single man has little chance against such a number of things as we encountered..."
[20:21] <Dungeon_Kotono> OOC - Make a tracking check here, Rin.
[20:21] * Seira nods back at Lyselle. "Yes, and armed with silver for it to matter. I would suggest starting with Waukeen... though it seems we might have a little detour on our hands."
[20:21] <Shamal> roll 1d20+7
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+7 and gets 14."12 [1d20=7]
[20:22] <Dungeon_Kotono> Rin sniffs, slowly coming towards Febras. She sniffs around and looks uncertain.
[20:22] <Dungeon_Kotono> Febras smiles a little bit, going and placing a hand on Rin's head. "Armed with silver couldn't hurt. Good dog..." he murmurs, stroking her head.
[20:23] <Shamal> "Anyway, which temple shall we visit next, if we're going to start checking other graveyards?" Shamal asks, looking a bit uncertain herself.
[20:24] <Seira> "Waukeen."
[20:24] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Very well," Febras says as he starts to walk. "Are you going to the temple or straight to the masoleum?"
[20:25] <Shamal> "Okay, I'll catch up with you at the temple?" Shamal suggests, looking around a bit hesitantly. "I just want to check something..."
[20:25] <Seira> "It has been days since the start of the incidents," Seira says with a grimace, "so informing the clergy and gaining their permission might be best."
[20:26] <Dungeon_Kotono> "I can go ahead to the masoleum. I passed it a few days ago." Febras shakes his head, "At worst I wait, at best I may prevent another desecration."
[20:28] <Seira> "As you are a civillian working with us, and thus your safety is my responsibility, I would prefer that you not venture on your own, Mister Febras," Seira tells him. "Unless someone wishes to come with you as well?"
[20:29] <Dungeon_Kotono> "I care not, but if you insist." He shrugs again, uncaring as he waits.
[20:29] * Berlioz scratches his head. "We might want to split our forces in this case. Two of us go to the mausoleum with Febras, the rest sticks to Waukeen?"
[20:31] <Seira> "I can inform the temple on my own, if you and Lyselle want to go to the mausoleum," Seira tells Berlioz. "It seems Shamal is otherwise preoccupied at the moment."
[20:31] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Let us go then. On the way, could you tell me of what happened at the masoleum here? I have not heard the story yet."
[20:31] <Dungeon_Kotono> Febras turns towards the street, pulling his hat down again.
[20:31] <Shamal> "I'll catch up with you shortly, Seira," Shamal promises, trying to drift away from the others.
[20:32] <Seira> "No problem," she responds with a nod, heading for a temple she knows well, for a change.
[20:32] * Berlioz nods to Seira blankly. "Fine with me, I believe. Let us go, Lyselle?", the bard bobs his head, heading after Febras afterwards.
[20:33] * Lyselle nods quietly, brushing a few errant strands of hair back and waiting for the boys to lead the way. That way, they could take the first hits!
[20:33] <Dungeon_Kotono> OOC - Okay. Shamal in #terrorofdunes. Seira says in here. Lyselle and Berli go into #evildunes.
[20:37] <Dungeon_Kotono> Seira makes good time through the city. Nothing of note happens while she's enroute. The temple is a grand building, wealth of stone and gold on display, hints of silver inside. In the center of the trading district as is the norm, past Malmuthian traders and iron shipments from the mountains. Inside is a grand open space of rich pillars and inlaid fountains, the golden visage of Waukeen atop a prominade inside.
[20:38] * Seira seeks out the head priest, walking past the traders!
[20:40] <Dungeon_Kotono> As you even see a few Malmuth soldiers in blue and gray, doing boring guard duty for merchants, you come to the altar. It's a grand one of marble and platinum, worth more than one can easily comprehend. An old one, too, clearly having been used for a long time yet well kept, even when moved. Atop there is a tall man Seira knows - Gilartal the Prosperous, wearing gold stitched brown robes.
[20:41] * Seira inclines her head at him in greeting. "A moment of your time, Sir?" she asks Gilartal.
[20:43] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Seira." A nod back, stepping away from the altar. "Of course. Here to buy or just to talk this day?"
[20:43] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (Off to class. -=SysReset 2.53=-)
[20:44] <Seira> "I'm on official business today, I'm afraid," she tells the man. "This should really be done in private, I believe."
[20:46] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Oh, if you wish." Leading you back past the altar and through a few doors, you soon find yourself in a lush room. Not as lush as outside, butthe seats are deep and soft, and harp music plays from the corners. Or should, but it starts to silence after a moment. "Mmm...I should freshen that spell tomorrow," he murmurs, sitting.
[20:47] <Seira> "It would be very pleasant," Seira agrees, before venturing, "Sir, have you heard the recent rumors of ghouls and undead on the streets, preying on the citizens?"
[20:48] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Naturally." He leans back, taking of a heavy golden chain that holds his holy symbol. Stretching back, "It keeps circulating here in particular, since incoming merchants are slaves to gossip to catch up with the times."
[20:50] <Seira> "I am here to confirm these rumors," Seira says bluntly. "But that is not all. The mausoleum of Helm's temple had been used by the necromancer until recently, but after they have been alerted, we feel that he may switch targets, as his goals do not seem to have been met so far."
[20:51] <Dungeon_Kotono> "My, my, my. I'm surprised those old stiffs let that happen. Helm must be brooding in the heavens." Despite this he smiles archly. "Well then, we've been checking them the last few days, to protect our investments there. Nothing unusual, but you're free to take a look with proper supervision if you like."
[20:56] <Seira> "Their leader is away on temple business," she offers as explanation. "And I would like to take a look, yes, but perhaps an around-the-clock guard could be arranged to dissuade our necromancer from even thinking about desecrating Waukeen's mausoleum?"
[20:57] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Ah, how unlucky, but yes, that idea is prudent." Rubbing his temple a few times, "On confirmation such an action would only be intelligent. Is it just yourself, Seira? I recall you worked with a few others?"
[20:58] <Seira> "My colleagues opted to guard the premises from the outside while I seeked out your permission to proceed, Sir," she responds.
[20:59] * Hotaru (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[20:59] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Hotaru Hotaru
[20:59] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Well then, I'll send someone uitable along with you shortly." But before then he sits up, looking at Seira. "I am curious - how serious an infestation is this? Business could go sour quickly if it goes on too long."
[21:00] * Hotaru is now known as Lyelle
[21:00] * Lyelle is now known as Lyselle
[21:01] * Seira lowers her head in shame. "It is only just starting, I regret to inform you, Sir. We do not yet have enough information to isolate this necromancer, except the suspicion that he came here a few days ago. In fact, we cannot even ascertain it is a he. Is there any chance you have heard anything that might be helpful, Sir?"
[21:03] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Honestly, not particularly. Rumors speak of corpses on the streets and fear in houses, but little else. Oh, allegations of a vampire, or a necromancer, or worse, but nothing that can be pinned down."
[21:03] <Seira> "A vampire, Sir?" she asks.
[21:04] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Yes. As I recall..." He ponders a moment.
[21:04] <Dungeon_Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Dungeon_Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16."12 [1d20=5]
[21:04] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Fangs, suck blood, that sort of creature." He nods once more, "That it's going around controlling bodies, or that a necromancer is raising the death, or what have you."
[21:05] <Seira> "Vampires can be recognized by not having any reflection or shadow, correct?"
[21:05] * Seira frowns. "It would be hard to miss one entering the city, unless the Guard was being lax...."
[21:06] <Dungeon_Kotono> "I believe so," A shrug by the Temple Master. "I can spend a day studying if you want more information, I'll even give you a discount since you had the good graces to come here and make sure we're informed."
[21:07] <Seira> "It would be appreciated, Sir," Seira tells him gratefully.
[21:10] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Only 20 gold," he smiles, getting up. "I'll have someone escort you regardless."
[21:11] * Seira bows, thanking the man once more.
[21:14] <Dungeon_Kotono> So out you go (Seira, let me know if you're paying him for the study or nots ince you haven't said so directly either way.). Lead along, you see a brown haired priestess and Shamal. You can just hear Shamal say something about the second circle, voice carrying a bit in the hall. "Hmmm," he murmurs, "Is that one of your fellow soldiers? Mia will do then."
[21:19] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Oh yes, that's wonderful," the girl says back to Shamal, looking down at Rin.
[21:20] <Dungeon_Kotono> "That's Mia," The Temple Master informs, "Mia! Take Seira here to the masoleum!"
[21:21] * Shamal blinks and looks up at the interruption, before smiling and waving to Seira.
[21:21] * Seira nods at Shamal in greeting.
[21:22] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Yes, Temple Master," Mia nods, "Well then, Seira...and oh, will you be coming too?" she asks of Shamal.
[21:22] <Shamal> "Yes, we're just making sure the dead are resting peacefully," Shamal nods, her voice even lower than before. "I don't know if you've heard the rumours about such, lately, but it's become a bit of a concern..."
[21:23] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Oooooh, yes I have, so...shall we?" The girl nods quickly, hurrying up.
[21:23] <Seira> "Did your lead pan out?" Seira asks Shamal quietly, walking by her.
[21:24] * Shamal glances a bit uncertainly at Mia before replying obliquely. "Just where did you pick up your new friend Mr Febras, anyway?"
[21:25] * Seira speaks quietly enough so only Shamal would hear. "He arrived on the same day as our new friend Donald. The same day the incidents started, too, and we can place him at least at one of the scenes. I do not believe him responsible, but he is involved somehow, I feel."
[21:28] <Shamal> "Hmm... well, I don't wish to make any hasty judgements or anything without proof, but I suggest we be careful around him..." Shamal whispers back, mentally trying to work out when the next full moon is. "So you haven't heard of any problems around Waukeen's crypts have you, Mia?" she then asks more conversationally so as not to leave their new friend out.
[21:28] <Seira> "The clergy has been patrolling there regularly," Seira informs Shamal. "I asked them to strengthen the security."
[21:30] <Dungeon_Kotono> Shamal knows the next full moon is a week or so away.
[21:31] <Shamal> "Well, we'll take a quick look to make sure nothing's been disturbed, then move onto the next church. Hopefully everything'll be fine," Shamal smiles reassuringly, mentally filing that information away.
[21:33] <Shamal> roll 1d20+14 lycanthrope knowledge
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+14 lycanthrope knowledge and gets 22."12 [1d20=8]
[21:40] <Dungeon_Kotono> As Shamal racks her brain, you soon reach the masoleum. Febras and Lyselle wait at the gates, the former leaning against them. His voice carries as you approach, "Then we'll simply wait in perfect boredom."
[21:41] <Seira> "Your boredom is over, it seems," Seira greets the duo.
[21:41] <Shamal> "You won't have to be bored now that we're here," Shamal seconds amusedly.
[21:42] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Yes," Mia bows, going to the gate and taking out a little silver key. She opens the gates, heading in.
[21:42] <Shamal> "This is Mia," Shamal provides an introduction, "She's going to show us around so we can make sure everyone's resting peacefully in here."
[21:43] <Dungeon_Kotono> Febras steps away from her, the gate opened. He doesn't offer comment, just heading inside with her.
[21:44] <Seira> "Where is Berlioz?" Seira asks Lyselle.
[21:45] * Lyselle follows after their new friend and her comrade, keeping an eye out for whatever might turn out to be odd. "He went looking for someone to open the gates..."
[21:45] * Seira frowns. "Before we even got the permission to enter?"
[21:47] <Lyselle> "I think he intended to locate permission in the same trip," Lyselle shrugs, her smile faint and easy.
[21:48] * Seira mutters quietly to herself, letting it drop.
[21:48] <Dungeon_Kotono> Mia goes on all the while to the first building. "Look but don't touch," she advises, unlocking the door inside.
[21:48] <Shamal> "Hopefully he can catch up... this shouldn't take long," Shamal consoles, obediently following Mia and looking for any sign of disturbance.
[21:49] * Seira enters the premises with her bow out.
[21:52] <Dungeon_Kotono> Inside you see coffins inserted into the walls, little recesses. Rich coffins with marble busts fo the departed, often with inlays on the coffisn themselves. Mia makes a quick look about down the long, narrow building, "Don't see anything," she murmurs.
[21:53] <Shamal> "Everything seems in order to me," Shamal agrees.
[21:53] * Berlioz mutters to self and runs inside. Nice way to waste time, bard.
[21:53] * Lyselle nods, loosening her mace none the less in case something comes about. Who knew, even if the front end held no traces...
[21:53] <Seira> "Is there a warded off section?" she asks Mia.
[21:54] <Dungeon_Kotono> Febras grunts once, "Don't see anything..."
[21:55] * Berlioz runs further and gets inside the mausoleum, looking for his companions.
[21:56] <Dungeon_Kotono> They're in teh front, as Mia turns around. "There's a few in the other masoleums. Do you want to see as well?"
[21:56] * Seira nods.
[21:57] <Shamal> "We should check everything, yes," Shamal agrees.
[21:57] <Dungeon_Kotono> So the party is lead to the other buildings! In the back of them are runes and wards of gold, parting as Mia places her holy symbol to them and murmurs a few words under her breath. She smiles as the door opens, richer coffins inside, the air musty but clean.
[21:58] * Berlioz huffs, finally catching up with the party. "Guh. My apologies for the delay..."
[21:58] <Shamal> "You haven't missed much," Shamal consoles. "It doesn't appear that our necromancer has despoiled these tombs."
[21:59] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Fortunate," Febras murmurs, "Well then, what next?"
[22:00] <Seira> "We check the rest of the graveyards. At the very least, they should all be under guard."
[22:01] <Dungeon_Kotono> So the rest of the day passes. All the city's graveyards are searched, yet one thing remains in common - not a sign of undeath at all. Just a busy day...
[22:02] * Seira appears mildly frustrated by the results. "Have we sent the necromancer into hiding?" she wonders out loud.
[22:03] <Lyselle> roll 1d100
[22:03] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d100 and gets 57."12 [1d100=57]
[22:03] <Shamal> "Perhaps he's biding his time after what happened at the crypts of Helm?" Shamal suggests, a bit dispirited due to lacking any ideas, now.
[22:04] <Dungeon_Kotono> Febras snorts as you walk down the streets, evening's eve reached. "Or fled, he's already been gone, or perhaps the Abomination was the source of it all?"
[22:05] <Seira> "Anything is possible, but we can't really count on such a favorable outcome."
[22:05] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Then I wish you well on patrol," Febras nods, "I have other business to go to now, however."
[22:05] <Shamal> "That is a possibility, but begs the question of how such a thing could get into the city undetected," Shamal muses. "For now, though, we have no leads left."
[22:05] * Seira nods at that. "Thank you for accompanying us today, Mister Febras."
[22:06] <Dungeon_Kotono> "It is no trouble. Despite it all, I have no problem helping Balmuria's finest. This is not a bad city...hmmm." He looks up at the setting up, "Perhaps I may stay here a time, then."
[22:07] * Lyselle makes a sudden, pained noise as she nearly rips her longsword out from its sheath and letting it drop on the stones, staring at it. "What the..."
[22:07] <Dungeon_Kotono> Lyselle's longsword is still duskblack, the metal seeming to writhe like a living thing. It glows the color of Lyselle's flesh, before stopping a few moments after.
[22:08] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Hm?" Febras turns briefly, "...my." He pushes his hat down, quiet.
[22:08] <Seira> "You've seen this before?"
[22:08] <Shamal> "What?" Shamal stops and stares at Lyselle's fallen sword, promptly casting detect magic so she can see what's what with it.
[22:08] <Dungeon_Kotono> It's still a faint aura...OOC - Make your check.
[22:09] <Shamal> roll 1d20+13 (casting guidance first)
[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+13 (casting guidance first) and gets 33."12 [1d20=20]
[22:10] <Dungeon_Kotono> "I'm familiar with this, yes. Supernatural energy has affected the blade? I've had that happen before..." he murmurs quietly, "What happened to it?"
[22:10] <Seira> "An encounter with the Abomination."
[22:11] * Lyselle nods, staring at her blade and unclipping her scabbard, trying to nudge the weapon back into its holding with a mace. "That was rather painful..." she frowns.
[22:11] <Dungeon_Kotono> "Your sword must have absorbed some of it's component energy," Febras muses, "If I recall, that makes like a half finished template."
[22:12] <Shamal> "It carries a faint trace of necromantic magic," Shamal confirms. "Lyselle... I don't think the sword is of any use to you like this, but whatever magic is on it is unstable. I freely admit a lack of expertise in this area, but I may be able to infuse it with more beneficial spells."
[22:12] <Lyselle> "If you'd like to experiment..." Lyselle nods, holding it up by the scabbard, sighing a little. "Such an odd thing..."
[22:13] * Shamal accepts the scabbard and gingerly puts the sword inside, before holding it by the scabbard. "If nothing else, it may be a way to expand my knowledge of magical craft."
[22:14] <Dungeon_Kotono> The sword goes into the scabbard without incident.
[22:14] <Dungeon_Kotono> "I wish you well with that," Febras nods, then leaves.
[22:15] <Shamal> "I don't think he's malicious, but we should keep an eye on Mr Febras," the blonde adds once he's long gone. "I have a suspicion that he may be a werewolf."
[22:15] <Seira> "Based on what, Shamal?"
[22:15] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (Move oh moving... -=SysReset 2.53=-)
[22:15] * Berlioz raises an eyebrow. I knew he was rather suspicious - startlingly intelligent, for starters... but a werewolf?"
[22:16] <Shamal> "Rin thinks he smells like a wolf," she answers, before shrugging. "Only a suspicion, perhaps, but I've never seen her act like that before."
[22:17] <Seira> "He is very suspicious," Seira agrees. "Perhaps the temple of Waukeen could help us clear this up, one way or the other."
[22:18] <Shamal> "What do you think they can do?" Shamal asks curiously.
[22:19] <Seira> "Waukeen smiles on any trade and exchange, including that of information." Seira shrugs. "And the temple certainly has the ability to pull it off, located in the center of a gossip-mongering market as it is."
[22:21] <Berlioz> "That's a fine point you raise there, Seira. I wonder how much information can we gank out of there, though. Seems like a difficult web to tangle into..."
[22:22] <Seira> "Should we observe his inn tonight, and tail Febras if he leaves it?" she proposes.
[22:23] <Shamal> "The full moon isn't for another week," Shamal shakes her head. "If you want then by all means, but I do not believe this to be urgent - like I said, he does not seem a malicious sort. We should merely be careful if he loses control. *If* he really is a werewolf."
[22:24] <Seira> "I'll stick to patroling the city, then," Seira decides.