Finally, it is March 10th...
Occa says, "Okay, let's head back to the dungeon. Valdar, did you see if the dragons had any treasure, or did you guys just get the hell out of dodge?"
"They didn't have any treasure that I could see," replies the elf lord. "They came through the doors that your golem was guarding. He's dug himself out, by the way..."
Occa pauses and then says, "Although it is against my better judgement, maybe we should figure out a means for avoiding such a heavy breath weapon assault. Anyone have any ideas?"
"None at all," says Valdar, fidgeting. "Shall we return and destroy evil wherever it lurks?"
Orlon tells Occa "I can cast 'spell immunity' on members, but that would like taking a stab in the dark, as who knows what type of dragon we will meet, and to protect everyone against all the different breath weapons which if memory serves me right are; white-frost, red-fire, blue-lightning, green-chlorine gas, and black-acid. Total protection would take many spells to do. Spreading out, as has been suggested, would be a better tactic."
Gilstrock regards Occa silently for two blinks of an eye, and then says, "I don't get your better judgement."
After another pause, he says, "Well, it's not really an idea, but we need to hit dragons hard and fast, to weaken them. Also, we need to avoid clustering, so that they can breathe on all of us at once. A long time ago somebody talked about dividing into twos, a fighter type and a spell caster. The fighter could try to 'protect' the spell caster and keep baddies from hitting him. (Always a good idea anyway.) Each team of two should stay away from the others. If we get into a situation where there are dragons, hit them early with missile fire and spells. The fighters then move in from different directions, if possible. The spell casters stay back, spread out. Hopefully the dragon can't breath on more than one or two of us at once."
"The trick," Gilstrock says, "will be staying spread out well enough while just moving about, and being in formation when we are surprised."
"Do we have enough fighters to make this work? And what about folks like Lore and myself? I'm both a magic-user and a fighter. Does that mean I have to guard myself? If it does, I'm in trouble... since I don't seem to do a very good job." says Darian.
Occa says, "yes, I suppose we should just go and destroy evil wherever it lurks." He smiles and says, "A mage fighter match up is a great idea Gilstrock...we should do that as well. Let's see. We have:
me
gilstrock
orlon
pharian
jesse
salaam
gonzo
aaargh!
darian
lore
valdar
So, let's first weed out the natural pairs. Gilstrok and Pharian are good friends so they should go together. Salaam and Jesse since only they can stomach their icky mushy fest. That leaves:
me
gonzo
aaargh!
orlon
darian
lore
valdar
Hmm." He looks over at Lore and Darian and says, "What to do about you two...definately we need to put you guys way in the back. Probably with Aaargh! protecting you two. That will work. Just be extra careful with those wands. That leaves - "
Darian shrugs and looks at Lore. "Sure, it's fine with me. But, don't you have him check doors for traps and such?"
"Gonzo, remember, is also a practicing thief, for what that's worth," says Pharian.
"I didn't know that. I thought your only thief was that guy that the flying monsters took away when they dropped off Lore and myself."
"Does that I mean I go with him? And I'm not sure about the concept of this team thing. I mean Lore fights almost as well as I do and neither of us can cast that many spells. At this point in my career, I'm more useful as a fighter than a mage. And I think the same can probably be said for Lore, although I don't want to put words in this mouth. So, are we truly more useful as a team or should we be partnered with others?"
Lore shakes his head in disagreement, "I am a much better mage then fighter. Besides with these wands I am pretty sure I can hold my own for the most part. And quite frankly...I don't mind staying near the back....dying isn't that fun."
Occa says, "That is why I put Aaargh with you two. He is an accomplished fighter. Plus putting you guys in hte back increases your chances of survival. Still, we could do with groups of three and put you with other groups. That would be fine, but you would likely be closer to the front." He looks at the otehrs and says, "What do you all think of this?"
Darian grins. "Does that mean Aaargh! will be jumping in front of the all the dragon breath to keep us safe?"
"No, hopefully you guys will be far enough back it won't affect you. Plus, with you in back, the dragon fear should...hey, I have an idea. We could have them in front...if we get anywhere near a dragon they should start quaking in their boots. What do you guys think?"
"I'm not terribly interested in that idea, thank you..."
"But, seriously, I don't mind working with Lore if you all feel that's the best way of doing things. But, I do want to try to be useful from time to time..."
"What would you suggest Darian? Feel free to speak."
"Well, there are times when the fighters need to tackle monsters hand-to-hand. If the mages wade in there also, they are going to be open to attack that might be avoided if they hung back. I think that Lore and I should probably be used to guard the mages leaving the more powerful fighters available to move around. But, I suppose that could be a second formation we fall into when circumstances warrant it."
Occa says, "Well, that idea is good too. A couple rows of fighters in front, then the mages and then you guys?"
"me
gonzo
orlon
valdar
Orlon and Valdar have been friends for a while so they make a good match which leaves me with Gonzo. Karumba as they say!" He smiles. "Okay, maybe we should come up with a marching order? The best fighters should be in the front...that would be Gonzo and probably Gilstrok. Followed by their respective mages...that would be Pharian and myself. Next we could put in Valdar and Jesse. Wow, not great. No offense Jesse. Aaargh! and company come in tow."
He pauses and says, "Alternatively, we could walk four abreast...or just walk two abreast and spread out as much as possible." He shakes his head and says, "This will not be easy!" He looks to Pharian and says, "I think we need to do some serious scouting before entering any rooms....hmm, but how. I guess that is something we can think about. Anyone have an suggestions, commments or criticisms?"
"Let's stick with two abrest when we are just walking around," Giltsrock says. "I doubt we will run into many dragons in hallways, for they won't fit there. Before we open any door, though, we should spread out. If there are any dragons behind it, we don't want to stand to all be breathed on at once. If possible, two people should stand backs to the wall on either side of the door, with spell casters well back."
"Yes, this is an excellent plan," says Pharian. "I would suggest only moving Salaam and Jesse to the far back, so I don't have to listen to the sound of him slopping his saintly tongue around in her tender young ear."
Gilstrock tries to suppress a chuckle, but a couple of guffaws manage to creep their way past the hand over his mouth. He looks guiltily at Salaam and Jesse, but can't manage to wipe that amused smile off of his face.
Jesse looks towards Pharian. Smiling sweetly she says, "Aha... I have it figured out. You're jealous." Then she walks over and kisses Pharian on the cheek, "That's ok. I like you too."
Gilstrock, still chuckling from Pharian's jab, has to exert himself even more to keep himself from bursting out in laughter at the sight of a nubile young babe kissing Pharian on the cheek. His mouth shows lines of amused tension, and his eyes begin to water.
Eventually he gives up and just bursts out laughing. After he's finished with that, he wipes his face and says, "Whew, hee hee, Occa, I need more of that Wild Turkey."
Jesse smiles at Gilstrocks outburst. "I guess I am doing my job well.. keeping everyone entertained."
Gilstrock blinks twice at Jesse, almost makes a comment that would be more expected from Pharian, but instead remains silent, looking amused.
Salaam gives a smile and says, "Jesse, my love, I have a jealous streak as well, and Pharian, my saintly tongue can do a lot more than kiss her sweet ear." he says with a blush as he says something quite out of character...
Jesse smiles and says, "Oh yes... it is a wonderful tongue."
A wistful look comes over her ...
"Can you mages do funky things like look through doors before we open them?" Gilstrock asks. "If so, it might let us decide how to stand in each case before we open a door."
"Well, there are a number of spells that could help-- clairvoyance, obviously. Also, I could change myself into a bug and crawl under the door to look around. The problem is that with the number of doors in this dungeon, those spells would be quickly exhausted, so we should only use them if we have some idea that there might be something behind a door."
"But seriously, isn't there some sort of spell that allows the cascter to become insubstantial for a while. Depending on how difficult it is, I oculd learn it. Then I could float through walls and see what there was to see, sort of a scout." Jesse offers.
"That would free upthe other, more powerful mages for casting those really powerful spells. Besides, I can't cast many spells anyway and can't fight real well, so perhaps this would let me earn my keep, so to speak. And, if the going did get tough, I would be there to be a backup and cast a lightning bolt or two."
Occa says, "Well, I have a wand of enemy detection, although I am not sure if it will work through a door or not. We could try it out, though."
Occa says, "Yes, Jesse, there is such a spell, but I don't have it."
Orlon tells Jesse "Yeah. Clerics can cast a spell called Plane Shift. I don't know if mages have an equivalent, but I'm sure they do. Is that right Occa, Stiff, or Valdar?"
"I sure don't," replies Valdar.
Orlon tells Occa "I can cast 'spell immunity' on members, but that would like taking a stab in the dark, as who knows what type of dragon we will meet, and to protect everyone against all the different breath weapons which if memory serves me right are; white-frost, red-fire, blue-lightning, green-chlorine gas, and black-acid. Total protection would take many spells to do. Spreading out, as has been suggested, would be a better tactic."
"We still outta use the protection spells whenever possible, though," Gilstrock says. "We should use everything we can."
"The more protection, the better," Orlon tells Gilstrock.
As Orlon says this, Gilstrock throws a sidelong glance at Jesse and Salaam, and then starts silently guffawing again. (So far as anybody can guffaw silently.)
Gilstrock draws his fronst band. Beads of condensation form on the chill blade. "Thawbreaker, here, will help me hit fire using creatures, like red dragons. It also gives me some measure of protection against fire attacks. So, if we try to coordinate battle plans, I should always be the one going after any reds. That is, if we come across multiple colors of dragons at once."
Occa turns to Stiff and Valdar and says, "Do either of you have wraithform?"
The elf shakes his head.
"That's an illusionist spell, isn't it?"
Occa says, "No, I think it is an alteration spell. It also falls into the shadow school if memory servers. I have used it before as it was in my old book."
"Nope. Don't have it."
Orlon says "If we're all set in our marching order and strategy, then let's go."
Occa says, "Right then. Time to go."
"Let's load up. I will teleport us back in once I turn invisible."
He cast invisiblity on himself.
Then he says, "Okay everyone into the portable hole."
Assuming everyone does so...he teleports back to the place where we were killed.
A moment later you have all climbed out of the hole and are poking about.
Once again, you are just inside the double doors that opened into this area.
There is no sign of the dragons.
For your information, the weather in the area has moderated a bit in the past few weeks. The temperatures have been slightly above freezing during the day, dropping to slightly below at night. The snows have been melting slowly...this morning there was only 55" of it on the ground when you teleported out. It was also very foggy, as well.
Occa says, "Hold on. I am assume that we are going this way when we found the dragons."
"Op Code didn't tell me much about this dungeon, but here are the maps. Where was the last room you guys were in before you teleported out?" He shows the maps to the others.
Occa gets out his wand of enemy detection and says, "Let's see if this works." he says the command word for it.
Then he casts unseen servant.
"Shall I open the double doors? There maybe some dragons behind there."
"Don't open them," replies Pharian. "We know there's a golem, and he's loose again. Let's just move on away from these doors."
Too late...the servant has opened them.
You find yourselves looking west through the double doorway. The iron golem stands with its back to you on the other side. The floor is a mass of rubble and smashed stonework...where it had smashed its way out of the prison that Occa put it into.
The golem pays no attention to you, though, and there is no sign of any dragons, either.
Orlon shows you the map.
"What's down the 4-way intersection just to the northeast of here? Specifically, what's further down the northeast and northwest hallways?" Orlon asks the others.
Occa says, "Hey, if we knew it would be on the map. I think." He looks at the map and says, "Let's check out that large corridor in the southeast section. Then we can work our way up the East side and then get these northern corridors."
He starts heading to the South East Corridor via the most direct route.
The rest of you follow, after a fashion.
Reaching the area in question, you see that the 20' wide passage runs east for 60' past the northeast passage...after which is a flight of stairs heading downwards...
You go and take a look up the northeast passage.
As you approach the entrance to that passage, though, the floor suddenly opens up under Gilstrock...and he falls into a pit. Again his stoneskin saves him.
Once a rock crusher for the mining operation, the 10' deep pit (at the very entrance to the northeast passage) is filled with old, rusted machinery.
You look northeast.
On the right wall the passage runs for 50', then turns east. Along the left wall it runs for 60' and out of your range of vision.
"Doh!" Gilstrock says, before he searches through the rusted machinery to see if there is anything of interest in this pit.
He finds nothing of interest or value down there.
"Hey, somebody throw me a rope," he says, when he's done.
Occa says, "Well, let's check out down this passage. It is probably just a mining shaft, but it can't hurt. Here I will take a quick look."
He casts wizard eye and sends it forward...then he describes what he sees...
The stairs head down for about 80'...after which they end at a large cave.
Sending your eye around, you find that it is roughly circular and about 60' in diameter, with exits to the north, east and south. It looks like there has been a cave-in to the right of the stairs.
Orlon throws a rope down to Gilstrock. After Gilstrock is out of the pit, Orlon will go up the corridor to the northeast and investigate.
"Thanks, buddy," Gilstrock says, before he is given pause by the thought that he's just called one of the most severe high priests that he's ever heard of 'buddy'.
You move around the pit and head northeast.
You find yourself at a 5-way intersection. 10' wide passages run north, northwest-southeast, and southwest-northeast.
You look each way...
North: 60' and on. In the 40' - 50' section of the east wall is a 10' wide passage running east.
Northeast: 40', after which it opens up into a chamber to the east. From this direction come striding four hung-over frost giants...evidently attracted by the noise you've been making...
Suddenly you have other concerns besides looking up passages...
Darian draws his sword and ignites it, but waits with Lore in the back of the party for further commands.
Lore pulls out his frost wand...a look of grim determination upon his face. "I'm gonna turn these here giants into icecubes.", he says quietly before pointing his wand in the oncoming giants' direction and activating it.
A cone of cold shoots out of the wand, engulfing the giants. However, it has absolutely no effect on them...in fact, they rather like it.
Pharian shakes his head in dismay. "Remind me, Lore, to go through this whole wand thing with you again after the battle." Then he disappears.
"Careful, love" Salaam says to Jesse as he swings his hammer and throws it at the closest one's head/chest to take it down.
The hammer flies true, and bounces off of a giant's shoulder.
Jesse casts a lightning bolt at the giants.
A forked lightning bolt strikes the two lead monsters...however they partially deflect it with their shields and so do not take as much damage as you had hoped.
"Urgh! Gimmee the heebie jeebies!" one cries.
Occa lobs a fireball behind the giants...so that it gets them, but not us. This requires an educated guess at best...as the mage does not know the dimensions of the chamber beyond, or whether other passages run from it... Occa errs on the side of caution - for once - the fireball explodes well behind the giants, and does not engulf the either you or the giants.
"Spread out into the passages!" Gilstrock says, intently but quietly, pointing nort, northwest, and southeast. "Try to draw them into the intersection!"
Gilstrock will whip out his short bow and fire off a few arrows in the direction of the Giants. After he's hit a couple, he'll put his bow back over his shoulder and take out his flail. "C'mon, you big bullies!" He'll cry to the giants. "You afraid?"
One, now with an arrow embedded in his earlobe, says, "You should be!"
Swinging his flail menacingly, Gilstrock slowly backs down the southwest passageway -- not intending to get away from the giants, but so that they will be in the intersection by the time he goes hand-to-hand with them. The idea is for our party to be able to attack them from all sides.
Orlon casts prayer.
The giants burst into the intersection, they are set upon by Gilstrock, Gonzo and Arrrgh! Two of them are already hurt...the others are healthy.
Meanwhile, you hear a noise like a cement mixer in heat...emanating from the southeast passage.
Glancing down there, Pharian sees a hydra making its way up the passage towards you. The mage pauses to count the number of heads...and tallies up 16 of them...
Jesse lets fly two spells worth of magic missles at the hydra.
The bard reduces five heads to charred stumps and badly injures a sixth.
Occa says, "Cool! This place is heating up!" He casts a lightning bolt at the hydra. If it still lives after that, he casts another at it.
Four more heads are blown to pieces.
Darian moves in to assist with the giants.
"Lore, maybe you should try that wand on the hydra. Cold doesn't seem to work too well on giants that like the cold..."
Lore give Darian a quick nod and casts cone of cold on the hydra.
This time Lore redeems himself...as the cone of cold engulfs the approaching hydra...freezing the thing up solid and killing it.
Salaam throws his hammer at the nearest giant, trying to take him down.
He bounces his hammer of of its shin.
Orlon launches a spiritual hammer...
The battle with the giants is joined...
Gilstrock is hit and knocked sprawling, but comes up swinging his flail...connects...and raises a large bruise.
Gonzo leaps under the swinging club of a frost giant and easily plunges his flame tongue into his belly.
"YEOWCH!" yells the monster, burping flames.
Arrrgh! also dodges an incoming attack...and then fans...
Darian is also hit...but his stoneskin saves him again. Swinging his flame tongue, he carves off and instantly barbeques a large chunk of giant flesh.
To add insult to injury, Orlon's spiritual hammer then conks the giant over the head.
Jesse watches to see if the noise attracts others to the battle.
Gilstrock continues to attack the Frost Giants with his flail. "OpCode, Gonzo, make a front to hold the Hydra off of the mages!" he says, as he presses his attack.
Darian replies flippantly. "I don't think you were paying much attention, old boy. The hydra's pretty much frozen meat at this point. But, if you're hungry, I'll go heat up a head or two after we've finished with these giants. So, let's not bother to split up our forces at this point. The mages can sit back and watch since they've done their part..."
...And Op Code, sitting back in base camp, does not reply...
Gilstrock looks quickly over his shoulder and sees the dead body of the hydra. "By golly, you're right!" he says, then he returns his full attention to the Giants. "Allright, you big oafs, time to cut you down to size!" He presses the attack with his flail.
"Oh yeah?" replies his adversary. "I'm going to reduce you to a tasty snack!"
However, he does not do it this round, as Gilstrock, using his flail like a meat tenderizing mallet, mashes his arm, and he misses as a result. The fighter's next blow all but does the giant in.
"KARRRUMBA!" yells Gonzo, as he chops a frost giant down at the knees, killing him.
Arrrgh! connects next, as he easily dodges an incoming blow, before landing a second chop with his battle axe.
Darian continues to swing his sword and cook more meat.
The elf continues to whittle away at his frost giant...before being staggered by another blow.
Orlon's hammer again connects with a giant...
Gilstrock again connects, but again the giant barely survives. His rib cage is a pulp. From somewhere, though, he summons the strength to swing again, and connects, sending the man flying...but again the stoneskin saves him.
Gilstrock rushes back into battle.
Arrrgh! connects again...but only thanks to Orlon's prayer. The giant misses again.
"Damned dwarves!" he roars.
Darian again lands a solid blow...before the giant nails him. Again the magic saves him.
Gonzo goes over to help the elf, and topples the monster with one swing.
Orlon's hammer misses.
Two giants remain...
...but only for a moment, as Gilstrock finishes off his foe.
Arrrgh! and the last giant trade misses all around. Gonzo roars in, and puts the monster out of his misery post haste.
All is quiet, and nothing else seems to be heading your way.
"Thanks Gonzo. The stoneskin is great for preventing any damage, but it doesn't really stop your eyeballs from rolling around in their sockets. But, that fight felt wonderful."
"Although burnt frost giant isn't something I'd recommend eating, I am hungry... Anyone for some recently frozen hydra?", he says with a grin.
"Are you hurt, my love ? " Salaam asks Jesse after the battle... he approaches her and then after checking her out, kisses her gently and then attend to any wounds that anyone has. "If you open your mouth again, Occa, I might accidently cause wounds instead of cure them," he says with a lopsided grin, his best imitation of an evil one.
Occa laughs and says, "You know with a couple of polymorph spells I could join you two at the hip...think about it. Oh and don't worry, I am sure I wouldn't forget to leave out your vocal cords." He winks.
"Is it possible Salaam is cursed?" says Pharian to Gilstock, in mock seriousness. "That would explain a lot."
Gilstrock regards Salaam, then says, "Oh, he's definitely cursed. Might just be a biological, rather than a supernatural, curse."
"What he needs is to go out on a good hunt with the guys," Gilstrock concludes.
Orlon adds, "Having to listen to Jesse probably doesn't help his manner any."
Occa sends his wizards eye down the way the giants came to check it out.. then he sends it down the direction the hydra came from. Then, he reports on what he sees...
To the northeast, the passage opens up into a chamber to the east after 40' (30' X 30': 10' north, 10' south, 30' east; passage running west in west wall, north corner; passage running north out of middle section of north wall; passage running east out of east wall, south section...all passages are 10' wide).
There is lots of giant junk in here.
Down to the southeast, that passage also opens up into a chamber to the east after 50' (20' X 20': 10' north, 20' east). It is filled with chewed bones and hydra excrement.
Occa says, "Well, which way? Shall we check out the giant lair first?"
He heads that way.
Gonzo survey's the carnage of the giants and frozen hydra, before following Occa down the hall to investigate the giant's lair.
"Da bigger dey iz, da harder dey fall... " he mumbles, a lopsided grin on his face. "Comeon youse guys, let's check dis out."
"Those giants looked like we interrupted a party of some type. Let's see what they were partying about," Orlon tells Gonzo.
As previously described, this chamber is 30' square, with three exits from it...not counting the one you have just entered it by. Once some sort of workshop, many old and rusted tools hang from pegs in the walls. The place is filled with odds and ends...including a number of beer barrels - all empty. Searching through the junk, you find a nice little treasure trove: 12,000gp, 500ep, 2 necklaces that you instantly value at 1100gp each; 3 scrolls and a potion.
You look up each passage.
To the east, the passage runs for 40' and then opens up into another chamber.
To the north, the passage runs for 60' and on... In the 40' - 50' sections are 10' wide passages that run southeast and southwest, respectively; and in the 50' - 60' section are passages that run northeast and northwest, respectively.
To the west, the last passage runs for 40', after which it ends at a "T" intersection with a passage running north-south. In the 30' - 40' section of the north wall is a 10' wide passage running northeast.
Occa says, "Let's go North." He heads that way sending his eye ahead first to check it out.
Darian shrugs, looks at Lore and says, "I would've chosen northeast, to make sure that it links up with that door, but that's just me. It's probably due to the fact that I like complete maps. I just hate it when they are unexplored tunnel branches..."
Occa looks at Darian and says, "Oh, do you know where we are on the map? In that case, I would follow any other directions...I am terrible with directions and maps and all that stuff that doesn't involve teleportation." He shrugs and says, "I am just wandering around." He chuckles and says, "Fine, North East then." he goes up that way.
"I looked at the map Orlon is carrying and figured out where we were, that's all. I used to read maps in the army..."
Occa says, "Well, it was my sense of direction that eventually got me kicked out of the army." He snickers and says, "Why don't you suggest directions to go henceforth?"
"That was your sense that you would go whatever direction you damn well pleased, I expect," snorts Pharian at Occa. "It's hard to imagine you in the army."
"Well, I probably will. As for the army...hey, that was a long time ago. I was younger. I even reached the rank of sargeant!"
Darian shakes his head. "Only if Orlon or Op-code keep the map up to date. I get lost too easily without the map..."
Occa says, "That is what I meant...that sounds fair, Darian."
"Okay. I accept then..."
You turn to go northeast...then realise that there is no northeast exit from this chamber, so you go north after all.
Reaching the 6-way intersection, you look every way.
To the southeast, a passage runs for 50' and then opens up into a chamber to the east.
To the northeast, a passage runs for 50' on the right wall, 40' on the left, then opens up to the north.
To the north, a passage runs for 60' and on. In the 40' - 60' section is a 4-way intersection with a 20' wide passage running east - west.
To the northwest, a passage runs for 40' on the right wall, 50' on the left, then opens up to the north.
To the southwest, a passage runs for 50' on the right, 40' on the left, then ends at an intersection with a passage running east - west. 10' before the end, though, on the right wall, is a passage running northwest.
Occa says after bumping into the NorthEast corner of the room, "Hey, Darian..if that is your name, I thought you said there was a passage here!"
He then heads up the north corridor..once at the junction he says, "I will now greatly annoy the mighty forces that control this universe." He sends his eye down each corridor in turn.
However, the mighty forces that control this universe are more than a match for Occa, as the wizard eye spell runs out before it has travelled 10' down the southeast passage.
"Hey Occa," Orlon asks. "Are you sure you weren't a dwarf in an earlier life? You sure seem to know your way around this dungeon pretty good."
Occa says, "Hmm, maybe so...I do have a great fondness for dwarven ale and pickled mushrooms."
"Pickled mushrooms...yuck!" mutters Valdar.
Occa says, "I better not push my luck." He heads up the North corridor.
The rest of you follow.
After 40' you find yourselves at a 4-way intersection with a 20' wide passage running east - west.
A noise off to the left attracts your wandering attention...and you see coming down the hallway towards you 5 manticores. They are about 40' away and none of you are even surprised...
Darian pulls out his wand of ice. "Should I use it, Occa?"
"Yes!"
Occa says, "Toaster time!" He begins casting cone of cold down the corridor at the Manticores.
"Stand back," says Lore taking out his FIRE wand. Making sure it is safe to do so, Lore mutters the magical words, activating the wand, and sending fireballs spiraling towards the on-coming monsters.
Darian shrugs and invokes his wand while pointing at the manticores. He mutters to himself "Two cones of cold and a fireball. Geez, I hope no one else gets in the way..."
Lots of things happen at once. The manticores twitch their tails at you, launching a cloud of nasty spikes in your direction. Two spikes nail Jesse for 9 hit points of damage. Gilstrock takes a spike for 4 hit points. Valdar takes one for 3 hit points.
Lore's fireball detonates behind the manticores, engulfing them but not you. Four of them are badly burned, the fifth does not seem to be so injured.
Darian says the command word for his wand of frost...however nothing comes out of it. Instead, the hard wand becomes limp and flaccid in his hand...drooping like a wet noodle or something...
"Hmm... Guess it's out of charges."
Darian hands it back to Occa. "Um, guess I'll have to use my sword more often."
Occa has more luck with his spell, though. Suddenly the manticores are frozen...dead in their tracks.
Seeing that the fight is over, Darian says to Valdar. "Might I speak with you privately, Valdar?"
Salaam swings his hammer around a few times and then, seeing what Occa just did, thinks better of it.
Orlon wonders if his spiritual hammer is still in effect. It isn't.
In the ensuing peace you look up each passage of the 4-way intersection.
To the east, the 20' wide passage runs 60' and on. In the 40' - 50' section of the south wall is a passage running southwest.
To the west, the 20' wide passage runs 60' and on. In the 40' - 50' section of the south wall is a passage running southeast.
To the north, this 10' wide passage runs for 40'...after which it ends at a "T" intersection with a 10' wide passage running east - west.
Lore smiles and says, "Fire and Ice...nice combination."
Occa says, "Darn, I wish I had refilled that wand. Oh well." He reaches for another wand and then remembers that he loaned it to someone else.
Seeing that Occa has no more wands to hand to Darian, Lore stiffly hands Darian his wand of frost..telling him the activation word in the process.
Darian hands it back. "Lore, I've still got the staff of light and the fireball wand. You keep this wand. Besides, I'm supposed to be the fighter side of this team."
Lore says "okay." and takes the wand back.
Salaam immediately runs to Jesse as he replaces his happy.
"So...that's what you call it..?" asks Valdar.
"Oh great Thoth, allow me to heal my love." Salaam intones as he casts a cure serious wounds on Jesse. He heals her by a passionate kiss as he holds her gently...fixing her completely.
Jesse looks at Salaam and laughs, "Silly man, don't waste your healing on me. Remeber, I have this ring." she holds up her hand, "it helps to keep me ok and heals me."
"However, kisses are always appreciated." she says and plunders the clerics mouth...
After finishing w/ Jesse's incredible kiss, Salaam pauses for breath and then asks if anyone else needs some of Thoth's touch.
"Bleah!" says Pharian. "Keep those lips off of the rest of us."
"I could use some small amount of healing," Gilstrock says, "but I'll pass on the kiss."
"Aye, Gilstrock.. here I go." Salaam says as he intones to Thoth.... he lays his hands on him and intones, "Please Thoth heal my companion." he finishes as he casts a cure light wounds on him...
Gilstrock is fully cured as well.
Occa then says, "Let's keep going North." He heads North and then turns Right when he comes to the T section.
The passage runs east for 50'...turning north after 40'.
You look north.
The passage runs north for 20'...after which there is a flight of stairs heading downwards...
You go and look, to see that they run down for only a few feet before ending in a large pile of rubble.
You return to the "T" intersection and go west, next.
This branch of the passage runs for 50'...turning north after 40'...
You go forth and look north...to see that the passage runs for another 30' and ends.
Valdar prances up there with his sword.
"No secret doors," it says.
Jesse watches Valdar prance around and whistles appreciatively.
While she is distracted so, Salaam walks by Jesse and slaps her on the rear and then innocently walks ahead of her...
Jesse falls to the floor, on her knees, looking at Salaam. "Please do that again." she asks.
"Yes, love, but not now, in front of everyone..." Salaam says with a slight blush as he helps Jesse off of the floor.
Occa rolls his eyes and then says, "Where is a dragon when you need one?" He shakes his head.
Gilstrock looks over at Occa, and shrugs his shoulders. "There'll be more," he says philosopically.
Gilstrock then looks back at Jessee prostrating herself before Salaam, and then looks over at Pharian. Pointing at Jesse, he asks Pharian, "Is that normal?"
Jesse, blushing and realizing what she did, stands up.
Feeling his embarrassment fade, Salaam says to Jesse, "Save it for tonight, my darling.." he says with a mischievous grin.
"That may be normal for Jesse," says Pharian. "But that doesn't make Jesse normal."
Jesse looks at Pharian. "I am as normal as anyone. I have had a rough life and hidden away for a long time... but I am learning with the trust and caring of _some_ people here." she concludes looking around at the party members.
"Pharian, who are you to determine who is normal ??" Salaam asks with a dark look...
Occa says, "Let's go back south and turn right at that last four way intersection."
Orlon agrees with Occa. "Let's head west down the passageway since, as you can see," showing the party his map, "heading east runs off the parchment that the map is on."
Occa heads that way.
Occa mutters along the way, "Maybe we should just start banging some sheilds together to draw the nasty beasties out."
You head west down the 20' wide passage...past the dead minotaurs. Looking down the southeast passage, you see that it joins up with the 6-way intersection that you visited earlier.
The 20' wide passage ends 80' (left wall) and 100' (right wall) from the 4-way...at an enormous, odd-shaped chamber. To your right, the wall heads northwest for 30', then west for 30' and on into darkness. To your left, the wall runs south for 50' (10' wide passage running southeast in last 10' section), then angles off to the south west and into darkness. The ceiling arches off into darkness to the west. The stonework above has been carved to appear as the branches of some great, spreading tree. The walls have been carved with bas reliefs of dwarves at work and at play...against a mountainous background , which, you realise, depicts the mountains to the south of here as seen from outside of this hill.
In the angled corner to the northwest of you is an enormous pile of treasure. You see gold, electrum, and several other interesting things.
However, your attention is diverted by a sudden movement to your left...as a previously invisible red dragon suddenly pops into view...as he exhales at you...
Occa speaks a word and winks out of sight.
"Spread out!" shouts Pharian as he dives to the right.
"Spread out!" Gilstrock calls, parrot-like. He brandishes his Frost Band prominently before him, so that it will provide him some measure of protection against the dragon breath, and rushes the dragon, crying, "Prepare for a little dousing, you living furnace!"
Lore, walking at the back of the group with Darian, immediately falls back and dives for any cover he can find.
Darian dives with Lore and puts his shield up over the both of them hoping it will provide some protection.
Salaam grabs Jesse and dive to the side.... hopefully out of harms' way.... he then intone, "Oh great Thoth, protect this woman from the heat of the dragon." he says as he casts resist fire on Jesse.
The dragon breathes, immolating all of you in its fiery breath.
Jesse, Arrrgh!, Gonzo, Valdar and Pharian take 44 hit points of damage.
Salaam take 88 hit points and collapses in flames...his spell dying in his mouth.
Orlon takes 88 hit points of damage and is killed.
Lore and Darian take 44 hit points and are killed.
Gilstrock only takes 22 hit points of damage.
Simultaneously with the dragon attack, Valdar launches a magic missile spell at the monster...toasting its snout a bit.
Occa appears over by the dragon horde, looks about, sees no other foes, and starts firing magic missiles into the dragon.
Pharian launches a lightning bolt at the dragon...as does Jesse.
In little more than an instant the dragon is reduced to blasted, cooked little pieces of meat, scattered across the floor. Gilstrock is showered in steaming dragon blood.
Jesse screams, "Not again... NOOOOOOOO!" as Salaam is toasted.
With some satisfaction she speaks to the dead creature, "Take that."
"That's it!" Gilstrock says loudly. "I need a bath!"
She then looks around and tries to hold back the tears, sobbing softly to herself, so Pharian won't be 'upset'. Under her breath, "I am not cut out for this." she says.
Occa says, "Geez, then don't do it. He will be fine after we get him raised."
Then adds, "Most likely."
"Perhaps we should rethink our tactics before we come in here again," says Valdar, regarding the scene of carnage.
Occa says, "Wow, that was exciting! I almost got bought it there!"
He runs over to Salaam and gets his portable hole out.
Then he says, "Let's load up the treasure and then get the heck out of here before we get toasted by a wandering monster. Any cleric types left? Can you guard the entrance Gilstrok and Gonzo?"
Shaking his head as he goes over to guard the entrance at Gonzo's bequest, Gilstrock says, "You mages. Don't let a poor warrior have the simple pleasure of sticking a red dragon with his sword before you've blasted it to bits. Can't take you anywhere."
Pharian pauses sorting the treasure and looks at Gilstrock. "What are you complaining about?" he laughs. "You still got plenty of dragon blood."
Gilstrock steams a bit from the blood on him, and his hair is matted against his skull. "Hope I can get this cloak clean," he says, looking down at the mess that's been made of his light blue cloak.
Using your various light sources and magical accutrements, you see that the chamber is octagonal-shaped (from where you entered, a wall heads northwest for 30', west for 50', southwest for 50', south for 50' (10' wide passage running west in first 10' section; 30' wide passage running southwest in last 20' section...overlapping into first 10' section of the southeast wall...), southeast for 50', east for 50' (passage running south out of 10' - 20' section), northeast for 50', then north for 50' (10' wide passage running southeast out of first 10' section). The ceiling is some 50' overhead, and is supported in the centre by a 10' thick pillar carved into the likeness of a tree trunk, with its branches spreading out across the ceiling.
He will use his wand of magic detection to detect magic on the treasure.
Three scolls radiate magic.
He will seperate the magic from the rest of the treasure.
In total, you find 5000ep, 10,000gp and three scrolls.
He will then open the portable hole near the treasure and dump all the valuable in it. (except magic) With the help of the others hopefully. Of course, he will leave enough room for the party to get into it.
Once done, he will dump the dead bodies into it. Then he will say, "Okay, who has a teleport left? Let's get into the portable hole and get out of here so that we can recoup."
Pharian will help Occa sort. "I have teleport," he says.
GONZO peers out of the portable hole... "I wish deze people would quit gittin demselves kilt. Comeon youse guys, can't we git on back to fix dem up".
Finally you are all tucked into the portable hole. Pharian folds it up...casts teleport...and the next thing you know you are back at base camp.
All of the dead were so badly torched that only a resurrection or a wish would bring them back...
Occa says, "They are in bad shape. Stiff, can you wish them back? We don't have anyone that can do a ressurection otherwise."
Stiff does the wish thing...you hear a drum roll...and there is a puff of smoke.
When it clears, you see Darian, Lore, Orlon and a stranger sitting there, right as rain.
There is no sign of Salaam.
An extremely powerful looking man, he has deeply tanned skin, white, spiky hair and green eyes. He wears scale mail, and is a veritable Christmas tree of weaponry.
Darian wakes up and stretches. "Another dragon, another death. Folks, this isn't working for Lore and I. I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't take dragon breath head on like that."
"Stiff... this is not funny. Where is Salaam?" Jesse asks, her brow furrowed and frowning.
"That infernal Set has escaped me again," the newcomer says with gritted teeth as he looks at the crowd around him.. He jumps up and shakes himself off.."What magic has brought me here ? "
Occa says to Stiff, "Thanks Stiff!"
Occa says to the warrior, "Who are you?"
"Well met all," he says as he visibly calms down.. "My name is Alhamet Horuson, one of the chosen of Horus in his neverending battle with the forces of evil." he winks and bows to the ladies present. Al takes out a cigar and bites off the tip of it, spits it out and says, "anyone got a light ?" as he puts it in his mouth. "By the way, you can call me Al."
"Alhamet. What an odd name, I'll have to thing of what rhymes with it later. I'm Jesse." says a young lady, dressed in blues carrying a lute. She looks unhappy. "If you'll all excuse me for a while, I need to think about somthings."
The bard wanders off from the rest of the camp to be alone for a while.
From the woods, you hear very enchanting almost haunting tunes played on lute and flute.
"Jesse, sounds like a man's name, but you sure are not a man by any means," Al says with a good look over and a wide smile.
Darian looks over at the newcomer. "My name is Darian Trist."
"Nice to meet you, Darian," Al says as he extends his hand out to shake his... You all see him garbed in dark brown scale mail, a black shield across his back, with a sheathed scimitar beneath the shield and a throwing axe on his belt. His tanned skin almost blends to his armor and his bright emerald eyes examine everone, almost as if he is looking into your very souls. An onsidian colored helm adorns his head and you can see a thin layer of white hair exposed from the helm...
"Aaah, anyone got a light," Al asks again as he chomps down slightly on his cigar.
Occa sighs and says, "Well met, Al. I am Occa Larsor. What are your skills? We are here fighting dragons and could use another warrior...actually, we could use another priest, but it seems that is not to be."
Darian shakes the offered hand. "No, I'm afraid I don't have a light."
"Damn," Al says as he looks for a light for his cigar from anyone at this point. "So do tell me about these dragons that Occa just mentioned...."
Occa then says, "Damn! He still had a half full bottle of my best jack daniels."
Occa falls to his knees and screams, "NOooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"
"I am a warrior by nature, and Horus has allowed me to be a conduit of his unlimited power, so I fall into both catorgories, Occa. Who had your Jack Daniels and Occa, do you have a light ? I do hate a wet stogie !"
Occa says, "Just use the fire over there to light your cigar. As for the dragons...there are lots of them. What else would you know? So, you are a figher and a priest? I am not sure I have seen your type before. Can you raise the dead?"
Al walks over to the fire and lights his stogie.
After taking a puff or two, he turns back to Occa and answers, "Yep, I am a fighter and a priest, a rather lethal combo, I must say," he says with a wide grin, "but nope, I can't raise the dead and hell, I can't even heal all that well, all I can do is cut my way in and outta a fight and let Horus decides who goes where, heh, heh.." he finishes as he continues puffing.
Occa says, "Well, I hope this 'horus' of yours gives you protection against fire, cold, electricity and acid."
"Yes, he can, and trust me I have sufficient protection from many attacks.." Al responds as he chomps on his stogie.
Gonzo whips out his flame tongue and whips it into a frenzy. "Here's a light fer yer ceeegar.... jes watcher whiskers...."
"Thanks, but I already got a light and I usually don't let swords get that close to me unless the one holding it is skewered on my scimitar... heh" Al says with a smile w/ stogie in mouth. "So, where are these dragons you are all talking about and what's wrong with that girl, Jesse ??"
Jesse whirls around, "There is nothing wrong with me. Thank you very much." she snaps, most irritated at the newcomer.
"Ok, toots, take it easy !!" Al says as he backs up a step from Jesse's verbal attack.
"The name is Jesse. Not toots. Get it." the bard says.
Occa says, "Her boyfriend is dead."
He shrugs and says, "Such is the life of an adventurer. One minute sipping JD and the next, POOF, you are gone." he sighs.
Then he snaps to and says, "Okay, we have been lounging around too long. Let's retire for the evening and then head back into the dungeon tomorrow."
"What happened while I was dead? I mean... I'm sure you killed the dragon and all, but what did you find in its treasure hoard?" wonders Darian.
"Well, we blew the dragon away and then we dumped the treasure and bodies into the portable hole and came here. As for what was found...money and 3 scrolls. Not much of a hoard for an ancient red dragon. We will head back to its room and look for secret doors."
Darian shrugs. "Well, how much money did you folks find?"
Occa says, "Doesn't matter, Salaam has it. It looked like alot of gold, though."
"Is Salaam alive? I'm confused..."
Occa says, "Maybe, maybe not. I would guess yes since he disappeared and his items did as well. Plus the appearance of this new guy named al...seems like this 'toth' and 'horkus' have been doing some bargaining and are moving their pawns about. I expect Salaam is off on some quest or something...with my bottle and everyones gold!" He smiles and says, "Rather clever really."
Actually, you dumped all the money out of Salaam's portable hole before Stiff wished the dead back...else you would not have the scrolls either.
Occa says to Orlon, "Could you augury these scrolls to see if it will be dangerous to open them?"
Valdar casts augury.
"No problem!" he says when he is done, and looks at the scrolls. "First scroll: clerical spell: spiritual hammer. Second scroll: magic user spells: preserve, irritation, irritation, bind and locate object. Third scroll: protection from earth elementals. Fourth scroll...ooooo...big time: limited wish, Mordenkainen's mgnificent mansion and teleport without error. Fifth scroll: can't understand it. Sixth scroll: magic user spells: charm monster, dispel illusion, minor globe of invulnerability, fire charm, Evard's black tentacles, extension I and shout."
"Mordenkainen? The arch-mage Mordenkainen? He's the reason I became a mage! I was there when he and others descended into the depths of the Temple of Elemental Evil to defeat the Demoness Zuggtmoy!" exclaims Darian.
"Oh, and Pharian, Valdar? Could I borrow your spell books? I want to try and learn some more beginning spells. Occa lent me his, but I'm sure you must have some interesting spells as well."
"I suppose so," says Pharian grudgingly. "But you'll owe me a favor."
Occa looks over at Pharian and says, "Come on now....no need for that among friends." He smiles at Pharian and says, "You like that old curmudgeon role don't you?"
Gilstrock watches Occa and Pharian, his eyes twinkling, a barely suppressed smile on his eyes. Unconcerned, he saunters off into the snow and does a few hundred pushups.
"Don't I already, sir? I mean... You've been quite good about helping me learn this mage profession. I owe you a lot to begin with."
"Figure of speech," grumbles Pharian.
Darian shrugs. "Oh, okay, whatever..."
Valdar nudges Occa.
"He's started with the 'sir' bit again," he says. "Do you suppose Cat has been training him?"
Occa laughs and says, "Someone has been!"
"I haven't seen Cat in weeks. It's just a slip back to my army days. I was thinking of the arch-mage Mordenkenian."
Occa says to Valdar, "Know anyone on this world with a portable hole that might be willing to sell it or trade it?"
"Urrrrrmmm..." says the mighty elf-lord. "Not off the top of my head, as it were. Ray Jay was selling magic, but she's hording everything she's got these days."
"Can't you trade her some of our magic for a portable hole? It seems like it might be a good trade..." asks Darian.
"Oh sure. That's what I meant."
Occa says, "Really? Hmm, I wonder why. I wonder if she would be willing to trade magic for magic, though. Wanna find out? We could go talk to her."
"We could," says Valdar. "Be warned, though, you won't come out ahead on such a trade, though..."
"If you go, could I visit Ray Jay with you?" asks Darian.
"No problem!" says Valdar.
"And we can talk about my questions...?"
"What...with Ray Jay? If she'll listen..." says Valdar.
"Well, you did say she might be able to help..."
"Yes, but she can be testy on occasion," replies Valdar. "And she has much on her mind these days."
"Well, if I don't talk with her, I'll never know."
"What questions are those?"
Darian looks at his feet. "Some private questions. Valdar thought maybe Ray Jay could help me."
Occa says, "Oh, okay, don't mean to pry."
"Ah, private questions for Ray Jay the transvestite sex therapist," says Pharian with a nasal snicker. "But I bet if you talked to Jesse and Valdar, there wouldn't be much they couldn't answer."
Occa laughs and says, "That is great Pharian!"
Darian looks up with a fire in his eyes. "It's got nothing to do with sex!"
"Well, that comes as a first in this group," says Pharian. "Barb withdrawn."
Occa laughs again.
"He won't let me answer them..." says Valdar sadly, then winks at Pharian.
Darian sighs. "Valdar, you weren't able to answer my questions, remember?"
"Oh...the questions!"
Darian groans. "You can be so difficult sometimes, Valdar. I think you're doing this just to torment me, aren't you?"t
"He's an elf," Gilsrock says, noncommittally, as if it completely explained Valdar's behavior.
He then looks over at Darian, realizes that Darian is also an elf, and clears his throat saying, "Erm, an, um, elf lord, I meant."
"So, to become a lord you must torment people?"
"Of course not," says the elf flippantly. "You seem to be quite capable of tormenting yourself without any help from me."
"You think I have nothing to worry about, don't you. And, if you're wrong? Will you protect me from them?"
Occa smiles and nudges Pharian, "Oh, it's THEM. You know...THEM." He nods his head up and down as he says it. A big smile is on his face the whole time.
Valdar shakes his head.
"Life is too short to worry about who is going to get you," he says. "Just think, in another thousand years or so you'll be dead, anyway! Live it up while you can!"
Darian sighs and steels himself. He slowly puts a hand up to the hood of his cloak and pulls it the hood off his head. You all realize you have never seen it down before. You now see a prominient silver streak running down the middle of his brown hair from front to back.
He sighs resignedly. "Now you know..."
"Oh, a human skunk.. heh, heh" Al says out loud to himself.
Occa starts rolling on the ground laughing.
Pharian ignores Occa. "What does the stripe mean, Darian?" he asks.
Darian with his eyes on the ground looks up at Pharian and speaks in a resigned voice. "I used to think it meant I was cursed. At least, that's why the townspeople ran me out of my village. And I've kept it hidden as best as I could, moving when others saw it."
"I have abilities. Valdar calls them psionics. When I tried to become invisible a while back, I was using my abilities. I had no idea that it didn't work against powerful people like yourselves. I can also heal people, although not very well. I tried it on Valdar after those manticores and it seemed to work pretty well."
"I suppose I'll have to leave here, too. Valdar thought maybe Ray Jay could help."
"I appreciate everything you've all done for me. If you want back the shield, chainmail, sword, the wands and the money, I understand. But, I do hope you won't kill me like so many others have. I don't think I could get away like I have before."
He looks at Valdar hoping that he'll help him.
Jesse smiles at Darian. "You were right. Please don't leave Darian. I think that this group has all sorts of room for those that have secrets and are scared of things. They have helped me a lot in the past, and I think will continue to in the future, even Pharian has a lighter side."
Darian looks around at the assembled people. "I wasn't going to leave unless that's what you all wanted."
He looks over at Valdar. "I guess you were right. No one seems to think that this is a curse. Still, Lore hasn't said anything, yet."
She walks over to Darians side and tussles his hair. "Besides I think that white streak is pretty cute. I know what it is like, I should tell you the story of the town where I was accused of being the father of a child."
Darian chuckles. "Well, you knew that wasn't true. But, I wasn't so sure about my curse."
She turns to the party and continues, "Thank you all I guess I am over sensitative at times. I know you all mean well. Please accept my appologies. If you don't mind my attemtps at mirth and singing, I'd like to continue to tag along. I'm sure I'll get a few good songs out of this group yet."
Her eyes turn again to Darian, "Please say you'll stay."
"As long as no one is going to try to kill me or run me out of the group, I will stay. I want to stay."
"Oh, knock it off, Darian!" says Valdar. "This isn't Oerth. Or are you planning on running off with Jesse..?"
Darian swallows visibly. "I'm sorry, Valdar. But it's hard to get used to the idea that this is a different world. And you did say some of these people had been to Oerth."
"So? That doesn't mean that they automatically pick up the prejudices of the place...any more than you automatically picking up the prejudices of Earth for being here."
Darian nods. "True, but it doesn't mean that they haven't. And Lore's from Oerth..."
Gilstrock looks at Darian, and then looks over at Pharian, then at Occa, then at OpCode, then at Orlon, then finally at Valdar, a confused look on his face.
"Um," Gilstrock says, "I guess I'm kinda new in this world but... well, I don't get it. Do people not like psionicists here? I don't see what the big deal is."
Occa finally stops and says, "Maybe we should take a side trip, Darian, and blow THEM away. Shouldn't be too big a problem for a group like this...wouldn't you say?"
"You're all the THEM, Occa." replies Darian.
Occa says, "Oh, well then..." He looks at the rest of the group speculatively and says, "It might be tough to do in that case." he shrugs and says, "Sorry."
Jesse snaps. She walks to Pharian, standing toe to toe with the mage,
"That's it. I am sick and tired of your inuendos and snide comments. What have I _ever_ done to you to deserve this abuse. If you have a problem with me then let me hear it. Just becuase you are a powerful mage doesn't give you the right to go and make such snide comments. All the time. You always are singling me out for your tongue.
"I though we were a group, and a team. A little gentle bantering is fine, and fun... You... you go beyond that. Way beyond that."
"Woo hoo," Al says with a whistle, "who lit a fire under that girl's rear ?? I ike her, she's got spirit." he says with a grin.
"So, if someone is going to this "Ray Jay", please find out what a ring of regeneration would cost me ?"
Gilstrock watches Jesse stalk off, then looks over at Pharian and says, shrugging, "Bards."
Occa ceases laughing and frowns. He says, "Maybe we have pushed it a bit far, Jesse. However, you shouldn't ever doubt that we are all a team here. Pharian would die fighting for the group just as anyone here would."
"Well, if it's all the same, I'd actually rather not," says Pharian. He sighs. "But the way things have been going, I probably will. Again."
"Well, as I said before...or were you dead then?" says Valdar, "Perhaps we should rethink our strategy. This charging around the dungeon and mashing everything in sight has worked quite well up to this point...but it's obvious that we're getting into tougher areas, now. I for one intend to bring more scrying magics along with me."
Suppressing a chuckle at Valdar's casual dismissal of death as just another state like sleep, Gilstrock turns his attention to the matter at hand. "Yeah, well, we talked a little about tactics after the last time a whole bunch of us got wiped out. You know, spread out, split into teams of figher and mage so that the fighter can keep baddies away from the mage, et cetera, et cetera."
"Maybe we should be more specific and draw up battle formations or something for different situations?" Gilstrock suggests, tenatively. "Like, in a hall, in a small room, in a big room, at a door, that kind of thing. It all seems so bloody organized, like all those other fighters who wanted to be kings and generals and things once they'd been around as much as I have. But, heck, if it'll keep us from getting killed...."
"And, probably we should start being more intelligent about going into rooms," Gilstrock continues. "I mean, that last dragon was invisible and surprised us, but maybe one guy, say me or someone, should go in first to make sure the place is clear. Or, one of you mages, in the form of a rat or something."
"A rat? That would be fitting..." says Valdar.
Occa says, "What do you have? Maybe I should do the same...I can see invisible if I concentrate, so maybe I should load up on wizard eye spells...if we all did, we might be doing pretty well."
"Clairvoyance and clairaudience would help, too."
Occa says, "I don't have those spells, unfortunately, otherwise I could learn those as well. I can learn about 8 wizard eyes though, although they won't last too long."
"Is there a spell that others can cast on you to help extend the length of the spell. Perhaps there are a few spells that I can learn that can help. Other than the two lightning bolts and three magic missile spells, perhaps there is some way I could scout ... " offers Jesse engrossed in the planning now.
Occa says, "I could turn you into a rat."
He winks.
Occa sits down by the fire and says, "I would have thought that your years as a man would have toughened you up to much of this kind of banter, Jesse. Men say things that may sound hurtful, but aren't meant to be. It is a way to bond and relieve the pressures of near death experience." he shrugs and says, "At least that is my interpretation of the whole situation. Think about it. Also, it seems to me that you have been overly sensitive since your coming out. Maybe that is part of it as well? Just something to think about."
Jesse turns and listens to Occa. Frowning she replies, "Even as a man, I was usually alone. I never traveled with any group for an length of time, only staying for short periods of time before moving on. I never encountered the banter like is said here. Some very hurtful things have been said to me and about me, when those who said them did not know me or why I did what I did. I thought perhaps kindness from those I had worked with and known .. but that's not what I got. Except for a few people here." she says, looking around at each person. "Perhaps I have been here too long. Perhaps it's time for me to move on."
Occa says, "Well, I have lived much longer than you and have encountered it often. Just another experience...which you shouldn't take personally. In fact, you should view in the opposite light since people are trying to befriend you."
He shrugs and says, "We would be sorry to see you go, but everyone must decide their own path."
"Aw, C'mon," Gilstrock says. "Nobody really means to be mean. Pharian here -- he's crabby, yeah, but I've been with him a long time and know that you can depend on him. It could be worse. You could have somebody around who is very kind and complimentary and sweet tongued, but will tell you what you want to hear rather than the truth. Somebody who's crabby and cynical, him at least you can trust."
"Or, even worse, you could have a Paladin around," Gilstrock adds as an after thought.
"You got a problem with a paladin, punk !" Al asks as he put his hands on his hips and stands toe to toe w/ Gilstrock.... "if so, I think we should settle it right now," he finishes as he cracks his knuckles.....
Gilstrock looks up with revelation at Al. "Uh oh. Are you a Paladin?"
"Damn straight, stringbean !!" Al says as he blows smoke in Gilstrock's face.
Gilstrock chokes and tries to wave the smoke away from his face with his hands. "Help!" he says, his voice a strangled squeak. "Innocents are being hurt!"
Occa's mouth drops open and he says, "Paladin? Here? With us?"
Once again he falls to his knees and raises his clenched fists to the sky.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
He then gets up and says, "I need a drink!"
Gilstrock looks back at Pharian, and then walks up to Al. "Look, I may as well get this out of the way right now. I'm sorry I'm not perfect."
"I am not perfect either, no one is except for the gods and even then, some of them are a little light in the head..."
"I'm sorry I can't live up to your standards. I'm sorry if I sometimes use foul language, live it up, and enjoy the baser pleasures of life. I'm sorry if I sometimes act like I have a mind of my own and won't always bend to your agenda. And, please, try not to get yourself killed going after some oh-so-noble but completely hopeless cause."
"My only cause is the utter destruction of evil and as long as I accomplish that and innocents aren't hurt, any means is acceptable !! So don't give me any crap about being weak or immoral, if you're evil, you get to meet the Claw," Al says as he pats his scimitar, "if you're good, then I am your friend, especially if you're a woman." he says, looking in Jesse's direction.
Shaking his head, Gilstrock says, "Whatever. Sounds awfully fast and loose for a Paladin, except for that bit about utter destruction and so forth."
Pharian returns Gilstrock's glance with a look that says "Oh, shit."
"Same goes for me," he says to the man behind the cigar. "Only I'm not sorry."
"Ditto for me," says Valdar, standing next in line, followed by Robert, Tracy, Luann, Calvin and Harvey the hippogriff.
"Watch your tongue, mage, there are women present. And whether you or sorry or not, yes, you sure are sorry, but as long as you profess to fight for the side of justice and good, I'll let you live another day." Al responds as he chomps down on his receding stogie.
Occa says, "Watch your tongue, Paladin. You just popped up here so learn some manners." He pauses and says, "As for good and evil, you can most certianly put me on the most chaotic side." he smiles and winks at Al and says, "I don't believe in all that good and evil stuff."
Gilstrock's eyes go wide as Al tells Pharian to watch his tongue, and that he is sorry. After Al has said his bit, Gilstrock says, "Say, Al, ever been a toad?"
His cathartic flurry of apologization finished, Gilstrock goes back to cleaning his sword, or sharpening his flail, or sewing his mail shirt, or whatever it was he was doing.
Occa giggles at the outburst.
"Justice shmustice," Valdar says, taking out a cream pie and stuffing it in Al's face. "Chaos rules!"
He runs off giggling.
"YOU BLASPHEMOUS HEATHEN... WHY I OUGHTAA.." Al screams as the cream pie nails him.. "That's it," he unsheathes his scimitar and goes after Valdar, with his face a crimson red and bloodlust coursing through him.
"Oh dear," says Pharian. "He really is a Paladin."
Valdar leaps into the air and takes flight!
Still laughing, he says to Al, "My apologies! But paladin-baiting is such fun! We share a common foe, you and I..."
Occa watches and says, "This is going to be interesting."
After pausing for a moment, Al resheathes Claw and breathes deeply. He spits out his stogie and lets the anger drain off. "True, Valdar, we do share a common foe, but if you pull a stunt like that again, I would not be so nice next time." he finishes with an evil grin.
"And if you react like this again...I won't be so nice next time!" replies the elf-lord.
Occa turns to Al and says, "What? Is the cream bad or something?"
"Um, Al?" Gilstrock calls after him. "We here, this group. We all consider it bad form to kill the elf-lord. Besides, there's plenty of dragons and things to do that for us."
After claming from Valdar's cream pie attack and ignoring Occa, Al lights a new stogie and speaks to Gilstrock, "Listen here, whelp, I wasn't going to kill him, I was just going to hurt him real bad, and talking about dragons, where are they ? I haven't battled a wyrm in quite a while."
"You'll get your chance, you crazy paladin!" says Valdar, still flitting about overhead.
"We could let him fight the first one all by himself," suggests Pharian in a helpful tone of voice. "Paladins seem to like that sort of thing--something about honor or some such crap--and it keeps their numbers down."
"Hurting him real bad is also not considered good form," Gilstrock says. "You Paladins. Your panties are always in a wad over something or another. You always have to go and whack upon some poor soul because they didn't blink in the proper fashion or something utterly trivial which somehow because unutterably evil. Bah. This group was getting along marvelously well, so just don't muck it up on us with your standards and ideals and easily offended pride."
Occa laughs at Al's comments and says to Gilstrok, "Maybe he is an anti-paladin."
"No, Occa, I am quite a paladin, but not one of those goody goody types that I was once, I am a holy warrior in the name of Horus, whose sun charged fire shall cleanse the worlds of evil." Al says in a grim tone.
"Well, time will tell. Anyway, we are all friends here so try to act like one and don't pass judgement on anyone and we will all do fine."
Occa then says, "Do you have one of those holy swords?"
"My scimitar is blessed by Horus himself, but no, it is no one of those "holy avenger" type swords, my sword is like a snake, its strikes first, usually for the kill." Al says with a grin.
Jesse makes a face. "Excuse me Al. I am sorry but I will have to fine you 50 gold for making that comment. It is the baliwick of the bard to make bad jokes like that." she then begins to snicker...
"Unfortunately I do not have 50 gold available, is there any other way that I can pay my fine," Al says with a grin and a wink at Jesse.
"You guys sure Al's a paladin? I've never known a paladin to come onto a woman." Jesse asks with a smirk.
Occa winks at Jesse and says, "Maybe he thinks you are a young page."
Jesse takes the comment in good humor and laughs.
With a serious demeanor, Al answers Jesse, "Once I was one of those so-called "Paladins, who went across the countryside righting wrongs and having blind faith in their deities. Then tragedy struck and I was shown that the only deity that I follow is that of the destruction of evil and Horus has shown me the way to do so. I am his holy warrior with a single mission: the utter destruction of evil. I am no longer one of those pansy fighters who are so uptight that you stick a piece of coal in their rear, it becomes a diamond in days." he finishes with a smile as he nods his head to Jesse.
"Hmm... the coal test. Intriguing," says Pharian musingly. "I'll have to remember that in case we ever have to use it."
After a pause, Gilstrock looks earnestly at Jesse and continues, "We know you've having a hard time what with Salaam going off to whatever plane it is he's gone to. But it will just be harder if you go running off alone again."
"And even though you are far too sentimental for my taste," adds Pharian, "you are starting to do some good things with your lightning bolts."
Occa says, "Hmm, well...hmm. We do need something though so that we don't have to hike through the snow and through the same sections of dungeons over and over again. Plus with all the loot we are bound to find." He shrugs and says, "I think it is worth the effort. Can you teleport us there? I am fresh out till I study again."
"So am I..." he replies. "We can go tomorrow if you like."
Occa says, "Yes, let's go tomorrow." He looks to the rest of the group and says, "Do any of you want to contribute toward getting a portable hole? I could take the magic and attemp to trade with her...assuming, of course, that she has one or knows someone who does."
"What about some of the stuff in the community chest. If you make the portable hole common property, then it would seem fair to trade some if it." chimes in the bard.
"Why not gather up some of those weapons and suits of armor sitting around in the community chest. You folks have enough stuff that you should be able to trade some of it without feeling the pinch." says Darian.
Occa says, "Well, I suggested something similar once and it was frowned upon by the ones that started the chest, id est Orlon and company. Since they started it, that is fine with me. So, I don't think that is an option."
"Ahem," Al says as he clears his throat, " I have one, what do you need it for ??"
Gilstrock looks skeptically at Al's cigar, his jocular demeanor, and his effusive bonhomie, and says, doubtfully, "Al, you sure you're a Paladin?"
Occa sits up and says to Darian, "Mind powers? Do you mind if I dissect your brain next time you get killed before they wish you back? I would love to see it. Please?"
Darian grimaces. "Dissect my brain?! You're not serious are you?"
Occa says, "Well, of course, I am. Why would that bother you? You would be dead. I would show you the notes later if you like."
"I think it bothers me because it's my brain. And are you sure that playing around with it won't harm me or these mind powers that fascinates you so?"
Occa says, "Well, I am pretty sure it wouldn't harm you. Almost positive really."
"I'd like a number of other opinions before I agree to it."
"Oh, I think Occa's probably right," says Pharian. "But of course you can never be absolutely certain about anything."
"I know I am new here, but Darian, why would we kill you, as long as you're not evil, just because you are capable of using your mind to a greater degree than most mortals. It is a gift, not a curse, during my training in the Earthfast mountains, there were many monks that possessed great mental abilities, such as telekinese, teleportation, and a variety of other abilities.... so hone your skills, so you can help in the eternal war of light against darkness..." preaches Al.
Occa rolls his eyes and says, "Oh no...it is starting." He puts his hands to his ears and starts saying, "bee bee bee bee bee bee bee bee baaa bbaaa blah blah blah"
Over and over again.
"Where I grew up, the silver streak meant I was cursed. I never understood why, but it's hard to argue with a large, angry mob. And it was that way everytime someone saw it."
"I have these abilities, but I have no idea how to hone them. There is no training for such a thing where I come from."
"Well, Darian, I certainly can't train you, but if you tell me what you can do, if I have any reference I might, doubtfully, be able to guide you."
"Well, I can turn invisible, but that doesn't seem to work too well around this group. Some of the less powerful folks around here can't see me, but most can. And I can heal. At least, I healed Valdar after the manticores. But, I don't know how powerful the healing is."
"Other than that, I've no idea. I'm afraid to try anything else because I don't know what will happen."