On January 4th, Hlarn raises Callie.
On January 5th, he raises Umboth.
On January 6th, he raises Melissa.
On January 7th, he tries to raise Seraph...without success. It appears that her soul has found its final resting place.
Meanwhile, Kailar has been looking at the spell books, after ascertaining that they are not trapped:
1. read magic, magic missile, charm person, alarm, detect invisibility, vocalise.2. shatter, detect evil, deeppockets, sepia snake sigil, monster summoning I, feign death.
3. minor globe of invulnerability, polymorph other, Leomund's secure shelter.
4. Leomund's secret chest, hold monster, Mordenkainen's faithful hound.
On January 8th, Hlarn communes with Silverbeard.
After Hlarn lights the candle, but before casting commune Hlarn attempts to combine his powers with the other clerics in the party in order to get as many questions as possible.
"The spell won't work," announces Umboth in his usual jovial fashion. "The spell only works when clerics from the same pantheon and serving allied deities combine. This Silverbeard is not of the same pantheon as Forseti, whom Nuanna and I serve. Have you given any thought to converting?"
Here are all the questions in order of when to ask them. Since some questions are dependent on answers I'm not sure how many questions total I'll have (or even how many I can ask due to the combine spell). Basically do all the questions in each number (if applicable) before proceeding to the next.
"Is the rod we seek in the ruin we are exploring now?"
"NO," booms a loud voice out of the very earth.
"Is it in the other ruin?"
"YES."
"If we wish for Furgh to be restored to life and full health will such a wish be granted?"
"NO."
"Is Furgh's soul still in existence?"
"NO."
"Is the antimagical sphere the cleric used against us caused by a spell one of our group might learn?"
"NO."
"Is the antimagical sphere caused by a device?"
"SORT OF."
You hear a deep chuckle.
"Are there others hunting us now that this group is slain?"
"NO."
"If we should raise the magician, would such magics be detected immediately by our enemies?"
"NO."
"Is this interference the reason we can not speak with the dead?"
"NO."
The dwarf makes his prayers for the information given, and snuffs out the candle and carefully puts it away.
"Well, at least we know which ruin the rod now lies within."
"What's so funny? Do your gods always laugh at you, Hlarn?"
Hlarn smiles. "Not usually." The dwarf smiles and laughs. "But Silverbeard did give us the answer I believe. The antimagic shield is caused by a spell... but NOT one that any of us can learn. My guess is that it was the spell found on the blank scroll parchment, which explains why it is sort of from a device."
The dwarf turns to Rage quickly. "Is there such a thing as a scroll of protection from magic, that works simularly to other such protection scrolls?"
"Maybe their souls are gone, too. Which doesn't bode well for our chance to raise the magician."
Hlarn nods. "Or perhaps they did not have souls to raise in the first place, being possessed bodies or the like. Or they are already reborn in this world and are no longer dead. Whatever the reason, I think they knew we would get nothing from their bodies, which is why they killed themselves rather than be taken alive."
Kailar chortles at Hlarn's last comment.
"Not a bad theory. It's incorrect but not a bad theory."
Zanax smiles knowingly "Kailar's right. They didn't kill themselves to escape being captured. Heck, they could have fled at any time."
Kailar sticks his tongue out at the paladin.
Zanax sticks his tongue back at Kailar.
Beauty grins, giving both Kailer and Zanax very curious and speculative looks. "I'm sure one of these days you will let us in on the secret."
"Kailar, Zanax, please enlighten your clueless leader."
"About what?"
"About why you think the cleric and the fighters killed themselves. Since you believe Hlarn is wrong and you and Zanax think you know why, please tell me."
"Well as I said, perhaps we should discuss this in private."
Zanax shakes his head and looks at Kailar "Later...much later...if ever."
Beauty grins, "I'm private ... where shall we go? I'm dying of curiousity!"
"In case someone is spying on us? Why the need for secrecy, Kailar?"
"I'll tell you when we're alone."
"Very well."
Hlarn frowns at Kadlian's persistence, "Usually when one asks for privacy, one doesn't blurt out the reasons for the request in public. It will wait till later Kailar, when noses aren't so nosey."
Beauty rolls her eyes. "Kadlian .. when someone asks you that .. honor thier request .. it is likely important ... andperhaps not meant for common ears ... geez!!! I'm losing so much business here."
Kadlian nods, "Very well. And hopefully you will explain the need for secrecy at that point."
Kadlian looks around. "Anyone else want to berate me for being too persistent? Stupid? Any other pejorative adjectives?"
"You know .. I'm started to get more than a litttle pissed. Either we are a group or we aren't .. once secrets appear ... well ... they cause more trouble than they are worth. If you don't feel me worthy of your precious secret .. then just count me out of this whole god-damned game," Beauty replies, her voice suddenly icey.
"Beauty, we are newbies here, I don't expect them to bring us into their full confidence, especially with the whole barrage of tests. Though Rage's feather test was rather nice," Logan says with a smile, looking at Beauty then at Rage.
"That may be the case Logan, but I start getting a little uneasy over invisible 'creatures' that can make people kill themselves .. even if they are paladins or whatever .. that is a lot of power not to know about .. and I don't want to be next ... I have a deep aversion to doing myself in... " Beauty replies, a hard edge to her voice.
"I can appreciate that, sexy, but the one caveat here is that if they can bring us back, they will, so just go along and enjoy the ride. We all leave this earth eventually!" Logan replies with a smile.
"Don't take life too seriously love, it'll give ya crows feet around the eyes," he laughs as he gives her a playful tap on the upper arm.
Beauty rolls her eyes. "Well, you know ... you take a big chance dying. One of these days it will be permanent, you fool. What about Furgh .. eh? Don't tell me dying is okay!" Beauty replies."Nevermind. I withdraw all my questions. Keep your secrets...but I'll be watching."
Zanax grins. "Well, that won't be anything new in this group. Suspicion and paranoia are the basis for our friendship! Ferreting out secrets are just a side hobby for most of us."
"Seems to me our time could be put to better use than that." Beauty remarks acidly.
Zanax shrugs. "That's been noted many times. Unless you care to start the ball rolling, I would say you're just contributing to it."
Beauty smiles. "Indeed."
Hlarn gives Beauty a look. "There are secrets that affect the lives of others, and there are personal secrets that one wishes to keep for personal reasons. But if you are in the mood for sharing secrets, why don't you start with your own, such as what diety you worship?"
Beauty looks at Hlarn, her eyes hard. "I would think that a person's religion is a pretty private subject. It is between me and my god and has no bearing on anything here."
Kadlian looks stunned. "Um, Beauty? Did you not just berate me for suggesting Kailar speak out loud? Why the sudden change in heart?"
Beauty looks confused for a moment. "Did I?"
"Well, I guess it is different when they advertise a secret from the rest of the party . maybe it just suddenly occured to me that it was a bad thing for morale and all," Beauty replies.
Beauty grins, "If I knew, I wouldn't have to ask, now would I? First Zanax asks you some odd questions ... goes off to talk with you privately...then you make that comment to Hlarn about the reason those guys offed themselves ... so .. something is going on ... I just want to know what. It is quite an interesting puzzle from this end."
"Well, I was telling Zanax where little paladins come from. He apparantly has led a sheltered life. I wasn't going to say anything because he embarrasses easily."
Beauty thinks a moment before replying. "So, Sir is some paladin? And he was here during the battle .. but we didn't see him?"
"No, you're all mixed up."
"The Doctor is in you know. You are all a bit looney!" Beauty replies, rolling her eyes. "Of course I'm mixed up, that is why I'm trying to get some clarification, which is why I'm asking questions. Rage!!! Get your friggen clue by 4 over here!" Beauty exclaims in frustration.
Beauty glances at Kadlian, then to Rage, a look of dismay crossing her features. "Please. No more clues...clue by fours ... clue by sixes...enough!"
She smiles sweetly at Kailer and Zanax, "But I second the motion .. please enlighten us."
Hlarn shrugs. "What do you think is the correct one then?"
"Perhaps we should discuss this privately."
"Hlarn, how long till you can commune with your god again? We could use more information about the location of the rod. Not to mention, I'd still like to know more about this 'item - sort of' that drains our magic."
Hlarn can commune again in a week.
"Your call, Kadlian. Do we wait a week for the added information or do we go ahead back into the ruins?"
"Rage, can you cast Stoneskin on us again before we head back down?"
"I have to check how many supplies of the components I have," the mage says, checking her pouches. "Most was left with the wagon that we lost."
Zanax memorizes Cure Light Wounds before heading down.
"Since we are resting and getting our minds and bodies back into peak form, I could use one of the books, if not full, to do my thing," Logan says with a smile.
Rage looks at Logan. "Do you mean scribe spells into the book?" she asks with an innocent face. "Using what?"
"Ah, you are enjoying this, aren't you?" Logan asks, he wrinkles his nose and just stands there. "Would you allow me to learn from you now? Especially since we need all the help we can and I am useless in the magic area at this point in time," Logan says in a serious voice. "If not for me, at least for the group."
Rage smacks Logan over the head.
"You're missing the point, Logan. Use your brain for a moment and stop acting so wounded - this is not about you, but about not having the reagents we need to do things properly. You need ink and quills to scribe spells, and as you may recall it is not some run of the mill ink or normal quills," the mage says, "Something that I do not have on hand at the moment. For now, I will open my books to all who need to study and learn spells.
"As for components, I will let you all know what I have readily available and see what I can spare, for now, I suggest that you scrounge for whatever components we can find out here that might be useful."
"Sian, I am sorry about Seraph," Logan says putting a hand on his shoulder.
Vanadil says to Sian, "I do not want to return to that place unless you insist. Up until the last, my talents were not needed there, and with the added people they will now be needed even less. I have talked with the others, and we think that we would be of greater use setting up a watch perimeter in the area, and patrolling."
"I believe that would be prudent. What we will face down in this ruin is likely to be much more dangerous than the other one, even without a party hunting for us."
Hlarn, hearing the conversation, turns to Kadlian's followers. "Do you feel the same?"
Kadlian looks at Sally and Windul worriedly. "Yes, please speak your mind. I would not force you to accompany us below if that is not your desire."
Wizbang looks at the crowd of people.
"It's a big group..."
"And? I would not complain at all, having another mage accompanying us."
"They might need a mage up here," she replies quietly.
"If that is what you want, that is fine."
Equinox notes that his animals have not yet returned.
"Is that significant, Equinox? Could something have prevented them from returning?"
Equinox does not know.
"I think we go down. We learned from Hlarn's communion that there are no other parties hunting us at this time. In a week's time, we may have already found it on our own."
"The question is, who goes down? A number of our party is still without equipment."
Meanwhile, Rage's cat catches two mice, and presents them to her.
Rage polymorphs them, and then casts her spell... (interested parties bracketed)
splint mail H - protects the wearer as well as splint and shield (Callie)splint mail H - protects the wearer as well as splint and shield (Nuanna)
wand - freezes things. No command word is to be seen.
wand - Having seen this one in action, you know that it is a wand of frost. It has few charges. (Rage)
scroll: magic user spell disintegrate
ring - makes the wearer unseen (Aron)
ring - makes the wearer unseen (Hlarn)
ring - makes the wearer unseen
ring - Rage determines nothing about this
ring - grants the ability to fly (Aron)
ring - grants the ability to fly (Hlarn)
ring - grants the ability to fly (Logan)
ring - Rage determines nothing about this
handkerchief - when unfolded, it becomes a 10' deep hole in the fabric of space-time... (Melissa)
plate mail H - protects better than full plate and shield (Umboth)
hammer - improves the user's chances of striking a target
wand - you sure know what this one does...a wand of steam and vapour. It has few charges. (Rage)
splint mail H - protects as well as plate and shield (Melissa)
shield - protects as well as leather armour (Logan)
longsword - improves the user's chances of striking a target (Logan)
splint mail H - protects the wearer as well as splint and shield
shield - Rage determines nothing about this
longsword - improves the user's chances of striking a target
"Excellent job, Rage. Now, we need to outfit the non-equipped fighters with whatever is here so that they can be more efficient.
"Windul, I am sorry, but there is no elven armor. And my extra set of studded leather went up with the camp."
Windul shrugs.
"Would you guard Sally for me?"
"I will do my best."
"Kadlian, with no one specifically hunting us now, I doubt they should run into too much danger up here on the surface. If you desire, I could establish contact with one of your followers and check up on them occasionally."
"That would be nice, but Windul or Sally would have to agree to that. There will no coercion from me."
"If they wish it, it shall be. Just let me know before we head down."
"I don't mind," says Windul.
Zanax slaps his forehead. "Doh! I forgot about the interference. And without the Holy Avenger, I will not be able to make contact at all. We will need another method..."
Rage, tired from her efforts, speaks.
"Before everyone goes gaga over what we have found and what everyone one wants, I am going to make the following suggestion. We let those who were killed take a few items first, before everyone grabs. Second, Zanax, I would suggest that you give up the ring of shooting stars to another, since it was clear it was not used by you, or forgotten by you in the most recent battle. I would suggest giving it to Beauty. Third, I think that the rings of flying are best with our front line fighters, and the rings of invisibility with the mages." She turns to the others. "If this is acceptable, I will compile a list of who gets what."
"What are you talking about, Rage? I used the ring several times. Once trying to Faerie Fire the room before we entered and twice sparking the fighter I fought."
"I stand corrected, then," the mage says, "I must be tired from all this identifying. My apologies."
Zanax seems stunned. "An apology from Rage...damn, that's the first sign of the Apocalypse!"
Kadlian chuckles. "I think you are too late. The request for claims has already started. I will think on your suggestions. Giving the fighters the ability to reach flying opponents has great appeal to me. And protecting the mages by giving them the ability to become invisible after every spell also makes sense. I will think about it."
"I'm not saying the fighters shouldn't get the rings of flying, but they can attack flying opponents with bow and arrow. Nor am I saying the mages shouldn't get the ring's of invisibility, but can't they turn invisible without them?"
Still in a testy mood, Rage hits Aron.
"If we do not have to cast invisibility on ourselves, we can have the energy to cast another spell, like detect invisibility or detect clueless wonder," the mage says. "And it affords us a second level of protection, with our foes not knowing the true level of our strength and can get hit quickly with magic, giving us the surprise."
Aron attempts to dodge her.
"Your reasoning has it's points. But there are others in this group who don't have any magical ability. As an example, consider me. Compared to the rest of you, I am relatively weak against those who we fought. But if I had the ability to fly unseen to them, I could have dealt them a serious boot to the head."
"And you are classified as one of the fighters, Aron. That is why your argument has me confused. Do you not use any weapon?"
"I prefer to use my hands."
"So, how do you hurt creatures only affected by magic such as the demon?"
"At this time, I can't. If I do use a weapon, I am adept with either the spear, hand axe or dagger - none of which I possess are magical."
"Oh, is that the problem?" Kadlian plucks his magical dagger out of his belt and tosses it to Aron. "Here. Try not to run into any antimagical fields."
Catching the dagger, Aron says, "Thanks."
Kadlian intervenes after a few members have been hit. "Rage, please go rest. You are exhausted and all of these questions are not making you any happier. Besides, it has always been my lot in this group to answer all the policy questions. You heard my reply to you and I will not likely change it even faced with these odds."
Rage looks at Kadlian with a gleam in her eyes. "I heard you alright, but some here are a bit on the testy side," she says in all politeness. "I'll go off and rest a bit... in my magic hut..."
"Well, I agree some are testy. Care to lend me your new weapon for awhile?"
Hlarn nods. "Yes to both questions, but bow and arrow are useless against creatures of a magical nature that can only be hit by magic. Besides, while all of us can use missile weapons, few of us are as proficient with them as we are with our primary weapons. And while magicians can turn invisible using a spell, it is much faster to do so using a device, and the mage can do so repeatedly in battle."
Kadlian laughs. "Can you turn invisible without them?"
"Sure, mages can turn invisible, if they have the spell memorized. And then when they make a hostile move like casting a magic missile, they turn visible again. Having the ring would allow them to become invisible after a hostile action. And then they would be able to use that slot saved for the invisibility spell for something else."
"As far as bows go, only Sian and I carry them. Zanax and Hlarn do not. Plus, having to sheath my swords and draw my bow to attack an opponent in the hair is time consuming and the damage is not as great. Meeting them hand to hand in the air is a much quicker way of dealing with the problem."
Snapping her fingers, "I however, am going to claim the wand that generates steam. I do this for two simple reasons, first, it is low on charges and since there is no comperable spell that I know of that can easily recharge it, so if I have it, it will be kept for real emergencies. Second, I wish to study it and see if I can learn how to recreate it, and more importantly, recharge it. Once I have done this, I will be willing to return it to the party for others to use.
"I will also look into the wand of frost and try to regenerate it with some other spells."
Zanax mumbles "Well, someone is getting pushy again..."
"Excuse me Zanax?" the mage says in a very testy tone, "I offered a strongly worded opinion as well as a very good reason why I felt that way. If you would rather we use the wand of steam and not knowing how many charges it has, lose it's power, then go right ahead. I will withdraw my opinion and let the others decide what is best! The wand of frost I am going to try to find out how to recharge and do that to the best of my ability. I did not say I was going to keep it, and would rather see it in the hands of Argulhas or the other mages, I understand that I can only use one wand at a time, and my staff is more than up to the task."
She then hits the paladin over the head.
"Argulhas, my scroll case please." the mage says testily.
Zanax smacks her back. "I'm not interested in the wand of steam, nor am I sure that I can even use it. I only meant that perhaps you were doing more than expressing a strongly worded opinion. Overall and not just that last part of your speech."
"I don't mean to interrupt, but we are here to get the rod, not the wand of steam. If it could help us in a fight we should use it - the enemy did without too much concern about using up it's power (and it was quite an effective weapon). After we recover the rod and should the wand still contains power, then I think Rage should have a chance to study it."
Kadlian nods. "Recharging both wands is an important task. Taking the steam wand to study is acceptable for now. We can evaluate the claim issue after you have discovered how to recharge it."
"Those two rings are probably invisiblity and fly," Zanax comments.
Zanax compares the plate mail to his own.
The latest suit is somewhat more ornate.
"Tis a bit more flashy, but I think I will stick with my current armor."
"I am a fighter as well as a mage," Logan comments, eyeing a ring of flight and one of the magical longswords. "I wouldn't mind the enchanted shield as well."
"If you can't cast magical spells due to a lack of a book, how about dressing up in some of that magical splint mail? Otherwise, I am going to treat you as a mage. Without any armor, I am not going to send you into hand to hand combat. I will give you a bow and let you guard the mages, though."
"As you command, el capitan," Logan says as he seeks an elf sized suit of armour...without success.
"How do you feel about acting as part of the rear guard?"
"Wherever you feel I am most needed, I am in your debt!" Logan says. Clearly not thrilled, but he acquiesces.
Rage casts detect invisibility and checks out all the new goodies looking for command words and the like.
The first wand has an invisible command word - 'Stop'.
Zanax removes his Ring of Shooting Stars and Boots of Elvenkind. He then tests the last two rings (assuming the last one is also of invisibility) for inaudibility properties after he turns invisible.
He turns invisible...but not inaudible.
"Aron, Hlarn, could you please test yours as well. I've been looking for one for years!"
Beauty grins, "I'll take a chance and find out what it does ... "
She eyes all the armor with a frown. "Geez .. doesn't look like any of this will fit me ... Why couldn't there have been some small half-elven sized armor?"
"Because we killed a bunch of humans. And Mestom does not like elves, half or full."
Beauty laughs, rolling her eyes. "That was a rhetorical question dear Kad. I am rather aware of Meston's hatred..."
Putting the ring of invisibility on, Aron says "Can you see and hear me?"
Rage mutters for a minute and then says , 'Yes." and to prove her point hits Aron with a cream pie.
Aron remains visible until he thinks about turning invisible. Then he vanishes from sight.
Speaking out, he says, "Zanax, may I strike you and see if this ring is one of those special ones you seek?"
"You certainly have my permission to strike Zanax, Aron," Beauty says with a smile. "In fact, for true scientific method, you need to first make sure that Zanax is completely ringless -- then strike him hard. Then put on the current ring you are testing and strike him agian. You must always include your negative controls.
"Oh, and to be fully, fully sure ... we should also have Rage and perhaps one other person strike him in the same way. There are so many affects this item could have, you must be absolutely sure to test all permutations." Beauty concludes.
"I think you mis-understand. One, to test the inaudibility, you shouldn't speak after you turn invisible. Just walk around and we'll see if we can hear you. Two, all striking me will do is make you visible and make me mad."
"My apologies. I thought you were also hoping that one of the rings also kept the user invisible after they struck someone."
"No one is taking any of the rings at this point. I have not made a decision, yet."
"I respect your position as the leader of this party," Aron answers back. Taking off the rings, he tosses them back into the treasure pile.
Kadlian nods. "Thank you, but please keep the ring of flying."
Taking the ring of flying, Aron says, "I accept your decision, it is a good one. I requested more than was necessary for me. Sure you're not a follower of Tyr?"
"No, but I know of him."
Zanax tests the last ring for flying ability.
He flies.
If he can, Logan will take the magical shield, a magical longsword, and one of the spellbooks.
Rage speaks. "Spell books have always been part of the community treasure. We share and use them but the remain with the group."
"Quite right. Logan, you can take the shield, but hold on for a moment with the longsword. I want to make sure that the front line fighters all still have a magical weapon."
"Ok, can I borrow a spellbook?" he asks as he hefts the shield and leaves the swords alone for the moment.
"They are the group's property, so that is certainly acceptable. Kailar usually organizes the magical library. Just get your library card from him."
"Kailar, do you need my picture on it?" he asks with a smile. "How many places can I use it?"
"Only in those libraries owned by this group. Which is fairly extensive due to the range of tomes we found in our previous task."
"Splendid," Logan says, "I would like to borrow one to study from and possibly inscribe into some time in the future."
Kadlian frowns. "Writing in one of the books? I do not know what policy Kailar set about that, but do not make that assumption without an agreement from all the mages."
"These books are a different case then other spellbooks that we have found in the past. They are all traveling spellbooks, which are more expensive then normal spellbooks. It is my opinion then that when we return to Sandas these should be distributed to party members as magical items. Rage, what are your thoughts on this? For now though, they should be left in camp for any party member to study spells."
"I am easy," he says with a smile. "Any book will suffice for me to study from, and then when we get back into any town, I would like to purchase one."
"You can only use it here I'm afraid. The late charges are pretty hefty though."
"Kadlian, without the Holy Avenger, I can no longer detect secret doors. We will have to rely on more mundane methods."
"I understand."
"Rage, have you determined if you have the proper spell components on hand for Stoneskin?"
"So, we have four rings of invisibility and four rings of flying at our disposal. Agulhas, Rage, please take one of the rings of invisibility."
"Logan, are you going to be able to cast spells? If so, take one of the rings of invisibility as well. Zanax, you take the last one."
"Since there is no armor that fits, spells it is," he replies as he takes the ring of invisibility.
"Kadlian I already have a ring of invisibility, so one of the others should have it," the mage says.
Kadlian nods. "Right. I had forgotten. Equinox, how do you feel about a ring of invisibility?"
He takes it for now...
"What about Beauty, our recently dead comrade who has come back to us naked... a very nice way for her to return, if I say so myself, but she could use the extra protection," the mage adds.
Beauty smiles at Rage. "No need to speak up for me, I know where I stand. I have no desire for such a ring, I have many skills for stealth...backstabbing is such a specialty of mine,"
"Oh, right, I had forgotten about that. Would you be willing to work with Kailar, in the front as a scout? If so, you can have the ring of invisibility I was going to give Equinox."
"No, you never thought of it at all," Beauty says with a smile. "But yes, perhaps working with Kailar will be fun. And thank you ever so much for your kind afterthoughts."
She holds out her hand for the ring.
Kadlian looks at Equinox. "Sorry, you will get the next one."
Roganna smiles as she takes the ring and puts it on her finger.
"Kadlian, is Beauty taking over my position at point with Kailar? If that is the case, then perhaps I will not need the ring of invisibility."
"Yes, she is. With the loss of the holy avenger, she is needed to search for traps and things."
"I'll do my best. I probably can't reproduce the effects of a holy avenger but you'll get your money's worth," Roganna replies with a grin.
"But, perhaps you should keep the ring anyway. I have no more flying rings to give out."
"By the way, Beauty, have you ever thought of getting any piercing? I plan to try to make nipple rings of protection when I get a chance," Rage says obviously looking forward to the possibility.
Beauty actually blushes but nods. "That would be .. err .. most interesting. .. I think."
"I see," the mage says, smiling. "Very good, Beauty."
Beauty frowns, "Oh yeah .. might as well let you all know .. don't call me Beauty .. my name is Roganna ... long story ... don't ask."
"Hlarn, Sian and I will take the last three rings of flying."
Beauty looks up, "Any left over? I can cast some spells ..I am a cleric, even if you do do not know the name of my god."
"I know, Beauty, but I am trying to protect those spellcasters who cast offensive spells. Most of your spells are curative or protective in nature. Ask Kailar or Rage for a spell of invisibility before we go down and you can remain invisible until you take offensive action."
Beauty smiles thinly. "I see."
"Beauty, can you wield a hammer?"
"A hammer? I think not. I am skilled in dagger, short sword and morning star," she replies.
"Ahem," the mage with her accountants glasses says, "I have only three invisibility components left... and I do not think I will find much gum arabic out here."
"Beauty, can you use a dagger?' the mage adds, "I have a magic one that I don't use, and hope never to need, so if you could please take it."
Beauty grins. "I am quite good with a dagger. Thank you," she says, taking the dagger and hefting it in her hand. 'Quite nice ... now .. I just need to find a place to put it ... I must find some more clothing .."
Rage hands over the dagger. "I hope you find a good place to put it. I can think of a few places it might do some good."
"Believe me .. I have several places in mind my dear Rage ... I think we think alike in some ways ... it is refreshing," Beauty says.
"I have a set you could wear, but I am not sure you would want to wear such a 'flashy' garment." Rage says.
Roganna chuckles and shakes her head. "Rage, if you only knew what I used to wear! They may be a bit tight as I'm slightly bigger than you .. not much though .. " Roganna says, appraising Rages's petitie frame. "Let me at em ... I'm feeeling every single little draft under this cloak!"
"Step into my clothing and adventurer outfiting supply store." the mage says.
Roganna grins and follows Rage...
"Logan, you can take that longsword."
"Thanks, boss man," he says as he lifts the sword and practices a swing or two with it.
"Callie, Nuanna, and Melissa take the splint mail."
"Rage or Agulhas, please take scroll."
"Melissa, I would like to carry the handkerchief, please. And did anyone think to check to see if anything was in there?"
Hlarn nods. "Rage should keep the portable hole, as she is the one who is likely to use it to teleport the rest of us... once we can teleport that is."
"Be my quest, Umboth."
Umboth takes the plate mail.
"Sian, you do not have any other followers that can use this?" asks Kadlian, referring to the last suit of splint mail.
"Windul, take these things."
Rage, finally completing her inventory, speaks.
"I have the following spell components left. There are many we can gather, such as wood chips, webs, birds feathers and the like. Others are not so readily replaced. To answer Zanax's question first. I have only three componets worth of stoneskin spell. I left the rest with our wagon and in Sandas. And since we cannot teleport, we are SOL," the mage says, "On the other hand, magic missiles is not one that requires components.
"Here is the list:
10 soot and salt for Comprehend Languages5 powered iron for Enlarge/Reduce
3 pearls and owl feathers left for Identifys
10 Powered brass for push
2 prisms for read magi
5 sand for sleep
20 silver powder for detect invisible
a big roll of string
3 eyelashes in gum arabic for invisibility
10 copper pieces for ESP
20 web pinches for Web20 feathers for fly
10 licorice root for haste
2 furs and glass rods for lightning bolt
10 treeacle for slow
20 glass beads for minor globe and feeblemind
10 bat fur for wizards eye
10 quartz for wall of ice
3 granite and diamond dust for stoneskin
3 gloves for Bigby's interposing hand
10 bags and candles for monster summoning I-III
20 sesame seeds for passwall
10 glass cones for cone of cold
9 clay/water for rock to mud
15 granite for wall of stone
20 stone, lime and wood for Lemounds Secure Shelter"
"So as you can see, we are in a heap of hurt in some ways," the mage says.
Rage will retire to see what peopel wish to take and cast lights and fireballs into her staff to recharge it
"Tell us what you wish us to gather and we will go in search of it. We have a number of rangers and druids, not to mention a few elves running around. We should be able to find lots of things, if you tell us what to look for."
He pulls out 14 copper pieces. "Here, add this to your collection."
"ESP is of limited use at the moment with all the interference," the mage says, "And many of the offensive spells need things not available in the forest. More lime, granite pieces of chips of wood for a start however."
"Then I can spend more time in my shelter, not being one of these roughing it types," the mage says, "No offense," she adds to the rangers in the party.
"You heard the woman. Logan, start making wood chips for the lady."
"Yes, sir," Logan snaps to attention and after saluting, finds a dead or broken tree/branches and starts whittling away with his new sword.
Kadlian tosses a dagger at Logan's feet. "Use this and then sharpen it afterwards with this." A whetstone follows.
"No sense cutting off your hand trying to whittle with a sword."
Logan sheathes his new sword, from a sheath taken from one of the dead warriors and picks up the knife, to start his work for Rage.
"Yes Logan, nice even wood chips," the mage says, clearly enjoying this.
The jungle elf rolls his eyes and bites his tongue, but says nothing.
"Sian, Aron, Equinox, Windul and I will start looking for granite and lime. Also, look for clay."
"Would Hlarn's help speed up our search?"
"Maybe. Hlarn, want to come along?"
The dwarf has noted that there are no outcroppings of granite in the area. Most of the rocks around here are metamorphic and/or uplifted sedimentary.
"We should be able to find some lime stone, though, right Hlarn?"
Hlarn knows where there is some.
From his growing wood chip pile, Logan remarks, "Rage, do you have anything that might fit me? A cloak really doesn't suffice."
"Things I might have for a male would not be things you would want to wear, little man," Rage says with an evil chuckle. "In fact you would probably hate them... they are in ways covering, very covering, and restrictive."
"Well, I could use a leather loincloth, in the jungle, clothing is a nuisance, and I have never fully acclimated myself to city life anyhow," he says with a slight smile, not exactly sure what she means.
"Well then, I am not sure the clothing I have in mind would be of interest to you... then again, for my own amusement I might want to see you so garbed."
People scatter off into the forest, intent on gathering components for the mages.
Hlarn, Kailar, Zanax, Agulhas and Aron adjourn off into the nearby woods where Hlarn deposited the corpse. After a bit you hear low voices...mostly Hlarn's and another that you do not recognise.
After a few moments, Hlarn and Zanax come back out of the woods, go over to the far side of the camp, and have a discussion in low voices.
Roganna follows Hlarn and Zanax. Inquiring minds want to know what these two are saying.
Zanax frowns at Roganna and says sternly, "This is a private conversation. We'll have a party discussion afterwards."
"Yes sir," Roganna says meekly, walking back to the others.
After a few moments conversation, Zanax returns to where the prisoner is kept, and Hlarn joins the rest of you.
Hlarn returns to begin telling the party about the interview he just had. He waits for Aron, Agulhas and others that were with him to come as well.
"Here is what the fellow said. In summary, he was basically a soldier, doing a job. Its the people behind him that are our real enemies here."
After a few minutes, everyone returns to the main camp.