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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 3829
(11/29/04 9:22 am)
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Dobrug, Part III
Ulwe downs the entire potion and immediately feels like his old self. The nausiating touch of the Spirit World that diminished his very soul is washed away in an instant.
Without further discussion, Brae the Diviner marches northeast with the companions gathered around him. The old man's strides are confident, and obviously buoyed by divine magic, but he still has almost seventy winters behind him. Brae is ancient by Moagaran standards. His mail hauberk hangs loosely around his frail, hunched frame, and his thick wooden staff percusses hard against the stone floor, both weapon and crutch.
The group moves past a knot of Aerendalen as they walk away from the intersection. Then, following the tunnel through the tight S turn that Draxim surveyed, come to a point where the tube begins to corkscrew downward. There, Brae stops and calls the companions to gather together as best they can in the passage.
The old priest begins by calling on the aid of the Sun God.
"Great Yelm, within the breast of darkness, a mote of illumination your servant seeks."
[Side note: though Brae is a priest of Orlanth, it isn't uncommon for any Moagaran cleric to call for the aid of the other gods, when appropriate.]
The bronze finial atop Brae's steel helmet immediately begins to glow, casting a steadily growing aura of light throughout the passage. Though bright and powerful (considerably more so than Ulwe's Light spell) it is not difficult to look at directly. Seemingly satisfied by the presence of the divine illumination, Brae speaks quietly.
"Friends, I am pleased to be with you here. We have watched this cancer grow within our town since Yashai came from the west. In that time we have learned much, but could not force her hand... force her to show her true self. Thanks to you," Brae grins broadly, "her mask has failed her."
"Yashai was arrogant. I doubt she suspected that your intrusion was more than it seemed. Did she think that such children of Yelm, an arrow's flight from the Locamyrida itself, would not be under our watchful eye? Would not receive our aid when the battle was engaged?"
Brae allows himself a slight cackle, breathes deeply, then sighs.
"So here we are. Would that I could bring the might of my temple, whole and complete, here with us. But Yashai, as you may already suspect, is one of the race of creatures known to us as the Xorn. The potent charm they laid upon the world, hiding their very existence, makes the Xorn impossible to face by those who have not broken that spell. With a word she could render all in her vicinity helpless. That is, except us. I suppose I have grown too old to be tricked by such things," Brae says with a grin. "But you have all been released from the Charm by the cleansing fires of the Illuminating Orb. Destroyed, you became free. I would call your deaths within the Cairnhollow the most fortunate ones in the history of our people," he continues ironically.
"Let us prepare. Yashai is a female of that sorcerous race, and they are the masters of deception. I will do what I can to fend off her magic, but we must act quickly. Time is on her side, not ours."
With that, Brae rifles through the deep leather satchel that hangs around his chest. He retrieves a diverse collection of hand-sized scrolls - leather, bronze, iron, and even a few made of glass. One by one he reads from them, expending their power to envigorate and protect the companions. The length and variety of the prayers he utters either bores or fascinates the assembled warriors, depending on their personality.
[The following spells are now in effect on everyone:
Protection from Evil: +2 AC and +2 on all saving throws versus evil creatures. Immune to possession. Immune to attacks from summoned creatures.
Bless: +1 to hit, +1 on saving throws versus fear to all within 50 feet of Brae.
Endurance: +4 Constitution (rolled once for simplicity). +2 hit points per level and +2 to Fortitude saves.
Greater Magic Weapon: +3 hit and damage for one weapon or fifty projectiles. Each PC should select one of their weapons to receive this spell. Note that this has no effect on weapons that are already magic, like the Grinning Blade.
When you work out your attacks for the combats ahead, please run down all of your bonuses, just so we can keep it all straight. That includes your own basic attack bonuses, strength, feats, Brae's spells, whatever.]
Finally, Brae grasps the glass scrolls and moves through the group, touching each of the companions lightly. No one, including Ulwe and Madragar, is quite sure what effect the prayer has. Yet, when it is complete, each of the companions has an inexplicable feeling of being observed, like children under the watchful eye of a caring parent.
[If you have preparations of your own to make, now would be the time. Brae's litany of prayers takes about three minutes to complete.]
Edited by: Jubilex at: 11/29/04 11:32 am
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Kenner
Moderator
Posts: 1133
(11/29/04 11:28 am)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
Draxim drinks the potion of Strength of the Storm Bull. He says a reverent prayer to Urox and thanks to all the Gods (especially Orlanth) then belches loudly and appreciatively. Noticing a stare or two, he says "It's quite tasty really."
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yucatanyeti
Moderator
Posts: 1229
(11/29/04 12:05 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
Atan thanks the venerable priest for his blessings. Secure in the knowledge that his equipment is sound the elven ranger stands ready.
[OOC: Atan will have GMW +3 cast on his arrows]
Edited by: yucatanyeti at: 11/29/04 12:11 pm
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yucatanyeti
Moderator
Posts: 1230
(11/29/04 12:16 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
"Elder, what do you surmise is waiting for us down there?" Atan asks the orlanthian priest.
"Are we heading into the nest? or is it the last stand for Yashai? or is there something else you seek here? I ask so we may be best prepared to assist."
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 3831
(11/29/04 12:34 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
"I asked for guidance from the Wind Lord, prior to coming here, and he was cryptic. The Trickster's will undone, Orlanth revealed to me. Alas, I haven't had much time to think on it."
Brae narrows his already squinting eyes, lost in thought for a moment before continuing.
"Most of all I seek the destruction of Yashai. With her gone we may be rid of these kuralitai before open war comes to the streets of Dobrug. To learn something of her purpose would also be a boon."
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doggius
Moderator
Posts: 884
(11/29/04 12:35 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
Pogar nods and holds his head downward, in show of respect and acceptance of the spells laid upon him.
"I say, just start swinging, let your swords and axe's do the talking for all of us. Atan, your arrows can start the conversation, as we finish it" Pogar says with a sadistic smirk.
Pogar is obviously ready for whats next, prepared to send many beings of Chaos down the eternal road of nowhere.
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squarefodder
Khelzhad
Posts: 411
(11/29/04 1:08 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
The priest's talk of "previous death" is a bit unsettling to the young dwarf, but Khelzhad holds out his quiver of 25 bolts to receive the blessing of the Wind god. Once an awkward weapon, he now carries the crossbow assuredly after the many battles in the Cairnhollow, and being once again underground on a holy mission swells the confidence of the Ghuraskalli bard.
Edited by: squarefodder at: 11/29/04 1:09 pm
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yucatanyeti
Moderator
Posts: 1231
(11/29/04 1:10 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
"Will Undone..." Atan repeats. "That we shall do."
[OOC; Everyone ready?]
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Tarondor
Moderator
Posts: 1374
(11/29/04 1:51 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
[OOC: Yep. Let's roll.]
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1153
(11/29/04 1:59 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
Ulwe accepts the blessings of the revered elder Brae the Diviner with gratitude. He holds forth his spear to recieve the enchantments of Orlanth Spear-bearer.
When Brae tells the others the true nature of Yashai, it confirms his suspicions. A slightly guilty look clouds his face which he shares with Madragar. To his companions he says
"I thought it not safe to mention the Xorn. Now that we are unmasked as well as she, and the good Brother Brae speaks plainly of our foe it seems the danger could not be greater than now. After our ordeal is through, I shall share with you what I know."
Ulwe beseeches his God to watch over him and grant fortune in this battle upcoming.
[Divine favor ]
[ooc: ready]
Edited by: Ulwe at: 11/29/04 2:38 pm
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Kenner
Moderator
Posts: 1134
(11/29/04 3:12 pm)
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Re: Dobrug, Part III
Draxim shoulders his sword, loads his crossbow and heads off down the hall as quietly as possible.
[OOC Remember that Draxim had already put his chain mail back on a while ago. ]
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squarefodder
Khelzhad
Posts: 412
(11/29/04 10:01 pm)
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Khelzhad's Quicksheet
longsword base: + 3 h; + 1 d; masterwork: + 1 h; bless: + 1 h = + 5 to hit, + 2 damage
light xbow base: + 3 h; + 1 masterwork; bless: + 1 h; greater magic weapon: + 3 h, + 3 d; point blank shot: (+ 1 h 30'); precice shot: no minus shooting into h2h = + 8(9) to hit, + 3 damage
Edited by: squarefodder at: 11/30/04 10:43 am
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 3834
(11/30/04 8:28 am)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
None too silently, the mass of mail-clad warriors, glowing with the divine presence of their gods, marches along the tunnel as it corkscrews gradually downward. Draxim moves a short distance ahead, using his darkvision to look beyond the limits of Brae's Daylight spell. Less than fifty feet down the passage the tube opens into a larger chamber, but this one of more simple construction.
It appears to be a small crypt of the old Lunar catacombs beneath Dobrug. Atan shivers briefly and uncontrollably at the sight of the dusty stone walls and rows of dried, recumbant corpses, remembering the hours of torture he endured in Ravensgate at the hands of the mysterious Gudr.
Draxim carefully surveys the room from the mouth of the smooth tunnel, whispering back to the group that there is a single door. Atan creeps forward and inspects the chamber floor, quickly determining that there has been recent movement through the place, to and from the door.
"At least three different tracks," he whispers. "Two with soft boots, tall... elves I'd say. One with small feet... slippers. Yashai?"
"Careful Atan," Brae murmurs. "There is magic on that door."
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1154
(11/30/04 8:56 am)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
Taking advantage of the brief pause at the door, Ulwe inkoves Orlanth's Lightbringer aspect. This he centers on his small steel shield. [light spell]
"Elves. It could be Erithwen and Domun, who have been missing days now. They could very well have been Charmed or otherwise compelled by this sorcerous beast Yashai. And there is still our original quarry Naredru, a wizard of some skill, made all the more powerful by Lyssa's texts and her enchanted Rod."
Ulwe looks for similar markings on the wall to the ones he 'captured' earlier, up stairs.
Edited by: Ulwe at: 11/30/04 8:57 am
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 3836
(11/30/04 9:28 am)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
Ulwe doesn't see any of the odd markings.
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yucatanyeti
Moderator
Posts: 1232
(11/30/04 12:09 pm)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
"Priests, any chance those corpses are more then just corpses?" Atan asks as he moves away disgusted.
[OOC: Spot check? to see if those corpses have moved recently. ]
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 3838
(11/30/04 12:12 pm)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
[Spot, +2 circumstance bonus for Atan's ability to Track.]
Though still in the tunnel, Atan can see the stacks of corpses clearly. Their dried, dessicated bodies lay in orderly rows within depressions cut into the rock wall. There is no evidence that any of the corpses have moved recently, or even since they were laid to rest. They are uniformly draped in aged brown cloth and have no obvious adornments or weapons.
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yucatanyeti
Moderator
Posts: 1233
(11/30/04 1:18 pm)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
'Draxim can you look at the door? Brae can you tell us anything more about the sorcerery impued upon it?"
Atan steps forward to peer closely at the door though he knows little about the ways of magic.
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1155
(12/1/04 8:50 am)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
[assuming Kenner is AWOL and we are waiting on him...]
Draxim carefully approaches the door. He keeps from touching it, but looks over the portal with discriminating eyes. [Search for Traps]
Ulwe looks to Madragar and asks the wizard, "What kind of magic is on that door? Can you dispell it?"
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 3839
(12/1/04 9:05 am)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
Draxim enters the dusty chamber and approaches the door, looking warily at the lines of corpse-filled niches. Kneeling down before the portal, which is itself made of wood with thick iron reinforcing bars riveted to its surface, he inspects the lock. After a few minutes he returns to the group in the tunnel and shrugs.
"I didn't see anything strange, but I'm not too keen on touching the thing, what with magic and all."
Brae ponders the door while leaning heavily on his staff. "I would prefer to save my counterspells for Yashai, but it seems we have no choice."
The old man wraps his staff on the stone floor and spreads his arms wide. A faint whooshing sound rolls through the quiet crypt.
"Now, young Draxim, go quickly," Brae commands.
Draxim hustles forward and, as quickly as he can, inspects the lock and the door itself. Satisfied, he turns the handle and pushes. The door opens on dry hinges, but no traps appear to be activated.
Beyond is a narrow corridor, five feet wide and extending off into darkness to the left and right. Draxim takes a peek and motions for the group to follow.
[Marching order?]
Edited by: Jubilex at: 12/1/04 9:06 am
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doggius
Moderator
Posts: 885
(12/1/04 9:30 am)
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Re: Khelzhad's Quicksheet
Pogar boldly steps forward and moves towards the door. At first his actions seems as though he is overly confident. When he moves towards the door, he will quickly step through the door, move to the left (if door opens to right), crouch defensively and with his dark vision, will scan the area for potential attacks or anything out of the ordinary.
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