2856 - Shrsholn - Sat Sep 1, 2001 1:57am

Kellis almost unrecognizable from the wounds he's suffered, is collapsed onto one knee, looking incredulously at the sweeping melee about to bowl him over.

From further up the tunnel, from the direction of the cave, you hear, "M'lady Silkervish! We've some company ahead..."

Just then, two black, laccqured skeletons, wearing silver-black chainmmail, and armed with jet scimitars slice-down the remaining gangmembers...

2857 - mistwalker_ - Sat Sep 1, 2001 2:11am

She stands there, swords lowered but still drawn. "Not if my employer desides to take my quarry from me. If you did not trust me to do the job, why did you hire me?"

2858 - throst54 - Sat Sep 1, 2001 2:24am

--Throst

2859 - Shrsholn - Sat Sep 1, 2001 2:35am

You now hear and see, a battle-worn and weary looking lot trudging toward you two. At the rear is a bloody and slightly dishevled looking Lady Silkervish.

A barbarian, holding a mean looking doble-bladed axe, steps forward, and asks you, "Is he with you?", gesturing toward the now unconscious Kellis, crumpled over the corpse of the first fallen rogue.

A heavily wounded, pale looking woman with a patch on her left eye staggers in next, followed by an really rough looking orc holding a blood stained shortsword in his left hand, and gripping a bloody sack in his right. He regards you silently, then steps aside for Lady Silkervish.

The Lady is bleeding from both legs, just below the knees, and her leather and lace dress is torn off at a compromising level.

The dark-elf looks drained, and is obviously injured.

Panting, she simply looks at you, then surveys the gore spattered tunnel, "Good timing... Once we salvage what we can from the skiff's wreckage, we can hole-up here..."

The barbarian has a deep look of disgust on his face as he hears that, and shaking his head, nudges past you, and crouching at Kellis, begins to tend to his wounds.

"Scout ahead of us, but fall back at serious resistance.", Silkervish orders the chief of the two skelletons.

They immediately comply, skittering up the rounded walls of the tunnel on either side of you, and rushing past, down the way you came.

"Now dear, what were you saying exactlty?", she says absently.

The orc snorts, crouching by the barbarian, and produces a polished bone flask decorated with orcish shamanic runes.

"It will heal him very quickly. You will have to hold him down, as it is very painful", he says to the barbarian, who begins to pin Kellis's shoulders to the ground.

2860 - Shrsholn - Sat Sep 1, 2001 2:50am

Escemine, and a badly wounded Silthis the Fleet come to shore, coughing the foul water out of their lungs.

"Did <cough> Neridd or, <ak>, Mavin make it out of the death fog?" Silthis asks the other, still sputtering.

"No. At least I don't think so...and too bad about that cute dwarf. I've got to return his dagger to his clan...If I make it out of this damed contract alive...", Escemine replies, sadly.

Silthis, standing shakily now, and tending to herself as best possible, "C'mon. Let's see if we can find the others, or what's left of them."]]

2861 - mistwalker_ - Sat Sep 1, 2001 8:50am

"Is he with you?"

2864 - Shrsholn - Sat Sep 1, 2001 11:11am

Then, drawing nearer to you, "Besides, I've now been forced to involve myself further -- far further than I had intended -- in the actual procurement process. You still stand in the best condition to make good on the capture, as there's hardly a scratch on you, while, as you can see, we've weathered our little voyage rather poorly..."

Kellis practically levitates off the ground as his muscles spasm. His scream is stifled by a wet rag the orc places firmly in and over his mouth.

The attendant orc looks up briefly at you, letting you know this is all expected with the curative.

The barbarian continues to hold Kellis down, until his eyes roll up in his head, and with one last shuddder, he collapses again into unconsciousness.

"Lady Silkervish! I realize that the trip hardly went as you planned, but this -- blundering has already cost two human lives, not to mention the loss of your smaller hirelings. When will you admit that we need field leadership!" shouts the barbarian, whose name you overheard as Vrok.

Peering down her long, thin nose at him, you feel palpable evil fill the tunnel.

The axe in the northern man's hand begins to chime slightly, and he stands menacingly only a few feet from the two of you, boring holes in the Lady's head with his rage filled eyes.

<"Look, there they are!"> Elise hears from the direction of the cave.

The arrival of a water-logged hobittess dressed in torn, painted-on brown leather armor; and a badly wounded fairy-like creature does little to dissolve the confrontation.

"Good of you two to join us.", Lady Silkervish says dryly.

Then speaking to Elise, though continuing to match the determined stare of Vrok, "Give us your report, hunter. How much resistance have you thus far encountered?.."

2867 - Shrsholn - Sat Sep 1, 2001 1:35pm

I'm up to doing my part to reverse the trend...

2881 - mistwalker_ - Sat Sep 1, 2001 7:27pm

She glances at the midgets curiously through the slits in her helm, her horns gleaming in the torchlight. Then back down at Kellis, to be sure he still breathes.

"That one started following me 2 days ago. He is a bard who has proved useful. I followed the trail of Spurlious Trask to the home of a finger waggler, where he spent some time. He snuck out in the rain and into this cave, where I picked up his scent. I was giving chase when we were interrupted by some smelly cat-like creatures, who seem to have some intelligence but poor tactics.

Their leader fled like a whipped mongrel after losing his knife. Then you showed up. That is all."

2882 - Shrsholn - Sat Sep 1, 2001 8:02pm

You look down at one of the little bodies you sliced in two. 'So that's what they were.'

"Your friend will be back to normal in a few hours. Is this the best shelter we have?", the orc asks you as he stands up, brushing off his hands on his pants.

"Vrok. Simmer down. We're still breathing, and the others have joined us now. We'll prevail...", he then offers to the barbarian.

Fury Master Vrok Talinn, axe still in hand, sets his jaw at an odd angle, as if fighting to keep his mouth shut, then walks back toward the cave, and the 'wreckage' they spoke of earlier.

Lady Silkervish rolls over a few of the fallen gangmembers. "We should check them for anything useful." She then crouches over the nearest, and begins to pat his corpse down.

Escemine walks over to her, and says, "We haven't made an extensive search for survivors yet. Shouldn't we look for Throst, Neridd, and Seul?"

"You certainly may, dear. Vrok has already headed in that direction. See if you can get him to salvage what's useful from the skiff, won't you?", Silkervish replies dryly as she holds a small charm necklace from the rogue in her right hand.

Escemine's darling face sours slightly, then, with a hurtful look in her eys, she says, "Well at least tend to Silthis, then..."

Silkervish regards her cooly, and looks as if she would snap the liitle-one's neck if it wouldn't overly complicate things.

Then, "Larshes'ke. Heal the group, won't you dear?"

The pale woman with the eye patch, who seemed to virtually disappear while the commotion with Vrok had flared up, steps away from the curved wall -- in plain view the whole time --, and begins to sigh as she lays her hands on the fey creature.

A shimmering violet aura envelopes Silthis, and her dragonfly-like wings are restored, and her coin-sized purple bruises lessen to mere welts.

Then, spent, Larshes'ke, slumps back against the stone wall, and in a light sweat, reaches for a flask at her side.

One of the Skelletons, its hard to determine which, returns, slowly, and wordlessly communicates with the Lady.

"There are three branches to the northeast. One seems to lead toward the hamlet you spoke of, while the others head off at right angles from each other, due north, and east. There are gremlins everywhere apparently, perhaps the wizard has struck some sort of bargain with them, for they are armed occasionaly...", she pauses, to investigate the poisoned stiletto abandoned by the last wave's leader, then continuing, "he says that there's also sounds of mining, or other industry from the direction of 'town'."

"Help the...help, her" she points at Elise, "to remove the right hands of these fallen."
Slikervish looks at you in the most concilliatory manner you think possible for her icy nature.

2884 - mistwalker_ - Sat Sep 1, 2001 10:31pm

She crouches, rifling through the gremlins corpses for anything of use. "His spore led up this passage. He did not go to the village, unless there is another way there from here. He most likely got around you, if you haven't killed him already. The gremlins no doubt aid him. Their folly."

2885 - Shrsholn - Sun Sep 2, 2001 0:08am

2894 - Shrsholn - Sun Sep 2, 2001 4:03pm

2896 - Shrsholn - Sun Sep 2, 2001 4:14pm

2919 - mistwalker_ - Sun Sep 2, 2001 11:15pm

"Tend to your wounded and yourself. The gremlins are small, but that may their strength here. They have some intelligence, they may be many, and if this cave is their home it may be riddled with traps. If you intend for us to stay a group against them, stealth isn't an option."

Her head turns towards the direction the barbarian went, staring down the passage for a moment. "And keep the loud one under control. I care not who leads, but I have no patience for posturing and no time to wait for disputes to be settled."

2920 - Shrsholn - Mon Sep 3, 2001 0:09am

Upon receiving it, she downs a goodly amount, and hands it back to Larshes'ke, who finishes it off.

They remain silent, and hold hands with their (3) eyes closed.

"Elise", you hear from the cave, "we could use your strength here..."

Turning back, you see that the orc has his falchion at the ready, facing the way you came in. "I'll guard him.", he ofers.

2924 - mistwalker_ - Mon Sep 3, 2001 6:31am

2930 - Shrsholn - Mon Sep 3, 2001 3:16pm

Throk, Silthis, and Escemine are hauling bits of wreckage ashore, the barbarioan in the black, bubbling water.
"There's a heavy chest, I can't quite get it alone...", Throk shouts, the echo booming several times.

Silthis, flying over him, casts a pale blue radiance to provide light.
Escemine, motions you over, and hands you the end of a rope fastened around the chest.

[Please give me a STR SR if you intend to help]

2935 - mistwalker_ - Mon Sep 3, 2001 9:27pm

(Rolled an 11. I believe that clears a level 5 saving roll?)

2936 - Shrsholn - Mon Sep 3, 2001 11:24pm

It is a steamer-trunk-sized chest. It is glossy black, perhaps with inlaid stone, and is bound in bronze and gold.

There are two large bronze rings on either side -- handles -- and it is hinged, though no lock is obvious on the opposite face.

With its face toward you, you all can see that there are three recessed buttons inside an elaborate filigree of gold.

"Bloody heavy that was!", Vrok chimes in.

"Is it magickal Silthis?", asks Escemine.

"Oh - y e a h !...its magickal alright...", she replies.

You don't allow your senses to become too focused on the chest, and you think that you see more wreckage freed from the cavernous river tunnel to the north and floating into the hot spring.

[Please, a LCK SR, if you don't mind.]

2937 - mistwalker_ - Mon Sep 3, 2001 11:28pm

2938 - Shrsholn - Mon Sep 3, 2001 11:39pm

Within seconds, a fog envelops the four of you, and you all begin to suffocate.

[CON SR Please]

2939 - mistwalker_ - Mon Sep 3, 2001 11:48pm

Elise's eyes widen as the steam engulfs her.
.oO(What the...)

2940 - Shrsholn - Tue Sep 4, 2001 1:13am

Vrok and Escemine are not so fortunate, and both look like they are about to go unconscious.
Silthis, seemingly unaffected so far, flees, shouting, "I'll warn the others!"

You manage to step back a yard or so, and can actually see the mist writhing and turning to pursue you as it still exacts its weight upon your two choking companions...

2941 - mistwalker_ - Tue Sep 4, 2001 1:24am

2942 - Shrsholn - Tue Sep 4, 2001 1:33am

They still have tendrils of the stuff in their mouths and nostrils, and look only mildly better. They're not as hardy as you...

However, once Larshes'ke arrives, driving a stiff breeze toward them and fog, they recover, though just in time by the looks of it.

"The same mist giant! It must sense the contents of the chest. Hurry, we must get the chest into the tunnel so we can seal off the chamber!", she shouts.

Vrok, barely able to stand, can offer no help.

[Give me another STR SR, but at a bonus = 1d roll]

2943 - mistwalker_ - Tue Sep 4, 2001 1:45am

2944 - Shrsholn - Tue Sep 4, 2001 1:53am

Hoisting the chest up onto Elise's back, she stomps the few yards to the tunnel, and swings it off her shoulders, into the opening with a loud *K-b o o m !

Even Lady Silkervish jumps.

Larshes'ke is helping Vrok and Escemine into the tunnel, as she begins to maneuver her arms in odd ways, manipulating her fingers as if she were playing a phantom harp, slowly stepping backward as she casts.

The fog begins to near, but is stopped by an invisible wall which completely seals-off the opening.

Panting, Elise looks around, especially down the tunnel, but only sees a now conscious Kellis, looking rather surprised!

2962 - mistwalker_ - Wed Sep 5, 2001 10:04am

"You do realise, that's the way our quarry went." She says to no one in particular, looking back towards the pool. "What is in the chest? Why were we attacked for it?"

2963 - Shrsholn - Wed Sep 5, 2001 1:05pm

"Why were we attacked for magic items? Are they so powerful?", Vrok asks, accusingly?

"Well, if you must know...", Silkervish says, kneeling before the clasp, intent on opening the box.

You hear a hermetic seal being broken, and air rushing into the box as she lifts the clasp -- having manipulated the recessed buttons in one movement.

The tunel is filled with a musty, earthen smell.

Inside you see all the articles she described, but laying atop an ogre-zombie curled up inside the padded red satin interior!

"By Krom's left--!" Vrok begins with a shout, hoisting his axe up into the air above the Lady's head...

2968 - mistwalker_ - Wed Sep 5, 2001 11:22pm

"Well, if you must know...", Silkervish says, kneeling before the clasp, intent on opening the box.

Elise sighs and stands back up, stepping back out of her way.

Inside you see all the articles she described, but laying atop an ogre-zombie curled up inside the padded red satin interior!

"By Krom's left--!" Vrok begins with a shout, hoisting his axe up into the air above the Lady's head...

"Put the axe down. Now. I didn't pull you out of that mist so you could threaten my employer."

2971 - Shrsholn - Thu Sep 6, 2001 2:59pm

2972 - mistwalker_ - Thu Sep 6, 2001 10:25pm

2973 - mistwalker_ - Fri Sep 7, 2001 8:57am

>Rolled 10+4 and 6+4 for the broadswords. 24 +28 (adds) +8 (warrior bonus) =60.<
>Armor stops 13 x2 =26 this round, if needed.<

2979 - Shrsholn - Fri Sep 7, 2001 6:13pm

However, her second sword blade cleaves through his torso just under his arms.
He is quite dead.

The axe wound feels like frost-bite, and steam wafts lazily from the damaged armor on Elise's left hip.
The searing cold continues to spread, and she finds it difficult to stand.

[DEX SR @ -03, please]

2991 - mistwalker_ - Sun Sep 9, 2001 2:22pm

2993 - Shrsholn - Sun Sep 9, 2001 9:43pm

The icy feeling spreads further down to Elise's thigh, and up a bit, to her ribs.

Steadying yourself on the chest, you hear Lady Silkervish muttering enchantments, and your wound is healed -- and the numbing effect neutralized.

"We need you intact Elise! Good show, you'll be rewarded with my rare generosity upon our return to civilization. Does anyone care to use his axe, or may I equip my zombie with it?"

2997 - mistwalker_ - Tue Sep 11, 2001 4:33pm

The icy feeling spreads further down to Elise's thigh, and up a bit, to her ribs.

As the warmth returns to her hip she stands upright again, examining the now vanished wound and the gash in her armor.

"We need you intact Elise! Good show, you'll be rewarded with my rare generosity upon our return to civilization. Does anyone care to use his axe, or may I equip my zombie with it?"

3000 - eickeric - Tue Sep 11, 2001 8:47pm

1). Designing a character sheet that I like, and serves my purposes

3). Avoiding other entanglements

I'd appreciate keeping anything but _In Character_ discussions out of this thread, and will gladly answer questions in another thread,

Editor's note: Following is a reply to post 2722.

Spells are not limited to the book, but I would like to introduce the new ones -- to keep the campiness to a minimum,

Editor's note: Following is a reply to post 2767.

As far as the game.... House rules (look for the link elsewhere on BFT), 8th level, serious if possible -- until it can no longer be helped --

Editor's note: Back to post 2793.

Shrsholn: Folks who are interested in a serious game, and are willing to jump through one hoop for me,

namely, willing to give me characters that I will convert to my house rules -- please send me e-mail

3002 - Shrsholn - Tue Sep 11, 2001 10:59pm

Was interested- seemed like an interesting concept and I loved the descriptive nature, but I’ve decided to give it a pass for now.
The tone doesn’t seem right for me- [...](I might not play the heroes, but at least we try to side with the good guys.)Good storyline though. I’ll keep reading.

3006 - Shrsholn - Wed Sep 12, 2001 2:09pm

The thing, male, is a hulking creature, and evidently well preserved by the lack of stench -- only an earthy, musty smell.

Armed with Vrok's charmed axe, the leather-clad brute adds a strange sense of security to the operation -- though maneuvering it about these tunnels may prove its undoing.

"We should prepare to set out when we are recoperated." Silkervish suggests to the group, which is otherwise silent.

3007 - tarandracon - Wed Sep 12, 2001 3:09pm

3008 - throst54 - Wed Sep 12, 2001 7:22pm

namely, willing to give me characters that I will convert to my house rules – please send me e-mail

>Was interested- seemed like an interesting concept and I loved the descriptive nature, but I’ve decided to give it a pass for now.<<<chopped>>>Good storyline though. I’ll keep reading.

--Throst

3009 - throst54 - Wed Sep 12, 2001 7:25pm

--Throst

3013 - Shrsholn - Wed Sep 12, 2001 11:10pm

Hard to swallow: African, or European?

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