Chapter 10: Eye of the Storm

[Joe]

Jul 22, 2012 23:32:12 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal turns his head in the direction Streko had indicated. For the sake of anyone watching, he says, "Is that our friend with the map?" He squints, taking a few steps towards the conflict. "Damn it all, it is. Streko, I believe someone is trying to take what is ours." Hefting his sharrash to his shoulder, Kal runs off down the street.

Streko takes in a deep sigh. "It's nice to know that some things never change."

He chuckles gently to himself, then, he pulls out Therendor and follows Kal back toward whatever might happen next.

[Dave B.]

Fairly sure that he hasn't been noticed, Shorak holds steady in the shadows. He places his hand onto his boomerang, ready to draw and throw if necessary. He mentally applauds Adamant/Redoubt for his quick thinking. If the wizard thinks Belarin/Nerrin has teleported away, the situation may not escalate towards any unnecessary violence.

[Brian]

"By Khyber," mutters Condign as he sees Belarin and the others attacked. "And I was having such a pleasant evening."

With that said, he draws his sword and follows after Kal.

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Whoo-hoo, a battle while I'm in Istanbul! How could a vacation get any better? The time difference is seven hours here, so I'll do my best to make an abbreviated battle post as possible.

Having a great time, btw. ;D

[Jeff]

The wizard frowns when Belarin seems to vanish. Adamant tears himself free from the webs several moments later. Ignoring the warforged, the human looks every which way, suddenly paranoid or at least looking like it.

"Forward," he orders the large figure in the shadows.

And then the hulk emerges. Looming as high as an ogre, it little resembles one. Instead, insectoid features sprout from a gangly yet sinewed frame, with large mandibles, huge claws, and bug-like eyes.

An umber hulk, to be sure, a very dangerous monster. And clearly far from the subterranean lairs they're said to dwell in and carve for themselves!

"Just....wait," the wizard adds as the hulk swivels its alien head from side to side. It moves with a vaguely ponderous bulk.

Every nearby person the street starts to run away!

Meanwhile, Kal, Streko, and Streko draw closer, and now spot the mighty bug-beast standing several paces away from the wizard who obviously holds its leash. But they also see that no proper battle has broken out just yet.

Shorak also feels he's still unnoticed by the wizard, but now he can't tell about the umber hulk. The creature's strange face is difficult to read. Though the half-drow has heard many tales of umber hulks breaking up out of the ground in the ruins across Xen'drik. Those stories almost always end with fatalities, as drow native and foreign expeditioner alike have fallen prey to the terrible beasts many times over.

[Darren]

Kal grumbles under his breath when he sees the massive creature. He slows a bit, and when he speaks, his voice echoes through the now deserted street, unnaturally amplified by the power of his own magic. "Leave him be!" he shouts. "That man has business with me, and I will not see him harmed! If you do not desist, you will answer to Kalarian d'Deneith."

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Kal is using Ghost Sound to amplify his voice. He will proceed towards the fight at a brisk walk.

[Ken]

In the shadows, Belarin gapes in astonishment and even fear at the huge creature. He can't help but feel instinctual revulsion at what is essentially a giant insect. He racks his brain for some tidbit of academic information about this Thing. Insect... lives underground... massively strong... digs tunnels in the dark... yes, in the DARK! That's what it's doing... it's using something other than sight to find me... heat? No. Would've found me. Movement? Yes, like an earthworm! Must stay still and hope that damn wizard gives up....

Yet Belarin also knows that his ability to gather shadows is, like all gifts of the Fey, fickle. The shadows will dissipate in seconds if he doesn't keep moving -- but doing so would likely reveal his presence to the hulking creature. And that would start a fight, which -- considering the day's arduous events -- could prove fatal to him and his friends.

Reluctantly, he quietly pulls out the black candle and, using a bit of his own life force, activates it. The shadows thicken around him -- and a deathly chill washes over him. Belarin's vision swims as he feels himself fall dangerously close to unconsciousness. He rights himself and holds his breath.

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I made a roll to see what knowledge Belarin would have (as opposed to what Ken would know!). Based on the results of the Nature check (25), Belarin would know the physical & ecological stuff, but not the umber hulk's bizarre abilities.
Minor: Retrieve the Candle of Night.
Standard (I think): Activate it by spending 1 healing surge, which leaves Belarin with just 2 surges for the day.

[Dave W.]

"Yes, well, that's a fine creature you have..." Adamant starts with an obvious note of nervousness, "Is it common to have them in the city. I think you're scaring the citizens, the Host knows you're scaring me a bit."

"So, since my Master is gone to chase the winds, and I'm truthfully on the verge of scampering like a small furry creature myself, I see no reason this need get ugly or painful. Perhaps I'll just head on my way and you and your, umm, pet? on yours."

Hearing Kal, Adamant calls back (using only his voice, but he hopes it cares far enough), "Lord d'Deneith, my master has teleported away, he and the map are safely away from here. I do not think you or I have any need to further entangle ourselves with this gentleman."


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I think for subterranean monsters it's actually Dungeoneering... doesn't matter for my result... Adamant knows nothing, nothing!!
Dungeoneering (1d20+6=10)

Adamant's free so move S (costs 2 with Web), S, SW. Ending at the corner of the building, Just SE of Shorak, though I don't know that Adamant knows that. I'm thinking that if he can't see Shorak or Belarin, he's going to position himself to run down this alleyway to his back and see if it's too narrow for the creature.

[Joe]

Streko pulls up short (ahem) and stares into the giant bug thing in front of him.

"I never thought something could be more profoundly hideous than an Otyugh. I stand corrected. At least it doesn't smell like refuse. Yet."

[Dave B.]

When the Umber Hulk appears, Shorak holds his breath, keeping perfectly still. He hopes that the creature did not notice his presence. When Adamant/Redoubt moves towards his position, Shorak starts breathing again. If nothing else, the large warforged has given him something to hide behind. Nevertheless, Shorak prepares himself to either fight or flee. Fleeing being the preferred option.

[Brian]

Allowing Kal to take the lead, Condign waits to see how this plays out. But he is ready to charge the Umber Hulk when needed.

[Jeff]

The umber hulk shifts its head back and forth as if looking—but seems to see nothing. It keeps returning its strange gaze to Adamant, who doesn't know quite what to make of it except that the bug-monster seems to be sizing him up.

Belarin, as he feels the bone-numbing chill of the candle, knowing he's hidden by the shadows that leak from it, wonders at why he hasn't been spotted, since he's heard that such creatures can "see" through mere vibration. Can the candle hide him from even this?

At last, as the webs begin to disintegrate—and the pedestrian still caught in its strands flees—the wizard mutters a curse. He looks at last to Adamant and raises his voice so that Kal (and Streko and Condign) can hear, too. "Your master is a coward, warforged. Perhaps the map he carries is as worthless as he is!"

He gestures at the umber hulk. "Go back," he says, and the creature starts to turn.

Back up the street where you came from, you see the elderly gnome in the wide-brimmed hat approaching. He looks puzzled by the scene and the sight of the vanishing webs.

[Darren]

Kal grins. "Yes," he says, his voice still amplified. "Go back to YOUR master and tell him it is worthless. Tell him not to bother and to stop wasting his time." Kal plants the butt of his sharrash in the street and stands with his other hand on his hip, waiting for further challenge.

[Dave W.]

Jul 25, 2012 11:48:12 GMT -4 Jeff said:

At last, as the webs begin to disintegrate—and the pedestrian still caught in its strands flees—the wizard mutters a curse. He looks at last to Adamant and raises his voice so that Kal (and Streko and Condign) can hear, too. "Your master is a coward, warforged. Perhaps the map he carries is as worthless as he is!"

 

"He is a man of considerable faults," Adamant agrees. He stays perfectly still until the wizard and creature are gone.

"But at least he's not as gullible as you."

[Ken]

Belarin doesn't move until the wizard and the creature are clearly out of the way. He watches Kal, Condign, and Streko come down the street; through the necromantic haze of the black candle's "flame," his three friends look like a bright red embers of life in the cold ashes of a fireplace. The chill increases. He hears echoing whispers behind him, increasing in volume. Other passersby? Or the lost souls of Dolurrh? Histra's warning not to let the candle burn for too long jolts his mind like a point of a dagger. Can't risk extinguishing it... not yet.... And he finds himself smiling. There's a thrill to being this close -- truly, physically close -- to that deathly world of shadows.

[Dave B.]

Shorak watches the wizard and his pet leave. Even then he stays completely still for a few more moments, just to be sure.

[Jeff]

Soon the wizard and the umber hulk are out of sight. Both left by means of the alley beside the rock wall.

Sem Darlesh, in his guise as the elderly gnome in the hat, strolls onto the scene at the same time as Kal, Condign, and Streko. He looks around and finally settles his eyes on Adamant. "Well, that looked interesting, young man. Did that...thing give you gooseflesh, too? Looks like I missed something fantastic."

He pauses, yawning. "It's been a long day. I think I'll go and bid my mind to Dal Quor." He starts to walk on.

[Darren]

Kal glares at the wizard as he leaves. Then he calls out to Adamant, "Keep your master safe. I will be in touch." With a last look around for any trouble, Kal, too, moves off towards their lodgings.

[Ken]

Once the threat is gone and the others have begun moving off, Belarin takes a few steps toward Adamant and - mentally twisting off another piece of his life energy - "extinguishes" the black candle. He limps toward his bodyguard and finally leans against him. Adamant senses that this last action is not part of the Nerrin masquerade.

"I thought that Deneith fellow would never leave," he says as Nerrin. "Yes, I'm sure you were concerned, Redoubt. I simply ran off to try to find an extra-large flyswatter for that loathsome insect. Was it leashed? Was that legal? Oh never mind." He looks up at Adamant and says earnestly. "You've done very well today, Redoubt. Now let's get back to our rooms. I'm very tired."

[Dave W.]

Jul 26, 2012 8:46:17 GMT -4 Jeff said:

[Sem says to Adamant]. "Well, that looked interesting, young man. Did that...thing give you gooseflesh, too? Looks like I missed something fantastic."

"Gooseflesh?" Adamant says glancing at his arm, "no, still metal and wood. The experience was... extraordinary." Adamant nods to Sem, "Travel safely in those realms, my lord."

After promising Kal that he would take care of "Master Nerrin", Adamant waits for his friend to re-appear. When he does, Adamant barely controls his reaction. Just a note of Adamants concern breaks through the Redoubt facade as his friend limps towards him, "You look terrible... Nerrin."

When Belarin leans on him, a chill runs through the warforged. "Lean on me as much as you need," he whispers to his weakened friend, concern now flowing out. 

[Dave B.]

When the wizard and the Umber Hulk are finally gone, Shorak lets out a sigh and leans against the building that has been providing the shadows he's been hiding in. He gives himself a moment to find some composure and then prepares to follow Adamant/Redoubt and Belarin/Nerrin when they head off to their lodgings. He is looking forward to a good night's rest. It has been quite a long day.

[Jeff]

Upon returning to the Cornerstone—without further incident, and without, to the best of your knowledge, being followed—you find Sem Darlesh is already there, ahead of you. There is no sign of his disguise.

Rinti is curled up on the floor, in one corner, still wearing her new Deneith page uniform. Starg stands close over her. "She seems most comfortable this way," he says quietly to Kal when he enters, trying not to wake her. "I can understand this."

Larest seems to have retired already.

"Get some rest," Sem says, also sounding tired. "If you thought today was long and filled with new friends and enemies, imagine tomorrow."

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Chapter 10 (which encompassed just one day, yikes) is about to end. You're about to get some good XP for the day, not just from monsters. Best to start thinking about leveling up decisions.

[Darren]

Kal smiles at the sleeping Rinti, then motions for Tangat to curl up by her side, if he chooses.

Kalarian stifles a yawn. By the Host, was it really just this morning that we faced off against an Ettin? And this afternoon that I stood face-to-face with a dragon? And tonight, to nearly face that lumbering beast! I wager that's more than even the greatest heroes of Deneith have done in any single day... He fights back another yawn, and steps up to Sem. "I appreciate you joining us on our little mission. Before we retire, I'd like to hear your observations."

[Jeff]

The gnome rubs his eyes, yawns, takes a breath, and in that single breath says: "You two did fine. Inspired some chatter, got some attention. Those young soldier-men I hired to go in and cause a minor scene helped, too; made more people notice, I'd say. That wizard could be trouble, so be careful. Though, I suspect the umber hulk was just an illusion." Sem yawns again. "Goodnight."

[Darren]

"Clever gnome," Kal says with a grin.

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Okay, Jeff clearly wants to move on. I'm good to go.

[Ken]

Belarin chuckles at Sem's creativity. "That was good, very good." He looks to Adamant and Shorak and says, "Gentlemen, it's my pleasure to consider you my friends -- and my honor to have had you at my back today. I look forward to more insanity tomorrow! Good night." He wearily heads to his bed.

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Ready to move on.

[Dave W.]

Adamant is relieved when everyone is gathered again in the relative safety of their rooms. He mentions to Sem and Kal that Rinti could have his bed, "I have no earthly need of it."

Responding to Belarin, "Thank you Belarin. You dissembled brilliantly. Hopefully we all did some good today."

"Rest well friends."

Adamant moves to the wall near the stairs and stands tall. His eye-gems dim.
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Also ready to move on.

[Joe]

Jul 28, 2012 8:53:05 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The gnome rubs his eyes, yawns, takes a breath, and in that single breath says: "You two did fine. Inspired some chatter, got some attention. Those young soldier-men I hired to go in and cause a minor scene helped, too; made more people notice, I'd say. That wizard could be trouble, so be careful. Though, I suspect the umber hulk was just an illusion." Sem yawns again. "Goodnight."

Streko shakes his head.

"Damnable gnomes," he mutters to himself. Then, he notices Kal's grin and decides not to be so angry at Sem. After all, he's on their side. Still...

"What IS it with those creatures? Why must they be so... inconsistent?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak smiles at Bealarin in gratitude. "It has been a long and interesting day. Rest well everyone." Shorak will wait for everyone else to choose a bed before turning in for the night. There is definitely much to sleep on.

Ready to move on.

[Brian]

Condign nods a goodnight to everyone and heads to his bed. After removing his armor and making sure it is in good repair, he unties the braid of hair from his belt. With a thick thumb, he caresses it, and a small smile graces his face.

"I have never been so busy in my life" he says softly. "I think you would be proud of me. And I am sure you would have liked my new friends. They certainly make the world a more interesting place." He brings the braid to his lips and kisses it. "Goodnight, my dear."

He places the braid beneath his pillow, crawls into his bed, and closes his eyes.

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Ready to move on.

[Jeff]

And that's a wrap, folks. My next in-game post will begin Chapter 11. I think I'll be able to get to it tonight or tomorrow at the latest.