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Post by Dave B. on Mar 4, 2016 20:36:36 GMT -4
Shorak just stares out at the vortex that only he can see. "We are not far from our destination." He points towards the area where he makes out the way home. The way home! Are they really going to leave this place. Shorak shakes his head, unsure of whether or not any of them still lives. He struggles to remember. "How long have we been here?" He whispers. "Have we always been here and is the vortex just an illusion? It doesn't matter. Either we will leave and return to Stormreach or we will not."
He hunkers down to check his weapon and clean it. He ignores his wounds, his mouth a thin line of concentration on the task. In fact, it has been some time now since his usual smiling countenance has made an appearance.
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
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Post by Joe on Mar 4, 2016 21:35:31 GMT -4
He turns to Streko and taps on the scale armor. "This is cursed. When I am wounded, for some reason, you are also wounded. While I was in the pit, I had to fight for my survival against a ghoul named the Black Wolf. He managed to get past my defenses and I was hit. Did you take any damage? Did the distance between us make any difference?" "If distance made a difference it wasn't significant. I will guess that Streko received the same injuries. We need to fix that." Adamant looks over the group and notes his own wounds. He touches the octogram on his chest; the old habit still grounds him in this place. "We should assess our condition in general. Shall we heal a bit while we wait for Belarin and Histra to return? We must remember to save something for Belarin, I believe he will still be injured when he becomes himself again." "I am prepared to assist Belarin when the time comes for him to revert to his human form. In the meantime, allow me to take a look at that armor, Condign." One hand grasps his holy symbol and the other touches the Tiefling's new chest piece. "Olladra, I ask that you please remove the stain of evil surrounding this fine armor, for the damage inflicted upon it injures your most humble servant. I pray to you, Olladra, in Your blessed name. "Hopefully, the armor itself will remain intact and useful to you, my friend. At the very least, it will make living in the armor less painful for us both." ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Streko casts Remove Curse upon Condign's armor.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 5, 2016 17:05:10 GMT -4
"Do not follow," Histra says morosely as she disappears from view up the stairs. "Rest, if you can. We will be back soon. I will treat Belarin." Her voice fades away, too. When Streko lays his hands on the chestpiece of Condign's banded mail and speaks his prayer, he feels its warped energies come alive. He remembers Condign, having just placed the armor upon him and even after removing part of it again to test it, and nothing happened. Yet when he next interacted with one of his companions—Streko himself, for Condign had unburdened some of his possessions and Streko had placed them in his enchanted haversack—the curse had risen to the fore. A malevolent, one-way link was forged between them in that instant. They touched only minimally in the handover, but it was enough for the curse to select its second victim. Once its power was revealed, Condign would not have been able to remove any of the armor.
The magic of the armor flares under Streko's fingers, but it relents...for a moment. Streko knows that Condign needs to remove the armor and he has enough time, but the curse will not be permanently stripped from the armor. Only suppressed for a few minutes.
All of this happens in a matter of seconds. Condign feels none of it, but Streko can relay it. Streko casts Remove Curse. Very smart thinking on Joe's part, since he selected this spell when you guys were shopping for new items in the sphinx's prison.
Ken: See private thread.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Mar 5, 2016 17:27:40 GMT -4
Condign hears Streko's explanation of the curse and his heart sinks. As he starts removing the armor, he briefly considers running back to the lighthouse for either his old chainmail, or possibly the plate, but quickly sees the futility in this. They need to return to Stormreach, and soon.
"Maybe I can buy a leather jerkin in town," he says, dropping the last piece of armor. "It might help deflect a dart, or a mosquito, or a smelly gnoll fart." He turns to face the others. "So, what happened to Belarin? And how did the emissary find you?"
_______________________________________
Sorry, Joe, for jumping ahead, but I figured Streko would tell Condign about the armor and I wanted to save some time.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
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Post by Darren on Mar 5, 2016 18:37:23 GMT -4
"Don't worry about it, Condign," Kal says, raising a hand to place it on Condign's shoulder, then remembering and withdrawing it as though the armor were a serpent. "We have plenty of coin and friends with plenty more. You will not be unprotected for long."
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 5, 2016 21:12:00 GMT -4
A few minutes into this exchange and you a hear distant, almost plaintive croak of a large bird. It comes from higher up the rocky spire where Belarin and Histra went. A minute later, a large brown feather flutters down. When it touches the ground, it turns to dust and scatters.
Streko is the first to understand that this means the polymorph spell has ended.
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
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Post by Joe on Mar 5, 2016 21:54:44 GMT -4
"Well," Streko says, "at least the bird part of Belarin's bird-brained ideas regarding this place are gone for now. Hopefully, he is well and Histra isn't ravaging him...or at least heals him first. Gods, I want out of this place. Also, we still have the Sphinx to concern ourselves with...and the ir'Serrells. Is there anyone on this world we haven't yet made enemies of?" He laughs softly to himself and smiles. It feels good to smile.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
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Post by Darren on Mar 6, 2016 1:38:37 GMT -4
"Well, Streko, you can't be a hero without making a few enemies." Kal grins, then groans, as he sits on a rock. "I miss Varna," he says with a sad smile at his Halfling friend.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 6, 2016 18:48:22 GMT -4
Tangat takes this time to slink around the ledge, nuzzling each person in turn with his muzzle and just generally wagging his tail at each of you. When he's done, it curls up at the base of Kal's legs but whines softly a little bit. Kal understands: he's just very weary of this place and struggling for morale himself. He's exhibited no real appetite since coming into Dolurrh.
Then again, most of you have not felt any pangs of hunger, either. Yet you know you must be.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
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Post by Dave W. on Mar 6, 2016 20:15:52 GMT -4
Tangat takes this time to slink around the ledge, nuzzling each person in turn with his muzzle and just generally wagging his tail at each of you. When he's done, it curls up at the base of Kal's legs but whines softly a little bit. Kal understands: he's just very weary of this place and struggling for morale himself. He's exhibited no real appetite since coming into Dolurrh.Then again, most of you have not felt any pangs of hunger, either. Yet you know you must be. Adamant kneels down near Tangat. He makes small creaking noises from his injuries. "Are you alright Little Warrior? We are near to our destination, this quest will soon be over." He reaches out to touch the animal, "Very soon." Looking up to Kal and Streko, he adds with some shadow of his former light, "We are measured by our enemies so, why would we want few or weak ones?" "So we have another fight ahead. There will always be another. It is written 'only the dead rest'... I'm not sure that's even true... We should try to be ready. How are our injuries? Shorak, is all of that blood yours?" So should we spend our healing? I think Adamant has his 35 points of Lay on Hands and a bunch of spells. we should keep some spell slots, but we shouldn't be this drained either...
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
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Post by Darren on Mar 6, 2016 21:50:52 GMT -4
"See to Shorak and Streko," Kal replies to Adamant. "And perhaps see if you can patch yourself up a bit. Condign?" Kal calls over his shoulder. "Will you be able to make it back? Were you too badly mishandled by the arachnids?"
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Post by Dave B. on Mar 6, 2016 22:31:37 GMT -4
Shorak finishes with his weapon and rests his hands on his knees, staring straight ahead. His lips are still compressed in a thin line, his eyes a little teary with bags under them.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
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Post by Brian on Mar 7, 2016 6:32:25 GMT -4
"See to Shorak and Streko," Kal replies to Adamant. "And perhaps see if you can patch yourself up a bit. Condign?" Kal calls over his shoulder. "Will you be able to make it back? Were you too badly mishandled by the arachnids?" "I am well enough," Condign says. "The spiders were not the issue. I encountered an unusual ghoul named the Black Wolf. He tried to deny his nature and leave me be, and for a time we actually conversed. He had been part of a mercenary party hired by one of the dragonmarked houses to search for the Eye. He was killed by a group of tieflings led by a seer named Orvak. I had heard of him back in Stormreach, from a female tiefling named Ajdalarr. She wanted me to meet him, possibly to join him. I do not know." He pauses. "We fought. He did not want to linger down there, food for the spiders. He is finally at rest." Then Condign remembers something and withdraws a piece of paper from his pouch. "I found this on his body." He reads the note. _________________________________________ Condign used most of his superiority dice in his fight with the Black Wolf. He has one left. Besides being squishy, he won't be much help in a fight.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 7, 2016 6:59:15 GMT -4
Meanwhile, as the minutes pass, it seems evident that Histra and Belarin are taking enough time together that a rest may be called for.
So if you'd like to spend any unspent hit dice for a short rest, you can!
I'll get back to you about the note, Brian.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
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Post by Brian on Mar 7, 2016 9:37:54 GMT -4
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
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Post by Dave W. on Mar 7, 2016 22:29:48 GMT -4
Adamant remains kneeling, petting Tangat as they wait for Histra to finish Belarin. He draws a comfort from the simple motions. I'm going to spend 3 HD and keep 1 in reserve... dlw32:3D10+6 → 18(2 +6 +4 + 6)#3 HD of rest
After spending what HD we want, is there anyone who feels the need for spell-like healing?
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Post by Dave B. on Mar 7, 2016 22:30:48 GMT -4
Shorak uses 3HD and recovers 12 hps.
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Mar 8, 2016 1:18:59 GMT -4
Streko will use his remaining 3 hit dice and regains 14 hit points:
3d8 = 14 (4 +2 +8)
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 8, 2016 7:00:28 GMT -4
Done. Hit points updated. Anything else anyone wish to discuss before waiting for Belarin to return?
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 8, 2016 7:50:47 GMT -4
When Condign examines the folded up paper, he finds it a ratty, poorly-protected letter of credit associated with the Kundarak bank, as notarized by House Sivis. By the date, it looks like it's a little less than a year old. However, whatever funds or goods it represents are not known. However, scrawled in barely legible words on the opposite side of the paper is written: IF I DIE, PLEEZ BRING TO KUNDERAK
-EW
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
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Post by Brian on Mar 8, 2016 9:53:54 GMT -4
Condign frowns at the note, and slips it back into his pouch. If they ever make it back to Stormreach, he'll have to pay a visit to the bank.
______________________________________________________________
I'm healed up and ready to go. Unless someone wants to post "I told Condign about Belarin" for continuity sake, of course.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 9, 2016 12:56:26 GMT -4
About an hour and a half after the vulture-Belarin and stiff-moving Histra climbed up to the narrow stairwell higher up to the spire of rock, they return. This time Belarin is once again human: conscious, looking in somewhat better condition, although his clothes are still as torn up as they'd been when the knight-wraith had hefted him up. Histra looks to be in a better state now; whatever affliction had altered her voice and movement seems gone now.
When everyone has gathered, she says, "We can pass through the ghouls' warren to leave this place. I trust it will be a little quieter than before—but not necessarily safe. I am impressed that you have bargained with Shadowfell spiders, but it's unfortunate you had to."
"The yugoloth is still about. We have rested the night, and so has he. You have found a way out? If so, I can confirm it when we are closer to it."
No one seems to have clued Condign in about Belarin, but here he is now.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
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Post by Brian on Mar 9, 2016 13:43:05 GMT -4
Condign approaches Belarin and peers carefully at the warlock. "Hmm, I do not see any feathers," he says slowly, then breaks into a smile. "It is good to see you back to your old self. Try to stay human for a little while, please." He turns to Histra. "My lady, Shorak has spied a way out. He can lead us to the portal. I suggest you and he proceed with Adamant. The rest of us will follow." His gold eyes cut to Kal. "What do you say? Does it sound like a plan? I for one am eager to get home."
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
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Post by Darren on Mar 9, 2016 16:41:27 GMT -4
Kal grins at Condign. "Agreed. Let us get out of this gods-forsaken place. You and your family can have it, Histra."
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 9, 2016 17:18:51 GMT -4
Histra sneers at Kal. "We do not come blundering into this plane and on short notice, as you have. Our research here is guided by extensive planning, and by cooler heads."
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
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Post by Dave W. on Mar 9, 2016 17:57:54 GMT -4
Histra sneers at Kal. "We do not come blundering into this plane and on short notice, as you have. Our research here is guided by extensive planning, and by cooler heads." "And we had planning for this excursion. I'm afraid your cousin disrupted the execution of the plan." Adamant adds. "But for now let us find our way out of here. Shorak, I will follow your lead."
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 9, 2016 18:23:41 GMT -4
"Correction, warforged," Histra says. "You had decided to come the day before, and then insisted upon. That is not planning. It was ill-advised, even under the best circumstances. But yes, my cousin ensured less favorable—" She just stops, as if weary of thinking about it. "Let us go." She indicates for Shorak to lead.
She starts down the narrows stairs again, leaning on her staff which is still bereft of the skeletal sahuagin arm.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
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Post by Ken on Mar 9, 2016 18:24:07 GMT -4
Belarin smirks at Condign's statement. "I won't make any promises," he says. "I have to admit, though -- flying naked was an exhilarating experience. Almost enough to ignore the fact that I was as ugly as an otyugh's ass. Do otyughs even HAVE asses? It seems like they're one giant ass, yes? I'll be sure to annoy Larest with these questions when we get back."
He follows behind Adamant, Shorak, and Histra as they set off. "Quite true, Adamant," he says. "We'll have a chat with Branash, to be sure."
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
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Post by Darren on Mar 9, 2016 18:40:58 GMT -4
Kal holds up his hands defensively. "You'll get no arguments from me, Histra. It was ill-conceived and on short notice. Sometimes circumstances dictate plans for us. We survived..." Kal trails off, thinking of Syrdan.
"It's good to see you back to yourself, Belarin. Clearly your mind survived..." Kal chuckles, "...intact."
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
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Post by Brian on Mar 9, 2016 21:07:21 GMT -4
"I will take up a position at the rear," Condign says. "I may be squishy, but I am not totally defenseless." He gestures to Streko. "Come, my friend. Tell me what happened while I was held hostage by the spiders."
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