Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Nihal]

((I'm assuming that Mauve knows the details about the wizard-variant of this spell, for she looked forward to learn it.

Burnbright was with Rydh, inside the room.))

I look at the barbarian woman, forcing myself to focus on her words. She's asking about the darkness. Yes, the darkness. It seems like if it happened ages ago, the time when I studied such things. I was a different person back then.

"Daylight." I manage to answer, shaking my head in disagreement.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Is she answering me? What kind of an answer is 'daylight?'

You use too many words, Baldy! Don't confuse the poor girl!

But she's the smartest person in the room.

One would have to be to understand what you're talking about sometimes. Don't bombard her with reasons. Just clarify what you want her to do.



"Mauve? I'm asking you if you will cast a Light Spell on a shield." I point to Cadell's shield.



I should probably tell her how we can use the shield to plow through the darkness, which cancelled by the light, should be the equivalent of wandering the halls without a torch. Maybe we need a--

No, you shouldn't tell her anything! Just wait for an answer!

 

[Nihal]

"No." I shake my head again, attempting to clear my mind.

They know nothing of magic. Don't forget where you are. I realize I was so stunned that I couldn't even formulate proper thoughts. I must answer something she would understand.

"If it's darkness... the one I know, light won't work. Only daylight. They never taught me."

I was too young. I won't do it, anyway.

 

[Steerpike]

((The table is movable and made of wood. I'm attempting to update the map now so get your last actions in)).

 

[Philip Overby]

Wherever Baldhart goes, I'll be firing bolts at any lizards in my path. "Ya! Giddy up!" I whip her pigtails like a horse's reins. "Just kidding..."

 

[Steerpike]

((New map. Please hold actions until description is up

EDIT: Dang, just realized I forgot to delete the table from the middle of the room after showing where it was moved to barricade the door. Pretend there is no table in the middle of the room - it has been turned on its side and is in front of the doorway)).

 

[Steerpike]

Matthew and Rydh are with Burnbright, talking to her while keeping an eye on the hallway, helping the girl keep her nervousness in check and ensuring that she has protectors on hand.

Aliron manages to up-end the table a moment after Baldhart checks its weight and finds out it is relatively light - not hard to up-end and then push along the floor. As Aliron moves the table into place, Baldhart moves back into the hallway, behind the shieldwall, with Nod on her shoulders.

Baldhart talks to Mauve about casting another spell, and while Mauve answers, she seems a bit distracted, or still affected by her previous failed casting ((Mauve loses 1 hp from the runaway magic and also gains 1 points of Corruption)).

Darin and Cadell form a shield wall, facing the impenetrable darkness. Darin's face is grim, but when he catches Cadell's eye he gives a quick nod. "It is fitting, dwarf-friend, that you find yourself beside me in the face of the enemy."

Ankari moves into the darkness, and finding that it is impossible to see even within it, he pushes forward. The way in front of him, down the middle of the corridor, is not impeded, though it smells like reptile. The corridor remains dark even as Ankari reaches the far end of the corridor, the damp stone wall bringing him up short.

As Ankari turns to contemplate his next direction of movement, the darkness suddenly winks out, as though it were never there.

Two lizards, larger than the javelin-throwers, are pressed firmly against the walls along the side of the corridor, bows drawn back, arrows nocked. They stand, rigid, ready to fire. When the darkness blinks away, both sides immediately become aware of the location of the other.

((Party Initiative Roll)):



((Reptile Initiative Roll)):



Both sides are prepared for the other, though neither is entirely aware of the position of the other thanks to the darkness. When the darkness disappears, the party gets the jump and is able to act first.

((Hiljikki is en route)).

 

[Ireth]

I look down at Darin when he speaks, and smile rather grimly. "Indeed."

As the darkness gives way to the gloomy half-light of the tunnel, I can see the pair of large lizards up ahead, both with arrows primed to loose. I draw a deep breath and brace myself, knowing Darin and I are likely to be the first on our side impacted by the lizards' attack. If only I could do more than simply defend... But it cannot be helped.

 

[Ankari]

The darkness drops, and I am unscathed. I turn to see two larger troglodytes face my companions and marvel that I avoided them. Switching from axe to bow, I aim at the one on the left and shoot.

((Do I get a +90 because of the blindside attack?))

[url=http://www.unseenservant.com/Default.asp?do=showone&id=10003]Ranged Attack: [1d20+2] = 14+2 = 16 (Skewered Lizard tail anyone?)[/URL]

((FYI, I rolled the wrong macro. I get an additional +1 for longbow, making it a 17))

Arrow Damage: [1d8+3] = 4+3 = 7 (The dwarf did it)

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Ankari!" He lives!

Oh, you of little faith! I told you he's a survivor!

And I aim to keep him that way!

I charge the enemy on my left ((the one Ankari didn't shoot)) on Nod's 'giddy-up' command.

"My haaaaaaaiiiiiiiiir!"

I impale him and lift just for a second so Nod can shoot him in the face!

 

[Steerpike]

((As Baldhart is taking her action, I need one additional thing: WIS save)).

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((If you mean Baldhart has to do a WIS save, she failed. I can't roll a 19 WIS!))

((Oh... forgot to add level so I CAN roll a 19. But I didn't.))

 

[Nihal]

I look over my shoulder, noticing that my way is barred. I'm trapped! In front of us the darkness disappeared.

Isn't it the same..? The both of them are using bows. No, wait, where is the caster?!

"The side hallway!"

The barbarian is charging... I almost crouch, seeking the cover provided by the shields.

 

[Steerpike]

((Posting this now as it is pertinent to Nodrick's move, particularly, as well as moves by others)).

Baldhart charges toward the enemy, but as she crosses about half the width of the branching corridor she comes to a shuddering stop, Nodrick holding on for dear life not to be tossed forward into the enemy. Baldhart cannot speak, cannot move. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees vague reptilian shapes in the adjoining hall. Nodrick has free movement and still has his voice. He sees the two javelin-throwers in the side hallway, standing protectively in front of a large reptile wearing an old animal skull on its head. The reptile has a slender, refined shape that suggests a female. It wields a staff decorated with strips of leather from which animal bones hang. One hand is outstretched, clawed fingers open in the final act of a spell.

((Note, no one but Nodrick and Baldhart can actually see the caster and the other two reptiles, though it is clear to everyone that something happened to Baldhart)).

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Dammit, Baldy! I told you that you talk too much!

 

[Ireth]

I stiffen as Baldhart stops short, having heard Mauve's words about the side tunnel -- there must be enemies down there, and perhaps even the caster of the darkness spell. Fearing to see Baldhart get hurt, I rush forward, using my left arm to lock elbows with her, then wrapping my shield arm around her waist to ensure she is protected, while I try to pull her back behind Darin and the place I had just been standing.

((Assuming I need a STR check...

I don't know why I expected anything else. ._.))

Baldhart is too sturdy for me to move on my own. I look over my shoulder at Darin, mouthing the words, Help please?

((Anybody else with a good STR modifier, do feel free to step in. How about Mauve?))

 

[Nihal]

My blood is rushing. If it's a paralyzing spell the next step is a ranged attack, blocking the view won't work. I know what will work. I'm the only one who can do this.

I don't want to cast. At this rate I won't make to the South!

I try to deny it, but it's impossible: My survival depends on theirs. Dead don't travel!

I trust the dwarf to run to their aid, being impulsive as he is. It'll give me room. I raise my hand.

"WORK, DAMMIT!"

[1d20+2] = 7+2 = 9 #Spellcast
[1d20+2] = 1+2 = 3 #Spell saving throw


((Lol, nope. Oh, and I rolled an unnecessary (good!) saving throw for corruption, ignore it.))

 

[Ravana]

((Hiljikki is en route)).

((If she didn't scrounge up a torch, it'll be a while. Anyone want to fess up to leaving one in a pack or saddle bag?))

((…yes, that's right: she doesn't have one in her own possessions.))

•

((If she finds a torch, ignore the next section; she proceeds at a normal pace, trying to home in on the party's sounds. Of which there should be plenty, all things considered. They won't help at first, but should guide her easily enough when it comes to making choices which branch of a corridor to follow.))

•

((If she doesn't find a torch: she puts her left hand on a wall and starts following it, testing each new step before putting her weight on it—i.e. to make sure there's something there to put her foot on, and not a gaping pit—and otherwise relying on hearing and smell. Täplä, who is better with both, is also alert and on the shoulder not occupied by Taevataat; he'll give audible warning if he senses anything before she does. [He's also nocturnal, but he needs some light to work with or else that won't matter much.] Hiljikki and her friends will be listening for the sounds of the party; they'll also smell their torches… eventually. And possible lingering trog stink (yuk). Given the number of turns and reverses the party made, the torch smoke probably won't help much (though the trog smell might); the sounds will be far more decisive.))

((Partway along, it occurs to her she ought to have looked for a personal belonging she could have used to give Täplä a scent to follow.… She isn't about to go back for one.))

•

((In either case, the party is—what? twenty minutes? half an hour?—ahead of her, so unless they come running back up the corridor, it'll be a while before she catches up. Even if she does have light to work with.))

 

[Nihal]

((Ravana: Lizard's blood.

Seeing it or not your pet might smell it.))

 

[Philip Overby]

I shoot the lizard with the animal skull on its head. "You--you killed, Baldy! You dirty stinkin' lizard!"

((+2 makes 10, not sure if I get a bonus for them not seeing me))

I wait to see if my bolt hits home.