Dragon's Egg - Act II

[SeverinR]

"You got any of that wine, it would go great with this music, don't you think? I have never felt this relaxed, lets go find where the music is. Bring your wine." I tap on Baldy's arm.
"Wasn't there a doggy around? Bring the dog too, I think the caged girl had the doggy, invite her too."

"Cage girl, its alright, put down your staff, enjoy the music, bring your doggy, I want to pet it. Watch swinging that stick, you mihgt hit someone with it."

"Mauve relax, I think she wants to make sure we get real close to the music. Hurry. I want to see who is singing."

"Damn, Rancid ranger ran ahead, he's probably sitting there listening already. Hurry Baldy why you just standing here?"

 

[Steerpike]

((New map. If you have a question about where you are shown on it, let me know. This is as those not charmed are trying to stop those who are. Charmed characters have a red dot next to them)).

 

[Steerpike]

As the beautiful singing starts to take hold, Ankari is off into the darkness, chasing the source of the song with his weapons in hand.

Cadell blocks the doorway, first with his back to the room, then turning as charmed members of the group approach. He has a considerable problem before him, as Algernon, Darin, Matthew, and Rydh move quickly in his direction, determined to make it past. Algernon reaches Cadell first, and Cadell strikes him across the face, but the blow has no effect on the big man. He is joined a moment later by Darin, the two attempting to muscle past the elf, their calm demeanor vanishing as Cadell attempts to block them.

((Need STR checks from Algernon (primal instincts apply; you're single-mindedly determined to get to the source of the song, and Darin (I'll roll his). Have the check from Cadell already. ))

Baldhart has managed to loop her arms through those of Mauve and Aliron, but they, too, resist being pulled away from the song, and both try to force their way past her. Anger and determination fill them as they know only their goal, that reaching it is the most important thing in the world, and that someone tries to stop them.

((Need STR checks from Mauve, and Aliron. Already have Baldhart's checks)).

Batos howls, but the wolf's call seems incapable of breaking the spell of the song. Keitsumah pushes past Cadell, a spell on her lips. She sends a blast of water into the darkness of the corridor ahead, calling on her magic to manipulate the spell to project the water, about two gallons worth, down the corridor and out of the range of her light. Whether it strikes anything in the darkness beyond, she cannot say.

 

[SeverinR]

second roll is for Baldy's intimidation check (not sure which ability check it is, but I guessing it isn't prime, Dex and Int)
[[so Aliron will stop talking and try to get away more unless intimidation breaks the charm]]

 

[Nihal]

((As LS requested, Baldhart's action follows.))

Baldhart's POV

I keep moving toward the stone door. Stone door. Why was it jammed? Barricaded so deperately? Why was the druid there?

Nissa!

What's wrong, Baldy?

It's not a woman that sings. It's not a lizard either. The lizards held Keitsumah in here as an offering to...

"Move everyone out! Block ears, shove 'em, trip 'em, beat-drag-and-heal 'em--whatever works! There's a reason it smells of feces over there. People might be snacks for whatever sings--it's no lady!"

I look at Mauve.

"It will eat you!"

[Intimidate]


Mauve's POV

When I give my last shout I strain against Baldhart's arm with all my strength...


((Prime. Forgot my level... not that it would matter.))

...until my limbs shake and I feel short of breath. Somewhere deep in my mind I'm aware it makes sense, I was exhausted for some reason. I don't give much thought to this, it doesn't matter. Only the song matter. I need, I must...!



((Not a prime. The CHA check per request. If she can be intimidated she could make a contribution to the room.))

 

[Ireth]

Darin and Algernon close in on me, with Rydh and Matthew close behind. I swallow and brace myself, hearing Baldhart's commands. Which of them to tackle first? Both are solid muscle and armor. Why did the strongest ones have to be in the front?

"Keit! Your wolf! Bite them!" I shout.

I sigh and drop my posture slightly, holding my shield before me. Looking at Darin, I grit my teeth, then ram myself into him with every ounce of strength in me--

--to absolutely no effect. I stumble back a step, then shake my head and brace myself again. I'll do whatever I can to keep my friends away from this enemy, or get trampled in the attempt!

 

[Keitsumah]

I whirl around and step beside Cadell, calling Batos over.

"Subdue them!" i shout, lashing out with my staff towards Algernon. Batos snarls and snaps at Rhyd's leg.


[1d20+0] = 13+0 = 13
((Not sure if this works but assuming it does: it's Keits' staff blow))
[1d8+0] = 2+0 = 2
Crack! the blow does little damage but strikes the man right across the temple, knocking him off balance. I wait anxiously to see if he falls over, knocked out.

[1d20+3] = 20+3 = 23
Batos snaps at Rhyd and gets a tight hold on the man's belt! His jaws clamp down powerfully and the animal scrabbles against the floor, his wieght stopping the man in his tracks.

"Good boy! Drag!" I cry, still watching the others as Batos yanks at Rhyd's belt in an attempt to drag him away from the corridor.

((In case Keit's blow does not knock Algernon out))

Thunk! the blow glances off of the man's shoulder, and I back away hastilly as he looms over me, trying to regain some space so i can strike again.

 

[SeverinR]

"Thats no lady, that must be a goddess." Aliron sighs,
"Can everyone be quiet, please I want to hear it."

"Baldy, enough with the hug."
"Acknowlege friendship and the warrior women can't keep her hands off us!" I say to Mauve.
"take us to the music or let us go!"



{{lol, didn't work.}}

 

[Sparkie]

((I'll assume I need to roll an opposing STR check against the wolf. Unseen is giving me trouble again, so I'll use Rolz.))

Something's holding me back, trying to pull me away from her. No! Not again, not this time. I won't leave you, Maia. I'm coming...

 

[Keitsumah]

Batos growls throatilly and refuses to let go, digging his hind-legs into the muck and gore all over the floor to create more leverage.

[1d20+3] = 18+3 = 21 (Str check Prime)
((Not today hon!! ))

Batos yanks Rhyd another few feet back, shaking his head widly to knock the man off-balance. The rune on his forhead glows brightly, and his fur stands on end.

 

[Ravana]

Algernon doesn't even break stride—though he does stop humming momentarily.

"C'mon! Let's go join the sing-along!"

With which declaration, Keitsumah finds L O V E wrapped around her waist, and Sir Cadell finds D U C K around his…

…then both find themselves looking down at the heels of the barbarian from over one of his shoulders.

Apparently, the verse has come back around, finally, as Algernon now breaks out into song. One might suspect he knows a different version than does the mystery enchanter, as the lyrics which now roll out in his strong baritone, while certainly haunting, poignant, and freighted with foreign words, also—as usual for him—have to do with a boat:

"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitchee-Gumee
The lake it is said never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy…"

 

[SeverinR]

"Wait! Warrior! Take me!" I scream as they walk out.

"Damn it woman, unhand me! Someone needs to learn about personal space and boundries! I'm agile, I gots to have room to move!"
"Wait, I need to check the path to the song for a trap, then I will come right back, I promise, you can trust me, come on trust me." Aliron pleads.

(a con man he is not, even worse when desperate and charmed.)

 

[Ireth]

I yelp as Algernon scoops me up, slinging me over his shoulder with seemingly no effort. I look to Keitsumah in mounting trepidation, then shift my grip on Baldhart's sword. Blade down, pommel up... Matthew is now in front of me. Perhaps I can knock him out, and save at least one of my friends from this spell.

((That'll wait until next round when I can actually act again.))

 

[Keitsumah]

I yelp in alarm as Algernon scoops me up in one arm and Cadell in the other. My hood falls awry, revealing wide violet eyes and long, pointed ears that are framed by brass locks.

"Batos!" I cry out in desperation, and the wolf immediately notices my predicament. He bolts in my direction but cannot reach me before Algernon dissapeares into the hall.

No no no! This can't happen! I want to scream, but fear makes me whimper and curl up in a ball instead as i bury my face in Algernon's shoulder. We are drawing nearer to the source of the song, and horror creeps up my spine.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I keep moving toward the door… can't look back… can't do much of anything… just get out the door and all is—hey—Aliron's fist thumps me on the chest pinky-side!

((2:10 - 2:20))

Was that supposed to be a punch?

I think it was! Apparently, I can't scare them.



"Oh, Aliron, but I do love to hug. This is a hugging song. If we go out this door, I know there's a shortcut that will lead us to the singer. Never mind what I told the others, I just want the good seats for us. And we'll bring the wine. Wine, women and song. Isn't that what you want? Now you can have all three."



Well, now you're scaring me! What the hell was that?

I don't know. I just don't want to get punched.

 

[Ravana]

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her.
They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters."

Haunting. Contagious. Subversive. Worming deep into memory, embedding itself indelibly, dredging up half-forgotten associations.

But, hey, kinda catchy, y'know?

 

[Steerpike]

((Description following shortly)).

 

[Ireth]

I look into Matthew's glazed eyes for a moment, wondering if he can hear me, or register what I say. "Sorry about this, Matthew. It's for your own good."

I bring the pommel of the sword up hard into the underside of Matthew's jaw, hoping I don't accidentally hit him too hard and break anything.

HIT:

((Better than I was expecting! [I hope it worked...]))

DAMAGE:

((Well, isn't that fortuitous!))

 

[Steerpike]

The room continues in chaos as the singing echoes from the walls, being projected powerfully down the corridor from whatever its source. Baldhart grabs Mauve and Aliron, both of whom struggle against her ineffectively. Putting as much strength as she can into her legs, she forces them through the doorway into the room and out in to the corridor.

Darin continues forward at a rapid walk, his dim form silhouetted as he moves down the corridor.

Keitsumah brings her staff up as Algernon approaches, then swings it in a wide arc, aiming for the big man's head. The staff connects, but bounces off Algernon's helmet with a hollow thock. Before she can do anything further, Algernon sweeps her up with one massive arm and pulls Cadell up with the other. Cadell and Keitsumah are slung across opposite shoulders, Algernon's powerful grip settling on them.

Rydh attempts to move forward, but Batos has him by the clothes, dragging him back a few feet. When Keitsumah is grabbed by Algernon, she calls to her wolf friend, and Batos releases Rydh and runs around him, heading toward Algernon.

Matthew pushes down the corridor, squeezing past Algernon and his captives. Cadell brings the pommel of his sword up swiftly, catching Matthew across the jaw. The blow causes Matthew to bite his lip, blood running down lip, and he slows for a moment. But only for a moment, before his head turns in the direction of the song and he once again pushes his way down the corridor. He is trailing Darin by quite a ways at this point, but still moves past Algernon, who is lumbering under the weight of two party members.

Only seconds after Cadell strikes Matthew, a new sound is heard from the corridor. The singing continues in all its haunting beauty, but a second voice is added to the mix - a high-pitched, angry-sounding scream.

 

[Sparkie]

Yes. Finally free. Now, on to Maia. She needs me, I'm sure of it.