TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

Amid the jumble of thoughts and everything that's been going on, Ameena suddenly remembers something incredibly important.
"Oh!" she exclaims, suddenly anxious. "Can someone help Helm? He's got...things...in his throat that are...growing, I think. Can we get rid of them, somehow?"

OOC - Yeah, she would have brought this up before (ie ASAP after they got free of the Truth-trap), but I kinda forgot ;).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by oh_brother »

Westian waved away Deephold's concern, simply adding that he felt better than ever.

As they discussed tactics he made one comment. "The dark priest, or at least some of his essence, is nearby. If we defeat him now maybe we won't have to face him later, alongside the other leaders. Divide and conquer."

"Also if there are cracks in the unity of the leadership it can only be an equal balance of power that is stopping outright war. Otherwise the stronger side would surely destroy the weaker. Perhaps if we remove the priest it will precipitate some internal struggle that will make our lives easier." He shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he was doing no more than thinking out loud.

"Not to mention the fact that we have a duty to destroy this priest" he added, his last words more focused on Deephold and Aurek than anyone else. "If people are agreed I think we should move in that direction, and decide further plans afterwards."

Ameena's mention of Helm's condition raised a look of concern on the priests face. "What symptoms have you developed?" he asked the thief as he began an initial inspection of his throat.

I rolled a 19 for the inspection, I presume it is a heal check or something similar? If so it is +5. Also Westian will try to probe the location of the last part of the soulstone when he has some time.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

The group's previous connection let Westian realise some things, but luckily he was able to shut out the effect to concentrate on his natural learning. Helm was backing away, saying it was nothing, just some scaring or something from acid an oitu excreted, and he would be fine. Ameena knew that Helm was trying to decieve himself, and that clearly his harshness of breathing had led to his impatience and anger when Ameena had previously tried to negotiate with the Oitu mother near the start of the dungeons. And more importantly, Helm's experience crossing the times had also triggered some strange sensations - likely death - to do with his chest. It seemed in either time, his future had been to die if somehting didn't change.

Deephold came forwards too, still giving Westian sidelong looks as if to gauge exactly how fine the half-elf was. Still, Helm's condition was the greater worry. Westian had oddly studied screamers almost on a whim when it had come up. Perhaps because of the association with this very place. The comment on Oitus clinched it. These strange spindly legged hunters loved dungeon areas and mildrew ridden outdoors where spores such as screamers could thrive. They found the spores combined wiht their own saliva to create a thick paste to trap prey and build homes. Sometimes it let to these creatures being mistaken for a relative of the spider. They also sometimes deliberately allowed such spore-label saliva to be impregnated in to victims, to create a harvest of spores later.

Clearly, Helm was alfflicted with such a thing. Normal VI potions- at sufficient strength - could break down the resiliant mucus and spores that were designed by nature and magic to adhere to internal linings. And divine intervention - such as the power paladins such as Aurek possessed. However, there was also a fortuitous situation where Haynuus had discovered a power anti-toxin. It was a panicea, and would surely break down the spores harmlessly. Of course, to Westian's mind, an important question could be asked. Was such a powerful serum - far greater than Deephold nor Westian could produce from their own hands - wrong to use now? Facing Theron, a powerful practisioner of magic, and the blackskulls themselves with whatever nefarious means they might have at their disposal, could someone be injured later in a way that would require its aid more urgently?


Obviously I want to let Ian weigh in the the OOC thread once he's had the chance to think tactics and consider the IC and OOC comments of the others, hence no NPC is going to react further to the choice of path yet. And Raixel too, around her distraction! :( Still, good to touch on this now!
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by ian_scho »

Haynuus was more than happy to offer his serum potion to Helm. "Here Mister Helm. I've not tried one of these myself so make sure that there is a toilet nearby in case it is a bit over-active in the stomach department." And with that he unceremoniously dumps the Anti Venom bottle in his hand. For a thief he thought that he was a mite bit slow to get himself fixed.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

OOC - Note that Helm doesn't have his hands free right now unless he's put Ameena down, which hasn't yet been stated so I'm guessing not ;).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by raixel »

Petal looks over the empty flasks.

"A few serums, know I how to craft, besides just the addition of health and the reduction of VEN mana." she says. "One speeds up the body, using the mana of ROS. another oncentrates mana of the area into itself, when a mage does drink it, boosts the mage's own mana, it does. Also I know how to do, an area the mana of a certain type I can condense, to cause an aura. Make us stronger, I can. Or to make it so we can grasp ideas easier, I can also. Also, refine the air I can, to make a shield. Change that slightly, and block the shield does charged mana, but not physical blows."

She looks around at the party, seeing if anyone is interested in any of her abilities.

The pixie takes the flask from Haynuus gratefully. "Nothing I have to give you in return" she says, with reget. "But here, take you this." she continues as she scoops up the signet ring. "A trinket it is, no real power it has. But still. Perhaps find some use for it, you can."
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by oh_brother »

Westian's eyes lit up with interest as Haynuus produced the anti-toxin serum. He cleared his throat and fidgeted somewhat nervously as the half-orc attempted to hand it over to Helm.

"Perhaps...um...it would be better to start with a milder agent. You are indeed right Haynuus...um...this one is powerful and could potentially be quite harsh on the user. I would recommend saving it for a more desperate time, when we are short of options. Since we now have the luxury of a relative lull in our onward adventure we should consider the possibility of using more tried and tested cures. Why I can just rustle one up now, if you give me a moment." His speech became faster and more fluent as he continued, and he pulled and empty flask out of his pack. He whispered the syllables EE VI and prepared to pass the newly formed creation to Helm.

He nods his head as Petal speaks. "Serums to block magical attacks could be very useful, for both now and later. We should prepare some of those. And healing potions of course, they should form the bulk of our supplies. Perhaps some YA potions for the less physically adept members of our group? And KU for those brave souls who will hold the front-line?"
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

OOC - Note that Ameena currently has an Um-Vi potion and an empty flask (having given her other potion to Helm right after he got rezzed), which you can consider part of the supply pool :).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

The group came together as atactics and resources were fully discussed - the mundane as well as the hidden supernatural. Helm was forced to start juggling flasks and Ameena as Hanyuus came across, the earth coloured potion regarded oddly and them slipped in a pouch. By the time the anti-toxin was offered happily by Haynuus, Westian was on hand to 'help', intercepting the potion while Helm was struggling balancing the murafu, and offerign instead one of his own VI potions. Helm managed to drink it, obviously feeling the effects of it in his throat and chest.

"Better," he said, nodding with relief and surprise, as if having not dared to think upon it before until it seemed to be gone. However, Ameena could still feel an odd tickle in her own chest if she concentrated on Helm hard enough.


Oh, a reminder to everyone, Westian's potions heral 1d6 more than normal due to his choice of clerical school. So that potions actually did 5d6 healing, unfortunately, only rolling 17, which was only average. As I said, VI potions were a gamble unless you keep feeding Helm. For the moment, the healing is good enough for him to act unimpeded, however if something attacks his resperation later or he receives a related nasty wound, the condition might impeded him in a nasty way.


Falkor indicated that he knew his learnign from before, and he had some offensive and defensive spells at his disposal too, including many Petal possessed. Aurek could only offer small potion aid, having only been taught basic potions for such things as stamina and healing at the lowest level. However, his touch could heal in the midst of combat, if Larethian allowed it. Deephold seemed interested that Petal had such an overlap with the 'priestly' arts. Deephold knew Westian's abilities, and Westian Deephold's, for the order of Larethian was extensive in its training. It seemed that magically, the spellcasters managed to overlap well. Although one could never have enough healing, especially with the lack of pure fighters in the group. Haynuus and Aurek were the only ones who could really claim devotion to the arts of battle, with Westian and Deephold falling back to trainign and experience, but also tasked with the distraction of guiding and strengthening the group as a whole.

The group realised that while Gholst possessed Theron, there was a mage of great power to worry about. Theron seemed to fight Gholst in the moments when powerful magic was being used, but Gholst's anger had allowed both powerful Zp energies and even lightning to be thrown before Theron could take himself away fro mthe area. And in both cases, it might be suspected that Theron was able to use the natural temeportation points in the mountain. If Theron were trapped in the meeting place, did he have any means anymore to move Gholst away from the party?

Deephold and Aurek both seemed to agree with Westian, that they should face Dolo - even if tactially it was not sound, the vows to Larethian ran deep, and it seemed an unspoken duty that they should remove Dolo from power. The Trolin King also seemed eager to prove himself against Dolo, while of course subtly being able to avoid the grak-grak threat spoken of. Uumack fell in line with Haynuus, who was also indicating going along with the plan.

The Trolin King lifted a club in one hand and a great club in the other. "Now Grey Lord's tricks done, Trolins will go to bright path and kill once and for all trickster priest that bargained and would not fight!"


Ok, so you guys need to write out an explicit laundry list of what spells you want to cast and then potions you want to have on hand. And you have four days to figure it all out :) As Ian said, Ameena might do well to IC implicitly or expliciltly point out the power of positive thinking! Deephold will back her up, knowing that she managed ot beat possessing the dark stone in her side for a while and even came out the other side from its destruction. I believe four of you also gained will bonuses against Gholst much earlier on. These will transfer to resisting Dolo right now, since in his position obviously he will try to deal in the fear of the blackskulls.

Obviously for the moment I'll have to NPC Aurek and Falkor and figure out how to handle them. If money or LB come by when I am gone, let them know I will PM them a summary of what's going on so they can jump back in if they want to.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

Ameena tries to shift herself around as best she can so that Helm can properly hold the potions. After he drinks one, she feels glad that he seems better.
"Completely better?" she asks him. "It won't come back, will it? I mean, did you get rid of all the...things?"
When it seems the whole group seems focused on heading to take care of...the priest-who-isn't-Westian...she speaks up again, mainly addressing those who've not faced that individual before.
"Don't forget to think of good things." she says. "Don't think about...him...and what he might do. Think really hard about things that make you feel happy. Like...like people who have helped you, and times when you helped other people, and...and...eating things that taste good, or sitting on a hill beneath the Bright Eye with the wind blowing in your face. Or whatever else makes you not feel unhappy at all. You mustn't think about being scared or anything like that. Then he gets inside your head and makes you more scared. But...somehow he doesn't understand about...about friendship, and that sort of thing, so if you think about it, he can't do anything with it."

OOC - Once we have made potions, can someone let me know what happened to Ameena's spare flask? Like, whether someone just refilled it with a Vi potion or made something different, and who ended up with it so I can update my inventory list :).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by ian_scho »

Haynuus appreciated his signet ring and stated the fact to Petal. He'd never been given a shiny gift before... Well... Excluding swords, axes and clubs with nails in them. :) It was very touching.

Haynuus tapped his skull to reiterate Ameena's comment "Think happy thoughts, as after dealing with the mind wizzard it will be chop-chop time for the rest of them" he smiled.

It was then he thought about his Strength potion that was explained to him, and played with it's popper in his hand. Why not?.... "Ameena. I reckon this here potion would be wasted on me. Would you like it? You'll be like... An über-rodent or something. You wouldn't so much back-stab the enemy more like rip-their-spine-out." The horrific vulgarity of the act was lost on the half-orc.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

Ameena looks at Haynuus, confused. He appears to be offering her a potion that will somehow cause her to go around hurting people a lot.
"What's a spine? That doesn't sound very...um...pleasant, anyway. Um...I'm not sure I want to drink something that would make me want to hurt people. Why would anyone? Surely we can get through this without having to...to claw or bite our way through it. Maybe if we can talk in the right way, we can achieve our aim without anyone having their...spine...ripped out."
She shudders slightly in Helm's arms. She has no idea what this "spine" thing is that Haynuus mentioned, but she takes it to be some part of the body which is supposed to be kept inside. She'd rather leave it that way.
"If we can talk to this Theron in the right way, I think it should turn out alright..."

OOC - Lol yeah, there's an idea - tell the anti-violence murafu to go and stab someone's guts out ;).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by ian_scho »

:)
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

Lol, would Ameena not realise that if she can rip people's spines out, she might have far more strength to lift people if she climbs or do athletic jumping stuff to bypass people? :D
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

OOC - Well, as Haynuus was giving her such wonderful descriptions of what she might be able to do, she didn't really think of that and was more going down the "Omg what does he think I'm gonna do?" route ;).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

He's confused which ickle second rank character was possessed by Chaos (not really) and which one faced Chaos (yeah really).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

The group moved around the whole ring of the path of truth, coming to the occasional opening at the three equidistant parts of the rear of this structure. Each time, stray echoes of distant voices echoed down to them, reminding the group that somewhere upwards was their targets. And those who followed or impeded them from the targets.

Finally truth came full circle, and the group found that by a sublte swerve of the stonework the path of truth emerged from the shadows and a crack iin the back of the ramp of the path of light. Ignoring, for now, the path of reason, the group arranged themselves and made final preparations to go ahead.

Deephold motioned for himself, Aurek and Westian to perhaps go ahead, Deephold once more echoing Ameena's sentiments regarding thinking of happy thoughts of comradery and other positive emotions. Many people looked, perhaps, to the Trolins realising they may well be the weak links here. Meanwhile, Aurek heard about the strength potion Haynuus had, and made a move to request it if no-one else wished it. Afetr all, he would become the front rank of fighter, and yet always his basic muscle training had always to take a back seat to more spiritual arts.

Falkor had been following on quietly, as had Petal, whether they had spoken together of their magical nature or not was unclear. Still, Falkor looked as if he were about to stir and speak his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Helm quietly reassured Ameena that he felt much better, and that there was probably nothing to worry about anyway. Westian seemed to be distracted and not fully guaranteeing a full cure, while Deephold said that a powerful VI tonic should cure such afflictions.

The path of light still appeared to have a powerful light to it. However, it was easy for one of the mages with a clear head to cast darkness and reduce the light. It seemed it had no mental component now, and was easily affected. The Trolins nodded, keeping to the radius of darkness that was fighting against the light.

Westian coudl feel near the top the spiritual echoes of Dolo. Whether he had detected them or not was something that was hard to tell without pushing his new found mental balance. Was it best to move forwards swiftly, or advance slowly and cautiously on multiple fronts.


Ok, so I'm going to need a party order and also what you guys will have just ingested, put on, drawn, or prepared. Let me know your 'happy thoughts' if you are following Ameena's advance, or what alternative method you will have to potentially resist any mental Dolo tricks.

Obviously, you can retcon not casting darkness and putting up wit hthe light if you would prefer. And if you would like to rethink the not splitting up, that can also happen.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

As the party moves on, Ameena speaks quietly to Helm.
"Do you want me to stay here, with you, like this?" she asks, referring to his carrying her. "Would it make you feel better, to have something good to think about so close to you? Because you know I don't want to leave you alone, don't you? I don't want you to think you're going to be alone again - that's probably the worst thing that can happen to a murafu, remember? But I'm not alone, because you're here. And you're not alone, because I'm here!"
She gives a happy whisker-twitch at this logic and keeps an ear on the way ahead. Knowing whom they're headed for, she turns her thoughts to her own species, her friends and family the Murafu, and to the human carrying her at this moment, and to those around her and the fact that they'll all help each other out. They won't be alone. They aren't alone. They all have each other, and no-one will get left behind. Never mind anything else - all these people are one group who are going to help each other through this, whatever happens.

OOC - General Perception for...generic whatever = 21 (10+11). If Helm wants to put Ameena down she'll stil stay close (but not right under his feet - she doesn't want to trip him up or get stepped on herself ;). Obviously her general thoughts are focused on "people who are nice and help each other" since she knows Dolo doesn't understand that kind of thing, even if she doesn't understand why his mind doesn't work that way - she doesn't see how someone can be incapable of understanding friendship and loyalty, but she knows what kind of stuff he can do (more than anyone else, I suppose) so she's not gonna take any chances and will think firmly on stuff that she's been told he can't get through. And she's encouraging Helm to do the same, of course. Can she still detect his emotions?
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by ian_scho »

Haynuus has a slight sinking feeling about having to face up to the Blackskulls. He could handle slaughtering war bosses and wicked wizards but to him the rest of the soldiers were real people, just like him. He inwardly sighs. Aurek removes him from his train of thought, and he more than happily complied to his request. "No slurping" he happily adds handing over the strength potion.

Next he casts his mind to keeping the dark elf out of his skull. Happy thoughts was what he recalled but also that of having to watch your back. He opted to give prayers to his ancestors to thank them for his strength and the comradery of his companions. He was truly happy working with others, and even in sharing the suffering. There had been many good times and they had prevailed against many difficulties. Most of all he thought of the selfless acts of many of his companions. These were moments to be treasured for the rest of his life. Finally he realised that he'd better cast an eye (1d20+2=20) over his companions, especially those of the trolins for any unusual behaviour.

Haynuus remained slightly behind Deephold, Aurek and Westian so as to give them a little space for 'diplomacy'. He had every confidence that Westian silvan tongue would prevail, although with Dolo what was really needed was a club to the head. They had convalesced on a plan, albeit with too many unknowns in Haynuus's mind. Nonetheless. This was the end game - and Haynuus really wanted to smell the sweet air of freedom and horse manure in the human cities once more.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by oh_brother »

Westian moved forward, muttering a few prayers by rote as he tried to focus on positive thoughts.He thought of the friendship of the people he had known, and familiar faces flashed through his memory. Some he had not thought about in years, such as his childhood friend Garkus, or the smile of the first companion he had found when he entered the order as little more than a lost, frightened boy. More recent thoughts came forth too, and he smiled as looked around at the companions whom he now classed as friends.

Westian is happy to be at the front since this might not be a smash-bang-wallop affair. But he would like muscle of either Haynuus or Aurek beside him just in case (no point being too reckless!). He will cast a spellshield if Dolo gets close.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

Helm seems surprised at Ameena mentioning how they were arranged, but sadly on highlighting it Helm seemed to realise that his carrying the primary thief-like member of the group (to his mind) was not a good idea. "No, please, I'm keeping you from helkping the others. We should be looking out for traps here. I'm sorry." Helm gentle knees down to allow Ameena to leave his hands, to Ameena's senses clearly embarrassed. He does hear Ameena's words, but there is still an odd little part of his mind that does not believe Ameena, simply assuming life does not work like that. Or that even is she were true, that life could have other plans.

"Do you need me?" asked Helm to Deephold, Haynuus and Westian nervously, clearly looking ot be useful - and stay out of the way of the Trolins and probbaly Falkor still. He also clearly assumed Ameena would be looking up ahead. Though he did look to Ameena protectively, clearly worried for her safety should she go in to a scouting position. He was clearly surprised and embarrassed once more when Ameena instead kept close. Once more nervous that Ameena was being distracted from more useful things, as Helm himself once more doubted his own abilities here.

As you can see Ameena, you can still read his emotions.

Aurek happily took the strength potion, then fell in line with Deephold and Westian at the front. He was slightly behind them, and slightly in front of where Ameena and Helm were, those two flanking the right hand side as Helm tried to talk to the three of them while not getting in the way. Uumack moved to the left of Haynuus, close to Haynuus's shoulder, while the Trolin King himself moved on the left flank to try and get equal to the group's front rank. Aurek, deliberately or accidentally, blocked such a move and the Trolin King was close to Uumack and Haynuus on the left, his guards then Pollack's and Karda's remaining warriors snaking out on the left. That put Petal and Falkor bringing up the rear flank on the right hand side.

Westian moved forwards with as much confidence and faked confidence as possible, it falling in to genuine warm feelings regarding the group around him. Deephold, while taking a moment to consider Helm's question, gave an odd smile and wink to Westian - clearly thinking along similar lines to Westian as per Ameena's advice.

While the group moved forwards, passed similarly themed koans and musings carved in to the wall, Ameena noticed as she looked and sniffed the general surroundings that the darkness in the path of light was growing. She could tell that it was not coming from behind them, instead it seemed the region just in front and ther party's own region was darkening.

However, both Helm and the Trolins reacted to the slow realisation of what was happening with equal suspicions.

"Falkor! The mage is darkening the area!" yelled Helm, shuffling sideways.

"The pixie! The Dark Lord words magic through her to blind us! We cannot see in this! Magic!" yelled the Trolin King, not shuffling sideways and instead turning to move backwards towards Petal.

Haynuus knew neither of the two companions were to blame, for he had been looking that way at the time and neither of the two magic users had done anything...hand wavy. That and they seemed equally as confused when it was realised the light level was falling, despite the light of the path, the light of the torches around, and the residual magic light cast earlier.

Still, Haynuus knew what the Trolins meant. His natural darksight should be slowly overlaying his other sight, creating odd black and white textures as a contrast to dimly lit features around. Instead, he seemed to be experiencing what normal creatures experienced. His vision was slowly dimming.


Ok, so leave it there! Money or Raixel, if you guys see this and have a moment, feel free to roll a knowledge(arcana) roll. TYhe rest of you, feel free to do whatever you want to do, rolling as you think you need to roll. :D
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by ian_scho »

"We must not break." Said Haynuus to the falling darkness. "Separated we will be much weaker. And we shall all cover for any eventuality!" The whole 'eventuality' thing was Haynuus's attempt at being diplomatic (1d20-1=3). Unfortunately the persuasion thing was not related in any way to big words and so his efforts in calming the party down would probably be lost in the silent air of confusion that followed.

"Oh well." he grumbled to himself, "at least *I'm* happy" he smiled. He was not one to fall to a simple trick by the dark wizard. The only thing left for Haynuus to do was physically move across to Petal, and put the palms of his hands in the air towards the trolin king. A simple gesture of offering his support and his confidence in the Pixie.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

Ameena keeps her senses alert as she trots along on all-fours beside Helm. Then it starts getting dark, and she gathers from the comments of those around her that this darkness is magical.
"Even if it gets so dark we can't see," she says, "we can still hear. We can still smell."
She knows that she can probably hear and smell better than those around her, who seem to rely primarily on sight, but nevertheless decides that some kind of encouragement might be worthwhile.
"If one of your senses becomes unable to work," she goes on, "it means the others can work more, so if we end up not being able to see that might actually help us!"
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by oh_brother »

Westian held up his hands to try to stop the shouting. "This is not being done by any member of our group" he said confidently. "Haynuus is right, we need to stay together. A simple enchantment will not be enough to break our determination, we are far above such petty tricks. Stay together. Stay focused on the loyalty of your companions, or whatever positive thoughts your mind reaches for."

"Our murafu scout has a point, we still have other senses. Our hearing, our sense of smell, our feeling for magic - we can each focus on whatever we do best. Trust in your brothers and sisters, and we have nothing to fear."

Ok, diplomacy was 4 + 15 = 19. In addition Westian is gently going to probe out with his mind, to see if he can sense you-know-who anywhere near.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

"We all look outward, we get stabbed in back!" said the Trolin king nervously to Haynuus's words, and suddenly nervous to realise he was indeed going to have to rely on people that it may have been a trick to have to trust. Or people whose flaws were now glaringly obvious.

Haynuus's actions spoke more than his words, luckily. Especially when Uumack joined at Haynuus's side. Although even Uumack seemed nervous. Still, Petal - and by extension from his position and previous demonstrations of power Falkor - were clearly off limits. Helm did not seem to be convinced, indeed Ameena could feel he was not, and indeed Helm was clearly now nervous regarding the lack of magical backing when they may rely on it.

Westian's words perhaps calmed the immediate issue simply for reminding everyone of the immediacy of the situation. And besides Trolins respected definite statements and bluster. Still, if they did not put Dolo down quickly, there could be a chink created in their mental armour he could take advantage of.

Ameena's reassurances of using other senses were quickly put to the test though. The scent of things, too, seemed distant to Ameena although she would be the first to notice it, and perhaps others would not for a while. Petal had been quiet too, not saying if her ability to sense the very magic in the air around was also so knocked. Was this merely darkness, if everything was being smothered?

Westian was already probing with his strange senses, hoping that the connection to this place could extend to Dolo's presence. He did not feel Dolo physically around, however he could feel the darkness of that priest almost right away, confirming the dark elf was present in some form or another. And then as Westian's inner eye became focused, the horrible nature of things became apparent. Westian could feel the tentrils of Dolo's mind against his own. Westian had managed - with some success - to shut out Dolo in the King's private chambers. Hiowever, Westian now realised exactly how vulnerable he had left himself when, way back when first seeing the dark priest in his own mind, Westian had revealed his own name.

Worse, Westian could feel how easily those tendrils had snaked around his friends - even Deephold, as Westian knew the dwarf so well. That each of the champions had found ways to resist the dark elf was a testiment to their own mental fortitude, however the dark elf was but one lapse away, the tendrils alive and constantly probbing and seeking. Westian's own mind still compromised, still leaking passively his information even as his mind had the strength to stop himself from being led.

And Westian's mind had now expanded to know the darkest fears and thoughts of his friends, and of everyone around.

"Think your happy thoughts", came the mocking, weak voice of Dolo in Westian's mind. <i>"It is not my only power, certainly not for a vassal of Lolth. And your own fears are not all so logically and emotionally placated. You carry the burdens of your bodies. I will crush you with the weight of your most baseless and terrible fears, until the cracks appear. And then I will pull what is worst out of you, until you cower." There was a laugh in Westian's mind, that he tried to find the falseness of, tried to hear a cough or quiver that showed his foe was weaker than he appeared.

Unfortunately, it was at that moment that the darkness started to break. Ameena spotted two red eyes in the raising darkness, a shadowy rodent that then disappeared after laughing at her. Haynuus say a brief shadowy form that looked exactly as he did. Petal saw the shape of the small chaos before the light lifted. Westian himself would swear he saw a dark elf - whether Dolo or himself, it was hard to tell - before the light level restored to a dim form of what it had been before.

Almost immediately, the place seemed wrong. Floor tiles and bricks had joined together to form larger bricks. The walls were far apart, the ceiling lost in ther distance. It took a moment to invert the image in everyone's head, and appreaiate what had happened. The group were reduced to the size of a fingernail. Stretching ahead of them was the infinity of the path of light. In the far distance, there was a strange, round shape to those with low light vision such as Westian and Petal. It was the dim outline of a boot. As large as a hill.

And coming out of the darkness, too, was a simple spaider. To the group, a giant monster. It moved forwards on silent legs, mandibles eagerly waving.


Yeah, so Westian's still got the connection to Dolo, which is bad. And yeah, Dolo doens't have to target you all personally with fears, he can apparently do other nastier things. So, what do you do, how do you play this? Roll me initiative no matter what else you plan to do? You betcha!
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by Ameena »

Ameena peers into the darkness, using her ears and nose more as her vision becomes obscured. She thinks she sees an image of the dark-murafu appear briefly, and reinforces her mental images of real murafu to try and ward off any bad thoughts that might try to appear in her mind.
But after a few moments, the darkness suddenly lifts and...everything looks strange. The ceiling has disappeared. The walls are further away. The floor looks strange. Looking around, she realises that everything seems very much bigger than usual. Has the corridor grown around them? Or have they been shrunk, somehow? But she didn't feel anything like that happening, and surely she would have? Unless this is what the corridor really looks like, and the previous appearance was some kind of magic falseness.
No, more likely it's the other way around, she considers, bearing in mind the situation. More likely that this is the illusion. She recalls how twisted things appeared to become when her mind was invaded before, yet really all was as it had been before.
And now she sees the huge spider scuttling toward the group. Oh yes, make her seem even smaller than she is and then make it look like a predator is coming toward her. That would seem to be an understandable tactic. But...she wonders what everyone else sees.
"I don't think this is real." she says to the group at large. "I think he's got inside our heads...or my head, at least a little bit. Everything looks huge...I mean, more huge than normal, and it looks like there's a really huge spider coming toward us. But maybe that's him. Maybe he's trying to make us be scared. But he's tried this before. I can still see the rest of you. I think he's trying to get into our heads again."

OOC - Initiative = 19 (16+3).
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by ian_scho »

Haynuus's first reaction was to unsheathe his sword. It was a warriors reflex. But then Ameena spoke up and Haynuus realised that maybe, just maybe, she was right. "All right. Maybe you're right? We should keep moving though. Oh and if you see that bastard, hit him."

Haynuus's weapons were useless against Dolo, and doubtful if he'd be much use against a spider that might not even exist. He was still standing next to Petal and Uumack though and decided to remain stationed there for now. He cast a quick glance around him (Perception (1d20+2=3)) to check on both the well-being of the others, especially the trolins, and if these tricks were to have differing effects on other with treachery in mind (oh those trolins!).

He really wasn't clear as to how to defeat the magician.

OOC - Initiative (1d20=12)
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by raixel »

WHY DOES MY COMPUTER ALWAYS EXPLODE AT THE FUN PARTS!? I'm not even really gonna try and ret-con alla that. Needless to say, Petal is annoyed at the trolin king's assumption that *she* is the cause and will deal with him later...[/color]

Petal realizes that *something is wrong*. She looks around her with her Second Sight, trying to find the source of the disturbance, and track where the evil one who could touch people's mind's went. Not that her power would do any good against his.
"No, I can't think like that. Can't let him get to me....

She looks at the monster in front of the group. "It is just the power of the priest....It is not real...it is just the power of the priest....it isnt real.... she repeats in her mind. But whether she can atually fight off the influence, remains to be seen.

She thinks of a happier time, of partying wth elves in the forest, of the wonder on her little friend's face the first time he found out he had a friend. "Have no power over me, you do!" she shouts to the monster.

Knowledge arcana (as magical perception)/ WILL/ INIT (1d20+8=26, 1d20+6=13, 1d20+4=10) Woo on the arc, meh on everything else. I guess she was too busy looking around to exert her will, and too busy exerting her will to act when the monster charges :P
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by beowuuf »

Yeah, just cause she manifested Lord Chaos and was mean to him, how dare he assume she is the cause :p

And yeah, pretty middling rolls for the action parts. Not the worst init in the world though.
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Re: TIME'S CHAMPIONS: THE FINALE (STORY THREAD)

Post by oh_brother »

Feeling the dark elf's mind in his own was a sickening experience, and Westian tried to force him out, even though it felt like trying to force the water from a submerged sponge.

Then the strangeness of the new situation struck him. Surely the priest did not have the power to change their size? But there was a spider, as clear as day, moving towards them. It must be an illusion. Still, Westian held his staff close.

Finding he could not close his mind, he instead opened it and reached back at the presence that was intruding. He attempted to probe the darkness, desperately trying to find what fears and weaknesses the priest himself had.

So initiative was 14, will save to avoid going mad or whatnot was 4 + 8 = 12.
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