Dungeon Master Forum

The half-orc listened to the paladin's calls and waited.

Haynuus then looked at the chiselled out writing in the wall that Aurek was motioning to. He traced his finger along a letter. Hmmm, if only he could read. He could just about work out the word step, concentrating and mouthing each letter yet his concentration failed him for the rest... "He, he, he. Very amusing" he lied.

Haynuus returned to his thoughts. "Tell me... errrr Ahureck. What was the cleric supposed to be doing again? I can remember helping him, I think, but not much else." It was probably important. Indeed, it was probably important that Haynuus knew as well.

It was then he heard the voice from around the corner. "Down there" he gestated.

Falkor had been left with 2 strangers, and given his thoughts about shareing information about himself little and often it seemed like a good idea to occupy himself with something other then chit chat!! Also - Falkor was confused, why did Helm say he was sent with a group down here - and yet... he knew Ameena and Haynuus all too well... this made little sense given that he woke up with them. It just didn't make any sense and Falkor felt less comfortable with the information Helm was giving.

While this crossed his mind Falkor continued to look at the Ra Key hole, he recalled how he had grabbed a key before Gholst had appeared... he looked in detail and also at the surrounding areas to see if there were any more switches or levers hidden in the corridor...

OOC: Knoledge (Dungeoneering) check 1d20 =11

Some way to get rid of the smell. That was currently top priority, and some thoughts presented themselves. Having a good pray was always an option. But he had never petitioned his High Lord for any olfactory assistance before, nor had he heard of anyone else doing it. He was unsure if he could suppress the murafu’s sense of smell, and did not want to make any promises. Looking for a more mundane solution he examined his backpack. He had some water, and while he was without a handkerchief he did have an empty pouch. “Well, um, I could wet this pouch, and use it to help block out the smells. I don’t have any perfume…but, do you still have those herbs? Maybe if we put them in the wet pouch it will help.”

He was just about to pick Ameena up when he heard Aurek shouting. What was he saying…he was his charge? That could possibly make some sense, based on what he had begun to remember of the time before he came to this dungeon. Another voice was audible too, and there was no mistaking that it belonged to Haynuus. “We are down here!” he shouted out, feeling braver now that he knew back-up was nearby. “Down here! And we could use some help!”

Haynuus emitted a big (broken) toothy grin. "Coooming!" He always seemed to be rushing around lately, and now felt the need to return to the poor halfling who was with two unknowns... Come to think of it, he didn't know Falkor that well either!

He literally pulled Aurek along with happiness in the knowledge that Westian was not only safe, but had said the word We.

Haynuus stopped in his tracks and put his finger in his ear for a moment. He could remember... A fleeting image... Yes?... Yes!...

A will save since everyone's confronting memories right now. (1d20=5)

No... It had gone. Damn.

While running his hands over the lock Falkor continued to think about what Helm had said, was he really on a mission???

Will Save 1d20 = 18

Happy days... things seemed to make sense, at least, that was the sensation Falkor was feeling...

Lol at Ian - it's nice when players write my bit for me, that's pretty much the result!

Farel shifted uncomfortably as the three remaining strangers had been left together by the departure of Aurek and Haynuus. The silence of Helm also was a palpable thing, and Falkor ignoring them didn't help.

"Can you move?" asked Farel of Helm, looking with concern back and forth down the corridor and into the room, "we perhaps should move somewhere more ... comfortable." Both perhaps realised that the phrase 'defendable' was the word Farel really meant.

"The healing...seems to be alright..." said Helm, another grudging look to Falkor. Grimacing but moving Helm made to stand, and with a hesitant look Farel assisted him. Despite Farel's concerned comments to go easy, Helm made wild motions to get up, and seemed eager for aid to hobble through the the main room. Strangely, either the prospect of lying in his own blood in a draughty corridor, or sharing uncomfortable silence with Falkor seemed less appealing than allowing himself to recover at leasure.

Farel helped Helm around Thinpas's body still lying by the door, and through to the room. However, Farel propped the thief up at the doorpost. "Stay there, fellow," he said to Helm, "danger could come in any direction, best we stay vigilant and be ready to seal this door from one side or the other quickly!"

Farel gave a look to Falkor, perhaps ready to say something, but decided to leave the halfling to his investigations. He stayed by the door, alternating looks in all three directions. "I should say properly, my name is Sir Farel Somnuth, a Knight of the Order of Pax Varette," he said to both figures beside him. "I was seeking the Grey Lord, for I heard rumours that all was not quite as it should have been in Mount Anaias. I shudder that such rumours were grossly underplaying the status here. I certainly would not have risked the life of my untrained squire had I know of these soldiers in black who think they can kill with impunity in a High Lord's domain!"

Farel sighed heavily. "I think we must make for the resting place of the Kings, if we can find it. There is a secret path used by the people of old to pay last devotion to those infamous rulers. We could and should use it to leave this place. Those of Viborg must be told... infact, this affront will affect more than the locals." Farel paused. "I just pray my squire ... well, I hope he was either sensible enough to run or quick enough to hide." Farel slowly fades into his own apprently dark thoughts, and it is an effort for him to rise his eyes again and remind himself to check the various exists for trouble.

Sorry, just establishing everyone else's position just incase and providing some Farel-filler. Money, the stuff you'd want to know is below

Meanwhile, Falkor had been examing the area closer. Certainly, hidden buttons to spring the doors of Chaos's dungeon was not something he had heard of. Chaos's design had apparently concentrated on puzzles and keys to open doors from one side only. It was very possible that the Grey Lord himself had altered the mechanism of the doors just as he had altered what had once been the energised RA doors themselves. Certainly, allowing those who found themselves on the wrong side of the door the abiltiy to get through seemed logical, though it was interesting that the Grey Lord apparently still wished to lock the doors from one side, only springable here and at the first room by a concealed RA key. Interesting the Grey Lord still had the inclination to place puzzles infact. Either that, or it was left over from the time of Lord Chaos.

Falkor did not try the RA key in the lock, for tales had indicated that such keys had usually snapped or been otherwise consumed when used. Logically, the Grey Lord had probably changed this...and logically, the RA key hole here would allow the door to be locked open or closed by the party if they wished to. Still, did he want to risk that until he had to?

There did not appear to be any more switches, nor anything else of note here. More interesting was the general feel of the dungeon, that the Grey Lord had modifed things to suit his needs, but had not purged the place fully of Chaos's influences. That may well mean many things Falkor had learned when studying tales of this place may well aid them.

Falkor, you'll need more knowledge checks if there are specific things you want to intuite about the place - for example, what might lie around, where the kings might be, etc. You might want to talk to the rest (for example Farel or Aurek) first to get a feel for what else is around, too.

Falkor's thoughts turned to what Helm had said previously, and comments about Falkor's potential mission and Fex. There was the odd reluctance, but already small memories had been forming. Straining to recall the previous memories did nothing, nor did trying to concentrate on anything to do with Fex.

However, like some odd slippery slope, a stray connection of thinking of a 'mission' and Haynuus's comment about a mission suddenly opened a huge pit in Falkor's mind. Without warning, a flood of memory washed over Falkor.

He felt dizzy, and his mind instinctively tried to shut it off, but his instinctive inquisitiveness was stronger and kept the flood going a moment longer.

Falkor fell down heavily, his vision tunnelling to the point of him almost blanking out. However, Falkor recovered, even though he had fallen to his knees.

"Falkor, are you alright?" said Farel, rushing forward when he heard the movement.

Whew, sorry for the long post everyone! Money, I'll also send you a PM of the memories, so sorry, more reading again!

Ameena is just thinking how to answer Westian when she hears more voices and the half-elf shouts a reply. One voice she isn't sure she recognises, but the other is definitely Haynuus. She hears rapidly approaching footsteps and, since her back is to their direction, simply swivels her ears around to hear them - she doesn't think another attempt to stand will be worth it. Her hind leg twitches some more as though to emphasise that point.

OOC - One quick note - did Aurek actually take off that black skull armour? If so, what's he wearing now? If not, is he still wearing the full suit or did he at least take the helmet off?

Seeing Aurek and Haynuus round the corner Westian exclaimed "Good to see you both! Ameena and I met each other here, in somewhat unusual circumstances" - he shuddered as he remembered his uncomfortably close encounter with the spirit - "but at least she is alive, albeit ill and unresponsive. I was planning to carry her back to you, but it seems you found us first. Anyway, we need a safe area to rest. Is there anywhere appropriate on the other side of the teleportor? Preferably some distance removed from the...unpleasantness." He arched an eyebrow as he pronounced the last word, attempting to convey the fact that he did not want to directly mention the scene of carnage that awaited. Looking down at the murafu he continued "Ameena. Haynuus and Aurek - a holy warrior - are here. We are going to bring you somewhere safe. If you close your eyes when I tell you, and if I can get those herbs you took some time ago, then you won't notice a thing".

Looking back at the other two he quickly asked "Did you find Helm? Is he...um...is he...all right?"

Her mind having apparently decided to go for a wander around some more strange memories, Ameena finds herself being mentally dragged back to reality by the sound of Westian speaking once again - a mention of her name, she decides, is what's got her attention. Despite her still-partially-blocked (and painful) nose, she can clearly catch the scents of both Haynuus and a human, apparently standing nearby, mingling with the distant smell still making its way outward from the blue thing.
Then the apparent aim of Westian's voice changes - it sounds like he's no longer talking to the others, but to her. She wonders what the word "holy" means, and recalls it's something to do with clerics, then feels a faint unsease about the use of the word "warrior" - warriors fight. She knows that much - the word is another way of saying "fighter". Still, she muses vaguely, there's no reason why someone who fights should necessarily do so in a bloody, violent, and lethal manner. She's seen some people who fight just to keep their bodies in shape, and do so with "weapons" not designed to inflict real damage.
By the time she's finished thinking over this, she manages to catch only the last of what Westian is saying - something about taking herbs. Taking them where?
Then the half-elf's attention seems to shift yet again, and she catches a very definite mention of the name "Helm". She almost manages to lift her head at this, but decides that she might not succeed, any more than she had in her attempts to stand up, and also that trying to look around at who's speaking won't change the answer. She'll hear it just fine from where she is. Whatever it might be.

Haynuus was happy to see both Westian and Ameena, although it looked like Ameena was incapacitated or at least she was moving. It was probably those bastard soldiers that followed her through the teleporter, he thought.

"Helm is ok, our friend here managed to breathe some life into him!" indicating to Aurek. It was then he realised that he hadn't introduced himself. "Oh. My name is Haynuus, by the way. I hit people. But I don't like it though!" A grin of blackened and broken teeth followed. "We're here to protect Westian. Hmmm. Perhaps we should join the others and ask you why!"

Everything seemed to be in order here, and Haynuus wanted to return to Falkor now who was the vulnerable one. He indicated to the others to step through the teleporter.

Aurek addressed Ameena, "Hello there. My name is Aurek, although Westian called me a 'warrior' I do NOT like to fight. I would rather avoid conflict, but I will fight if the need calls for it. You appear to be wounded, I can heal your wounds... however, I need an empty flask to cast a potion into, I currently don't have one."

Westian had his hands filled, but with an awkward set of half-co-ordinated movements he managed to present the pouch hwere the flask should be.

It was about that time that it was remembered Haynuus probably had it last.

With some effort, Ameena shifts her head slightly to angle it more in the direction of the new human, Aurek, who from here looks to be wearing boots identical to those of the dark-armoured soldiers. She finds that somewhat confusing, but decides that this one must just be a soldier who doesn't like being a soldier, or something, and has decided to leave his former comrades and help the rest of the group. Or maybe he just got scared during the fight and decided to change sides. Or maybe he was never on the side of the soldiers in the first place. But then why did they give him such armour? Or maybe he stole it. Whatever the case, Ameena decides other things are more important to think about right now.
She is relieved to hear that Helm seems to be alright, and hopes she'll have a chance to see him again, and speak with him. That means getting to him. She belatedly remembers that Westian mentioned something about that pouch of strange herbs she'd picked up before. Yes, she supposes - that might work.
She listens as Aurek speaks to her, trying to concentrate on the words, which certainly sound somewhat encouraging. Yet if he doesn't like to fight, she wonders, why does he so obviously look like one of the black-wearing soldiers? Maybe it's a disguise.
As to his mention of a potion, she is aware that some magic-users have the ability to create magical liquids to harm or heal others. She vaguely recalls that people tend to specialise in either magic-using or in wearing big heavy armour and hitting things, but never both. Which only adds to her confusion about this human, who seems to counteract that as well. Still, she knows her knowledge is somewhat lacking in many specific details about these races. She doesn't really see any reason why someone shouldn't be able to wield both magical and physical abilities with great skill.
Now weakly addressing Aurek, or rather, his feet, Ameena manages to speak.
"I'm...not sure I can...drink out of one of those...flasks." she says. "They're not really the right...shape for...a...murafu."
She drops her head again, resting it on the stone floor once more to conserve what little strength she seems to have remaining, as her left hind leg gives another painful twitch. She considers trying to reach for her pouches to get the one containing the herbs, but would need to prop herself up on her other three legs in order to do so - something which isn't going to happen with her left hind leg in the state it's in. And from this angle, her cloak would block her movements anyway, since she's lying with it partially wrapped around her.
"Herbs are on...left side." she manages, every word seeming to exacerbate the pain in her nose. "Small...pouch..."
She does realise that, from the point of view of those around her, all her pouches are small, but doesn't quite think far enough to try and give a more specific description.

Haynuus handed the empty flask over to Aurek.

"I have some tarpaulin that we can use to funnel liquid into Ameena's mouth? Or she could just lap it up from there." The half-orc has a good idea once a day. The problem is that he never knew which one.

Westian looked around for the herbs and found the small pouch, liberally splashing liquid on them until they smelled...well, wet, really. He also kept his waterskin out, ready to invest some small amount of water on washing Ameena's bloodied nose if the healing potion healed it ok.

LB, a LO VI heals 1d6 damage - good luck on the roll. Check the OOC thread for how I imagine it would work...

"Mu-ra-fu... did I pronounce that correctly? I have a little knowledge of your species..."
(knowledge roll, 1d20 = 15, OOC: I'm gonna play like a success, I'd figure a DC10, or 50/50, would apply. But correct me if I'm wrong, and I'll alter this post)
"... and I'm aware that your species don't appreciate being called 'rat' or 'rodent', unless civility is used, obviously rathering to be called the official name. I'm sorry for not realising that an ordinary flask wouldn't help, do you have a container that I could use instead? If it already contains something, we can empty it into a flask, cast the potion, heal you up and then return its original contents."

"Now... Haynuus, I would swear that you were the last person I saw with a flask. Do you still have it, incase it's needed?"

Aurek casts a healing potion into the flask, "LO... VI!"... there was a small series of minute flashes in the air inside the flask, and it could be seen that a form of vapourous liquid was gradually materialising. (1d6 = 6! WooT!)

Once readied, Aurek spoke to Ameena again, "Now... I've got a healing potion for you. I don't know if you'll trust me to apply it, but I shall try. Please, trust me... I'm trying to help you." he said calmly and quietly, before splashing an adaquate amount on her injured nose, followed by the welt on her twitching leg, and with Westian's assistance, managed to pour a very slow stream into her mouth. Afterwards, he stood by her to make sure she recovered.

(EDIT: I've just read the OOC and have edited this post accordingly.)

OOC - Woot . Does that remove non-lethal damage too? I was only 3hp down so I added those back on, but still have the four points of non-lethal. Do I remove three of those as well? I'm guessing that lethal damage has healing priority over non-lethal damage, anyway. Otherwise I'll be on 8/9hp. Either way, it's good .

BIC - Ameena keeps still as she feels Westian's movements as he searches for the right pouch from those around her waist. Fortunately he doesn't have to roll her over in order to find it and removes the pouch with little trouble. She then hears movement above her as the human, half-orc, and half-elf perform some kind of interaction among themselves. Finally Aurek speaks to her again. So, he has made one of those magic potion things. She wonders what they taste like. The human explains what he's going to do, and she keeps still again since she's not exactly sure how he plans on administering said potion. When he suddenly pours it onto her nose she gives a rather wet sneeze*, then instinctively laps at what he pours into her mouth. It tastes strange. Not unpleasant, but certainly...odd. Sort of sweet. The taste of magic, she supposes. It seems sort of...cool. Refreshing and soothing at the same time. She licks her lips and twitches her nose which, she is surprised to discover, doesn't hurt at all now. She carefully tries moving her leg too, and finds that the pain is mostly gone from there as well, though a slight twinge warns her that the poison hasn't yet faded.
Feelng much better, at least physically, she finally manages to raise her belly off the ground, standing on all-fours. She isn't sure she wants to try standing fully upright just yet, not when her leg could suddenly give way again at any moment, but for now, this will certainly do.
She still has the problem, of course, of not being able to see the faces of those looking down at her - not when they're standing over her as closely as they are. So she angles her head to look up as high as she can (which doesn't let her see even past the tops of their legs), and addresses Aurek.
"I've never had a magic potion before. I like useful magic like that. Thank you."
Glad that she can finally twitch her nose again properly without it throbbing in pain, she takes full advantage of the fact that the human is standing right in front of her and proceeds to start sniffing at his shins - the part of him that's currently at her head-height. Yes, definitely human.
"How come you're wearing that armour?" she asks, ever-so-slightly nervously.


*OOC - No, she didn't snot everywhere . She just did a ratty-sneeze and sprayed a few drops of potion out.

Aurek stepped back, and knelt down, so he could look face to face with Ameena, "Well, my friendly murafu..." he started, but was still talking to everyone, "I woke up in this place, much like what Falkor has told me you (meaning the group) did, and I was locked in a very small room. While in this room, I made contact with a human knight..." he pauses for a moment, "... or a man in armor, who fights only when he has to and always with honor... sorry, I forget that you murafu don't really come out much, thus I explained further." and then continued his original story, "I draw some soldiers to the cells, and when they opened the doors, we subdued them. I, sadly, had to kill my guard. But, I knocked the other one out, and that it where I got the armor from. Afterwards, Farel and I ventured out and found your group... and then THAT (referring to the chaos on the other side of the teleporter) happened. And I think that pretty much brings you up to date."

Somewhat glad to be able to look someone in the face for once in a while, Ameena listens attentively as Aurek explains his own situation. She puts her head on one side at his mention of the Murafu not "coming out much", but says nothing till he's finished speaking.
"It's not that we don't do much exploring." she says. "We do plenty. Well, those of us who travel, anyway. It's just...there are quite a few races who...umm...object to us. To us being near them, I mean. So we tend to stay away from them. Or at least, out of sight."
She says this last with a slightly mischievous tone, but unfortunately can't keep up a lighthearted mood for long.
"I'm rather glad you helped me, but I'm not sure what to do now." she continues. "I...think I can walk for a while, but I'm not sure if...I mean, poison doesn't always fade with time, does it? Sometimes it gets stronger or just...wears you down. I just want a way out of here, though this place seems rather...well, dangerous."
She puts her head on one side again and gives Aurek an inquisitive, yet somehow slightly serious look.
"What do you know about...about what we're like?" she asks. "The Murafu, I mean. About how we live, and interact with each other...that kind of thing."

"I don't know much... other than murafu are considered 'giant rats' by many humans. I don't share this idea, but I know that there are a lot of similarities between murafu and rats. You are a member of the rodent family, but you're definately not a rat."
"And, before, I basically meant what you said. I was meaning that murafu don't get seen out, and thus, to the other races, you murafu don't get out much, even though you do. I know that you live in small communities, hiding away from the world, or more, from anyone who might want to do you harm."
"And... I know that you guys love sharing a good story, but sadly I don't really have one at hand. And, there's probably better times to story-tell anyhow, right now we need to decide what comes next."

Ameena's whiskers give a twitch.
"Stories? Hmm, yes, we like talking...about anything, really. Things that are interesting. But we find a lot of things interesting. We just don't always get to explore them, however much we might like to."
She glances around.
"But this place...I don't think I like it much. There seem to be too many...bad things here. And no way out. But I'm glad you know something about the Murafu. Have you ever met one? Apart from me, I mean. It's not just talking that we like to do together, but we tend to find ourselves...misinterpreted...when we try to fulfil our other social needs with another species..."
Glad to find someone who actually seems willing to talk, Ameena is finding that doing so is coming much easier. It saves having to think about what's been happening so recently as well, at least for now.

"My little murafu friend, I'd just like to say that I'm always happy to try and explain anything you may be confused about. I understand the 'misinterpretation' that goes on between the various races. And, I fully agree with you about this place. It seems pretty creepy, even to me."

Then, his thoughts returned to the scene on the other side of the teleporter... and he realised that the murafu obviously don't like violence. He knew he had to attempt to calm her.

"However, my friend, I'm sorry to say, that from what I've seen and experienced in life, we may have to shed more blood before we can leave this place. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I know that there are situations where it honestly is inavoidable, and I don't know what this place holds. There may be times that you'll feel like running. You can't afford to run from the group, we need to stay together, I've heard some pretty devious and gruesome things about Mount Anaias, and this place seems to be exactly like that evil place. Please, stick to me if you want protection. I'll gladly protect you from harm while I still breathe. Just bear in mind that you may have to use those claws of yours at some point."
(OOC: I thought that my paladin ways would have me try and "calm" her. But I figure that Ameena may react badly to this... so I'm gonna roll for it.)
(1d20 = 3, not good )