Door #2, trophies, warm welcomes
Subject Door number 2
I've been at work for a long time now and the conversation has moved on, but I just realized that Porter is right... Ragnar hasn't even seen the robes. I was basing his reaction off the description of the robes, but he hasn't actually seen them. If Surin had simply reported that he'd found some evil looking robes, Ragnar probably would not have responded that way.
From: Mark
Subject Door number 2
As Mund and the others argue about wearing the robes found in the vestry, Surin moves on to the second door along the east wall. He again makes a quick check for traps. Finding none, he checks the mechanism and finds that it is not locked. He works the latch and again swings the door open. Just like before he can see a light coming from down the short hallway. Using the shadows as best he can, he moves down the hallway, keeping to the northern wall. He has the same sense of dread as he had in the larger room.
The hallway is 20 feet long and opens into a small room, 15X15. In the north east corner he finds another steel alter much like the one in the large room. However, this alter is much smaller. As he scans the room two things come to his attention. One is a gold and gem encrusted chalice sitting on the alter. The second is the heads of five people mounted on the wall, like hunting trophies. When he is sure that the room is empty otherwise he heads back to report in.
OODM: Actions?
From: Mark
Subject Map
Here is the updated map.
From: Kevin
Subject Door number 2
Harp is feeling really out of sorts in this place. However, he is all for trying to sneak in the room and steal the chalice.
Wonder if Salix will recognize the heads??
From: Karl
Subject Door number 2
Salix listens to Surin's report with trepidation. He dreads what he fears he will find in the next room. He looks at Harp. "I have to know. Will you come with me?"
If he agrees, Harp and Salix will check out the heads on the wall. They will do this quickly. They are just looking for Salix to see if he can ID anyone.
OOC: Should we send Surin to get the chalice (after checking for traps)? It might put another kink in their ritual if it is missing or destroyed.
From: Porter
Subject Door number 2
"As fun as that would be, we ain't got time to sneak around around collecting pretties. Let's get a move on and find the druid."
From: Jason
Subject Door number 2
Unless its magical, it probably wouldn't make any difference. Even if its their favorite chalice they're still not going to stop the ritual, just get a different one.
From: Porter
Subject Door number 2
But does the chalice with the palace hold the pellet with the poison? Or was that the vessel with the pessel?
*cornfused*
From: Derek
Subject Detect magid
Is Allistair's Detect Magic still active? If so, he'll go into the room Surin just searched and look around, especially the chalice and the altar.
From: Mark
Subject Detect magic
Would Ally have continued concentrating on it after he had checked out the main room?
The spell description says:
Level: Brd 0, Clr 0, Drd 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 60 ft.
Area: Cone-shaped emanation
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 min./level (D)
So it could have lasted up to 7 minutes, but my impression was that Ally would let the spell expire once he had checked the alter and the stuff of the cleric.
From: Kevin
Subject Door number 2
OOC: Mark, would Harp and or Ragnar have some feeling as to the "value" of this? And I don't mean monetary. I know that religions are different, but even within the Order, there are some items that have more meaning than others, some items that are used for special ceremonies. Is there some sense with this item?/
Harp will join Salix in viewing the room. He will also ask Surin to join them, asking everyone else to stay out in the main room.
Karl, do we want Surin to try and take the chalice? It might put a crimp in their plans if it will not stop them.
From: Mark
Subject Door number 2
The clerics of Nerul are very secretive. No one has any idea of how valuable, in a relgious sort of way, this chalice is. Most any one who saw it would know it would pull a pretty penny if they could fence it.
From: Porter
Subject Door number 2
Why all this talk of "try" to take the chalice? If you want it, why don't you just have Harp go up and grab it? Did I miss something?
From: Karl
Subject Door number 2
OOC - Salix is too worried about what he's going to see on the walls to think about the chalice. These might be his family/friends after all. However, if Harp asks Surin to come along, and then has Surin fetch the chalice, Salix isn't likely to stop him. On the other hand, it could just be bait for a trap, and in game terms if it's not critical, it's probably just a distraction (which we can ill afford right now).
From: Kevin
Subject Door number 2
OOC: I thought Mund was rearing to move on and did not want to mess with the chalice? If he is OK with taking a few minutes to try and get it, then no problem. If he does not want to wait, then Harp will suggest that while taking the chalice might not stop the ceremony, it will probably slow it down, extending the time that the tribes will stay alive.
Mark, if we get to that point, Surin will check N11, O10 and then P9 - the shortest way to the altar, taking 20 if he can.
This assumes Karl agrees.
From: Porter
Subject door number 2
Oh, that wasn't Mund talking -- that was Porter.
I'm just trying to understand why you feel the need to sneak in to get the challice. Nobody's there!
From: Kevin
Subject Door number 2
Sneak as in very, very carefully have Surin make his way to the chalice and take it without setting off all the alarms and trap doors that are probably there.
From: Mark
Subject The blade
Between the fighters a spare scabbard could be found. It is not a great fit, but it will keep the blade from plunging into vital spots with out notice.
From: Mark
Subject Trophies
Salix asks Harp to join him and Surin, and the three make their way into the smaller room. Salix moves slowly, not out of any fear of traps but out of fear of what he might find. The golden chalice on the small metal alter is the first thing he sees. Then, slowly, he raises his eyes higher, until he can see the heads mounted on the wall.
Three of them are human, two 1/2 elf. All are druids. One Salix recognizes. Wiflif, an older human. Salix and he had spent a few months together once, learning about how leaves change color. A nice enough man, dour and forthright. You knew where you stood with Wiflif. His pale skin gleamed in the torch light, his glass eyes reflecting the yellow/red flicker. The faces of all of the druids have been placed along the walls like the trophies some lords keep of the animals they killed. However, this time, the faces had been finished like they were screaming and in pain.
OODM: I will let Kevin, Karl and Corey finish this up. The rest can talk about how they want to prepare for the next door. Also, who is carrying the full plate armor the Cleric was wearing.
From: Mark
Subject Mailing list
I have modified the mailing list a bit. Try and just reply to the mailing list. I want to see if it is working correctly.
Let me know if you get e-mails with parts in them that you have not seen.
Thanks
From: Karl
Subject Trophies
Salix tears his eyes away from the grim sight, but after a moment looks up again. He studies the faces, especially the ones he does not recognize. He would remember them and take home their description so that their sacrifices could be remembered and honored appropriately. As he studies the horror on the walls, his eyes seem to grow dark and his determination even more set. "Faldor and his filth will pay for this atrocity," he says coldly as he turns to rejoin the others.
OOC - I'm assuming while this is happening, Harp and Surin will be doing whatever they decide to do about the chalice. Salix doesn't particularly care.
From: Mark
Subject Trophies
I was wondering if I have given the characters enough motivation for this mission? ;)
From: Porter
Subject Trophies
Mund follows the the other three in to see what he can see, but doesn't say anything.
From: Kevin
Subject Trophies
OOC: Mark, I don't think we said anything about taking the armor. It is too heavy, too cumbersome, and while it will be worth something, the dagger and chalice are probably worth more.
I will write something up shortly.
From: Kevin
Subject Trophies
OOC: Mark, I don't know when Corey is going to start playing Surin. Harp will suggest that he tie a rope around Surin so if a pit trap gets triggered, Harp can halt his fall. And, if Surin makes it cleanly to the altar, he can tied the rope around the chalice, come back to where the others are waiting, and Harp can pull the chalice free from back in the hallway.
From: Josh
Subject Trophies
"There probably aren't any pit traps in his trophy room, but I guess we're best off being safe."
From: Corey
Subject Warm welcome
Greetings all. Sorry for the silence on the wire, but I'm busily spinning up on your adventures. Fun stuff. Real role-playing. What a treat!
Munchkin? Mark, Dost thou call me a munchkin?!? Why? I mean just because a guy keeps his inventory and skill list in Excel spreadsheets, carries stainless steel dice, has 4 figures for his current character AND his familiar, buys the deluxe versions of the PHB, MM and DMG, makes parchment maps and can tell you the min, max and average damage for any weapon or spell doesn't make him a munchkin.
Surin's really interesting. I haven't read his sheet yet -- I'm trying to get a feel for him based on his actions first.
When I jump in, I'll provide a different email address.
Looking forward to this!
From: Karl
Subject Warm welcome
'munchkin' must mean something else. I thought he was saying you were really young, like, a kid.
From: Corey
Subject Warm welcome
Nope. I'm 41. I have 4 crumb-crunchers, a.k.a. munchkins, of my own. Well, my wife and I both claim them.
From: Kevin
Subject Trophies
OOC: Mark, if you and Corey will let me finish this encounter with Surin, that would be nice.
IC: Surin listens to Harp plan about getting over to the chalice and then tieing it off and pulling it off of the altar. Not a bad start for a big lumox like Harp, but he didn't know how to think like a carny. "Harp, instead of putting the loop around me, why don't I put the loop around the chalice from here? Here watch this."
With that, Surin makes a lasso from the silk rope, loops up enough loose rope to make it to the altar, takes aim and says "This may take a few tries, but its safer than walking in there"
OOC: Mark, I don't know how this will work. Ranged touch? Size differentials? Non-moving object? Use Rope skill? You decide. If he gets the rope around the cup, he will have the others back out of the room and he will back down the hallway, paying out the rope till he is in the door way. He will then yank on it.
From: Derek
Subject Warm Welcome
Was that sarcasm? I thought everyone knew what munckin meant since the popularity of the Munchkin card games. Back when I was a teenager we used the term min/maxer, since they were always trying to tweak everything to minimize weaknesses and maximize benefits to their characters.
Anyway, welcome, Corey.