Guards Above, Guards Below
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission makes his way back through the zombies. The eyes of the dead creeping over him-- he's reminded again of the trial of Vicar Hope. In Shadow and Sand.
And so was he.
He touches Rennick on the arm, and they head back to the group.
"The zombies watched me all the while, but made no move toward me. The tunnel opens out into the air, into a ruined building with no ceiling. Beyond the building I saw the entrance to the mountain-- it's heavily guarded. Mostly zombies, but some halflings and humans as well.
"In front of the entrance to the mountain, there is another building-- I'd wager that's where the ladder leads out. That building is also guarded, but not as heavily as the entrance to the mountain."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
I am waiting for everyone to check in with responses to Mission before I write anything.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Forgot to ask-- what time of day is it?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Getting on toward evening, but there is still some light out. Tomorrow is the big day.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
It would have been too much to hope that there would be an easy way in. So now they have to choose between a well-defended position in the open or a well-defended position in close quarters. Garyth's mind races as he tries to remember anything from his training that would help them here. But to no avail; six men and a wolf had no hope of overcoming a horde of men, halflings and zombies alone. Unless...
"Sa'id, back at the inn, you turned one of the skeletons against its comrades. Could you do that again, but on a larger scale? If we're to gain entrance to the mountain, we need to clear the way, or if not, at least to create a diversion."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Rennik shifts his weight uneasily thinking about the fight at the inn, and he rubs his chest with his left thumb remembering the goring wound he received. There was another wereboar out there, he reminded himself, and bigger. Whatever else awaited them, that threat could be their undoing.
Still, Garyth's plan seemed a good one. Whatever the deathmage did to control the skeletons might be used to their advantage, if only to allow the group to slip by unnoticed.
"I will go above ground to scout the area some. It is evening, and the light is beginning to fail - it would be good to get the lay of the land before we launch an attack. With a better idea of the landscape, we might be able to plan our attack better. Also, we know that the zombies won't attack Mission... it will be a test to see if the ability to pass is not unique to monks."
He would take Tichenor with him. The wolf's nose might save him if his own ears and eyes did not, and any extra help would be needed if he suffered another surprise attack. While above ground he would also see about finding some wolfsbane, as the supplies the group is carrying have wilted and lost their usefulness in the days since the herb was picked. One of them is bound to need it before two days time.
Rennik To Scout, Cadfael Raves, Magic Options
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Zombies and guards either way, Farron thinks to himself. Tired from the march and with no more healing potions available, and our cleric gone insane, we're toast either way. He wonders vaguely if there is any chance he could get back to civilization alive if he were to simply turn around and leave, but remembers the swamp dragon and thinks no further in that direction. "I'll do whatever is decided," he says resignedly.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission says, "The tunnel ends in a landslide-- I didn't have a hard time climbing out of it to the surface."
Ty: What was the grade of the landslide Mission climbed up to get to the outside? Does he think Tichenor would be able to get out unaided?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
The slope is steep, but the wolf should be able to climb it.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Cadfael gives a start, rousing himself from a waking dream. He takes no time to take in his surroundings, whether he never forgot where he is or has yet to realize it is known to no one but him, though even that may be a stretch.
"It is a day too near. Stumbled too quickly and sought way to a pause." He sighs "Another day of night and then out on Pelor's rise." He is speaking quietly; the rest of the party's conversation goes on around him, uninterested in his words.
When the discussion turns to the plans of how to get to the temple Cadfael leans forward slightly. He suddenly seems keenly interested in what is being said. When he speaks it is with a voice laced with sadness but still sure of its words.
"What can we do to distract death but give it death?" He smiles gently and reaches out to brush Garyth's cheek, "Some seem to think they were meant to survive." He fingers linger there a moment when he turns to speak to Farron, "some seem to think they were meant to return home. Maps have been read, a path has been found. Bodies have bled and answers giv'n sound. The second purpose is sacrifice, the only first that remains is Mission's end."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
BTW, I am doing my standard, "wait for everyone to check in with an 'I do this' before we move on."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
OOC - OK, Cadfael is really creeping me out. /OOC
Farron leans to Sa'id and says quietly, "Ok, Cadfael is really creeping me out."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Sa'id nods in the dark. "If I have time to memorize spells tonight, then yes. By sacrificing other spells that I would normally memorize - the flaming ray and the mirror image spell - I can memorize the spell of command five times over. Also, I have memorized a spell that halts undead creatures and can memorize that multiple times, though it comes at the expense of, among others, my protective circle against evil spell, fireball, and the invisibility spell..."
He pauses. "Which, I should point out, we may be able to use here. If we get Cadfael out of his armour some distance from here, we could perhaps sneak into the entrance."
"Either way," the necromancer continues, "we should make camp a good distance from here. Somewhere relatively safe, like a side tunnel. Our overall strategy will determine which spells it is most prudent for Farron and I to memorize tonight."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Without waiting for a reply, Sa'id continues.
"What about ranged attacks? A hit-then-run strategy? If we attack from the fringes of the jungle, for instance, we could keep cover in the vegetation while you fire arrows and Farron and I sling spells. Depending on the extent of the vegetation... hmmmmm. If I could get close enough to the group of zombies guarding the entrance, I could turn one of them against the others as a diversion." He sighs. "I am no warrior, though, and no strategist. It is unfortunate that we have to reveal ourselves to the enemy so early on."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
"I know some don't respect our craft, so perhaps this isn't an issue for them," Farron begins, quietly, speaking to Sa'id but not hiding his words from the rest of the group. "But I'm a little concerned about a big battle tomorrow morning, then having nothing left to face whatever is inside. I don't know what other option there is, but if we are spent getting in and have no time to rest, we will have nothing to use against Anileth."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
"We also," Sa'id adds, "have absolutely no idea what is going to happen when we meet Anileth, nor of how we are to get Promise from her." He looks pointedly at Cadfael.
More Planning, Temple Entrance Map
Subject: ummmmm....
So, am I supposed to write a turn now?
From: Mike
Subject: ummmmm....
OOC: I think we're all waiting to see what the next person says...
IC:
"As I see it, we can only gain entrance to the mountain through strength or stealth. Even using all of your skills," Garyth looks at both Farron and Sa'id, "I don't think we can overcome the odds we face by force. Our best shot is to cause some sort of diversion and sneak past while our enemies are occupied." He pauses for a moment. "I want to hear Rennik's findings before we decide."
From: Scott
Subject: ummmmm....
Mission fights the impatient clutch of his stomach. "Twenty zombies in the tunnel. Thirty more at the entrance to the mountain, plus human and halfling guards. . . we have no chance of survival if we confront them head on."
"Let Rennick do his scouting, but we should not rest here. Or anywhere in these tunnels. That half-orc and his men-- they were a patrol, if ever I saw one. We should strike tonight. There is no safety in this darkness."
From: Raja
Subject: ummmmm....
"If we strike tonight," Sa'id replies quietly, "we will accomplish nothing. How do you propose we subdue Anileth until Promise is born? Especially so near to the source of her power?" He shakes his head. "I confess that the solution to this puzzle still eludes me. I am not certain how we are to save your child from his mother, when we cannot truly harm her until he is born... and when he is born, it will already be too late. Somehow, we must ensure that he is born into safety... but we cannot defeat Anileth..." he trails off. If he could not solve the puzzle, who else of them could be expected to? The night would tell, he decided... and the next day would be the test.
"The counsel of a diversion is wise, though we cannot be sure how effective it will be. And I am quite capable of creating a... large... diversion."
From: Matt
Subject: Scouting the temple
Rennik returns with a furrowed brow and sour expression.
"It's bad."
He sits down, rubbing his forhead for a moment before continuing. Tichenor sits at his side and nuzzles under his hand for attention.
"There are at least twenty zombies, near that many halflings, and a handful of human soldiers. The halflings are armed similarly to those we encountered days ago, with bows and leather armor, though they carry axes instead of swords. The humans are more mixed. Three are like those who traveled with the shebitch and the Brute, ragtag and roadworn. One is far more capable, clad in a shining chain shirt with the bearing of a true warrior. The last is a scarred and disfigured woman, who I would assume is there because of talent with magery."
"There are four fire pits. Two within twenty feet of the temple entrance, and two roughly 80 feet from the entrance. The zombies are closer to the temple and avoid the fires of the living, and the humans sit at one of the further fires - seemingly just above the ladder we saw."
"I did not see the Brute, which worries me. Either he has gone into the temple itself, or he has come back down into these tunnels. Regardless, an attack above ground would likely bring up the soldier in plate mail from the end of the tunnel along with the three crossbowmen, and draw the Brute and more from inside the temple."
"Also, an attack would likely trigger the zombies in the side tunnel to come up behind us."
Rennik sighs, absently patting Tichenor's head and thinking.
"The good news is that the ruins offer great protection against detection. We can move pretty easily from one building to the next in the dark, as the temple defenders will be mostly blind from their firelight. They are cocky and make lots of noise, so even the priest can sneak within 100 feet or so of the entrance without much problem. The zombie tunnel opens out about 200 feet or so away."
"The difficulty is finding a way to distract the guards."
"The zombies are mindless and will go where they are commanded. I know no ways to trick them other than presenting an obvious threat that forces them to act. The halflings look to be barbarians and scouts, comfortable in the wilderness, and will likely be dispatched first to check the surrounding woods if a problem is suspected."
"The men are more difficult. Men are lazy and stupid, and with so much protection they are likely to remain close to the temple entrance. Their chain-clad leader worries me, because he is obviously battle hardened and not likely to fall for parlor tricks. The witch is a complete unknown. Further, any disturbance will likely call more from inside the temple and up from the tunnels."
"Short of sending a herd of H'rugda or a mated pair of swamp dragons to scatter the defenders, I can't see any easy options. And even that would leave us with beasts to bypass without getting mauled, if it were even possible."
"It may be possible to circle around to the west end of the tunnel and cause a diversion on the east. The west side offers a wall we might be able to use as cover, and if the halflings and zombies at that corner are drawn off, and the humans' attentions diverted, we might be able to slip in unnoticed."
"Getting out again, however, is a different problem entirely."
As he speaks, Rennik scratches out a rough map on the floor of the tunnel, indicating the temple entrance, the firepits, the ruined buildings and the rough placement of the defenders.
(OOC: Ty, was Rennik able to gather any Belladonna to distribute to the party?)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
Oh, as to the map, here's the key Ty provided:
Map Key:
The black blob is mount kessel itself.
The gray attachment to kessel is the entrance to the temple.
The gray boxes scattered about are the remains of ruined buildings.
The ruin marked A is the one you are in. The arrow shows the direction you would use to enter or exit that ruin. That ruin is about 20 feet on a side, if that gives you an indication of the scale of the map.
The ruin marked B is the one that you believe sits on top of the ladder in the other tunnel.
X's are bad guys.
Yellow X's are halflings.
Green X's are humans.
Black X's are zombies.
Red and yellow circles are firepits.
Farron Offers Shelter, Garyth Skeptical, Rennik's Ideas
Subject: Re: ummmmm....
"Wherever we choose to camp, I can create a shelter for us that is opaque from the outside and will hide any light we choose to use while still letting us see our surroundings. I is also likely to be more comfortable inside than in the open jungle." He gives a weak smile and shrug. "I mean, if this is going to be our last night alive, we might as well be comfortable, right?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
No. Sorry about that. Wilderness check 17 vs DC20.
[Editor's Note: This is regarding whether or not Rennik found any belladonna.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
OOC: OK, so I've got very few ideas, none of which I have any confidence in not to get the whole party killed.
Garyth sighs. "Unless we can draw off all of the defenders, it comes to combat. And once they realize they are under attack, they will likely regroup from any diversion we might make."
"If we are to have any hope of getting through by stealth we must make our move while it is still dark." He pauses and thinks a moment, then continues.
"Sa'id's idea has some merit. It's possible that if we attack from a distance on one side, they will come after us in force. Then, perhaps, we could hide ourselves with Sa'id's invisibility spell. Though, that does nothing to hide the sound of our passing." He shakes his head ruefully. "I'll be honest; I don't like our chances in this."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
"Something hasn't been sitting well with me since I scouted the encampment, and I think I may have figured out what that is."
"These men aren't guarding anything. They don't have the bearing of guards. The crossbowmen at the end of the tunnel, though distracted, still had an edge to them, a readiness to set upon any coming down the tunnel. They were guards... these men seem to be waiting around for a ferry."
He considers a moment, then continues.
"They are making too much noise. They don't have sentries posted outside the firelight. They don't have roving patrols. Their attentions are focused inward, on their conversations, their fires - not out toward the woods."
"They aren't expecting an attack from above. I don't believe they thought we would find another way besides the ladder, and they feel their trap is foolproof. It seems they don't expect fools of our particular sort."
"I don't know what they are waiting for, though. They seem to be milling around, biding time. Perhaps they are making ready to leave in the morning? That seems too much to hope for. I think they are waiting for some word that the child is born, when their work will begin in earnest... setting out from the mountain as a conquering army."
"We may be able to slip by them, simple because they expect nothing. If only we could trigger the tunnel trap somehow... their attention would be drawn down the hole, where they figure we are dead as ducks, and we might be able to slip past unnoticed."
He hesitates only a moment. "The... invisibility could be a great advantage. In the commotion, they are not likely to hear us pass."
"Of course, we could always sneak in then collapse the temple entrance." A wry grin creeps across his face. "Sure, we'd be trapped inside... but we'd have a wall of stone between us and the bulk of our enemies.... though, this group may only be a sampling of more inside the temple walls..."
Deliberations
Subject: Re: ummmmm....
"That," Sa'id says, "is an absolutely splendid idea."
OOC: If no one has any further strategic conversation, let's make camp in a side tunnel and sort out what we're going to do and when. We really need a plan here.
From: Scott
Subject: Deliberations
Mission sucks in a deep breath to stave off his impatience. Haste was not what was needed here. Cautious planning, strategem, wisdom. . .
His eyes flick over Cadfael, murmring there on the floor of the sewer. Wisdom and madness . . .
"Sa'id, can you question the dead creatures?" He gestures idly toward the tunnel where the zombies stand. "I don't know how much they would know about Anileth's purposes, or Elise, or even if they could answer us. But they don't seem hostile."
He shivers. "If we wait until morning, we loose the cover of darkness. Then, we will HAVE to depend on a strategy of distraction to lure the guards away from the temple, assuming we can gain the surface."
A rather large assumption. "Both Rennick and I have passed through the zombies. I'd wager that Garyth and Farron can as well. Sa'id, Cadfael-- I'm not sure about the two of you. But of everyone here, perhaps the both of you understand these corruptions of death best. Why would they let us pass? Would they stop you?"
Although he addresses both men, Mission is looking at Cadfael.
"Master Plate-mail seems to be a captain, or leader of some sort-- he may have information we could use. If attacking him draws out the zombies, Cadfael--" Mission swallows. "Well, Cadfael obliterated a good number of skeletons at Gully's outpost. Do you think you could do the same with these zombies? That would free Sa'id to work his magery on the four soldiers. If we close with them quickly, we may be able to subdue them before they can raise an alarm."
But he remembers how savagely the halflings fought, and the fanatiscism of Elise's man on the road. Even after his guts had been ripped open. He shakes his head. "I don't know. It won't be an easy fight, or a clean one. But we seem to have left easy and clean behind us a long time ago."
Mission says, "If we camp, we should do so now, and only for long enough for Farron and Sa'id to memorize the spells they think they will need to assault the temple."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: ummmmm....
Farron will take 15 minutes to memorize "tiny hut" to be ready to cast it when the group decides where/when we are going to camp.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Correction: *IF* the group decides to camp in the tunnel, Farron will memorize and cast tiny hut. If we are just resting in order to fill vacant slots, Farron won't waste a 3rd level slot on tiny hut.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Sa'id purses his lips, thinking. "I might be able to, but there are a few problems. The biggest of these is that commanding one of them might trigger the others to wake. When undead are set in such a fashion, both physical and magical interference are usually named as triggers. It probably isn't worth the risk, because the chance that any of them can tell us anything useful is small."
He glances at Cadfael before continuing. "My belief is that they are set to trigger on hostile acts, either against them or against the group by the ladder. If that is the case, then all of us can walk by them unmolested."
"My concern, however, is that Promise will not be born until tomorrow. Even if we get into the temple tonigh, we will have to somehow capture Anileth and keep her with us until Promise is born. That's a long time to have to survive in a place where everything wants to kill us, particularly given..." he trails off, then sighs, looking at Cadfael again. "Particularly given your single-mindedness, priest."
The necromancer shakes his head. "You're right about it being easier to get into the temple tonight, though. And if we could quiet ourselves, we might even be able to sneak in with my invisibility spell."
He sighs again. "The question is, what waits for us inside? Until we know that, we can't develop any sort of useful plan."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"The Path protects me, and will protect Promise," Mission says. "Anileth withered when she touched me. Promise won't."
He grimaces. "At the very worst, if I grapple with her long enough, she'll cruble away. Leaving Promise."
He doesn't look terribly enthusiastic about the idea.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Sa'id nods. "Yes," he says, "but she also felled you with a single blow. Still, it is possible that it could be done."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"Attacking in the tunnel is foolish. Even if we were to subdue all of the men and the zombies, there is no way we could do it without revealing ourselves to the men seated not fifteen feet directly above them. If they know we're in the tunnel, they will seal off the exits and we will die underground."
"If we are to sneak in, we must do it tonight. I don't know what the morning will bring - more soldiers, less? The soldiers would be more alert, and we would find it nearly impossible to sneak by in broad daylight. As it is, their vision is impaired by the firepits, so we can move about largely unnoticed. In the morning, that will not be the case."
Cadfael Chimes In
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"Through their dead eyes they see nothing but darkness. And if they dare to reach for me I will burn the darkness from their eyes, false brothers of no concern. I bear The Master's mark, a mark darker than he ever intended. I do not believe any can see the light?"
He trails off and seems to have troubled himself with his words. Though he sighs he seems to make no effort to collect himself, the pieces are too scattered. Speaking like a man weak with from a fever he plods on.
"Hours pass inside or out, we need kill nothing but time. Once inside on the third dawn a path over stone and through blood will be laid down. Best to lead to a Promise saved but rather it dead than twisted to something it was not supposed to be."
"The mother keeps the word for her God, it is the word that grants her power." Sweat is beading on Cadfael's forehead and seems to be struggling to express this thought, "her power is balled together and focused for offering, it is hers to offer but not to command. All she is is focused on holding a promise, she has nothing left. The danger lies in the darkness that holds the dagger, the mother is now no more than a container to be opened."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"Then," Sa'id says, "the question is whether or not we'll be able to hide anywhere inside the temple once we sneak in."
Cadfael Presents Another Option
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Cadfael stumbles a few steps down the corridor but comes quickly to a stop, turns and heads back to the party, making a beeline for Mission. His face is still troubled and he looks through Mission, talking to someone just behind him though there is nobody there.
"I am this place, I know it well but I can't find sense in it. If I am here the grand doors should be before me pointing the way to my end. They are a guidepost to a gap, like before. If only I could see them! Turn my back on Pelor's seat and walk away from him. A short walk, no more than once around the church's hall." A dreamy look crosses his face, "Counting them silently every morning, driving men mad with pacing. One, two, three steps to bring in the morning, 300 to come full circle."
He gives himself a secret smile and goes on, "There is a hole in Kor Garesh's side. A hole leading straight to his heart. What is so small a hole to this mountain God? He does not feel it; steps have not brought it to his attention. But a single footfall will give him knowledge." Cadfael's gaze flickers up and his focus has suddenly shifted to intently look into Mission's eyes.
His smile dies and he looks at Mission with sad accusation, "I have been cloaked in a shadow he cannot pierce, an ink that clung to those that walked with me, we have dined on it with every meal. But every step toward this end has pushed the gloom nearer, growing more pure at my center and lifting with every pace away from me. When Pelor is at his highest I may cross, when the shadows cast are barely more than skin deep. When in his temple those uncovered and seen will be struck down by the gathering darkness. A Darkness that may already know we are here, Brother. You and the half man have strayed."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Before Cadfael has even finished, Sa'id is swearing in his native tongue, the curses flowing forth like a raging torrent through a burst dam. He sits down heavily against the wall, shaking his head.
"I didn't even..." he sighs. "I'm a fool. We'll simply have to wait until noon, then. No other options."
From: Raja
Subject: For reference
For reference, here's everyone's name, Hatrack alias, and character name.
Jeff - Rakeesh - Kuri
Jake - Noemon - Artavazdes
Ashley - sarmup - Leilanwar
Abby - Ryuko - Saskia
Amy - Shigosei - Galesh
Porter - MPH - Mordecai
From: Raja
Subject: Re: For reference
Oops, wrong list. That's what I get for sending emails to three game lists at once.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Garyth shakes his head. "If we wait until it's light out, these guards will only have that much better a chance of noticing us." He looks over at Farron. "Perhaps you could summon another beast to distract them while we try to slip by?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"We aren't going through the guarded door," Sa'id says quietly. Had Garyth even listened to the priest? Of course, after his own recently revealed folly - hadn't it been he who had pointed out that Cadfael shielded them from the sight of Kor Garesh? - Sa'id doesn't feel his usual irritation. "...and, more than likely, we will all be invisible."
"If Cadfael has spoken truly - and in this I do believe him - we have no logical choice but to enter by this other tunnel tomorrow at noon."
OOC:
That is, of course, assuming I've interpreted Dan's characteristically cryptic message correctly.
Sa'id Explains It All
Subject: Re: Deliberations
There is a long moment of silence, and then Mission chuckles softly, darkly. "I'm sorry, what? Are you saying that Cadfael is somehow making us invisible?"
"Recent experience with lizards, and halflings, and skeletons, and brigands, and zombies and whatnot seems to disagree."
Mission tosses the glowing glove back to Cadfael. "You need light more than me, Cadfael."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"I *could*," Farron replies. "But I won't start anything until we are all decided on a course of action. Like it or not we are stuck in this in confusions of riddles, but one this is certain. If we don't get on the same . . . path" (he glances at Mission) "we will all surely die."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Sa'id glances at Mission. Clearly the entire party had been stupefied by lack of sleep, himself included. They would have to get some rest before facing Anileth.
"No," Sa'id says, "We'll be invisible because *I* will make us so, as I did earlier today." He pauses, "But yes, it has also become clear to me that Kor Garesh cannot see us when we are near Cadfael... which is why I feel like an imbecile for not realizing this before you and Rennik went scouting. However, even if he did detect you, the information you gained about the entrances and guards may well have been worth that risk."
"Am I the only one to have heard Cadfael's words?" He asks. "If I am interpreting him correctly - and I believe I am - there is a small tunnel somewhere in the side of the mountain that is unguarded. Kor Garesh and his minions don't know of it, and it leads directly to where we need to go. However, unless we enter the tunnel at high noon, when Pelor is strongest, Kor Garesh will detect us as soon as we set foot in the tunnel."
He looks around the party. "It seems to me, then, that our course of action has largely been decided. I do have one other suggestion, though - it is clear that we are all in desperate need of a good night's sleep, or as much of it as we can get at a time such as this. I propose that we find somewhere to make camp quickly, so that we can all have our wits about us in the morning."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
While a campsite is being determined, Farron will move nearest the light and study "Tiny Hut" (15 min) in order to provide a comfortable, concealment for the group's possible last night in this plane.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Mission stares at Sa'id. The mage's words make sense-- he could not make heads or tails of the priest's-- and he slowly leans against the wall. "So. A magic tunnel that can only be crossed in blinding daylight."
"Do you know where this tunnel is, Cadfael?"
But he doesn't expect a lucid answer.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
I just want to commend Dan on these last two posts. The one before this one really creeped me out, and this one is just as good, if less creepy. As much as Farron is fed up with the priest, *I'm* really enjoying his strange and frustrating character.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Indeed. Though it also makes me feel a bit guilty. Sa'id's frustration with his idiocy is my own.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Deliberations
See, I've been wondering about this. Is it the characters that don't understand my posts or the players? I mean, it's obviously really clear to me what I'm trying to say, but I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't write some sort of "Player's Guide to Understanding Dan's Posts."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Well, Garyth isn't all that bright a fellow. Yeah, uh, that's it. Garyth's fault. You buy that, right?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
That's the biggest problem I have in "the other" game. Nero is supposedly a much smarter tactician than I am. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to make him sound competent when I, myself, would have gotten the whole party killed ages ago.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
I've found your character frustrating as hell to play against, but for me at least, that's made the story much deeper and more interesting. I'd hate to have a character like Farron (who is feeling pretty doomed right now) suddenly understand what is going on. (And I'm not sure I'd be all that good at keeping secrets from him, if you know what I mean?)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
For me, it's not that I don't understand Dan's messages. I'm pretty sure, cryptic though they may be, that I've gotten at least the gist of everything he's spewed out. That may be partly because I know Dan and his writing style relatively well.
What's frustrating is that for a guy with 18 Int, Sa'id has done some remarkably stupid things. Clearly, I am not as intelligent as he is. :-P
Sa'id, on the other hand, is chalking it all up to sleep depravation. ;-)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Deliberations
In all honesty, I don't read your posts for content, Dan. I know Rennik doesn't even try to understand them, so I don't look for any sort of meaning. I did get that last time that you were talking about some sort of tunnel and high noon, but to Rennik Cadfael's voice has become like the droning of insects - totally incomprehensible and in need of severe swatting.
Mission's Decision
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Whispering in the darkness, cowering beneath a dark god's gaze. . . this was not the Path of Stone and Blood. This was the worm's way, the little maggots that crawls beneath the rock. . .
Patience, Mission reminds himself. That _was_ the way of the Path.
This was his day. Either the Path would lead him to Promise and his redemption, or he would die, and his ancestors would receive his soul. And after? Who could say?
Someone had to make a decision-- they could not stand here whispering and vacilating all night long. And Promise was his child, after all. It was his child in danger, his rejection of the Path that brought Promise to life.
His voice catches in his throat. For a moment, he falters-- and then, "I will go with Cadfael. It is madness, it is insanity. But reason has no way into the temple, that I can see."
The Path was set. And so was he. Was it fatalism, this . . . relief? For now, he knew his choice. To follow the priest into Kor Garesh's guts. To trust that Cadfael, mad, violent, disturbed Cadfael, possessed some wisdom that Mission lacked.
Trust. Hah. That was laughable. But he didn't laugh. "We should get back down the tunnel some-- back to the last intersection at least. Farron, you're sure that your magery can shield us from any patrols that may happen by?"
Listen to him. Assuming that anyone but Cadfael would want to remain the night. Mission squares his shoulders, and turns away from the light of the torches at the end of the tunnel.
Turns back into the darkness.
Mission is heading back to the intersection where Sa'id hid them using invisibility.
Farron Explains Tiny Hut
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Farron replies, "This spell will create a sphere that will shield us from sight it is transparent from within, but opaque if viewed from outside. In the darkness of the tunnel it should make us *virtually* invisible. We will be able to use full light within, and the temperature will be comfortable and dry. It will not block our sounds, so we will still have to remain quiet, but we will be able to see and hear outside the sphere and should know if anyone approaches. You may all come and go freely, but I must stay inside or the effect will be dispelled."
(ooc - Ty, correct my description if I'm wrong.)