File: 1352354111440.jpg (676.26 KB, 1500x788, i grabbed it off of google ima…)
The city of Gloom is a black sprawl carved from the remnants of a dormant volcano. The streets are layered warrens linked by ashen bridges between obsidian spires. Far from Equestria proper, adventurers, mercenaries, and traders of all stripes, shapes, and color cross paths here.
It is here your party has accepted a challenge from famed donkey thief Talia One Ear, taking an obsidian key to the golden portal over the Caldera and attempting to infiltrate the domain of the corrupt wizard Filchfire.
When we last left off, our heroes were befuddled by a trapped door with no path. The doors are opened.
It is here your party has accepted a challenge from famed donkey thief Talia One Ear, taking an obsidian key to the golden portal over the Caldera and attempting to infiltrate the domain of the corrupt wizard Filchfire.
When we last left off, our heroes were befuddled by a trapped door with no path. The doors are opened.
To the DM:
Taking my eyes off the trapped floor for a moment, is there a door anywhere near? Even if we bring them in, it won't really help if we leave them in a trapped corridor.
To Klandin
"All I am seeing here is traps. I'm gonna look for another way out of here, and if we can't find it, we'll think of something else."
Taking my eyes off the trapped floor for a moment, is there a door anywhere near? Even if we bring them in, it won't really help if we leave them in a trapped corridor.
To Klandin
"All I am seeing here is traps. I'm gonna look for another way out of here, and if we can't find it, we'll think of something else."
File: 1352354859103.jpg (76.4 KB, 500x500, 121107-gquest.jpg)
A reference image for the area as it is right now.
>>190079
>>190080
Oh, this is a top-down view. Sorry, bit of a rush job, that. Basically, the Groundpounder section is the balcony, the red bit is what fell off earlier, so you can lean over the double-line wall to look past the gold doors and have a very limited view of the tunnels inside. The pale bit is the odd-colored panels and section of wall.
>>190080
Oh, this is a top-down view. Sorry, bit of a rush job, that. Basically, the Groundpounder section is the balcony, the red bit is what fell off earlier, so you can lean over the double-line wall to look past the gold doors and have a very limited view of the tunnels inside. The pale bit is the odd-colored panels and section of wall.
File: 1352355257987.png (58.31 KB, 570x407, wall.png)
>>190086
So for clarity, is the tower there in a physical sense? (ie: it's a portal in the sense of a door, not a teleportation portal)
IE: If we had enough firepower, could we just knock down this wall?
So for clarity, is the tower there in a physical sense? (ie: it's a portal in the sense of a door, not a teleportation portal)
IE: If we had enough firepower, could we just knock down this wall?
>>190090
"I grow tired of waiting. Let's try a more direct approach. Let's see if this ghost has enough body to be explosive, and if his walls are still firm after all this time."
After another pause, I order my undead to approach the wall adjacent to the balcony, then jump. As the ghost approaches the wall proper, I softly command, "Corpse explosion."
Roll #0 9 = 9
"I grow tired of waiting. Let's try a more direct approach. Let's see if this ghost has enough body to be explosive, and if his walls are still firm after all this time."
After another pause, I order my undead to approach the wall adjacent to the balcony, then jump. As the ghost approaches the wall proper, I softly command, "Corpse explosion."
Roll #0 9 = 9
>>190111
Thankfully familiar with ungulate proportions, you tie off the rope harness comfortably!
>>190113
The explosion isn't enough to actually damage anything, it's just ash… but the blast of hot air does sing your paws a little as it pushes you away, rolling into a very awkward landing inside the tunnel.
Roll to dodge the traps.
Thankfully familiar with ungulate proportions, you tie off the rope harness comfortably!
>>190113
The explosion isn't enough to actually damage anything, it's just ash… but the blast of hot air does sing your paws a little as it pushes you away, rolling into a very awkward landing inside the tunnel.
Roll to dodge the traps.
>>190135
>>190132
OKAY LET'S ROLL WITH IT.
You soar through the air like an eagle piloting a blimp, and roll into the floor with no sense of decorum as negative energy beams sprout up around you. As the lattice of death disappears behind you, you come to a ready stop in a kneeling position, weapon haphazardly drawn and your fur singed in several spots.
You have no idea how you managed all that, but these are the moments you wish you had someone to take your picture. A panel in the wall opens up and a camera obscura extends on a collapsible arm to do just that.
After a blinding flash, a fast-printing photo comes out of it and floats to the ground. The device retracts into the wall and a voice echoes through the tunnel, loud enough for those outside to hear.
"Filchfire here, welcome to my secret underground lair, except it's not really secret and not very far underground… but it is a lair, and if you're here without my permission I suggest you turn back now before any of my experiments happen to get loose and kill you, or worse. Have a nice day!"
>>190125
>>190137
>>190146
Going off of Chester's crit and your teamwork, I'll let you automatically succeed in giving the buffalo wings, if only for a brief but glorious fifteen seconds to heft her into the portal.
>>190132
OKAY LET'S ROLL WITH IT.
You soar through the air like an eagle piloting a blimp, and roll into the floor with no sense of decorum as negative energy beams sprout up around you. As the lattice of death disappears behind you, you come to a ready stop in a kneeling position, weapon haphazardly drawn and your fur singed in several spots.
You have no idea how you managed all that, but these are the moments you wish you had someone to take your picture. A panel in the wall opens up and a camera obscura extends on a collapsible arm to do just that.
After a blinding flash, a fast-printing photo comes out of it and floats to the ground. The device retracts into the wall and a voice echoes through the tunnel, loud enough for those outside to hear.
"Filchfire here, welcome to my secret underground lair, except it's not really secret and not very far underground… but it is a lair, and if you're here without my permission I suggest you turn back now before any of my experiments happen to get loose and kill you, or worse. Have a nice day!"
>>190125
>>190137
>>190146
Going off of Chester's crit and your teamwork, I'll let you automatically succeed in giving the buffalo wings, if only for a brief but glorious fifteen seconds to heft her into the portal.
>>190157
Ponynapping Chester is an easy enough feat, and you carry him safely into the tunnel.
>>190158
You fly down. Way, way way down. The hot air and ash seem to get the better of your breathing rhythm and it's a little hard to hold up even your own weight at the moment.
>>190160
You're inside the steel-plated tunnel with the odd grooves in the walls, floor and ceiling. There is a printed photo on the ground with Tsvetkov's brave face on it. Tsvetkov is also here, a short distance into the tunnel.
The tunnel is dimly lit by crystal sconces on either side, they give off a faint blue aura. It's not that hard to spot details, thankfully. There's no visible end to the tunnel from here.
Ponynapping Chester is an easy enough feat, and you carry him safely into the tunnel.
>>190158
You fly down. Way, way way down. The hot air and ash seem to get the better of your breathing rhythm and it's a little hard to hold up even your own weight at the moment.
>>190160
You're inside the steel-plated tunnel with the odd grooves in the walls, floor and ceiling. There is a printed photo on the ground with Tsvetkov's brave face on it. Tsvetkov is also here, a short distance into the tunnel.
The tunnel is dimly lit by crystal sconces on either side, they give off a faint blue aura. It's not that hard to spot details, thankfully. There's no visible end to the tunnel from here.
>>190163
You can sense a lot of dead in here, which is strange because at this vicinity you should have sensed them from outside.
Alas, it's such a mess of death and dead that you can't lock on to any specific spirit or remnants of such. There are certainly no signs of corpses in here, either; the energy traps must disintegrate bodies easily.
You can sense a lot of dead in here, which is strange because at this vicinity you should have sensed them from outside.
Alas, it's such a mess of death and dead that you can't lock on to any specific spirit or remnants of such. There are certainly no signs of corpses in here, either; the energy traps must disintegrate bodies easily.
>>190169
I shake my head and gesture at the photo, "The magus of this tower intends to mock us." Another silence. "It will be his undoing."
After another, slightly longer pause, I accept the photo anyway and slip it into my armor.
I turn inward and try to plot a course to move in safely.
Roll #0 2 = 2
I shake my head and gesture at the photo, "The magus of this tower intends to mock us." Another silence. "It will be his undoing."
After another, slightly longer pause, I accept the photo anyway and slip it into my armor.
I turn inward and try to plot a course to move in safely.
Roll #0 2 = 2
>>190177
You can take the -1 off if you're not wearing armor.
You retrieve your armor, but are left hanging at the edge of the portal like a cat climbing a fence. You're going to need help!
>>190178
You take a step forward and a blast of red energy erupts in front of you. Thankfully no damage, still, and it seems the traps here don't reset, at least not too quickly.
>>190182
You figure you can barely carry one other individual just off the floor, but you notice there are panels in the walls and ceiling, too. You will need to be careful if flying indoors.
You can take the -1 off if you're not wearing armor.
You retrieve your armor, but are left hanging at the edge of the portal like a cat climbing a fence. You're going to need help!
>>190178
You take a step forward and a blast of red energy erupts in front of you. Thankfully no damage, still, and it seems the traps here don't reset, at least not too quickly.
>>190182
You figure you can barely carry one other individual just off the floor, but you notice there are panels in the walls and ceiling, too. You will need to be careful if flying indoors.
>>190182
"We need to get out of this hallway. Any monster is preferable to these traps."
I notice that the traps don't reset.
"Hope this works."
I pull my tinderbox out of my pocket and slide it in a straight line across the floor as hard as I can, trying to trigger as many traps in front of me in a straight line as possible.
[s]Shouldn't most everything behind me be safe since I rolled across it?
Roll #0 1 = 1
"We need to get out of this hallway. Any monster is preferable to these traps."
I notice that the traps don't reset.
"Hope this works."
I pull my tinderbox out of my pocket and slide it in a straight line across the floor as hard as I can, trying to trigger as many traps in front of me in a straight line as possible.
[s]Shouldn't most everything behind me be safe since I rolled across it?
Roll #0 1 = 1
>>190191
Everything behind you is safe (the others have been entering without incident).
You slide your tinderbox down the hallway, and it triggers a blast trap right away. It doesn't disintegrate the thing, but it sends the thing ricocheting around the steel hallway like a bullet!
It comes back at you and pings you square between the eyes for one hit of damage. (4/5, I'll try to track these.)
>>190195
Oh, you're right.
…Why WERE you applying a -1?
Everything behind you is safe (the others have been entering without incident).
You slide your tinderbox down the hallway, and it triggers a blast trap right away. It doesn't disintegrate the thing, but it sends the thing ricocheting around the steel hallway like a bullet!
It comes back at you and pings you square between the eyes for one hit of damage. (4/5, I'll try to track these.)
>>190195
Oh, you're right.
…Why WERE you applying a -1?
Right, moving along.
Contrary to what your dungeon senses tell you, the tunnel is actually angled slightly downward into the lair, meaning any would-be burglars wouldn't be pushed out the door by falling boulder traps. So there's that.
The main feature seems to be the light grooves and pressure-sensitive energy traps, and the tunnel goes on for a long distance. You don't know if there's an end in sight, or side doors.
>>190206
The beams so far have been clearly involved with the patterned grooves throughout the hallway, coming out at all strange angles.
Contrary to what your dungeon senses tell you, the tunnel is actually angled slightly downward into the lair, meaning any would-be burglars wouldn't be pushed out the door by falling boulder traps. So there's that.
The main feature seems to be the light grooves and pressure-sensitive energy traps, and the tunnel goes on for a long distance. You don't know if there's an end in sight, or side doors.
>>190206
The beams so far have been clearly involved with the patterned grooves throughout the hallway, coming out at all strange angles.
"We barely got the buffalo across that small gap. We can't cross this field without triggering the traps or avoiding them. At our current rate it will take several more hours to even cover the distance we can see. We need a faster solution…
Do any of you have a remote way of triggering these traps from a safe distance?"
Do any of you have a remote way of triggering these traps from a safe distance?"
File: 1352360581871.jpg (61.45 KB, 500x500, noneuclidean space.jpg)
Tsvetkov and Auvergne get a very unsettling feeling as they realize you've all been walking way longer than should be possible.
>>190276
The missing sconces were all on the left side going in, but they didn't seem to be distanced in any numerically significant pattern.
>>190277
Ding! They make a nice sound.
>>190266
>>190271
>>190272
Geaton and Tsvet turn back, with Auvergne following them with a rope tied to Sconce R135. They disappear towards the entrance, beyond line of sight for the rest of the group in the tunnel.
Geaton, you and the others are back at the golden portal over the caldera. You see that there are four marble plates set into the wall, adjoining an outlined doorframe. The plates look like they could be pressed into the wall.
The missing sconces were all on the left side going in, but they didn't seem to be distanced in any numerically significant pattern.
>>190277
Ding! They make a nice sound.
>>190266
>>190271
>>190272
Geaton and Tsvet turn back, with Auvergne following them with a rope tied to Sconce R135. They disappear towards the entrance, beyond line of sight for the rest of the group in the tunnel.
Geaton, you and the others are back at the golden portal over the caldera. You see that there are four marble plates set into the wall, adjoining an outlined doorframe. The plates look like they could be pressed into the wall.
>>190292
Someone, or something, screams at you from the beyond. Maybe it was your great great grandmother moaning about how disappointed she is you didn't take up a gem-grinding wheel.
Or a nameless horror attempting to cross the Rift into the Waking World, its eldritch claws tearing through the black halls of the Sleeping Manor where thousands of souls have lost their way.
Let's go with the second one, that's less worrying.
Someone, or something, screams at you from the beyond. Maybe it was your great great grandmother moaning about how disappointed she is you didn't take up a gem-grinding wheel.
Or a nameless horror attempting to cross the Rift into the Waking World, its eldritch claws tearing through the black halls of the Sleeping Manor where thousands of souls have lost their way.
Let's go with the second one, that's less worrying.
>>190298
Pray harder, cus it ain't working!
Chester could tell you that Filchfire is a godless heathen, though. It wouldn't be surprising that much of his lair would be warded against divinations.
>>190300
There's no visible change, at least not until you look back down the tunnel.
The rope trailing from Auvergne, standing next to you, has been neatly severed several yards in.
Pray harder, cus it ain't working!
Chester could tell you that Filchfire is a godless heathen, though. It wouldn't be surprising that much of his lair would be warded against divinations.
>>190300
There's no visible change, at least not until you look back down the tunnel.
The rope trailing from Auvergne, standing next to you, has been neatly severed several yards in.
>>190302
You certainly don't hear Geaton, Tsvet, or Auvergne moving around or talking, though you're not certain they're in earshot at the entrance, assuming that's where they are. The rope line Auvergne tied nearby looks intact, anyway.
>>190304
There's no holes or spaces in the walls where a cutting apparatus could have come from, but you realize that the entire length of your rope past the severed point has vanished.
You certainly don't hear Geaton, Tsvet, or Auvergne moving around or talking, though you're not certain they're in earshot at the entrance, assuming that's where they are. The rope line Auvergne tied nearby looks intact, anyway.
>>190304
There's no holes or spaces in the walls where a cutting apparatus could have come from, but you realize that the entire length of your rope past the severed point has vanished.
>>190309
Though the light of the sun can't reach you in here, you feel a guiding warmth pulling you back towards the entrance.
>>190308
A good guess, considering the rest of the rope beyond the cut point has vanished completely!
>>190311
The rightmost plate is still depressed and you can't seem to reset it.
Pushing the leftmost plate causes the rightmost plate to pop out, and the missing rope reappears in the tunnel.
Though the light of the sun can't reach you in here, you feel a guiding warmth pulling you back towards the entrance.
>>190308
A good guess, considering the rest of the rope beyond the cut point has vanished completely!
>>190311
The rightmost plate is still depressed and you can't seem to reset it.
Pushing the leftmost plate causes the rightmost plate to pop out, and the missing rope reappears in the tunnel.
Yeah, I agree, we should call it here for the night.
And sorry for the very slow pace relative to my last quest. Again, I blame the odd pacing for MLPG. We'll try to pick this up again tomorrow night at around the same time (8pm Pacific / 11pm Eastern)… but in the submarine this time so we don't get interrupted! I want to move you guys along.
Hope the noneuclidean trick isn't frustrating you too much. One of my less well-thought out asspulls.
And sorry for the very slow pace relative to my last quest. Again, I blame the odd pacing for MLPG. We'll try to pick this up again tomorrow night at around the same time (8pm Pacific / 11pm Eastern)… but in the submarine this time so we don't get interrupted! I want to move you guys along.
Hope the noneuclidean trick isn't frustrating you too much. One of my less well-thought out asspulls.
>>190331
((Nah man, it's fine. Certainly better than some things I've had to deal with in the past, and I really should've guessed it when we saw there were four switches arranged around a door-shaped outline.
((Catch you all later, then. Oh, and I'm banned from all boards on 4chan for three days, so if we do anything in that time it'll have to be here.
((Nah man, it's fine. Certainly better than some things I've had to deal with in the past, and I really should've guessed it when we saw there were four switches arranged around a door-shaped outline.
((Catch you all later, then. Oh, and I'm banned from all boards on 4chan for three days, so if we do anything in that time it'll have to be here.
Our heroes are divided into two groups as they try to figure out the insides of the golden portal. Tsvetkov, Gaeton, and Auvergne are at the entrance fiddling with the four marble panels that control a dimensional door. Klandin, Bethany and Chester are inside the "endless" tunnel activated by #1.
Auvergne has a length of rope tied around him that used to lead into Tunnel #1, but was severed when they accessed #4.
Auvergne has a length of rope tied around him that used to lead into Tunnel #1, but was severed when they accessed #4.
>>191370
"Seems that way. We already know the far-left opens the one we were just through, so at this point it's pretty much trial and error.
"I vote we just go left to right, and see where each one leads, though first…"
Gaeton strides over to just past the slice in the rope. "Press the far-right one, wait five seconds, then press the far-left. I'm curious about something."
"Seems that way. We already know the far-left opens the one we were just through, so at this point it's pretty much trial and error.
"I vote we just go left to right, and see where each one leads, though first…"
Gaeton strides over to just past the slice in the rope. "Press the far-right one, wait five seconds, then press the far-left. I'm curious about something."
>>191386
As panel #4 goes in, Gaeton and the length of rope vanish from sight. The tunnel appears unchanged otherwise.
Gaeton, who was standing on the other side of the "door", sees the party vanish. The double doors behind them are suddenly closed, and he still sees the marble panel on the wall.
When #1 is pressed, everything goes back to what it was before, with Gaeton and the rope standing opposite the open portal and the rest of the party at the marble panels.
As panel #4 goes in, Gaeton and the length of rope vanish from sight. The tunnel appears unchanged otherwise.
Gaeton, who was standing on the other side of the "door", sees the party vanish. The double doors behind them are suddenly closed, and he still sees the marble panel on the wall.
When #1 is pressed, everything goes back to what it was before, with Gaeton and the rope standing opposite the open portal and the rest of the party at the marble panels.
>>191402
"Well, I've got a little idea. Especially if you lot are going to use me as a minesweeper anyway. Budge over."
I'll head into the hallway.
"Now, here's what I'm going to do. One of you is going to hit the switch, wait two seconds, and then hit it again. In the time it takes you to do that, I'll blow open the door and hope that the traps don't act faster than you do."
"Well, I've got a little idea. Especially if you lot are going to use me as a minesweeper anyway. Budge over."
I'll head into the hallway.
"Now, here's what I'm going to do. One of you is going to hit the switch, wait two seconds, and then hit it again. In the time it takes you to do that, I'll blow open the door and hope that the traps don't act faster than you do."
>>191452
"Luckily, no. Seemed to be some sort of carvings on the floor, but I didn't have enough time to see if they were traps, or just an odd choice of architecture."
Chester hums to himself for a moment.
"Don't even know which way is the 'right' way, either, since we haven't checked the other portal configurations."
"Luckily, no. Seemed to be some sort of carvings on the floor, but I didn't have enough time to see if they were traps, or just an odd choice of architecture."
Chester hums to himself for a moment.
"Don't even know which way is the 'right' way, either, since we haven't checked the other portal configurations."
>>191479
"That still doesn't solve the communications problem if things go terribly for the away team. Unfortunately I have no Message spell, and the shops were all out of just about everything, so we can't send someone to fetch a wand. And, as you've noticed, the rope is severed quite easily once the Dimension Door shifts entrances."
"That still doesn't solve the communications problem if things go terribly for the away team. Unfortunately I have no Message spell, and the shops were all out of just about everything, so we can't send someone to fetch a wand. And, as you've noticed, the rope is severed quite easily once the Dimension Door shifts entrances."
>>191484
"We stay on the plate side of the rope when we press the button, and then we don't press any more plates until the team returns. Observe."
I press the second plate and begin to carefully walk the hallway, carefully examining for traps or differences from the first hall.
"If I'm not back in ten, assume I'm dead."
Roll #0 2 = 2
"We stay on the plate side of the rope when we press the button, and then we don't press any more plates until the team returns. Observe."
I press the second plate and begin to carefully walk the hallway, carefully examining for traps or differences from the first hall.
"If I'm not back in ten, assume I'm dead."
Roll #0 2 = 2
>>191490
>>191491
Tunnel #2 doesn't look any different, but oh boy does it feel different.
The moment you cross the threshold in full you are pulled deep into the tunnel at an alarming speed, your sense of balance and direction completely thrown off. The entrance and the rest of the party is out of sight by the time you realize that this "tunnel" is actually a hole, and you are falling.
To the rest of the group it looks like you two just went shooting off down the tunnel.
>>191491
Tunnel #2 doesn't look any different, but oh boy does it feel different.
The moment you cross the threshold in full you are pulled deep into the tunnel at an alarming speed, your sense of balance and direction completely thrown off. The entrance and the rest of the party is out of sight by the time you realize that this "tunnel" is actually a hole, and you are falling.
To the rest of the group it looks like you two just went shooting off down the tunnel.
>>191558
>>191563
>>191571
Gaeton and Auvergne remain hovering just past the dimension door. When the party disappears from their sight, the entryway is replaced by a set of black obsidian doors much like the ones that were in the golden portal, but they are closed. Just past the dimension door (or just above you) is a metal catwalk ledge, with the same panel controls in the wall nearby.
>>191563
>>191571
Gaeton and Auvergne remain hovering just past the dimension door. When the party disappears from their sight, the entryway is replaced by a set of black obsidian doors much like the ones that were in the golden portal, but they are closed. Just past the dimension door (or just above you) is a metal catwalk ledge, with the same panel controls in the wall nearby.
>>191587
>>191595
The both of you notice that this particular doorway is matched to your "tunnel's" orientation. The catwalk was clearly meant to be a platform for whoever was accessing the dimensional door. The doorway, or rather hatchway, above you doesn't seem to give.
In fact, as Gaeton pushes up against it, a blaring sound fills the area.
WELCOME TO DIE
An array of bright red lights form in the golden framework of the hatch, and several red lasers start to carve through the air around you. Roll to dodge!
>>191595
The both of you notice that this particular doorway is matched to your "tunnel's" orientation. The catwalk was clearly meant to be a platform for whoever was accessing the dimensional door. The doorway, or rather hatchway, above you doesn't seem to give.
In fact, as Gaeton pushes up against it, a blaring sound fills the area.
WELCOME TO DIE
An array of bright red lights form in the golden framework of the hatch, and several red lasers start to carve through the air around you. Roll to dodge!
>>191615
>>191618
Auvergne weaves quickly enough and dives down into the hole safely, but Gaeton is pinned down between the catwalk and the wall as the lasers very neatly trace the outline of his body. He isn't hurt, but his armor has numerous holes and unwelded bits on it now, reducing its efficacy and weight.
The lasers turn off before much else happens, though.
The black hatches, like the doorway in #4, are identical to the outside doors when you first discovered the golden portal. Perhaps the obsidian key might be of use here?
>>191618
Auvergne weaves quickly enough and dives down into the hole safely, but Gaeton is pinned down between the catwalk and the wall as the lasers very neatly trace the outline of his body. He isn't hurt, but his armor has numerous holes and unwelded bits on it now, reducing its efficacy and weight.
The lasers turn off before much else happens, though.
The black hatches, like the doorway in #4, are identical to the outside doors when you first discovered the golden portal. Perhaps the obsidian key might be of use here?
>>191684
Sticking a key in a hole isn't such a complicated deal, but when the doors open outw—er, upward, you're not completely prepared for what you emerge into.
You poke your head out of the hatchway and see a grand chamber whirring with silvered golems and constructs animated by unseen forces, rich living geometries turning like ethereal cogs guided by unknowable thoughts. golden lines and glowing runes pulse with light, and in the distance you can spot ranks of walking metal things moving in lockstep through a grand marble avenue. Wherever you are, it certainly is not the City of Gloom.
Sticking a key in a hole isn't such a complicated deal, but when the doors open outw—er, upward, you're not completely prepared for what you emerge into.
You poke your head out of the hatchway and see a grand chamber whirring with silvered golems and constructs animated by unseen forces, rich living geometries turning like ethereal cogs guided by unknowable thoughts. golden lines and glowing runes pulse with light, and in the distance you can spot ranks of walking metal things moving in lockstep through a grand marble avenue. Wherever you are, it certainly is not the City of Gloom.
>>191733
Won't stopping now just make it take longer to get the rest of us back in action?
I wish we could get stuff DONE. It's frustrating to wait literally ten minutes for two sentences from the DM that are just information and don't get us further along in the plot, or at least back to where our characters can take actions.
I get that it's taxing to DM. I've run quests myself, but I just feel like the reason we get so little done is because we're not very punctual about posting.
It's probably just a nasty holdover from IRC days where you'd expect immediate responses.
Won't stopping now just make it take longer to get the rest of us back in action?
I wish we could get stuff DONE. It's frustrating to wait literally ten minutes for two sentences from the DM that are just information and don't get us further along in the plot, or at least back to where our characters can take actions.
I get that it's taxing to DM. I've run quests myself, but I just feel like the reason we get so little done is because we're not very punctual about posting.
It's probably just a nasty holdover from IRC days where you'd expect immediate responses.
Tonight has not been the best night. My apologies.
Let's call it for now and pick it up again next session, unless Friday night's going to be taken up by other plans? I understand a lot of people might be juiced for the S3 premiere, and others are, unlike me, likely to have lives outside of this thread.
I promise that next session will bring everyone back into action.
Let's call it for now and pick it up again next session, unless Friday night's going to be taken up by other plans? I understand a lot of people might be juiced for the S3 premiere, and others are, unlike me, likely to have lives outside of this thread.
I promise that next session will bring everyone back into action.
>>191742
I was kinda planning to stay awake the whole night ,since you know how crowded those episode day streams can get, so having a distraction to help keep me awake wouldn't be a bad thing.
On the other hand, I really should be getting back into a more "normal" sleep schedule. I'm becoming nocturnal at this rate.
I blame all you interesting people who live in the wrong time zones.
I was kinda planning to stay awake the whole night ,since you know how crowded those episode day streams can get, so having a distraction to help keep me awake wouldn't be a bad thing.
On the other hand, I really should be getting back into a more "normal" sleep schedule. I'm becoming nocturnal at this rate.
I blame all you interesting people who live in the wrong time zones.
>>193021
"It looks like it's the only way to move 'forward' unless you guys found something else. Besides, it would be best to determine what he is making them for. Plus, I don't want to alert any nearby guards. They might know we are here, but I'd like to keep the small advantage of them not knowing exactly where we are."
"It looks like it's the only way to move 'forward' unless you guys found something else. Besides, it would be best to determine what he is making them for. Plus, I don't want to alert any nearby guards. They might know we are here, but I'd like to keep the small advantage of them not knowing exactly where we are."
As Gaeton and Auvergne see the dimensional door beneath them shift (their party looking rather odd standing on the "wall"), the gold portal is replaced with a dark recess opening out into a large scrap pile below. The pieces and wreckage down there look like ruined versions of the constructs you had seen in the Foundry linked to #2.
There is a corresponding set of marble panels here, too.
There is a corresponding set of marble panels here, too.
>>193108
>>193115
It looks to be where all the refuse and ruined constructs go. There are numerous side tunnels and catwalks overlooking the heap, which looks to be slowly lowering like water draining into a basin, though by what mechanism you cannot really tell apart from a distant grinding noise.
Nonetheless it looks like this place isn't being patrolled, and there are plenty of doors leading into other parts of the facility.
>>193115
It looks to be where all the refuse and ruined constructs go. There are numerous side tunnels and catwalks overlooking the heap, which looks to be slowly lowering like water draining into a basin, though by what mechanism you cannot really tell apart from a distant grinding noise.
Nonetheless it looks like this place isn't being patrolled, and there are plenty of doors leading into other parts of the facility.
Tsvetkov is the only who fumbles, getting rope burns as he very slightly loses his grip on the line and awkwardly tries to steady himself while ignoring assistance from Gaeton. Otherwise, everyone lowers safely onto the top of the scrap pile.
The scrap pile is visibly and tangibly lowering by the second, and you don't know how long it is til you find the "bottom," though knowing what usually happens to garbage it might be best not to find out.
Above you are three doors, one on its own platform and two connected by a catwalk.
The scrap pile is visibly and tangibly lowering by the second, and you don't know how long it is til you find the "bottom," though knowing what usually happens to garbage it might be best not to find out.
Above you are three doors, one on its own platform and two connected by a catwalk.
>>193145
"These are the wrong kind of corpses. I hope this wizard keeps some more fleshy minions around."
A pause.
"As we have no other information, rather than discuss it at length, I suggest we take the rightmost door. If it's a dead end, we can take the catwalk across quickly to the other door."
Roll #0 5 = 5
"These are the wrong kind of corpses. I hope this wizard keeps some more fleshy minions around."
A pause.
"As we have no other information, rather than discuss it at length, I suggest we take the rightmost door. If it's a dead end, we can take the catwalk across quickly to the other door."
Roll #0 5 = 5
>>193165
"Make sure everything on your person is buckled down, no need to get noticed because of some jingling money."
"If you're all ready, let's begin. Let's see if we can quietly open this door and get a quick peek. If everything is good, let's find some hiding spots before we do anything else."
Roll #0 6 = 6
"Make sure everything on your person is buckled down, no need to get noticed because of some jingling money."
"If you're all ready, let's begin. Let's see if we can quietly open this door and get a quick peek. If everything is good, let's find some hiding spots before we do anything else."
Roll #0 6 = 6
>>193176
If you're rolling to follow him, then you rolled to follow him.
Besides, this will be a good cliffhanger for next session.
>>193173
Tsvetkov leans against the door the wrong way and it swings inward, landing him facefirst on the stone floor.
As he looks up (and if anyone else is looking in), down the pipe-lined tunnel is another diamond dog shrouded in a black hood, standing over a goat's body. There's a smoldering crater in the goat's chest armor, and the dog is holding a glowing wand in an extended paw.
It's easy enough to put two-and-two-and-two together: that noise earlier was a magic discharge, and the metal sounds were the bits in the goat's coin purse.
The killer was about to pick up said coin purse, but when he sees you he turns the wand in your direction and it begins to charge…
Again, apologies for the rough session timing and pacing. This is a very odd week to run a quest, but I hope the hubbub of the new season won't turn you off to adventuring. Hope you enjoy Season 3's premiere, and see you here again tomorrow night, 8pm Pacific.
If you're rolling to follow him, then you rolled to follow him.
Besides, this will be a good cliffhanger for next session.
>>193173
Tsvetkov leans against the door the wrong way and it swings inward, landing him facefirst on the stone floor.
As he looks up (and if anyone else is looking in), down the pipe-lined tunnel is another diamond dog shrouded in a black hood, standing over a goat's body. There's a smoldering crater in the goat's chest armor, and the dog is holding a glowing wand in an extended paw.
It's easy enough to put two-and-two-and-two together: that noise earlier was a magic discharge, and the metal sounds were the bits in the goat's coin purse.
The killer was about to pick up said coin purse, but when he sees you he turns the wand in your direction and it begins to charge…
Again, apologies for the rough session timing and pacing. This is a very odd week to run a quest, but I hope the hubbub of the new season won't turn you off to adventuring. Hope you enjoy Season 3's premiere, and see you here again tomorrow night, 8pm Pacific.
>>194835
>breaking the wand
>not disabling the wielder and taking the wand for our own purposes
We are pretty light on the damage front for spells. And plus, if we toss the Wand into the Golem Gears, that's sure to make quite a bang when it expends all of its remaining charges in the explosion.
>breaking the wand
>not disabling the wielder and taking the wand for our own purposes
We are pretty light on the damage front for spells. And plus, if we toss the Wand into the Golem Gears, that's sure to make quite a bang when it expends all of its remaining charges in the explosion.
Jesus.
The whole lot of you are blown back by the torrent of magic bolts. They ricochet everywhere, bursting pipes open and hitting each of you square on your bodies. Tsvetkov in particular is knocked flat on his ass as a several pipes burst around him. (Everyone takes one hit, Tsvetkov is helpless)
The Dogmage immediately disappears down a tunnel to the left. Looks like a T-intersection back there (you are at the foot of the T).
The whole lot of you are blown back by the torrent of magic bolts. They ricochet everywhere, bursting pipes open and hitting each of you square on your bodies. Tsvetkov in particular is knocked flat on his ass as a several pipes burst around him. (Everyone takes one hit, Tsvetkov is helpless)
The Dogmage immediately disappears down a tunnel to the left. Looks like a T-intersection back there (you are at the foot of the T).
>>194882
You're just ahead of Gaeton and round the first bend when…
>>194883
There is a faint flash of light that washes through the tunnel, following the echo of your voice. It quakes through the small tunnel, pipes visibly rippling and rupturing in its wake. Pressurized explosions carry throughout the hall, and the Diamond Dog is veritably crushed by the rebounding forces traveling down the walls. He collapses on the ground and struggles to get back up.
'1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
You're just ahead of Gaeton and round the first bend when…
>>194883
There is a faint flash of light that washes through the tunnel, following the echo of your voice. It quakes through the small tunnel, pipes visibly rippling and rupturing in its wake. Pressurized explosions carry throughout the hall, and the Diamond Dog is veritably crushed by the rebounding forces traveling down the walls. He collapses on the ground and struggles to get back up.
'1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
>>194885
The goat gets on its hooves. It's dead, alright. But it Came Back Wrong. In your attempt to raise it, a dark eldritch force has snatched control of it away from you and it now bars the way forward for you and Gaeton. (Auvergne has already passed it, and is behind Klandin)
the rape train has no brakes
The goat gets on its hooves. It's dead, alright. But it Came Back Wrong. In your attempt to raise it, a dark eldritch force has snatched control of it away from you and it now bars the way forward for you and Gaeton. (Auvergne has already passed it, and is behind Klandin)
the rape train has no brakes
>>194893
In Soviet City of Gloom, Goat Suppress You! The Undead Goat has unnatural strength for its build, animated by unfathomable arcane forces.
You're at 2/5 hits remaining.
>>194896
The cramped tunnels prove difficult for you to maneuver in, what with Gaeton trying to grapple with the thing. You are shoved against the broken pipes in the scuffle; you take no damage but deal none either.
>>194898
Correct, you cannot use Corpse Explosion on it. It's now Undead, no longer classed as Dead.
In Soviet City of Gloom, Goat Suppress You! The Undead Goat has unnatural strength for its build, animated by unfathomable arcane forces.
You're at 2/5 hits remaining.
>>194896
The cramped tunnels prove difficult for you to maneuver in, what with Gaeton trying to grapple with the thing. You are shoved against the broken pipes in the scuffle; you take no damage but deal none either.
>>194898
Correct, you cannot use Corpse Explosion on it. It's now Undead, no longer classed as Dead.
>>194908
>>194907
Klandin's spear burns with an awesome power! Celestia's burning will tells him to defeat the Dogmage!
SHINING SPELLBREAKER!
The force of the nullified spell implodes, crushing the Dogmage again as space visibly warps around him, rendering him helpless long enough for Auvergne to dart past Klandin and catch up to him.
Roll to do what you will with the guy, Auvergne.
>>194909
Even though you had failed to properly reanimate it, your expertise lets you return the undead thing to whence it came. Dust to dust.
>>194907
Klandin's spear burns with an awesome power! Celestia's burning will tells him to defeat the Dogmage!
SHINING SPELLBREAKER!
The force of the nullified spell implodes, crushing the Dogmage again as space visibly warps around him, rendering him helpless long enough for Auvergne to dart past Klandin and catch up to him.
Roll to do what you will with the guy, Auvergne.
>>194909
Even though you had failed to properly reanimate it, your expertise lets you return the undead thing to whence it came. Dust to dust.
>>194926
Searching the goat's ash pile, you get a lot of money. Somewhere up in the divine realms, an angel marks something on her clipboard.
>>194925
"Him and the others, all of you, you're in on this! I'm not gonna let you play me!" As you struggle to keep him down, he frees a paw and pulls out a paper tag with an Explosion Rune.
Searching the goat's ash pile, you get a lot of money. Somewhere up in the divine realms, an angel marks something on her clipboard.
>>194925
"Him and the others, all of you, you're in on this! I'm not gonna let you play me!" As you struggle to keep him down, he frees a paw and pulls out a paper tag with an Explosion Rune.
File: 1352614895887.jpg (6.76 KB, 243x280, chester's face when.jpg)
>>194934
"A bomb!"
There is a great deal of yelling, fumbling, and struggling among everyone, but in the end the Dogmage manages to read off the spelltag and sets off the explosive rune.
There is a bright flash. Brighter than the sun. Brighter than anything you've ever seen.
When the ringing has left all of your ears and sight returns to your eyes, the tunnel has caved in on the Dogmage. Auvergne, who was holding him down, is half-buried. The explosive force rippled throughout the tunnel, leaving everyone at one hit remaining. Auvergne has taken a wound in addition.
"A bomb!"
There is a great deal of yelling, fumbling, and struggling among everyone, but in the end the Dogmage manages to read off the spelltag and sets off the explosive rune.
There is a bright flash. Brighter than the sun. Brighter than anything you've ever seen.
When the ringing has left all of your ears and sight returns to your eyes, the tunnel has caved in on the Dogmage. Auvergne, who was holding him down, is half-buried. The explosive force rippled throughout the tunnel, leaving everyone at one hit remaining. Auvergne has taken a wound in addition.
>>194957
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmo_TKzHWOM
MAKE IT STOP!
WILL NAPKINS MAKE IT STOP!
Roll #0 3 = 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmo_TKzHWOM
MAKE IT STOP!
WILL NAPKINS MAKE IT STOP!
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>194959
>>194960
Continuing past the ash pile at the T-section, you see more of the same: pipes and vent gratings. The pipes are making a lot more noise now, their flow disrupted by the cave-in. Down the bend this way you can see a large metal door, slightly ajar.
>>194961
>>194963
Given time and last-minute panic, you apply a makeshift field dressing. The wound remains but it's probably best left alone for the time being.
>>194962
The tunnels are more like a blocky Y shape.
|____|
__T
>>194960
Continuing past the ash pile at the T-section, you see more of the same: pipes and vent gratings. The pipes are making a lot more noise now, their flow disrupted by the cave-in. Down the bend this way you can see a large metal door, slightly ajar.
>>194961
>>194963
Given time and last-minute panic, you apply a makeshift field dressing. The wound remains but it's probably best left alone for the time being.
>>194962
The tunnels are more like a blocky Y shape.
|____|
__T
File: 1352616344950.jpg (37.06 KB, 500x500, how do i into maps.jpg)
Clearer image. Blue triangle leads to trash disposal.
>>194967
You see TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBES. It looks like a machine room, filled with valves, gearboxes, crank shaft flanges, doohickeys, whatchamacallits, thingamabobs, and other metal moving bits with names too silly to mention here. It's an awfully large chamber, and amongst all the noise and exhaust you can't tell if there's any kind of being in here.
>>194967
You see TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBES. It looks like a machine room, filled with valves, gearboxes, crank shaft flanges, doohickeys, whatchamacallits, thingamabobs, and other metal moving bits with names too silly to mention here. It's an awfully large chamber, and amongst all the noise and exhaust you can't tell if there's any kind of being in here.
>>194973
>>194970
Thankfully there are no traps or puzzles to be had here, just a door across a catwalk that is being bathed in open flame and toxic gas at regular intervals.
You could also try crossing the gap between platforms by jumping across pipes and moving machinery.
You can also see that the machine room opens up towards the top, with a mess of ladders and catwalks leading up into metal rafters going to somewhere, you can't quite see.
>>194970
Thankfully there are no traps or puzzles to be had here, just a door across a catwalk that is being bathed in open flame and toxic gas at regular intervals.
You could also try crossing the gap between platforms by jumping across pipes and moving machinery.
You can also see that the machine room opens up towards the top, with a mess of ladders and catwalks leading up into metal rafters going to somewhere, you can't quite see.
>>195007
>>195008
"Lantak should've come back by now. That explosion didn't sound nice. You're sure you had all of that Mage's gear?"
"Wait, I think that's him."
A large, imposing earth pony pushes the door open, but with the both of you leaning against it he can't see you… yet. Roll to evade or surprise attack.
>>195010
>>195012
The two of you make it across, Chester displaying unusual alacrity and making it across the catwalk in one clean sprint while Klandin is left dodging back and forth between toxic geysers.
Gaeton should have a +1 to move through the catwalk after observing the other two.
>>195008
"Lantak should've come back by now. That explosion didn't sound nice. You're sure you had all of that Mage's gear?"
"Wait, I think that's him."
A large, imposing earth pony pushes the door open, but with the both of you leaning against it he can't see you… yet. Roll to evade or surprise attack.
>>195010
>>195012
The two of you make it across, Chester displaying unusual alacrity and making it across the catwalk in one clean sprint while Klandin is left dodging back and forth between toxic geysers.
Gaeton should have a +1 to move through the catwalk after observing the other two.
>>195017
We'll go for Diplomancy, but keep an eye on his possible weapon and a paw ready with a spell.
"Hello monsieur, it seems you are looking for someone. Perhaps we can be of assistance?"
I keep a weapon visible, making it clear we are not to be trifled with, but that we are more than willing to talk at the moment.
Roll #0 3 = 3
We'll go for Diplomancy, but keep an eye on his possible weapon and a paw ready with a spell.
"Hello monsieur, it seems you are looking for someone. Perhaps we can be of assistance?"
I keep a weapon visible, making it clear we are not to be trifled with, but that we are more than willing to talk at the moment.
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>195020
>>195026
Gaeton and Klandin lead the way out of the machine room with Chester behind them. You come out into a large tunnel, big enough for fleets of wagons to be drawn through, and you see rolling steel carts and carriages without ponies to pull them. They seem to be wheeled constructs of some sort, moving of their own animation.
Gaeton will recognize the hordes of walking constructs and golems from the foundry.
Fortunately the three of them are on a catwalk close to the ceiling of this tunnel, and can move unnoticed. The catwalk leads in two directions, across the tunnel and one along the tunnel around a wide curve.
>>195026
Gaeton and Klandin lead the way out of the machine room with Chester behind them. You come out into a large tunnel, big enough for fleets of wagons to be drawn through, and you see rolling steel carts and carriages without ponies to pull them. They seem to be wheeled constructs of some sort, moving of their own animation.
Gaeton will recognize the hordes of walking constructs and golems from the foundry.
Fortunately the three of them are on a catwalk close to the ceiling of this tunnel, and can move unnoticed. The catwalk leads in two directions, across the tunnel and one along the tunnel around a wide curve.
>>195036
"We found one of my kind in the other tunnel. A mage. He killed a goat we do not know, and then turned on us…"
"We attempted to restrain him, but he detonated an explosive rune, causing a cave-in. He was buried too deep for us to save, sadly. The detonation also blocked off a tunnel entirely, and may be causing dangerous pressure buildup in local pipes."
Every last word in a dull monotone.
"We found one of my kind in the other tunnel. A mage. He killed a goat we do not know, and then turned on us…"
"We attempted to restrain him, but he detonated an explosive rune, causing a cave-in. He was buried too deep for us to save, sadly. The detonation also blocked off a tunnel entirely, and may be causing dangerous pressure buildup in local pipes."
Every last word in a dull monotone.
>>195040
I stare at the Diamond Dog and nod in agreement.
"He left his mark." I say as I point to my wound.
I was just going to ask you if we should tell them everything or ask around a bit more first/
>>195042
Seeing as the Diamond Dog was so blunt.
"We've gotten a bit separated as they investigate another route they found. They should appear soon, hopefully."
I stare at the Diamond Dog and nod in agreement.
"He left his mark." I say as I point to my wound.
I was just going to ask you if we should tell them everything or ask around a bit more first/
>>195042
Seeing as the Diamond Dog was so blunt.
"We've gotten a bit separated as they investigate another route they found. They should appear soon, hopefully."
>>195065
No problem, was thinking we might wrap up soon anyway.
>>195062
>>195063
The fighter looks back into the room and makes some gestures you don't see. He pops his head out of the doorway again and nods.
"Hey, be careful in that machine room, lots of nasty stuff in there. We'll be waiting!"
…
I think we shall call it a night here. Hopefully we can make better progress next session. Do we want to call off Sunday, given Monday work schedules and such?
No problem, was thinking we might wrap up soon anyway.
>>195062
>>195063
The fighter looks back into the room and makes some gestures you don't see. He pops his head out of the doorway again and nods.
"Hey, be careful in that machine room, lots of nasty stuff in there. We'll be waiting!"
…
I think we shall call it a night here. Hopefully we can make better progress next session. Do we want to call off Sunday, given Monday work schedules and such?
In any case, Klandin, Gaeton, and Chester were in a catwalk over a large tunnel through which an army of constructs was being ferried.
Auvergne and Tsvetkov are negotiating with a band of adventurers stuck in the second room connected to the trash heap.
Bethany can choose to join either group, though her last position was closer to Auvergne and Tsvetkov.
Auvergne and Tsvetkov are negotiating with a band of adventurers stuck in the second room connected to the trash heap.
Bethany can choose to join either group, though her last position was closer to Auvergne and Tsvetkov.
File: 1352782807456.jpg (41.71 KB, 960x720, maps again.jpg)
Gaeton, Klandin, Chester, and Beth
Though the sight of the mindless marching army below is worrisome, you would have to backtrack through the Machine Room hazards to return to the Trash Heap tunnels to find the others or take the ladders up from the Machine Room.
If you go forward, you can either cross the tunnel or take a catwalk down the tunnel.
Though the sight of the mindless marching army below is worrisome, you would have to backtrack through the Machine Room hazards to return to the Trash Heap tunnels to find the others or take the ladders up from the Machine Room.
If you go forward, you can either cross the tunnel or take a catwalk down the tunnel.
>>197312
"They'll probably wander into a half-dozen traps if we don't. I suppose we should, on principle if nothing else. Strength in numbers, after all."
Looking over the side, Chester will continue.
"Though if only we could have gotten that explosive from the wizard. We could have jammed up the Golem Foundry something fierce."
"They'll probably wander into a half-dozen traps if we don't. I suppose we should, on principle if nothing else. Strength in numbers, after all."
Looking over the side, Chester will continue.
"Though if only we could have gotten that explosive from the wizard. We could have jammed up the Golem Foundry something fierce."
You will need to study the timing again to recover the bonus. Your previous rolls weren't quite enough to memorize the pattern, just enough to get a sense of the timing at that moment.
Chester, please roll for studying the traps.
>>197329
Gaeton very nearly gets pummeled by a wave of corrosive sludge, and as he backs off he is further baffled by the poor occupational safety standards in this facility.
>>197333
>>197335
Klandin also fails to get past even the first trap, and decides to spend another moment studying the traps. He seems far more confident about it now.
>>197337
You nearly quail at the sight of the horrible arcane runoff being funneled through the Machine Room. You're helpless for a single turn as the stench overwhelms you, and you are unable to focus on studying the traps.
Chester, please roll for studying the traps.
>>197329
Gaeton very nearly gets pummeled by a wave of corrosive sludge, and as he backs off he is further baffled by the poor occupational safety standards in this facility.
>>197333
>>197335
Klandin also fails to get past even the first trap, and decides to spend another moment studying the traps. He seems far more confident about it now.
>>197337
You nearly quail at the sight of the horrible arcane runoff being funneled through the Machine Room. You're helpless for a single turn as the stench overwhelms you, and you are unable to focus on studying the traps.
The other two retreated to the Trash Heap catwalks. You find them standing outside the second door, and they inform you that a band of stranded adventurers is waiting inside. Apparently they knew the Dogmage and the goat that left just now; they suspect something is amiss, considering the circumstances you found those two in. You don't know how many there are apart from the big Earth pony they describe.
>>197381
"Something is wrong with that party. They didn't seem to want to show their hand as to their numbers or abilities, but I suspect there are at least three of them. They didn't seem bothered by the loss of their comrades — instead, happy. They were familiar with Talia, though they didn't come from the Guild — at least not from the same visit we were there: they didn't know Talia gave out keys."
A lengthy pause.
"I don't think they can be trusted… They seem too eager to be rid of competition. Merely an alliance of convenience. They tried to invite us in when we were only two in number, but we thought better of it and decided to regroup."
"Something is wrong with that party. They didn't seem to want to show their hand as to their numbers or abilities, but I suspect there are at least three of them. They didn't seem bothered by the loss of their comrades — instead, happy. They were familiar with Talia, though they didn't come from the Guild — at least not from the same visit we were there: they didn't know Talia gave out keys."
A lengthy pause.
"I don't think they can be trusted… They seem too eager to be rid of competition. Merely an alliance of convenience. They tried to invite us in when we were only two in number, but we thought better of it and decided to regroup."
>>197388
"This wouldn't be the first time I've seen something like this. Cashing in on someone else's efforts might seem like a good deal when dealing with mages like this, but they're stuck here too. We might be able to use them as extra muscle if we need it."
Just remember to emphasize the dangers of betrayal. Greed is easily curtailed when their own fur is on the line.
"This wouldn't be the first time I've seen something like this. Cashing in on someone else's efforts might seem like a good deal when dealing with mages like this, but they're stuck here too. We might be able to use them as extra muscle if we need it."
Just remember to emphasize the dangers of betrayal. Greed is easily curtailed when their own fur is on the line.
>>197410
>>197409
>>197408
I shrug.
"It's all the same to me if we work with them or without. If you like, we can go meet them and let you judge for yourselves. Be aware, though, I think they've made plans for our return. They seemed to be counting on it."
Pause.
"In any case, their corpses can be made to serve if they can't."
>>197409
>>197408
I shrug.
"It's all the same to me if we work with them or without. If you like, we can go meet them and let you judge for yourselves. Be aware, though, I think they've made plans for our return. They seemed to be counting on it."
Pause.
"In any case, their corpses can be made to serve if they can't."
>>197435
>>197440
There's a ladder leading up to the third door's platform, which is separate from the two-door platform.
On the platform itself, you find no handle to the door, but a plate with engraved writing:
I'm with you at dinner and see you to bed
I'm in your dreams, and the sky overhead
Speak one of my names, some speak them with dread
Speak and a door shall open ahead
>>197440
There's a ladder leading up to the third door's platform, which is separate from the two-door platform.
On the platform itself, you find no handle to the door, but a plate with engraved writing:
I'm with you at dinner and see you to bed
I'm in your dreams, and the sky overhead
Speak one of my names, some speak them with dread
Speak and a door shall open ahead
>>197481
Sorry, pulled away for a bit.
If Gaeton or Tset is available to keep an eye on me, I'll proceed to ask the other party a few questions.
"The path inside this house of horrors was a rather tenous one, how did your band get in? And you mentioned that a particular puzzle of the mad magician has you stumped. Can you show it to me?"
Sorry, pulled away for a bit.
If Gaeton or Tset is available to keep an eye on me, I'll proceed to ask the other party a few questions.
"The path inside this house of horrors was a rather tenous one, how did your band get in? And you mentioned that a particular puzzle of the mad magician has you stumped. Can you show it to me?"
>>197491
You're addressed by the gauntlet-armed Earthy again, and he gets a look out the door to see the rest of your party. He looks marginally impressed.
"We, uh… came through the access tunnels."
"That puzzle is in the next room through here. You want to step inside? What about the rest of your group?"
You're addressed by the gauntlet-armed Earthy again, and he gets a look out the door to see the rest of your party. He looks marginally impressed.
"We, uh… came through the access tunnels."
"That puzzle is in the next room through here. You want to step inside? What about the rest of your group?"
Chester and Bethany, do you want another whack at Door 3?
>>197507
"I like a good bar brawl as much as the next buck, but this ain't the time or place…"
"I'm not going to lie, it's some freaky magic in there. If you can't handle that, you and your buddies best turn around and go elsewhere while us tough guys sort it out."
>>197507
"I like a good bar brawl as much as the next buck, but this ain't the time or place…"
"I'm not going to lie, it's some freaky magic in there. If you can't handle that, you and your buddies best turn around and go elsewhere while us tough guys sort it out."
>>197536
"Well, they're all in this room, no missing them." The Earth fighter shrugs and swings the door open. Inside you can see other brigands and thugs in various states of rest and alert, like they've been crawling around in these dungeons far longer than any of you.
Roll for Perception to get a good read on each of them.
"Well, they're all in this room, no missing them." The Earth fighter shrugs and swings the door open. Inside you can see other brigands and thugs in various states of rest and alert, like they've been crawling around in these dungeons far longer than any of you.
Roll for Perception to get a good read on each of them.
Here's the general makeup of the group:
Earth Knight male (your doorman), armed with metal gauntlets and no other visible weapons.
Zebra Rogue female, unconscious
Donkey fighter of some kind, wearing heavy clothing but no visible armor
Buffalo Cleric male, armed and armored with halfplate and a halberd
Counting the missing Dogmage and Goat, they used to have six in their party.
Earth Knight male (your doorman), armed with metal gauntlets and no other visible weapons.
Zebra Rogue female, unconscious
Donkey fighter of some kind, wearing heavy clothing but no visible armor
Buffalo Cleric male, armed and armored with halfplate and a halberd
Counting the missing Dogmage and Goat, they used to have six in their party.
>>197574
The room appears to be a storeroom of some kind, with a few pipes and gently turning gearboxes. There are two doorways on the far side: one is closed, and the other has been completely smashed through. The Doormane gestures at the latter, "Uh, that was me. The other door leads to the trapped room."
The room appears to be a storeroom of some kind, with a few pipes and gently turning gearboxes. There are two doorways on the far side: one is closed, and the other has been completely smashed through. The Doormane gestures at the latter, "Uh, that was me. The other door leads to the trapped room."
>>197589
>>197592
The Earth Knight nods. "She was working on the trap with our Mage. She's out cold for the time being, but she's stable."
>>197587
The Earth Knight and Donkey tense up, just as ready to draw. The Buffalo is at ease, however. He's chuckling, even.
"Is it honor that binds you to violence?"
>>197592
The Earth Knight nods. "She was working on the trap with our Mage. She's out cold for the time being, but she's stable."
>>197587
The Earth Knight and Donkey tense up, just as ready to draw. The Buffalo is at ease, however. He's chuckling, even.
"Is it honor that binds you to violence?"
>>197598
"Sorry about my friend here."
I smile sheepishly at all members.
"But do you mind if I ask about your goat friend? We only encountered him 'briefly,' but I'd like to know if he was affected in the same was as the diamond dog."
>>197609
In a low breath.
"Keep an eye on him, but remember: eyeballs don't make sounds that can get others riled up."
Roll #0 3 = 3
"Sorry about my friend here."
I smile sheepishly at all members.
"But do you mind if I ask about your goat friend? We only encountered him 'briefly,' but I'd like to know if he was affected in the same was as the diamond dog."
>>197609
In a low breath.
"Keep an eye on him, but remember: eyeballs don't make sounds that can get others riled up."
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>197659
"Now that you mention it, he was getting kinda fidgety on his way in, but he knew a lot more about Filchfire than any of us. Arcane knowledge and stuff must have been getting to him."
"But Zinya was in there with him, and she got knocked out by some dark stuff herself, so we're sure there's something else in there…"
"Now that you mention it, he was getting kinda fidgety on his way in, but he knew a lot more about Filchfire than any of us. Arcane knowledge and stuff must have been getting to him."
"But Zinya was in there with him, and she got knocked out by some dark stuff herself, so we're sure there's something else in there…"
>>197698
Let me ask the other party here a question.
"Why did you choose to go down this route? Were there no other ways of moving forward?"
>>197705
>>197706
"I've got an idea of how to move through that room, but I'd rather keep you wizards in full control of your bodies. Let me hear their answer, while you decide if you even want to go through with it. You could end up like our fallen Diamond Dog back there."
Let me ask the other party here a question.
"Why did you choose to go down this route? Were there no other ways of moving forward?"
>>197705
>>197706
"I've got an idea of how to move through that room, but I'd rather keep you wizards in full control of your bodies. Let me hear their answer, while you decide if you even want to go through with it. You could end up like our fallen Diamond Dog back there."
File: 1352793673427.png (187.33 KB, 829x963, just_a_test__just_a_test__by_t…)
>>197710
"BUUUUUUUT..???"
"BUUUUUUUT..???"
Getting the party's ducks in a row:
You're in a storeroom adjoining the Trash Heap. There is another band of mercs here: Earth Knight, Zebra Rogue, Donkey fighter, Buffalo Cleric (deceased: DDog Mage, Goat fighter)
Exits: the Trash Heap, maintenance tunnels, dark magic room
The maintenance tunnels is where this second group came from. The door is smashed inward.
You're in a storeroom adjoining the Trash Heap. There is another band of mercs here: Earth Knight, Zebra Rogue, Donkey fighter, Buffalo Cleric (deceased: DDog Mage, Goat fighter)
Exits: the Trash Heap, maintenance tunnels, dark magic room
The maintenance tunnels is where this second group came from. The door is smashed inward.
>>199983
"Well, it's a bit of a gambit, but if you recall the riddle, there was something common to all of its parts."
Turning to the other party, Chester will continue.
"Now, if any of you fine folk would like to accompany me to see if my hypothesis is correct, I extend the invitation. We might be able to find something beyond that door to aid your own search."
"Well, it's a bit of a gambit, but if you recall the riddle, there was something common to all of its parts."
Turning to the other party, Chester will continue.
"Now, if any of you fine folk would like to accompany me to see if my hypothesis is correct, I extend the invitation. We might be able to find something beyond that door to aid your own search."
>>197451 for reference
There's a ladder leading up to the third door's platform, which is separate from the two-door platform.
On the platform itself, you find no handle to the door, but a plate with engraved writing:
I'm with you at dinner and see you to bed
I'm in your dreams, and the sky overhead
Speak one of my names, some speak them with dread
Speak and a door shall open ahead
There's a ladder leading up to the third door's platform, which is separate from the two-door platform.
On the platform itself, you find no handle to the door, but a plate with engraved writing:
I'm with you at dinner and see you to bed
I'm in your dreams, and the sky overhead
Speak one of my names, some speak them with dread
Speak and a door shall open ahead
>>199999
>>200000
A blast of lightning arcs forth from the tag, but you are able to dodge out of harm's way and let the electricity fly past, grounding itself into an idle part of the scrap heap. The dismantled golem twitches in a macabre fashion.
So far, desire and the letter E have not done much for this door.
>>200000
A blast of lightning arcs forth from the tag, but you are able to dodge out of harm's way and let the electricity fly past, grounding itself into an idle part of the scrap heap. The dismantled golem twitches in a macabre fashion.
So far, desire and the letter E have not done much for this door.
>>200049
I made it up on the spot, shush! Riddle postmortem:
Dinner is in the evening, as is bedtime
Nightmares are in dreams, the Moon is in the sky
She is Princess Luna, or the Mare in the Moon, or Nightmare Moon
>>200046
Sure enough, many of the engravings illustrate Nightmare Moon's rule, and as is typical of Nightmare worshipers these are mixed in heavily with more "family-friendly" imagery of Luna, Guardian of Night and the Eternal Vigil.
I made it up on the spot, shush! Riddle postmortem:
Dinner is in the evening, as is bedtime
Nightmares are in dreams, the Moon is in the sky
She is Princess Luna, or the Mare in the Moon, or Nightmare Moon
>>200046
Sure enough, many of the engravings illustrate Nightmare Moon's rule, and as is typical of Nightmare worshipers these are mixed in heavily with more "family-friendly" imagery of Luna, Guardian of Night and the Eternal Vigil.
The tunnel begins to slope upwards, becoming a stairway, and gets considerably darker even with the magic blue flames from the sconces to light the way.
After a bit of an ascent, the group comes out into the center of a larger chamber, shrouded in darkness save for very sporadically placed blue lanterns stationed about the area. This grand hall stretches on into darkness, its true height and breadth obfuscated by the shadows creeping in from all sides, with only the island of blue light.
After a bit of an ascent, the group comes out into the center of a larger chamber, shrouded in darkness save for very sporadically placed blue lanterns stationed about the area. This grand hall stretches on into darkness, its true height and breadth obfuscated by the shadows creeping in from all sides, with only the island of blue light.
>>200065
Your torch provides a goodly amount of warm light, as it should.
As it sheds light, you notice that the formerly shadowed ground near you is still quite dark. In fact, on closer inspection, the ground is teeming with a living shadow of some kind. The surface appears to shift uncomfortably, swimming with nameless shapes. It stings slightly to the touch as you walk around, but doesn't seem to specifically react to your presence.
Your torch provides a goodly amount of warm light, as it should.
As it sheds light, you notice that the formerly shadowed ground near you is still quite dark. In fact, on closer inspection, the ground is teeming with a living shadow of some kind. The surface appears to shift uncomfortably, swimming with nameless shapes. It stings slightly to the touch as you walk around, but doesn't seem to specifically react to your presence.
As you all walk in whatever direction you've chosen, you notice that the areas shrouded in darkness are still shrouded in darkness as you pass through them. The shadow is everywhere on the floor. The only places this black stuff doesn't seem to spread is the areas around the blue lanterns.
Do you continue through the darkness or investigate a blue lantern?
I would suggest making rolls if you are actively searching, investigating, or doing anything else to discern the nature of this room.
Do you continue through the darkness or investigate a blue lantern?
I would suggest making rolls if you are actively searching, investigating, or doing anything else to discern the nature of this room.
>>200086
>>200087
As noted earlier, the floor around the blue lantern is clear of the living shadow. Chester's torch makes this very obvious, as the texture of the living shadow comes to an abrupt end at the edge of the blue lantern's light. It has a plaque attached to it.
>>200090
You find plenty of dead souls, but no dead corpses. The area is rife with death. If you could raise shadows or bind spirits, you would be in a veritable playground, but alas.
>>200089
Assuming you're a good sport, you go to a different blue lantern a bit of a distance away from the others and push it over easily. It's only a stone brazier. The blue light around you is snuffed out, and you are alone in the darkness.
>>200088
You hear footsteps circling the group. It sounds like something tall, but moving at unnatural speed, and it begins to approach when Bethany knocks over a lantern.
Bethany, make a roll.
>>200087
As noted earlier, the floor around the blue lantern is clear of the living shadow. Chester's torch makes this very obvious, as the texture of the living shadow comes to an abrupt end at the edge of the blue lantern's light. It has a plaque attached to it.
>>200090
You find plenty of dead souls, but no dead corpses. The area is rife with death. If you could raise shadows or bind spirits, you would be in a veritable playground, but alas.
>>200089
Assuming you're a good sport, you go to a different blue lantern a bit of a distance away from the others and push it over easily. It's only a stone brazier. The blue light around you is snuffed out, and you are alone in the darkness.
>>200088
You hear footsteps circling the group. It sounds like something tall, but moving at unnatural speed, and it begins to approach when Bethany knocks over a lantern.
Bethany, make a roll.
>>200092
In case of containment breach, regroup to nearest blue lantern.
Do not attempt to subdue, observe, or engage Subject.
Use the warding candles in your provided containment kit to travel between lanterns, towards the nearest exit.
If you cannot move between lanterns, remain in place and await further instructions.
>>200088
Auvergne looks into the darkness just past Bethany, and what he sees there fills him with utter dread. Bethany manages to catch sight of this, but when she whirls around there is only a black claw and a cold breath to greet her.
>>200093
You are lifted clear off the ground by something in the darkness clasping you around the throat and squeezing. You've heard the phrase "death grip" but this would be a very literal interpretation of the phrase. Agony and terror wash over you, like the sound of a million voices crying out in pain in your head.
In case of containment breach, regroup to nearest blue lantern.
Do not attempt to subdue, observe, or engage Subject.
Use the warding candles in your provided containment kit to travel between lanterns, towards the nearest exit.
If you cannot move between lanterns, remain in place and await further instructions.
>>200088
Auvergne looks into the darkness just past Bethany, and what he sees there fills him with utter dread. Bethany manages to catch sight of this, but when she whirls around there is only a black claw and a cold breath to greet her.
>>200093
You are lifted clear off the ground by something in the darkness clasping you around the throat and squeezing. You've heard the phrase "death grip" but this would be a very literal interpretation of the phrase. Agony and terror wash over you, like the sound of a million voices crying out in pain in your head.
>>200101
Roll to catch magic flame.
>>200102
You manage to escape and fall to the ground, stumbling your way back to the main group.
The thing in the darkness is a tall, biped creature of some kind, its lower body obscured in long shreds of cloth-like shadow melting into the ground as it shuffles about. It supper body shifts like the living shadows on the ground, difficult to make out in the overpowering gloom of the chamber.
It moves unnaturally quickly, continuing to circle the group, black gashes of its silhouette cutting across your view of the other blue lanterns.
Roll to catch magic flame.
>>200102
You manage to escape and fall to the ground, stumbling your way back to the main group.
The thing in the darkness is a tall, biped creature of some kind, its lower body obscured in long shreds of cloth-like shadow melting into the ground as it shuffles about. It supper body shifts like the living shadows on the ground, difficult to make out in the overpowering gloom of the chamber.
It moves unnaturally quickly, continuing to circle the group, black gashes of its silhouette cutting across your view of the other blue lanterns.
>>200109
Your Touch of Death has no effect on this creature. In fact it seems emboldened by the dark energy you wield.
In the shadows, you can see an utter blackness open up where its eyes should be, the creeping patterns and faces etched into the living shadow becoming clearer to you.
>>200110
Chester's quick thinking banishes the Thing, the blue light pushing it away rather forcefully. Tsvetkov is freed!
Everyone feels a little unsteady, as though the entire chamber has tilted slightly.
Your Touch of Death has no effect on this creature. In fact it seems emboldened by the dark energy you wield.
In the shadows, you can see an utter blackness open up where its eyes should be, the creeping patterns and faces etched into the living shadow becoming clearer to you.
>>200110
Chester's quick thinking banishes the Thing, the blue light pushing it away rather forcefully. Tsvetkov is freed!
Everyone feels a little unsteady, as though the entire chamber has tilted slightly.
>>200142
With Tsvetkov holding the brazier steady and you desperately keeping the torch in, the blue lantern finally takes and the living shadow is banished from your immediate vicinity.
The Thing in the Darkness seems to retreat, its heavy shuddering footsteps returning to a stalking pace around the group.
>>200143
As you leave the blue lantern's radius, the aura surrounding you sparks brightly, actively warding off the darkness. You can see the tendrils of living shadow retreating from your very footsteps, though the moment you leave one spot it is instantly swallowed up by darkness.
With Tsvetkov holding the brazier steady and you desperately keeping the torch in, the blue lantern finally takes and the living shadow is banished from your immediate vicinity.
The Thing in the Darkness seems to retreat, its heavy shuddering footsteps returning to a stalking pace around the group.
>>200143
As you leave the blue lantern's radius, the aura surrounding you sparks brightly, actively warding off the darkness. You can see the tendrils of living shadow retreating from your very footsteps, though the moment you leave one spot it is instantly swallowed up by darkness.
>>200152
"This could be a holding area for an experiment Filchfire was conducting. What better to spread nightmares and terror than a living embodiment of shadow and pain, ripped from the dead? I don't have the materials to consecrate this much ground, and it would likely take intervention from Luna Herself to truly cleanse this place."
Sighing, I'll continue.
"Unfortunately it seems my torch burned through rather quickly, so us rejoining the others easily is out of the question."
Hey, can Clerics Turn Undead in this setting? Doesn't quite say anything about it on the rule sheet, and if they can't I'm going to have a lot fewer ideas about how to get back over there in one piece, shy of Gaeton carrying us one at a time.
"This could be a holding area for an experiment Filchfire was conducting. What better to spread nightmares and terror than a living embodiment of shadow and pain, ripped from the dead? I don't have the materials to consecrate this much ground, and it would likely take intervention from Luna Herself to truly cleanse this place."
Sighing, I'll continue.
"Unfortunately it seems my torch burned through rather quickly, so us rejoining the others easily is out of the question."
Hey, can Clerics Turn Undead in this setting? Doesn't quite say anything about it on the rule sheet, and if they can't I'm going to have a lot fewer ideas about how to get back over there in one piece, shy of Gaeton carrying us one at a time.
>>200157
>>200159
Yeah, I'm treating only naturals as crits.
You are able to spot the Thing in the Darkness. Like the others, you begin to hear the unbearable wailing of hundreds of tormented spirits as you approach it head on. Mustering great strength and guided by Celestia's blessing, you cleave straight through its form, leaving a burning-white scar in the Thing's form.
It slowly melts back together, none worse for the wear, and the sunlight glow has left your blade. (The rest of you is still glowing, however.)
It opens its void eyes, inviting you to peer into the nothing within…
>>200165
No Turn Undead, though you're welcome to pray extra hard!
>>200159
Yeah, I'm treating only naturals as crits.
You are able to spot the Thing in the Darkness. Like the others, you begin to hear the unbearable wailing of hundreds of tormented spirits as you approach it head on. Mustering great strength and guided by Celestia's blessing, you cleave straight through its form, leaving a burning-white scar in the Thing's form.
It slowly melts back together, none worse for the wear, and the sunlight glow has left your blade. (The rest of you is still glowing, however.)
It opens its void eyes, inviting you to peer into the nothing within…
>>200165
No Turn Undead, though you're welcome to pray extra hard!
>>200196
Chester's heart is LIGHT!
Though surrounded by darkness, you vow to turn away from the shadow and continue to be a beacon of hope. The blue fire of the Eternal Vigil now courses through you, brighter than any lantern in the chamber, the living shadow on the floor audibly reeling and scrambling away from your visage.
Chester's heart is LIGHT!
Though surrounded by darkness, you vow to turn away from the shadow and continue to be a beacon of hope. The blue fire of the Eternal Vigil now courses through you, brighter than any lantern in the chamber, the living shadow on the floor audibly reeling and scrambling away from your visage.
>>200229
You're not exactly sure where the "corners" of this chamber are, or if it has any, but the Thing has stopped retreating and is now trying to get past you. You deftly maneuver around it, matching its sidesteps with your own divine presence. You're keeping it from the others well enough, but can you make the final blow?
You're not exactly sure where the "corners" of this chamber are, or if it has any, but the Thing has stopped retreating and is now trying to get past you. You deftly maneuver around it, matching its sidesteps with your own divine presence. You're keeping it from the others well enough, but can you make the final blow?
>>200239
"There are no goats where I am from. I would like to experiment with their remains more, as it seems I have much to learn in their animation. Each unique in their own ways, though fundamentally similar. It was a miscalculation of mine to raise such a beast with no experience. I suspect the lack of corpses in this hole is starting to get to me."
"There are no goats where I am from. I would like to experiment with their remains more, as it seems I have much to learn in their animation. Each unique in their own ways, though fundamentally similar. It was a miscalculation of mine to raise such a beast with no experience. I suspect the lack of corpses in this hole is starting to get to me."
>>200237
The words have barely left your throat when the Thing tightens its claws around it. You feel life and light bleed from you as you struggle to assert yourself against the absolute terror dwelling in its being. The sacred blue fire wreathing your form billows forth, ethereal wings stretching out from your back as the flames fight back against the shadow.
Everyone is blinded by the intense rays of pure moonlight, and then you all find yourselves in a small, dimly-lit chamber at the top of the preceding stairwell. You can see everything here clearly in the light of the blue lanterns, including a door leading out.
The chamber is open on one end, leading out to a small dock over an underwater lake that stretches out into unfathomable darkness. There appears to be a body in a small boat roped to the dock, unmoving.
The words have barely left your throat when the Thing tightens its claws around it. You feel life and light bleed from you as you struggle to assert yourself against the absolute terror dwelling in its being. The sacred blue fire wreathing your form billows forth, ethereal wings stretching out from your back as the flames fight back against the shadow.
Everyone is blinded by the intense rays of pure moonlight, and then you all find yourselves in a small, dimly-lit chamber at the top of the preceding stairwell. You can see everything here clearly in the light of the blue lanterns, including a door leading out.
The chamber is open on one end, leading out to a small dock over an underwater lake that stretches out into unfathomable darkness. There appears to be a body in a small boat roped to the dock, unmoving.
>>200260
You stumble on the steps a bit, and the torch rolls into the lake. Apart from that one splash and the long ripples moving out from it, the water is so still you could almost swear it was just smooth stone.
>>200266
The body is twisted and gnarled beyond recognition, though you can tell its skin was etched, scarred, and tattooed with dark patterns. Its limbs are staked to the wooden planks of the boat, and at this stage of decay and abuse it would be no good to you (plus you'd run the risk of reawakening what dark magic it was subject to).
…
Okay, we'll cut it off here since we've just completed yet another harrowing encounter.
You stumble on the steps a bit, and the torch rolls into the lake. Apart from that one splash and the long ripples moving out from it, the water is so still you could almost swear it was just smooth stone.
>>200266
The body is twisted and gnarled beyond recognition, though you can tell its skin was etched, scarred, and tattooed with dark patterns. Its limbs are staked to the wooden planks of the boat, and at this stage of decay and abuse it would be no good to you (plus you'd run the risk of reawakening what dark magic it was subject to).
…
Okay, we'll cut it off here since we've just completed yet another harrowing encounter.
The party is in a small chamber looking out over a vast, endless underground lake of some kind that melts into the darkness. It is unnaturally still, crystal clear, and black with depth. Exits are: downstairs to the Nightmare Moon tunnel; out a newly revealed door.
There is a mooring at the water's edge with a boat tied to it. There is a nearly unrecognizable body in the boat, staked to the wood by its limbs.
It should be noted that this chamber was originally a vast, darkness filled with living shadow warded away by blue lanterns, just before the Thing in the Darkness was banished.
There is a mooring at the water's edge with a boat tied to it. There is a nearly unrecognizable body in the boat, staked to the wood by its limbs.
It should be noted that this chamber was originally a vast, darkness filled with living shadow warded away by blue lanterns, just before the Thing in the Darkness was banished.
>>201589
The new door matches the one from the Trash Heap, though it doesn't have the same locking mechanism. There is just a plate that looks like it needs to be depressed to open.
>>201590
The boat is tied to the shore, and bringing it aground you can clearly investigate the boat and its… occupant. The body obviously has four limbs and a skull, and stiill has its blackened shriveled skin on it, but you would need to look closer for anything else.
>>201591
The ceiling is covered in more engravings, carvings, and reliefs like those you saw in the tunnel, but they are peppered with magic runes (thankfully nontrapped) and designs that seem like ritual material. In fact the walls and floors are also covered in the stuff, and the way the shapes interact and draw the eye make you a little dizzy.
>>201593
You find a second withered body in the corner of the room, curled up in its dusty robes.
The new door matches the one from the Trash Heap, though it doesn't have the same locking mechanism. There is just a plate that looks like it needs to be depressed to open.
>>201590
The boat is tied to the shore, and bringing it aground you can clearly investigate the boat and its… occupant. The body obviously has four limbs and a skull, and stiill has its blackened shriveled skin on it, but you would need to look closer for anything else.
>>201591
The ceiling is covered in more engravings, carvings, and reliefs like those you saw in the tunnel, but they are peppered with magic runes (thankfully nontrapped) and designs that seem like ritual material. In fact the walls and floors are also covered in the stuff, and the way the shapes interact and draw the eye make you a little dizzy.
>>201593
You find a second withered body in the corner of the room, curled up in its dusty robes.
>>201598
The panel doesn't give very much, instead seeming to let your hoof sink into it. A very distinct impression is left in the "stone" for a moment before it slowly remolds and springs back to its original flat surface.
The panel glows red and a very discouraging sound from a ringing bell sounds. The door remains unmoved.
>>201599
What tools do you have to let you examine the body indirectly?
The panel doesn't give very much, instead seeming to let your hoof sink into it. A very distinct impression is left in the "stone" for a moment before it slowly remolds and springs back to its original flat surface.
The panel glows red and a very discouraging sound from a ringing bell sounds. The door remains unmoved.
>>201599
What tools do you have to let you examine the body indirectly?
File: 1353042326051.jpg (23.48 KB, 600x600, Spoon_TT_0000.jpg4f369608-375f…)
>>201602
I have some cooking things, so a large-ish wooden spoon that doubles as a ladel for soup and emergency one-time use splint. I
Roll #0 3 = 3
I have some cooking things, so a large-ish wooden spoon that doubles as a ladel for soup and emergency one-time use splint. I
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>201649
Well, it's not a pony; it has proper claws.
Your prayer is answered regardless. A very brief glimmer of what it once was rises up and disappears through the ceiling, and the body, clothes and all, immediately falls together in a pile of ash. In its center there is a gleaming object of some kind.
The hammer and stake remain in Auvergne's possession.
Well, it's not a pony; it has proper claws.
Your prayer is answered regardless. A very brief glimmer of what it once was rises up and disappears through the ceiling, and the body, clothes and all, immediately falls together in a pile of ash. In its center there is a gleaming object of some kind.
The hammer and stake remain in Auvergne's possession.
>>201664
"There's quite a bit to this place. The mage has a golem assembly machination going on in his living room, and a sea of total darkness as a latrine. All of which are things I'd rather not deal with all at once when the mage throws them at us. And think, when we defeat the mage, he might simply let these abominations loose. Dealing with it now can save the world the hassle later."
"There's quite a bit to this place. The mage has a golem assembly machination going on in his living room, and a sea of total darkness as a latrine. All of which are things I'd rather not deal with all at once when the mage throws them at us. And think, when we defeat the mage, he might simply let these abominations loose. Dealing with it now can save the world the hassle later."
>>201702
You can make out the sounds of speech, but you get the sense you should wear it if you want to actually hear anything intelligible.
>>201710
There is a loud screech as you attempt to use divine power to influence the earring stone. The stone continues to make this awful, piercing shrieking noise that fills the chamber and causes slight ripples in the dark water.
You can make out the sounds of speech, but you get the sense you should wear it if you want to actually hear anything intelligible.
>>201710
There is a loud screech as you attempt to use divine power to influence the earring stone. The stone continues to make this awful, piercing shrieking noise that fills the chamber and causes slight ripples in the dark water.
>>201723
The door leads to another passageway, but more brightly lit than the others you've seen. It looks awfully clean and featureless.
>>201724
It doesn't sound like screaming so much as just general noise (like microphone feedback). It's difficult to get a bead on as it uses magic you're not familiar with.
The door leads to another passageway, but more brightly lit than the others you've seen. It looks awfully clean and featureless.
>>201724
It doesn't sound like screaming so much as just general noise (like microphone feedback). It's difficult to get a bead on as it uses magic you're not familiar with.
>>201739
>>201746
You just see the hallway. There's a 4-way intersection up ahead, and numerous doors down that way (none on your side).
>>201748
Skipping over the finer details of griffon anatomy, the earring is now secured to the side of your head. The screeching actually subsides, and you swear it seems to be tickling your eardrum with some kind of energy. The noise starts to resolve itself and you can now hear voices clearly and distinctly as though you were in the same room with them.
"Scry monitors on the Sleeping One have shorted out and we'll have a retrieval team sent down there shortly."
"No, send fully armed guards. It's likely related to the break-ins. That chamber is connected to the seals and the Offering Pit, we may have more bandits moving in…"
>>201746
You just see the hallway. There's a 4-way intersection up ahead, and numerous doors down that way (none on your side).
>>201748
Skipping over the finer details of griffon anatomy, the earring is now secured to the side of your head. The screeching actually subsides, and you swear it seems to be tickling your eardrum with some kind of energy. The noise starts to resolve itself and you can now hear voices clearly and distinctly as though you were in the same room with them.
"Scry monitors on the Sleeping One have shorted out and we'll have a retrieval team sent down there shortly."
"No, send fully armed guards. It's likely related to the break-ins. That chamber is connected to the seals and the Offering Pit, we may have more bandits moving in…"
>>201754
I pull the earring off, and stick it in a small inside pocket of my side-bag. "We're going to have heavily armed company here pretty soon, guys. Might want to think of setting up an ambush."
I shout down the hall, "Tsvetkov! Get back in here and see if you can get something put together from these corpses, we've got company on the way!"
I pull the earring off, and stick it in a small inside pocket of my side-bag. "We're going to have heavily armed company here pretty soon, guys. Might want to think of setting up an ambush."
I shout down the hall, "Tsvetkov! Get back in here and see if you can get something put together from these corpses, we've got company on the way!"
>>201762
I give a quick nod and retreat to the door and stand by the threshold, concealed by the edge, weapon out and hand at the ready.
"I don't think there's anything to work with in here."
>>201769
The DM won't let me summon here, though I do have Improved Raise Dead. I already tried to Raise Dead in this room with a natural 8.
I give a quick nod and retreat to the door and stand by the threshold, concealed by the edge, weapon out and hand at the ready.
"I don't think there's anything to work with in here."
>>201769
The DM won't let me summon here, though I do have Improved Raise Dead. I already tried to Raise Dead in this room with a natural 8.
>>201787
It's a struggle for you, but you don't feel limited as you were when you first entered this strange chamber. The lost souls seem to have dispersed, but you are able to recycle the ashen remains at your feet and create another Ash Spirit.
During your meditation, something very odd stands out to you: The withered body in the boat is very much alive.
It's a struggle for you, but you don't feel limited as you were when you first entered this strange chamber. The lost souls seem to have dispersed, but you are able to recycle the ashen remains at your feet and create another Ash Spirit.
During your meditation, something very odd stands out to you: The withered body in the boat is very much alive.
>>201856
"It's an unnecessary risk. There's an investigation team on the way, and we don't know what will happen if we free him. He could be another monster, and even if he isn't, we don't know that he will be helpful towards us. Our best bet is to set up an ambush in tandem with the other party, subdue one of the investigators, and root out Filchfire's location."
A pause.
"What do we have to gain from freeing that thing?"
"It's an unnecessary risk. There's an investigation team on the way, and we don't know what will happen if we free him. He could be another monster, and even if he isn't, we don't know that he will be helpful towards us. Our best bet is to set up an ambush in tandem with the other party, subdue one of the investigators, and root out Filchfire's location."
A pause.
"What do we have to gain from freeing that thing?"
>>201863
There are four stakes, one in each of its limbs. Regardless, you quickly and cleanly pull out one stake.
You shouldn't have done that.
The underground lake seems to boil, trapped souls being ripped from its depths. The living shadow returns, pouring out from the body, covering the entire chamber and moving to bar the open doorway to the halls.
The metal stake in your possession begins to rattle and shake as though animated by some powerful will. The same happens to the stake Auvergne retrieved.
There are four stakes, one in each of its limbs. Regardless, you quickly and cleanly pull out one stake.
You shouldn't have done that.
The underground lake seems to boil, trapped souls being ripped from its depths. The living shadow returns, pouring out from the body, covering the entire chamber and moving to bar the open doorway to the halls.
The metal stake in your possession begins to rattle and shake as though animated by some powerful will. The same happens to the stake Auvergne retrieved.
>>201882
>>201886
Okay…
Bethany barely manages to put the stake back into the Thing's limb. Auvergne drives his stake through the chest.
That seals it well and good. The living shadow dissipates and retreats into the blackened husk it came from. The lake returns to its preternaturally perfectly still, almost crystalline state.
You're still in the chamber over the water, and have not returned to the endless darkness.
>>201886
Okay…
Bethany barely manages to put the stake back into the Thing's limb. Auvergne drives his stake through the chest.
That seals it well and good. The living shadow dissipates and retreats into the blackened husk it came from. The lake returns to its preternaturally perfectly still, almost crystalline state.
You're still in the chamber over the water, and have not returned to the endless darkness.
>>201943
Something tells you that's a bad idea. You can hear an eerie buzzing and murmur from beyond the doorway, and what little you can see through the crack doesn't tell you much.
>>201944
The maintenance tunnels are filled with pipes and machines as far as you can see, though it's a slightly more open environment than the Machine Room and the other set of tunnels. These seem to be a vast network of catwalks, passages, and pipelines intertwined around much larger constructs and secondary structures.
>>201948
The storeroom is empty, there is very little sign the other group was here apart from the bedroll the unconscious rogue was using, and that is slightly ajar as though she dragged herself out of it.
Something tells you that's a bad idea. You can hear an eerie buzzing and murmur from beyond the doorway, and what little you can see through the crack doesn't tell you much.
>>201944
The maintenance tunnels are filled with pipes and machines as far as you can see, though it's a slightly more open environment than the Machine Room and the other set of tunnels. These seem to be a vast network of catwalks, passages, and pipelines intertwined around much larger constructs and secondary structures.
>>201948
The storeroom is empty, there is very little sign the other group was here apart from the bedroll the unconscious rogue was using, and that is slightly ajar as though she dragged herself out of it.
>>201957
"They seemed too smart to go into the trap room unless they found a way to disarm it. They CAME from the maintenance tunnels."
>>201958
I nod at the Buffalo. "I think that's the most likely. They said they were going to investigate that direction next — though down the pathway we closed. They probably headed to the ladders for the Golem Foundry."
"They seemed too smart to go into the trap room unless they found a way to disarm it. They CAME from the maintenance tunnels."
>>201958
I nod at the Buffalo. "I think that's the most likely. They said they were going to investigate that direction next — though down the pathway we closed. They probably headed to the ladders for the Golem Foundry."
File: 1353052674250.png (164.69 KB, 960x720, upd.png)
>>201975
>>201983
You see no signs of anything else having been on the catwalks.
>>201975
The door past the tunnel leads to a literal golem foundry. Looking in you can see a great chamber, bigger than a castle courtyard, through which innumerable metal pieces are being shunted and shoved together, animated with magic force and marched on to join the others in the long tunnel you had passed through. It's a grand, automated spiral and mess of arcane machinery.
>>201986
Sadly, the marching of the drone army drowns out any distinct noises you would be able to hear.
>>201983
You see no signs of anything else having been on the catwalks.
>>201975
The door past the tunnel leads to a literal golem foundry. Looking in you can see a great chamber, bigger than a castle courtyard, through which innumerable metal pieces are being shunted and shoved together, animated with magic force and marched on to join the others in the long tunnel you had passed through. It's a grand, automated spiral and mess of arcane machinery.
>>201986
Sadly, the marching of the drone army drowns out any distinct noises you would be able to hear.
>>206468
"We found a doorway that lead to an intersection, but we learned that an investigation team was en route, so we retreated here. The other party has disappeared without a trace, possibly through the mind trap room. The body in the boat was still alive. Against my advice, they unpinned it briefly, causing the living shadow to return."
A pause.
"We repinned it before coming back down here, of course."
"We found a doorway that lead to an intersection, but we learned that an investigation team was en route, so we retreated here. The other party has disappeared without a trace, possibly through the mind trap room. The body in the boat was still alive. Against my advice, they unpinned it briefly, causing the living shadow to return."
A pause.
"We repinned it before coming back down here, of course."
>>206477
>>206484
Bethany has some extreme difficulty getting up the Machine Room ladders, and Chester can barely catch her as she slips off the bottom rungs. Unfortunately he can't quite carry her and they both fall over onto the floor.
The way up the ladders is relatively safe, though it has very little in the way of breaks or ledges, and you can't quite make out where they lead.
>>206484
Bethany has some extreme difficulty getting up the Machine Room ladders, and Chester can barely catch her as she slips off the bottom rungs. Unfortunately he can't quite carry her and they both fall over onto the floor.
The way up the ladders is relatively safe, though it has very little in the way of breaks or ledges, and you can't quite make out where they lead.
Unless you want to roll to make progress or search for alternate routes along the ascent, you're all rising relatively slowly along the machine room wall. You can still see the lower parts where you entered and the rafters above are shrouded in dim light that make it difficult to examine at a distance. The open air is populated by flame and gas jets, making flight dangerous if not simply difficult.
>>206511
When Chester points out his discovery, your investigation of the side rungs shows that there are indeed extra access hatches in the corners, sealed with valves. They're large enough, like doors.
>>206518
>>206528
A rumble from above alerts you to a rapidly descending metal block lowering itself on a cable. As it passes by the group on the main ladder, it blocks off each of the side routes on its way down, eventually pausing over one of the hatchways. You can hear a muffled clunk from within the box.
When Chester points out his discovery, your investigation of the side rungs shows that there are indeed extra access hatches in the corners, sealed with valves. They're large enough, like doors.
>>206518
>>206528
A rumble from above alerts you to a rapidly descending metal block lowering itself on a cable. As it passes by the group on the main ladder, it blocks off each of the side routes on its way down, eventually pausing over one of the hatchways. You can hear a muffled clunk from within the box.
>>206534
The lift would knock you off the side rungs. If you remain on the main ladders, you're safe.
>>206536
>>206546
The two of you are both sizeable and heavy, and have a bit of trouble trying to navigate around each other on the wall.
>>206548
It seems hollow, like another short tunnel leading into a room of some sort. Close quarters inside, most likely.
You should note that you're on a hatchway opposite the lift that just came down. Who's to say there isn't another one somewhere above you?
The lift would knock you off the side rungs. If you remain on the main ladders, you're safe.
>>206536
>>206546
The two of you are both sizeable and heavy, and have a bit of trouble trying to navigate around each other on the wall.
>>206548
It seems hollow, like another short tunnel leading into a room of some sort. Close quarters inside, most likely.
You should note that you're on a hatchway opposite the lift that just came down. Who's to say there isn't another one somewhere above you?
>>206575
>i'll allow it.jpg
There is a horrid screeching sound as you warp and twist the metal under your paw, and that panel falls inward. The inside of the box is a rather well-lit elevator with a plush carpet floor and wood paneling. You can see that the hatchway is open, and there are no beings inside at the moment.
>i'll allow it.jpg
There is a horrid screeching sound as you warp and twist the metal under your paw, and that panel falls inward. The inside of the box is a rather well-lit elevator with a plush carpet floor and wood paneling. You can see that the hatchway is open, and there are no beings inside at the moment.
>>206595
No control panels on the outside of the thing.
Inside is as described above. There is a control panel here consisting of a… stretched papyrus and an ink quill.
The open hatchway forward leads to a short passage with another hatch door on the other side, slightly ajar. There's some slight movement and murmuring on the other side.
No control panels on the outside of the thing.
Inside is as described above. There is a control panel here consisting of a… stretched papyrus and an ink quill.
The open hatchway forward leads to a short passage with another hatch door on the other side, slightly ajar. There's some slight movement and murmuring on the other side.
>>206615
I'm going to wish I'd saved that 10. I'm going to wish that so hard, I can feel it in my bones.
>>206621
I've got a bit of an idea of what to do with the Papyrus, but there's a good chance it will end up doing nothing.
It involves writing down where we want to go, such as "Roof" or "Lobby," or similar things.
I'm going to wish I'd saved that 10. I'm going to wish that so hard, I can feel it in my bones.
>>206621
I've got a bit of an idea of what to do with the Papyrus, but there's a good chance it will end up doing nothing.
It involves writing down where we want to go, such as "Roof" or "Lobby," or similar things.
>>206667
The elevator begins to ascend obscenely quickly, nearly pinning all of you to the floor with the force and speed of its ascent.
You get that eerie feeling again that you got when exploring the first tunnel in the gold portal, the elevator has been rising far longer than would be possible for even the tallest tower in the city of Gloom, though after your dimensional entryway you really have no frame of reference. There is something just wrong about the space in Filchfire's laboratories.
The lift finally stops at an ornate hatchway gilded with inlays and shapes of obscure origin. Like the other hatchways it requires a spin of the valve to open.
The elevator begins to ascend obscenely quickly, nearly pinning all of you to the floor with the force and speed of its ascent.
You get that eerie feeling again that you got when exploring the first tunnel in the gold portal, the elevator has been rising far longer than would be possible for even the tallest tower in the city of Gloom, though after your dimensional entryway you really have no frame of reference. There is something just wrong about the space in Filchfire's laboratories.
The lift finally stops at an ornate hatchway gilded with inlays and shapes of obscure origin. Like the other hatchways it requires a spin of the valve to open.
>>206682
"He's a wizard, so you're probably going to have to rip them from his minions. The golems don't seem armed with much more than their fists, but I'm sure we'll run across something more formidable in due time."
>>206684
"Alright, careful now, everyone. Once everyone is ready, I'll open the hatch."
And then I'll move to the side of the elevator and wait for everyone to get ready.
"He's a wizard, so you're probably going to have to rip them from his minions. The golems don't seem armed with much more than their fists, but I'm sure we'll run across something more formidable in due time."
>>206684
"Alright, careful now, everyone. Once everyone is ready, I'll open the hatch."
And then I'll move to the side of the elevator and wait for everyone to get ready.
>>206696
The valve turns easily enough and doesn't seem to have any complex locking mechanism on it. As it turns, the hatchway opens into the passage beyond.
The hallway before you is varying shades of gold, bronze, cherrywood and sandstone. It's lush with parquet, tile, and fine rugs. There are two doors on either side of the hall, a set of double doors across from you, and a fountain of golden water in the center of the room that seems to produce most of the illumination in this room.
The valve turns easily enough and doesn't seem to have any complex locking mechanism on it. As it turns, the hatchway opens into the passage beyond.
The hallway before you is varying shades of gold, bronze, cherrywood and sandstone. It's lush with parquet, tile, and fine rugs. There are two doors on either side of the hall, a set of double doors across from you, and a fountain of golden water in the center of the room that seems to produce most of the illumination in this room.
>>206716
>>206719
A fountain of golden water is clearly a magic device of some kind, though something tells you it's more than decoration. Your reflection looks very warped in its sunbright ripples, almost like it's looking back at you.
>>206721
The metalwrought benches, lavish rugs, and potted flora aren't bolted to the floor. There are some crystal sconces burning with amber flame.
>>206722
They're big, they're wooden, and most importantly, they have no apparent locks of any kind.
>>206719
A fountain of golden water is clearly a magic device of some kind, though something tells you it's more than decoration. Your reflection looks very warped in its sunbright ripples, almost like it's looking back at you.
>>206721
The metalwrought benches, lavish rugs, and potted flora aren't bolted to the floor. There are some crystal sconces burning with amber flame.
>>206722
They're big, they're wooden, and most importantly, they have no apparent locks of any kind.
>>206739
You can't seem to make out anything. You're the only ones in this penthouse, apparently.
>>206740
The wall has very simple tesselation patterns on it, but they are of no significance unless you were planning on contemplating geometry.
>>206741
The golden water is more than just yellow water, it is quite literally liquid aurum, giving off a strong magical glow and splashing about invitingly. Its supernatural nature is evident in the way your own reflection shifts and staggers at uneven angles.
You can't seem to make out anything. You're the only ones in this penthouse, apparently.
>>206740
The wall has very simple tesselation patterns on it, but they are of no significance unless you were planning on contemplating geometry.
>>206741
The golden water is more than just yellow water, it is quite literally liquid aurum, giving off a strong magical glow and splashing about invitingly. Its supernatural nature is evident in the way your own reflection shifts and staggers at uneven angles.
>>206755
Which door(s) are you opening?
>>206757
You can hear voices chattering back and forth again.
"Containment on the Sleeper has been restored, don't know by who. Tools missing."
"Sweep on lower sector complete. Bottom seals were being tampered with, need cleanup."
"Ah… unconfirmed lift activity over primary machine shaft. No teams reporting suspicious activity in that area, though."
>>206766
This room at least is devoid of such utensils, though one could easily stain these fine rugs…
Which door(s) are you opening?
>>206757
You can hear voices chattering back and forth again.
"Containment on the Sleeper has been restored, don't know by who. Tools missing."
"Sweep on lower sector complete. Bottom seals were being tampered with, need cleanup."
"Ah… unconfirmed lift activity over primary machine shaft. No teams reporting suspicious activity in that area, though."
>>206766
This room at least is devoid of such utensils, though one could easily stain these fine rugs…
>>206783
You stumble on the low steps leading up to the double doors and let Tsvetkov handle it while you regain composure and pretend nothing happened.
>>206778
You open the double doors to a vast library. You know, the typical one with bookcases taller than townhouses, with ladders to match and numerous staircases weaving about in ironwrought spirals.
It's quiet, as a library should be.
You stumble on the low steps leading up to the double doors and let Tsvetkov handle it while you regain composure and pretend nothing happened.
>>206778
You open the double doors to a vast library. You know, the typical one with bookcases taller than townhouses, with ladders to match and numerous staircases weaving about in ironwrought spirals.
It's quiet, as a library should be.
>>206797
"I suppose."
I'll set about doing that, searching for anything about the Darkness and Nightmare Moon worship.
>>206799
"Sometimes it is the knowledge of how something is created that allows us to destroy it. Knowledge is a tool, the same as a sword or a plow. It is part of our duties to see that it is not only kept, but kept from misuse. If only I could get a message to the rest of the Clergy…"
"I suppose."
I'll set about doing that, searching for anything about the Darkness and Nightmare Moon worship.
>>206799
"Sometimes it is the knowledge of how something is created that allows us to destroy it. Knowledge is a tool, the same as a sword or a plow. It is part of our duties to see that it is not only kept, but kept from misuse. If only I could get a message to the rest of the Clergy…"
>>206790
As you approach the side door, you notice a plaque with a chevron on it.
You open the door and find a restroom, replete with a comfy seating area preceding the tiles, stalls, and sinks proper.
>>206799
For a personal collection it's very poorly labeled. You can't seem to find a catalog of any sort, though there is a sort of incomplete astrolabe in the center of the chamber.
>>206796
>>206802
>>206804
roll pls
pls
As you approach the side door, you notice a plaque with a chevron on it.
You open the door and find a restroom, replete with a comfy seating area preceding the tiles, stalls, and sinks proper.
>>206799
For a personal collection it's very poorly labeled. You can't seem to find a catalog of any sort, though there is a sort of incomplete astrolabe in the center of the chamber.
>>206796
>>206802
>>206804
roll pls
pls
>>206809
The library is vast indeed, and you imagine a pegasus would have opportunity for employ in an archive such as this.
>>206806
>>206818
You both follow your own instincts, opening your minds to the dark whispers and promises of power that tend to announce the presence of dark magicks and forbidden knowledge. You are soon at opposite ends of an aisle in the far back, away from the rest of the group. There is markedly less light here than in other sections.
>>206813
The astrolabe looks half-folded, more like it was some kind of projector or observatory than a model of any cosmology. You find a set of brass plates with grooves in them, likely some sort of control mechanism.
>>206814
The plaque for this one has a wide V. You attempt to open the door and it does not budge.
The library is vast indeed, and you imagine a pegasus would have opportunity for employ in an archive such as this.
>>206806
>>206818
You both follow your own instincts, opening your minds to the dark whispers and promises of power that tend to announce the presence of dark magicks and forbidden knowledge. You are soon at opposite ends of an aisle in the far back, away from the rest of the group. There is markedly less light here than in other sections.
>>206813
The astrolabe looks half-folded, more like it was some kind of projector or observatory than a model of any cosmology. You find a set of brass plates with grooves in them, likely some sort of control mechanism.
>>206814
The plaque for this one has a wide V. You attempt to open the door and it does not budge.
>>206829
Fear begins to take hold of you. Not the emotion or the sensation, but the very pure essence and abstract force of Fear. Your half-lidded eyes may have idly glossed over the tome you were looking for, protecting your mortal mind from secrets it should not be prying into.
>>206833
The mechanism seems to groan and squeak, gold foils unfurling, but you don't seem to get much else out of it.
>>206836
Light will be a free action here.
You walk nervously among the tomes, carefully scanning them. You can half-recognize the more standard heresies of Nightmare worship that Lunar devotes sometimes speak of in whispers. Nothing that seems to jump out at you as having anything to do with a living shadow, though…
>>206837
You enter the chevron-marked bathroom. The water is crystal clear, normally colored, potable and cool. It's likely the cleanest, purest, and all-around highest quality H2O you've ever seen.
>>206838
You're a little lost yourself amongst the bookshelves. The best you can keep an eye on is Bethany, who his out in the center of the library fiddling with an astrolabe.
Fear begins to take hold of you. Not the emotion or the sensation, but the very pure essence and abstract force of Fear. Your half-lidded eyes may have idly glossed over the tome you were looking for, protecting your mortal mind from secrets it should not be prying into.
>>206833
The mechanism seems to groan and squeak, gold foils unfurling, but you don't seem to get much else out of it.
>>206836
Light will be a free action here.
You walk nervously among the tomes, carefully scanning them. You can half-recognize the more standard heresies of Nightmare worship that Lunar devotes sometimes speak of in whispers. Nothing that seems to jump out at you as having anything to do with a living shadow, though…
>>206837
You enter the chevron-marked bathroom. The water is crystal clear, normally colored, potable and cool. It's likely the cleanest, purest, and all-around highest quality H2O you've ever seen.
>>206838
You're a little lost yourself amongst the bookshelves. The best you can keep an eye on is Bethany, who his out in the center of the library fiddling with an astrolabe.
>>206856
I'll steel myself and continue looking. Sometimes one must look into the Abyss and then stare down whatever lives there. The answer has to be there somewhere.
I will, however, be somewhat offput at how far apart we've drifted apart. One more quick glance around, and then I'll make sure everyone is still with us before resuming the search.
Roll #0 10 = 10
I'll steel myself and continue looking. Sometimes one must look into the Abyss and then stare down whatever lives there. The answer has to be there somewhere.
I will, however, be somewhat offput at how far apart we've drifted apart. One more quick glance around, and then I'll make sure everyone is still with us before resuming the search.
Roll #0 10 = 10
>>206866
There is one book, which is more a compilation of journals than anything else. Your sixth sense tells you this is the only one you need. Or rather, that you only have time to grab one book before you should seriously consider leaving this aisle. You see Klandin >>206868
retreating already.
>>206867
>>206880
With Tsvetkov's insight, the two of you work the grooves in the paneling to guide the system to a fully operational state. The manifolds snap into place, and a rich hologram of ethereal motes and constellations silently erupts from the astrolabe. The floor is like glass, and it looks like you can step into it.
There is one book, which is more a compilation of journals than anything else. Your sixth sense tells you this is the only one you need. Or rather, that you only have time to grab one book before you should seriously consider leaving this aisle. You see Klandin >>206868
retreating already.
>>206867
>>206880
With Tsvetkov's insight, the two of you work the grooves in the paneling to guide the system to a fully operational state. The manifolds snap into place, and a rich hologram of ethereal motes and constellations silently erupts from the astrolabe. The floor is like glass, and it looks like you can step into it.
>>206894
Gah, so many variables to track!
You can't pick out anything that's familiar to you. The chatter is starting to use a lot of jargon and terminology proprietary to those who work here. As you listen to the voices you get the sense that they aren't entirely natural, though that might just be the effects of the Hearring's method of transmission.
>>206896
You share boldness and brightness with your fellow sun-worshiper.
Gah, so many variables to track!
You can't pick out anything that's familiar to you. The chatter is starting to use a lot of jargon and terminology proprietary to those who work here. As you listen to the voices you get the sense that they aren't entirely natural, though that might just be the effects of the Hearring's method of transmission.
>>206896
You share boldness and brightness with your fellow sun-worshiper.
"So, as I was saying, I get the feeling this book should have everything we need to know about that monster we fought earlier, and perhaps even how to dispel its anchor completely. So, if we've got the time, I'd like to leaf through it."
Looking around at the others, I'll ask: "Do we have the time for me to do so?"
Looking around at the others, I'll ask: "Do we have the time for me to do so?"
>>206914
The V door opens away from you, so you can't see the hinges. It still does not give.
>>206920
The text itself is harmless, written by an innocent mind. These are documentaries of a researcher's investigation of a Nightmare cult, and their uncovering of evidence of an extradimensional realm linking the world of the living and the world of the dead. It seems there were once many photos and other pieces included, but many have since gone missing. There are a few sketches of runed stakes similar to the ones you saw in the lake chamber. As the writer continues, their reports become more sporadic, illegible, and disturbed, mentioning numerous unexplained deaths and disappearances, a living shadow that spread across the region they were staying in, and a Walker in the Darkness.
…
Well, we're at midnight here and a couple folks have dropped out. What say we call it for tonight and meet again Monday?
Remember, no sessions Tue/Thur/Sat
The V door opens away from you, so you can't see the hinges. It still does not give.
>>206920
The text itself is harmless, written by an innocent mind. These are documentaries of a researcher's investigation of a Nightmare cult, and their uncovering of evidence of an extradimensional realm linking the world of the living and the world of the dead. It seems there were once many photos and other pieces included, but many have since gone missing. There are a few sketches of runed stakes similar to the ones you saw in the lake chamber. As the writer continues, their reports become more sporadic, illegible, and disturbed, mentioning numerous unexplained deaths and disappearances, a living shadow that spread across the region they were staying in, and a Walker in the Darkness.
…
Well, we're at midnight here and a couple folks have dropped out. What say we call it for tonight and meet again Monday?
Remember, no sessions Tue/Thur/Sat
>>208034
The researcher's notes go on to describe a ritual used to access and control the metaplane between the living and the dead. A living subject was to be etched with a black run that spread itself across the skin like a living shadow, and then impaled over a body of water…
>>208035
The elevator starts to move. Someone on another floor has likely called it away.
>>208036
After a few minutes of remaining idle, the astrolabe's projections begin to coalesce into a different image, that of a sort of library schematic. You recognize miniature versions of the bookshelves in the light, and see darker figures around the center, one for each of you in the library.
The researcher's notes go on to describe a ritual used to access and control the metaplane between the living and the dead. A living subject was to be etched with a black run that spread itself across the skin like a living shadow, and then impaled over a body of water…
>>208035
The elevator starts to move. Someone on another floor has likely called it away.
>>208036
After a few minutes of remaining idle, the astrolabe's projections begin to coalesce into a different image, that of a sort of library schematic. You recognize miniature versions of the bookshelves in the light, and see darker figures around the center, one for each of you in the library.
>>208037
>>208038
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P5qbcRAXVk
"And the astrolabe just changed into an image of the library. It's marking where we are. If you have any bright ideas, get them ready."
I prepare my sword.
>>208038
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P5qbcRAXVk
"And the astrolabe just changed into an image of the library. It's marking where we are. If you have any bright ideas, get them ready."
I prepare my sword.
>>208042
>>208044
Fiddling with the same panel Beth and Tsvetkov used, you get a few rotations and angles of the library before you manage to change the displayed room.
The projected library shrinks, and a labyrinth of little holographs starts to build around it. It doesn't look like the entire facility, and it's in poor detail in its current setting.
>>208044
Fiddling with the same panel Beth and Tsvetkov used, you get a few rotations and angles of the library before you manage to change the displayed room.
The projected library shrinks, and a labyrinth of little holographs starts to build around it. It doesn't look like the entire facility, and it's in poor detail in its current setting.
>>208049
You focus the projection on the obscenely long elevator shaft, scanning up and down for where the lift could have gone.
You notice that while your dots were all red, everyone/thing else is various shades of green, blue, and purple. There are a lot more entities in this facility than you first thought.
You find the elevator, but there are no blips there.
You focus the projection on the obscenely long elevator shaft, scanning up and down for where the lift could have gone.
You notice that while your dots were all red, everyone/thing else is various shades of green, blue, and purple. There are a lot more entities in this facility than you first thought.
You find the elevator, but there are no blips there.
>>208055
"Nothing's in it yet, but we should probably be ready just in case. Though, if someone could keep an eye on the elevator here," I'll point it out while I say this, "then I might be able to leaf through this book and find a way to dispel the Walker in the Darkness that Filchfire has chained up down there. It's made of a lot of dead folk, though, so even if I do find the solution, I'll probably need a lot of help."
"Nothing's in it yet, but we should probably be ready just in case. Though, if someone could keep an eye on the elevator here," I'll point it out while I say this, "then I might be able to leaf through this book and find a way to dispel the Walker in the Darkness that Filchfire has chained up down there. It's made of a lot of dead folk, though, so even if I do find the solution, I'll probably need a lot of help."
>>208060
Realizing the projection isn't following the elevator, you hastily scramble to move it along. You end up moving the projection's perspective to a different room altogether, a very small one with a row of stalls. As the resolution sharpens, you realize it's a public restroom. There's only one being inside it.
>>208061
You find some pages where the writing has been obscured by drops of blood.
Realizing the projection isn't following the elevator, you hastily scramble to move it along. You end up moving the projection's perspective to a different room altogether, a very small one with a row of stalls. As the resolution sharpens, you realize it's a public restroom. There's only one being inside it.
>>208061
You find some pages where the writing has been obscured by drops of blood.
>>208066
Everyone's gotta die some time, Red.
See you later!
>>208067
You strain your eyes and can barely make out the writing, but you can make it out. Apparently this metaplane is created from the emotional energy and memories still connecting the living and the dead; the key would be to cause such a rift in the individual to be tattooed and staked.
>>208068
You manage to get a bead on the elevator; it's coming up from a lower floor, still no visible blips inside it, and it's moving incredibly fast. When you expand the scope of the imaging, you can see that at its rate of climb it will come to the library floor within the minute.
Everyone's gotta die some time, Red.
See you later!
>>208067
You strain your eyes and can barely make out the writing, but you can make it out. Apparently this metaplane is created from the emotional energy and memories still connecting the living and the dead; the key would be to cause such a rift in the individual to be tattooed and staked.
>>208068
You manage to get a bead on the elevator; it's coming up from a lower floor, still no visible blips inside it, and it's moving incredibly fast. When you expand the scope of the imaging, you can see that at its rate of climb it will come to the library floor within the minute.
>>208072
You actually manage to find yourself a good spot in the balconies.
>>208073
The foyer doesn't have much in the way of concealment. Roll to stay hidden in the relative openness, though you will certainly have the drop on anyone coming through the hatchway.
>>208077
Good thinking! But as stated above, you're just out in the open… Is that your final answer?
You actually manage to find yourself a good spot in the balconies.
>>208073
The foyer doesn't have much in the way of concealment. Roll to stay hidden in the relative openness, though you will certainly have the drop on anyone coming through the hatchway.
>>208077
Good thinking! But as stated above, you're just out in the open… Is that your final answer?
>>208086
You surmise that the actual mechanism for detection is something else entirely, the astrolabe itself is just a viewing machine. Finding those mechanisms, on the other hand, will be an entirely different ballgame.
Still, for safety's sake, you turn the damn thing off.
…
The hatchway valve starts to spin, and once it opens a thickly-robed quadruped steps out of the elevator. He looks at Tsvetkov and his potted plant. "…You do know there are restrooms here?"
You surmise that the actual mechanism for detection is something else entirely, the astrolabe itself is just a viewing machine. Finding those mechanisms, on the other hand, will be an entirely different ballgame.
Still, for safety's sake, you turn the damn thing off.
…
The hatchway valve starts to spin, and once it opens a thickly-robed quadruped steps out of the elevator. He looks at Tsvetkov and his potted plant. "…You do know there are restrooms here?"
>>208101
>>208104
"What do you expect when you enter a wizard's tower uninvited?"
Filchfire removes his hood. No, he is not bald, though the scraggly grays of his mane certainly don't make him out to be a spring chicken. He is an elderly donkey with a gemstone in one eye.
"And which experiments would those be?"
>>208104
"What do you expect when you enter a wizard's tower uninvited?"
Filchfire removes his hood. No, he is not bald, though the scraggly grays of his mane certainly don't make him out to be a spring chicken. He is an elderly donkey with a gemstone in one eye.
"And which experiments would those be?"
>>208109
"He was rather awake when we encountered him. As a follower of Luna I cannot condone what you've done, especially considering the suffering of the countless dead that comprise your 'Sleeping One.' You will, of course, be made to answer for those actions."
I would like to note that my tone throughout all of this is to be considered conversational and civil.
"He was rather awake when we encountered him. As a follower of Luna I cannot condone what you've done, especially considering the suffering of the countless dead that comprise your 'Sleeping One.' You will, of course, be made to answer for those actions."
I would like to note that my tone throughout all of this is to be considered conversational and civil.
>>208112
>>208114
"Well, technically, it is an uninvited intrusion of sorts. I discovered some of the spare keys had been taken, so I expected adventurers and would-be heroes to start poking around the place."
"And what's wrong with riddle locks? You want me to make it harder for you to get yourselves killed? Where's the fun in that?"
"I sense you have one of my books. Perhaps I can help you understand the material." He beckons Chester over again. "Come forward, I cannot harm you in my current state."
>>208114
"Well, technically, it is an uninvited intrusion of sorts. I discovered some of the spare keys had been taken, so I expected adventurers and would-be heroes to start poking around the place."
"And what's wrong with riddle locks? You want me to make it harder for you to get yourselves killed? Where's the fun in that?"
"I sense you have one of my books. Perhaps I can help you understand the material." He beckons Chester over again. "Come forward, I cannot harm you in my current state."
>>208134
"I sincerely doubt that. Though, what I'm attempting is the dispelling and laying to rest of your 'Sleeping One.' Permanently. I had thought I had subdued it already, though it seems that it was not as final as I'd hoped.
"Still, there is no reason we cannot be civil about this."
I'll move a bit closer, leaving two feet of distance between myself and the Wizard. I'll have bagged my mace along the way, trusting that if this goes south, the others will be ready to handle themselves.
"Now, the thing that I was having a bit of trouble with was the line outlined on a rather stained page, specifically the part concerning the metaplane that you've staked the poor souls in the boat on. How would I go about undoing that, and laying the dead to rest, without the Darkness surging out of control?"
"I sincerely doubt that. Though, what I'm attempting is the dispelling and laying to rest of your 'Sleeping One.' Permanently. I had thought I had subdued it already, though it seems that it was not as final as I'd hoped.
"Still, there is no reason we cannot be civil about this."
I'll move a bit closer, leaving two feet of distance between myself and the Wizard. I'll have bagged my mace along the way, trusting that if this goes south, the others will be ready to handle themselves.
"Now, the thing that I was having a bit of trouble with was the line outlined on a rather stained page, specifically the part concerning the metaplane that you've staked the poor souls in the boat on. How would I go about undoing that, and laying the dead to rest, without the Darkness surging out of control?"
>>208148
You can see and hear the conversation clearly.
>>208150
As you walk towards Filchfire, you suddenly feel drained, almost lifeless. Your vision starts to swim as you continue forward, your words leaving a mouth that is not your own. Soon you are watching yourself walk towards Filchfire, hearing yourself talk to him, as though you've left your body.
"What you fail to understand, my young Lunatic, is that the darkness is always out of control, swallowing up every light that shines through it. Shadows are powerful things amateurs should not trifle with."
You are watching yourself through a rippling sheen of golden water, trapped beneath the fountain. You can still feel your body, and are aware of its actions, but it's like you were removed from yourself.
The rest of the party should realize that Chester no longer has a shadow, nor a reflection in the water.
"You can hand over the book and return anything else you stole, or end up like your friend here once you pass this threshold."
You can see and hear the conversation clearly.
>>208150
As you walk towards Filchfire, you suddenly feel drained, almost lifeless. Your vision starts to swim as you continue forward, your words leaving a mouth that is not your own. Soon you are watching yourself walk towards Filchfire, hearing yourself talk to him, as though you've left your body.
"What you fail to understand, my young Lunatic, is that the darkness is always out of control, swallowing up every light that shines through it. Shadows are powerful things amateurs should not trifle with."
You are watching yourself through a rippling sheen of golden water, trapped beneath the fountain. You can still feel your body, and are aware of its actions, but it's like you were removed from yourself.
The rest of the party should realize that Chester no longer has a shadow, nor a reflection in the water.
"You can hand over the book and return anything else you stole, or end up like your friend here once you pass this threshold."
>>208165
Filchfire explodes. Or what was an image of Filchfire, at least. The spear passes through him and thunks quite easily into the wall of the elevator, and he flickers and warps before disappearing completely.
>>208167
Your body is extremely slow to respond. Everything that happens seems to be going much faster, and slower, at the same time. It's like a dream where you're running in place.
Filchfire explodes. Or what was an image of Filchfire, at least. The spear passes through him and thunks quite easily into the wall of the elevator, and he flickers and warps before disappearing completely.
>>208167
Your body is extremely slow to respond. Everything that happens seems to be going much faster, and slower, at the same time. It's like a dream where you're running in place.
>>208185
Bah, he probably wants me to put it back in the library. The illusion was probably the Anti-theft enchantment in case someone tried to abscond with his books. If possible, I'll direct my body to return the book onto one of the tables of the library. Perhaps that will be enough to loosen the grasp of the Soul Trap.
Not that I'm going to stop trying to overcome it on my own, of course.
Roll #0 1 = 1
Bah, he probably wants me to put it back in the library. The illusion was probably the Anti-theft enchantment in case someone tried to abscond with his books. If possible, I'll direct my body to return the book onto one of the tables of the library. Perhaps that will be enough to loosen the grasp of the Soul Trap.
Not that I'm going to stop trying to overcome it on my own, of course.
Roll #0 1 = 1
>>208187
You drag your body (quite literally) across the foyer floor and back into the library, flopping and rolling over the steps and through the double doors. You can barely manage to stand up on all fours to drunkenly retrieve the book and place it on a table.
The instant you do so you shoot back into your body, no longer stuck in that out-of-body double vision. Your shadow is underneath you again, and you can see your reflection in the polished mirrors and metals adorning the library walls.
You drag your body (quite literally) across the foyer floor and back into the library, flopping and rolling over the steps and through the double doors. You can barely manage to stand up on all fours to drunkenly retrieve the book and place it on a table.
The instant you do so you shoot back into your body, no longer stuck in that out-of-body double vision. Your shadow is underneath you again, and you can see your reflection in the polished mirrors and metals adorning the library walls.
>>208194
"I see."
A pause.
"In the intervening period, I have thought of a new plan. We appear as red on the Astrolabe because we are intruders. We should use it to locate the other party, if they live."
I head over and begin working the machine in an attempt to find the other party on the Astrolabe.
Roll #0 3 = 3
"I see."
A pause.
"In the intervening period, I have thought of a new plan. We appear as red on the Astrolabe because we are intruders. We should use it to locate the other party, if they live."
I head over and begin working the machine in an attempt to find the other party on the Astrolabe.
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>208207
Right now the red dots are extremely fuzzy, more like large sized blobs that estimate the presence there rather than giving an exact head count.
>>208209
Chester used CAREFUL APPROACH!
…but nothing happened!
>>208210
>>208213
The two of you work together to figure out the controls—they're poorly labeled and most often not at all—and manage to move the view to the main elevator shaft. You can see a large red blob moving up on the lift.
Right now the red dots are extremely fuzzy, more like large sized blobs that estimate the presence there rather than giving an exact head count.
>>208209
Chester used CAREFUL APPROACH!
…but nothing happened!
>>208210
>>208213
The two of you work together to figure out the controls—they're poorly labeled and most often not at all—and manage to move the view to the main elevator shaft. You can see a large red blob moving up on the lift.
>>208229
You zoom in on the elevator and get good detail. You recognize the shapes of the occupants: the party you met from before.
The elevator is going fast just like when your group rode in on it.
>>208230
No, you don't get to keep the hammer.
As you pass the fountain, you are acquainted with the sensation of drowning. Well, the lungs-filled-with-water bit, at least, not the dying bit. You're swimming in your own body, unable to move very well, like someone's put blinders on you and spun you around fifty times for a game of pin the tail on the pony.
You zoom in on the elevator and get good detail. You recognize the shapes of the occupants: the party you met from before.
The elevator is going fast just like when your group rode in on it.
>>208230
No, you don't get to keep the hammer.
As you pass the fountain, you are acquainted with the sensation of drowning. Well, the lungs-filled-with-water bit, at least, not the dying bit. You're swimming in your own body, unable to move very well, like someone's put blinders on you and spun you around fifty times for a game of pin the tail on the pony.
File: 1353398059537.gif (2.81 MB, 500x290, GoodellVsReplacements.gif)
>>208234
Since I have hooves and was pushing things along, did I lose possession of the items and regain my consciousness?
I've been trying to find a good gif, but all the first ones I found were too big.
Since I have hooves and was pushing things along, did I lose possession of the items and regain my consciousness?
I've been trying to find a good gif, but all the first ones I found were too big.
File: 1353731824322.png (197.26 KB, 603x279, this seriously is my face I'm …)
When we last left off, the illusory image of Filchfire had just evaporated, leaving the group to ponder the antitheft mechanisms of the shadow-stealing fountain as they monitored movement in the facility using the library astrolabe. Now, as a batch of outsiders moves up the shaft, will the new arrivals be friend or foe?
>>213348
>>213350
Despite being ready, Auvergne is shocked by the warped perception of reality imparted by the fountain. Fortunately, Gaeton quickly swoops in to separate him from the book.
'1d10'
>>213354
There's not much here apart from some partial cover afforded by chairs, desks, a few lamps, and loose books.
Roll #1 6 = 6
>>213350
Despite being ready, Auvergne is shocked by the warped perception of reality imparted by the fountain. Fortunately, Gaeton quickly swoops in to separate him from the book.
'1d10'
>>213354
There's not much here apart from some partial cover afforded by chairs, desks, a few lamps, and loose books.
Roll #1 6 = 6
>>213359
The doorstop is polished brass, actually. THus far, you find no evidence that the mechanism that trips the fountain is at the library doorway.
>>213360
Once you are free of the book you come back to your senses. It's a bit of a shock, like jumping into an ice cold pond during a chilly autumn afternoon. Nonetheless you have full awareness, access to and ownership of your faculties.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
The doorstop is polished brass, actually. THus far, you find no evidence that the mechanism that trips the fountain is at the library doorway.
>>213360
Once you are free of the book you come back to your senses. It's a bit of a shock, like jumping into an ice cold pond during a chilly autumn afternoon. Nonetheless you have full awareness, access to and ownership of your faculties.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
As the lift comes up, you immediately see the group in the elevator. It's the quartet from before:
Earth Knight
Zebra Rogue
Buffalo Cleric
Donkey ?
They look awfully stoic and sourfaced, like the kind of displeased and cranky air you'd get from a parent who needs a vacation from a four-day weekend.
Earth Knight
Zebra Rogue
Buffalo Cleric
Donkey ?
They look awfully stoic and sourfaced, like the kind of displeased and cranky air you'd get from a parent who needs a vacation from a four-day weekend.
>>213381
"Ah. It seems they've lost themselves. Klandin, if you could and the others could waylay all but the Zebra, I'm going to see if my Cure Spell can break their mind control. I hope they aren't dead and zombified, though. That would be most… unfortunate."
Moving our of cover, I'll see how quickly they decide to follow my movements.
"Ah. It seems they've lost themselves. Klandin, if you could and the others could waylay all but the Zebra, I'm going to see if my Cure Spell can break their mind control. I hope they aren't dead and zombified, though. That would be most… unfortunate."
Moving our of cover, I'll see how quickly they decide to follow my movements.
>>213389
The Rogue mirrors your movements with preternatural precision.
>>213394
Your words have no effect on them, as though fallen on deaf ears.
>>213403
Although you don't have the advantage of terminal velocity, your instincts let you pounce readily on this unsuspecting group. He's a lot heavier and sturdier than you expect, but it's a solid hit and you push him prone to the ground.
Almost immediately the Buffalo swings his weapon at you in a long, lazy arc that you easily duck.
Roll for initiative!
'1d10'
Roll #1 8 = 8
The Rogue mirrors your movements with preternatural precision.
>>213394
Your words have no effect on them, as though fallen on deaf ears.
>>213403
Although you don't have the advantage of terminal velocity, your instincts let you pounce readily on this unsuspecting group. He's a lot heavier and sturdier than you expect, but it's a solid hit and you push him prone to the ground.
Almost immediately the Buffalo swings his weapon at you in a long, lazy arc that you easily duck.
Roll for initiative!
'1d10'
Roll #1 8 = 8
>>213414
You try to make a move, but the Zebra Rogue is on you like a very forward temple maiden! She doesn't leave as many cuts and bruises as some temple maidens, though… You have 3/5 hits remaining.
>>213416
>>213419
The Donkey strikes with unnatural swiftness, using your mass against you to plant his hooves in a rebounding seven-sided strike.
Bethany has 2/5 hits remaining.
Klandin is undamaged but was unable to act.
>>213415
>>213418
Declare an action (and targets) for this turn.
You try to make a move, but the Zebra Rogue is on you like a very forward temple maiden! She doesn't leave as many cuts and bruises as some temple maidens, though… You have 3/5 hits remaining.
>>213416
>>213419
The Donkey strikes with unnatural swiftness, using your mass against you to plant his hooves in a rebounding seven-sided strike.
Bethany has 2/5 hits remaining.
Klandin is undamaged but was unable to act.
>>213415
>>213418
Declare an action (and targets) for this turn.
>>213432
An Evil Force opposes you! The light of your Cure spell dissolve ineffectually as she roughs you up something fierce. You barely dodge a lethal knife strike.
Chester: 2/5 hits
>>213434
Ignoring the donkey's assault, you deftly intercept the heavily armed knight as he gets up from the floor. You clonk him square in the ear, but you know it's going to take more than cheap shots to bring down an Earth pony.
>>213436
You follow up Klandin's maneuver and wrestle the Earth Knight back to the ground, clonking him on the head yourself. He's out cold.
>>213437
Your mass and clumsy movements make you comical at best and helpless at worst against the donkey's agile discipline. In fact, he forces you to the ground and you are Helpless.
>>213444
You successfully circle the melee and come up on Chester's new Zebra girlfriend, deftly disarming her from behind and relieving her of other weapons. You manage to pin her limbs against her body, leaving her body comfortably sandwiched between yours and Chester's.
The Buffalo Cleric utters something incomprehensible. '1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
An Evil Force opposes you! The light of your Cure spell dissolve ineffectually as she roughs you up something fierce. You barely dodge a lethal knife strike.
Chester: 2/5 hits
>>213434
Ignoring the donkey's assault, you deftly intercept the heavily armed knight as he gets up from the floor. You clonk him square in the ear, but you know it's going to take more than cheap shots to bring down an Earth pony.
>>213436
You follow up Klandin's maneuver and wrestle the Earth Knight back to the ground, clonking him on the head yourself. He's out cold.
>>213437
Your mass and clumsy movements make you comical at best and helpless at worst against the donkey's agile discipline. In fact, he forces you to the ground and you are Helpless.
>>213444
You successfully circle the melee and come up on Chester's new Zebra girlfriend, deftly disarming her from behind and relieving her of other weapons. You manage to pin her limbs against her body, leaving her body comfortably sandwiched between yours and Chester's.
The Buffalo Cleric utters something incomprehensible. '1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3