<font color=silver>ooc <font color=turquoise>DMs Note</font> – As we have a number of disparate actions taking place in the gnomish settlement, each of which is on a bit of a different timeline, let’s I’m going to make a small adjustment to things in the hope of helping things to move forward smoothly.

1. The gnomes have made a building available for the group to use and it is stocked with basic supplies. This can be considered to be a ‘home base’ of sorts during the group’s time below the surface.
2. It can be reasonably assumed that the entire group will be together at some point each day.
3. <font color=blue>Anarrimma</font> - Assuming the wounded members of the party are willing, go ahead and make sure the members of the group are fully healed.
4. <font color=lime>Morguerat</font> - Will you be looking to do anything else in the settlement other than working with the smith?
5. <font color=plum>Dantes</font> - The work will take some time, but the group will be here for a number of days. Let’s see you put those magic skills to use ;)
6. <font color=indianred>Brendon</font>, <font color=lightgreen>Syrathic</font> and <font color=orchid>Ruby</font> - Let me know if your characters have anything else planned for their time here.
7. At some point the group is going to have to figure out its next course of action.
8. At least a day has passed so far, I’m inclined to say 2 given the amount of activity. This means that there is no need to roleplay characters meeting up. That being the case, we can assume that the group has been and is sufficiently together for those characters who need to speak with one another to do so without going through the gymnastics of roleplaying how to meet. Let’s concentrate our roleplaying energy on interactions between the characters and on moving the story forward and not get lost in trying to do a turn by turn playing out of the time here.</font>

<font color=99ff00">After the group had organized themselves and gone to the building Dantes had secured for their use, Morguerat relayed the inforation he had gathered from the grimlock, Euryale is some kind of female… creature, the grimlock referred to it as both a woman and monster, she is greatly feared, and values the grimlocks because of their blindness. A rough map (hope I’m not taking too many liberties Cyril, but I figured between the info I got and the locals I could get some written directions) to the lair, along with an estimate of how many guards are on duty at any given time (4-6 shadow hounds with elite warriors, logically the number is likely increased due to missing patrols). Additionally Euryale seems to be the only thing uniting the grimlocks, removing that leadership would cripple the war bands, or at the very least give them more to worry about from each other as they fall to bickering about who is most fit to lead.

Anarrima received a rather cold reception from Morguerat who, after being introduced, muttered for a while about deadweight and protecting someone who would likely only bring them danger, but after he was done blustering and scowling he told her she was welcome to tag along (refusing any sort of magical aid to his injuries, but taking any non-magical aids, such as salves ointments, stitches, etc)

When he learned of Dantes’ attempts at unlocking the Runestone, he offered his own unconventional talents in unlocking the magic (ooc only for about 2-3hours if nothing is gleaned I’ll go back to work with the blacksmith) then suggested that Anarrima check it, perhaps if the wards were woven with priestly magic they would baffle magic users, but not a priestess.

</font>OOC during my time with the blacksmith I’ll see what can be done about preserving the cloak, if nothing cheap can be done I’ll attempt to trade it provisions (food, lamp oil, lantern, etc)

P.S. Larry, could you delete my last post, I am unable to

<font color=skyblue>Larry says: Done.</font>

[ 05-30-2003, 04:37 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=indianred>Brendon Grey 70/70

Brendon listened to the discussion on the grimlocks and pondered this optional course. Speaking up he asks, "Where do the giants fit in on all of this? We have been told that they are more likely the biggest threat. Are they working for this Euylee...person"? He looks around the room and stops on Anarrima. </font>

<font color=orchid>Anarrima Culurien. 60/60

Anarrima had been busy that day in helping her new friends with whatever ailments that they had endured. She worked extra hard to heal them as much as possible because this was her time to prove her worth. She had been insulted by the human leader that had insisted she would be burdonsome and of no help, then disallowed her to prove her worth with the divine art she had been granted. However, she was able to find some moss in the area of the cavern where they resided that held minor healing tendancies when boiled and applied to any wound, and covered with a clean cloth. She also had some brew she had concocted that was made from the urine of cave bats that helped take away the stinging pain of some cuts. The gnomes had of course taught her all these things when they discovered her love of healing and growth. She now was finishing up her labors and was cleaning up the products that she had brought out to use. </font>

<font color=indianred>Brendon Grey 70/70

Brendon watched her and realized that she only drew near to Morgeraut when no other route presented itself. When she did, her head was low as to not obtain eye contact with him. This was not good. Already, contentions begin to stir in our ranks. Brendon wondered what had become of this man. He was a hero, as he remembered it in the story he had read long ago of the Mage's days. Maybe he was just tired or worried about the burdon of the responsibility and journey ahead.

Finally he finished his last arrow. He now held a quiver full of newly crafted arrows aside from his quiver of never-ending arrows. But these last ones were to be different. They were already considered of extra fine quality, and the feathers ensured a perfect, direct flight. These arrows were worthy of an enchantement and he knew what he wanted in them. Speaking up before anyone had a chance to digest or answer his last question, Brendon put in..."Oh...Dantes? I was wondering if you had the ability to place an enchantment on these arrows that they be endowed with a lightning spell, each? Sorry for interupting, everyone...I am just really into arrows, you know?"</font>

[ 05-30-2003, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=lightgreen>Syrathic HP:74/74

Syrathic decided to take advantage of the time in the gnome village to rest and recover. He had been one of the worst off from the battles in getting this far, so this was welcome indeed. And he was especially pleased to have a chance to talk to the Elf maiden, engaging her in idle conversation as she attended to his wounds. It was nice for him to finally speak to another Elf; it had been a long time since he had had the chance.

Syrathic began to help Anarrima with her supplies as he listened to Morguerat recount what he had learned from the grimlock. Ominous news, to say the least, especially when Brandon reminded everyone of the giants. If they were both working together... this was going to be quite the task. Not that it wasn't already. "Well, at least we have another lead to investigate," he said.

He also noticed Anarrima's avoidance of Morguerat. "He's a very gruff man. Sometimes I wonder what goes through his head," he said to her, lapsing into Elven. "Most of the others tread lightly around him as well, as do I. But he has proven his worth in combat, as evidenced by my standing here now." He paused for a moment to think. "Yet I wonder if he actually likes any of us, or just tolerates us because our goals are the same."</font>

<font color=orchid>Anarrima 60/60

"I thank you for those kind words, Syrathic.

It has been a long wait indeed for me to have the chance to converse with another of my kind. I have been in this terrible darkness far too long. I miss the stars. Tell me, what of your family? From where do you travel? </font>

ruby, being the loner that she is, has been spending her time with wyrd. wherever they can be without lots of ppl around they are comfy. she appreciates the hospitality towards her and her companion, but sincerely wishes to leave. she at times feels as tho the walls of their inn room are closing about her, and other times that the whole world has shrunk to the size of one gnome village.

her attempts to meditate and gain clear thought and even to contact the psionic sword have gone badly. she feels her skin crawl around morguerat, and her insecurities taunt her.

she at first thought the surprise new female elf to their party was good but now she finds syrathics time taken with her, and ruby no longer feels comfortable trying to make conversation with him.

at night her dreams are becomming more and more horrific. moslty of morguerat and an impending evil that refuses to name itself. but sometimes it is simply of being locked in a small box, without wyrd, without weapons, without power. at times she is woke up by a pounding on her bedroom walls. when she begins to think clearly she knows that she has been the one pounding.

OOC: re:last post if my dag-nabbit husband would only log himself out when he is done using my computer!!!! that is my post!

<font color=lightgreen>Syrathic HP:74/74

"My family is no longer... alive," Syrathic began softly in Elven, voice faltering as he looked away from the Elf maiden. He sighed, but composed himself again immediately after. "They were all killed about 50 years ago, when I had seen but 40 years. I... don't like to speak of those events, mostly because I do not remember much about it except..." He paused to remember why he had begun adventuring in the first place: revenge for the slaughter of his parents. But when he turned back to Anarrima, he smiled and said with a small chuckle, "I'm much younger than you probably thought. I don't look my age any longer, though. Growing up alone and having to fend for yourself does that, I suppose.

"I actually spent a good portion of my time after... with a group of Human rangers. They taught me a lot of what I know now, like their insistance that I learn to dual-wield. But I found my abilities lent themselves better to being a thief, and I ended up doing a lot of adventuring during my time with them. Which, incidently, lead me to this group, and down here."

Syrathic glanced around his surroundings before confiding, "I don't know how you've managed down in this forsaken place. The darkness is oppressive, and I feel like the walls are confining me. Already I miss the outside, and I've only been down here a short time. How do you manage? And what forced you into this predicament?"</font>

<font color=orchid>Anarrima Culurien 60/60

"Now it is my turn to blush and try to hide, good elf. Ahurani Fairhand has been with me and strengthened me during this time, and if I live through it, I will have become a stronger being. Deity will not suffer us to endure more than we are capable of. I was captured and enslaved...let that suffice for the answer now, for the anger and pain still sting to mention it. Now you and your friends have come upon my prayers in faith...to deliver me from this place. In turn, I shall show you how truelly magnificient my Goddess is. She will grant me many strengths during our journey in this Underdark."

Anarrima glances over to Morgeraut and breathes deeply...

"All will be well with us with Ahurani Fairhand watching over us...as long as that one will not curse us with his shadow."</font>


OOC>>>I guess while I am waiting for everybody to do something...I will talk a while. Brendon is stuck until he is answered. Until then, I will be putting some personality into Anarrima.

[ 06-04-2003, 09:59 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=silver>ooc: Azrael - I answered your PM.

<font color=lime>Morguerat</font> - Whatever the enchantments on the stone are they are beyond your power to probe and your character would be likely to trigger them given his inexperience with magic of this complexity.

<font color=turquoise>DMs Note:</font> This seems like a good place to clarify how the spell Dispel Magic will work in this game.

Rather than defining Dispel Magic as a 3rd level spell, it will be understood as a spell of variable level depending on at level the caster chooses to memorize it [i.e., 3rd to 9th]. This is important as in this game 2 factors are important in determining the success of a casting of Dispel Magic:

1. The difference in level between the one casting Dispel Magic and the caster of the original enchantment. There is a 5% penalty for each level the one trying to Dispel an enchantment is below that of the one who originally cast it. Should the caster of the Dispel magic be higher in level, he receives a 5% bonus for each level higher than the caster of the enchantment.

2. The difference in level between the Dispel itself and that of the enchantment. A Dispel Magic that has been memorized as a lower level spell than the enchantment it is directed against receives a 10% penalty for each level it is below the that of the enchantment. Conversely, a Dispel Magic of higher level than a given enchantment receives a 10% bonus for each level of difference. For example a spellcaster who has memorized Dispel Magic as a 3rd level spell suffers a 60% chance of failure should he attempt to dispel a 9th level enchantment.

The base chance of success for Dispel Magic is 50%. This base chance is modified by the penalties and bonuses outlined above.</font>

[ 06-05-2003, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]