GM has arrived.
Arly says, "Since I missed the last game, apparently, I'm hoping someone can bring me up to speed on what I missed."
[D&D] PerrySimm says, "Log on."
Kaylee says, "The log's up."
Arly looks at the ceiling.
[D&D] Fincul says, "I'm going to give playing a shot. I may fade away at some point; if I do, feel free to carry on without me."
[D&D] GM says, "alrighty"
Skalheth has arrived.
Kaylee says, "But basically, we made it back through the swamp, fought a couple, uh, ogres?  Delivered the scroll, turned on the box and got some weapons, and decided to go back into the swamp."
GM says, "so last time, let's see"
GM says, "that sounds about right"
[D&D] Arly says, "I really hope I still have my character sheet somewhere."
Kaylee says, "Oh, and the merchant guy died in the night from being roughed up."
[D&D] Arly says, "Ah, there it is."
Kaylee says (to Arly), "Which you figured out."
[D&D] Kaylee says (to Arly), "If you mail it here, I'll put it on the site."
GM says, "the merchant was mysteriously killed in his locked hotel room; you guys headed back to Mor's End with the crate which, when invoked, turned out to be full of well-crafted weapons, including two magical ones"
[D&D] Arly says, "Uh... It's just the one inky gave me.  I can send it to you if you want, but I'm not sure it's that interesting."
[D&D] Kaylee says (to GM), "Oh, and I decided to get Slippers of Spider Climb with my cash."
GM says, "on the way you fought two ogres, and Arly handed over one of his healing potions to Onyx"
[D&D] GM says, "okay"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Just for reference."
[D&D] GM asks, "anything else?"
GM says, "then you delivered the scroll case to the doorkeeper at the mage's guild, who gave you some cash for it"
GM says, "but didn't pick up the guy's ring, which Arly put on"
Arly says, "Wow, I must have gone out drinking or something because I remember none of this."
GM says, "and as we pick up the thread again, it's the next morning and our heroes are preparing to head back into the swamp"
Arly asks (of GM), "Have there been any stat changes or anything from last time?"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "We decided to do vague cash, right?"
[D&D] Kaylee says (to Arly), "Hee ;-)"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Presumably vague communal cash?"
GM says, ""What, you guys again?" asks the guard. "Most people have their fill of the swamp after a day.""
Arly asks, "I mean, do I need to update my character sheet at all?  Have I been healed?"
GM says (to Arly), "yeah, everyone's been healed back up to maximum"
[D&D] Kaylee says (to Arly), "Don't forget to chat OOC on the channel."
Arly says, "Hooray."
[D&D] GM says, "and you can take off one of your healing potions, since you have it to Onyx"
[D&D] Arly says (to Kaylee), "Eep, sorry."
Fincul says (to Guard), "I find a brisk morning walk in the local extra-urban territories to be quite bracing."
[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "Cure light or cure moderate?"
[D&D] GM says, "cure light"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Also, I guess I should put the ring in my inventory now?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Any information about it I should know?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Yeah; it is designed to tell you when a gem gets within a certain radius."
[D&D] GM says, "well, it's got a gemstone on it, and supposedly tingles when a matching one is nearby"
Skalheth says (to guard), "Most people prefer the stink of crowds to the fragrnace of plants and trees?  Their loss, then."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "One can deduce that the parallel thing happens with the person with the other ring."
GM says, "The guard shrugs, and waves as you head out through the gates."
[D&D] Fincul says, "And there's probably more it can do, but we don't know what yet."
[D&D] Onyx says, "I suggested they be red, to match her cheery character. :-)"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(the slippers)"
GM says, "The swamp is once again quiet as you head back in, at least in the sense of not meeting any travelers"
Kaylee stage-whispers (to Skalhelth) "These particular plants and trees are kind of... smelly."
Fincul asks (of Arly), "You'll be able to spot where you left that marker of yours, right?"
GM says, "there is still the distant dripping of water, occasionally small animals which scurry across the path, and once in a while, the snap of a branch"
Kaylee says, "Not that they don't have their charm."
Skalheth takes a deep breath and smiles.
Arly says, "I still don't like the look of this place."
Arly sniffs the air and grunts.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Wow.  I'm reading the beginning of last games transcript, the part where I was dead of exhaustion IRL.  I can't remember any of it."
Onyx says, "Not fond of forests.  Can't see far.  Unh."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."
[D&D] Arly exclaims (at Skalheth), "That must have been what happened to me!"
GM says, "and there's Arly's marker just off the path, and the stump where the fallen tree came from"
Kaylee looks around with curiosity, not having seen this place before.
GM says, "the tree itself seems to have been dragged some distance off the path on the opposite side"
Arly says, "Hrmf, I don't like the looks of this."
Fincul says, "Hmm. Someone else has been here."
Skalheth kicks himself for not doing that himself when he was here last.  Bad caretaker of the swamp.  Bad.
Kaylee asks, "You had to climb around the tree last time?"
Kaylee examines the stones.
[D&D] GM says, "(well, you guys were here coming back from Execs to Mor's End yesterday too, of course -- though the log was still there then)"
Skalheth says (to Kaylee), "Over, yes.  After it fell on us."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "We were in a hurry--I don't remember ;-)"
Kaylee says, "Ow."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "No, wait, it was already down when we got here, wasn't it?"
[D&D] GM says, "right"
Skalheth says, "A pack of goblins ambushed us here.  No respect for harmony.  Hurr."
[D&D] GM says, "it'd just been felled as an ambush setup, most likely"
Fincul says, "The stones should be right over that way..."
GM says, "with the aid of the marker, you find the first stone, which as mentioned is flat and square"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "How old are they?"
[D&D] GM says, "it's hard to say, but this stone and the few others you can see from here are covered in a fair amount of moss"
Onyx keeps a lookout for more ogres, or other unfriendly creatures.
Kaylee trops gaily into the swamp, looking for more stones.
[D&D] Arly says, "Clearly, these are NOT ROLLING STONES."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "'tromps'"
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Hee!"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Are they path-like, or pattern-like?"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Do the stones line up, more or less?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "I seemed to recall they did."
Skalheth wades off into the swamp, somehow managing to keep his feet dry.
[D&D] Onyx says, "Hence, no moss."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Towards the lake, right?"
GM says, "You follow the stones for a bit -- they head back in a rough line to the northwest, vaguely towards the lake"
GM says, "at first there's just a few stones and it's easy to lose your way, but as you get farther off the path there are more and more"
GM says, "until soon the stones form a path of their own"
Fincul says, "I wonder whether or not these predate the main path."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Does it look like this is on purpose - a few stones to mark the path for people to find the main path - or like it was a path that got worn away?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "There's a map at http://www.bioc.rice.edu/~lpsmith/IF/7thSea/DnD/caricature2.gif"
[D&D] GM says, "more like the latter, although it was so much more worn by the main path"
[D&D] Fincul says, "If they were leading to the main path, they'd probably be neater near the path than away from it."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "There's not a lot of space in this map between the path and the lake. But that's where we are?"
GM says, "and eventually the path leads (through the ever-muddier ground) to a small structure among the trees"
[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "yeah"
[D&D] Fincul says, "It's a fairly crude map -- we're probably just out of the green-colored bits."
[D&D] Kaylee Nods.
[D&D] Fincul says, "Since the swamp presumably covers most of the trail, not just a little area in the middle."
Kaylee listens.
Fincul says, "Aha."
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 19 | 19 + 2 = 21
Onyx circles the structure.
[D&D] Arly says, "GRR, sorry, I have two people IMing me."
Fincul says, "A primitive edifice of some sort."
GM says, "it looks to be made of old stones, mossy like the rest of the path, and (so far as Kaylee can hear) abandoned"
Onyx says, "Hmph.  Bet it goes underground."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Is there a door?"
Skalheth circles around the structure and stares at it as if it were an intrusion.
Fincul peeks inside if the doorway's open.
GM says, "there's no back entrance -- it's basically just a little stone hut, with an open doorway at the end of the path"
Onyx enters the door, slowly.
Arly readies his weapon and follows behind.
Kaylee bounds up on the roof, and looks around there.
Fincul follows Onyx and Arly.
[D&D] (from Skalheth) GM says (to Onyx), "Suddenly you're attacked from above as somebody falls through the roof onto your head!"
Skalheth lurks in the doorway.
GM says, "Fincul sees a glimpse of something shadowy against the far wall, which (as you enter) turns out to be a statue in a niche"
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay!"
[D&D] Onyx says, "hee!  I try to catch her on the way down."
[D&D] Arly says, "Hee hee."
GM says, "up on the roof, Kaylee feels soft ground beneath her feet -- the roof must be sod or somewhat-rotted timber"
Fincul says, "Ah, a carven image. Possibly with great cultural significance."
Kaylee vaults back off the roof in a back-flip, then also enters the hut.
Fincul inspects the statue and niche for historical value
Arly approaches the statue cautiously.
GM says (to Fincul), "it's old and mossy, but it looks like a crude lion-headed humanoid"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "How large is the interior? Your standard 10x10x10 D&D room?"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Also, do I know of any lion-headed humanoids?"
GM says, "holding a blade in each hand, crossed in front of him"
GM says, "at the base is written something, but the writing is covered in moss and hard to make out"
Skalheth looks suspiciously at the statue. "Hur, Lionhead, what you doing in my swamp?  Don't want no gods and idols causing trouble here."
Fincul says, "Hmm. It appears to be some sort of warrior creature. Possibly mythological, but more likely a literal -- though crude -- representation of a genuine being."
Fincul rubs off some of the moss from the base.
GM says, "(if anyone has a knowledge (religion) or knowledge (history) or something they can make a roll, otherwise an int roll, if they want to recognize the statue)"
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 17 | 17 + 1 = 18
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 2 = 17
[D&D] Fincul says, "(Straight Int.)"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(likewise)"
GM asks, "You two both remember some vague thing about an old lion-headed deity, but it's not quite clear what his portfolio was -- something beneficial, though. defense, maybe? or war?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Hee portfolio."
GM says (to Fincul), "when you finish picking the moss off, it appears the writing reads "Sactuary for Travelers""
Fincul says, "Ah -- this appears to be a shrine of some sort."
GM says, "and the room is indeed roughly 10x10x10, or maybe 10x20x10"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Sactuary isn't lion for TRAP, is it?"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "'indeed'?"
Fincul says, "I believe the statue is a religious icon, intended to protect travellers visiting this place."
GM says, "there are other small niches in the walls which look like they may have held something in the past, and one or two benches, but everything has been covered by the swamp"
[D&D] Fincul says (to Kay), "I'd asked the size earlier."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Aha."
Kaylee says, "Sanctuary for Travelers" aloud to the statue.
Onyx checks the floor for openings, doors, etc.
GM says (to Onyx), "the floor is dirt and vegetation, in large part, but as you look a section falls away"
Skalheth relaxes a little. "Sanctuary?  Hurr, that's good.  Traveller's rest."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Did the path of stones stop here, or did it lead on past this building?"
GM says, "leaving a gaping hole in the floor, a few feet across"
[D&D] GM says, "it led up to the doorway"
Kaylee exclaims, "Wa-hey!"
Arly exclaims, "Look out, it's a trap!"
GM says, "(which, luckily, no one was standing on)"
Skalheth digs out a pouch of rations and leaves it in front of the altar.
Onyx says, "Careful Miss Kaylee."
Fincul says, "My."
Kaylee exclaims, "OK!"
Kaylee climbs down the hole.
Onyx says, "Not quite what I meant, girl."
Fincul says, "Sanctuary, perhaps. But structural integrity leaves something to be desired."
Skalheth prods the floor catiously with his spear.
GM asks (of Kaylee), "do you have a light?"
Onyx says (to Fincul), "Looks like we're about to find out.  Let's go in."
Kaylee says, "Not lit."
Kaylee peers around in the darkness.
Fincul says (to Onyx), "Direct exploration certainly is one method of obtaining knowledge."
Arly says, "Let me go down first."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'll go down about 20 feet or so at first."
Arly says, "If it's safe, the rest of you can follow."
Fincul says (to Arly), "Be my guest."
Kaylee exclaims (at arly), "It's OK so far!"
Onyx says (to Arly), "Safe?  Best hurry if yer to get ahead of miss chipper."
Arly climbs into the hole.
GM says, "hrm, I guess even though it's narrow you can still make use of the slippers"
GM says, "the hole bottoms out about 20 feet down"
GM says, "but, like, it's dark, so it's hard to see if there are ways onwards from there"
Kaylee peers around, then lights a torch.
GM says, "unless you'd like to start feeling around"
Fincul asks, "May I suggest a rope?"
GM says, "(is anyone lowering a rope, or just climbing?)"
Skalheth fingers the sprig of mistletoe around his neck and mutters, "Verbash giata scree."
Fincul asks, "Arly, I believe you had one in your pack?"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(Just cast Barkskin on myself.)"
Arly says, "Yes, I do."
Fincul asks, "Would you mind if we used it for purposes of descent?"
Fincul looks for something secure to fasten it to. The benches, perhaps.
Arly tosses the rope to Fincul.  "Be my guest."
Onyx says, "Rope's pretty useful stuff.  Glad yer brought some. Here, gimme that, I'll lower ya."
GM says, "yeah, the benches are probably still stable enough to use as an anchor"
Fincul says, "Ah, thank you."
Fincul ties the rope securely and tosses the other end down into the hole.
Fincul says (to Onyx), "If you held the rope, then there'd be no one to lower you."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(Can we move this along?  We're climbing down a hole, it's not that difficult.)"
Kaylee, meanwhile, is looking around.
Fincul says, "And I would be foolish not to seek your company below."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Gravity helps."
[D&D] GM says, "right-o"
Arly says, "Okay, I'm going down."
Arly climbs down the rope.
Fincul follows Arly.
GM says, "Arly and co clamber down into the hole, where Kaylee's torch reveals the tunnel widens and continues straight"
Skalheth waits until they're at the bottom, then yells, "Spear coming down!"
Skalheth drops his spear down the hole and follows, hoping he didn't hit anybody.
[D&D] Skalheth says (to GM), "My Barkskin will last for half an hour, BTW, so if we meet anything lemme know if its worn off."
Fincul says, "I wonder how the original builders of the shrine above inteded this area to be reached."
[D&D] GM says, "alrighty"
Kaylee says, "Do we need the rope?  I can go up and get it."
Skalheth says, "Leave it - we might need a quick exit."
Arly says, "We'd better leave it...  Right."
Kaylee says, "Alrighty."
Skalheth says, "I am sure none of the marsh folk will bother it."
GM says, "the air down here smells moist, and there's the faint sound of water dripping"
Fincul says, "Onward, then. To see what awaits us."
Kaylee meanders down the corridor, looking at the walls and stuff.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I was just looking at the index of transcripts.  After today's, we'll have, `Through the swamp`, `Back through the swamp`, and `Into the swamp`."
[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"
[D&D] Arly converts Arly's character sheet to a Word document.  "Yay columns."
Onyx keeps a listen out for unfriendlies.
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Anything I can tell from the water dripping with Wilderness Lore?  How far away is it?  Is it just moisture, or leakage from the lake, or what?"
Skalheth unslings his shield and moves forward with weapons at ready.
GM says (to Kaylee), "roll spot (wisdom)"
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 2 | 2 + 2 = 4
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ouch."
[D&D] GM says, "oops"
Kaylee says, "Hmm, rocks."
[D&D] Onyx says, "Real observant today."
GM says, "Kaylee, busy looking at the walls, stumbles over something, and there's a click followed by several ka-thwangs as things fly from the walls"
GM says, "everyone roll a reflex check, please"
Kaylee tumbles out of the way.
Skalheth rolls  20-sided dice: 20 | 20 + 1 = 21
[D&D] Skalheth exclaims, "Woo woo!"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Uh, how do we do that?"
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 7 | 7
[D&D] Skalheth says, "d20 + reflex save"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "What's reflexes?  And can I try 'tumble'?"
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 19 | 19
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 11 | 11 + 7 = 18
[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "you have a reflex save on your sheet"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(Dex bonus plus something based on your class)"
[D&D] GM says, "yeah, that"
[D&D] Fincul says, "(Whoops -- mine should be +1, as if it mattered.)"
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 15 | 15 + 6 = 21
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "it's distant moisture -- probably the ground is damp due to the proximity of the lake"
iwalrus has arrived.
[D&D] Onyx says, "right, mine should be +3, too."
GM says, "rather unfairly, Fincul is the only one not to hit the ground in time, and a dart hits him in the shoulder for 3hp"
[D&D] (from Arly) Arly says, "iwalrus threw the darts.  KILL HIM!"
Fincul exclaims, "Ow!"
Fincul asks, "Alright, who did that?"
Kaylee says, "Oops!]"
Kaylee says, "Sorry."
Kaylee examines the trigger.
Skalheth says, "Is this what you call sanctuary, Lionhead?  Now I dislike you again."
Fincul says, "Please, miss, *watch* where you're stepping."
Onyx growls.
Fincul says, "This is what, in the usual adventuring parlance, is referred to as a 'dungeon'."
GM says (to Kaylee), "it looks like a slightly-raised stone in the middle of the passage; the sort of thing you could step over if you knew where it was"
Kaylee asks, "Well, anyone else want to go first?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Phone call.  HRM.  Why is this happening today?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "i.e. anyone with a better 'spot' than +2."
[D&D] Fincul says, "I'm +2 as well."
Onyx carfully fingers the stone in th floor.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ditto.  Wow, we all have pretty good Wisdom."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Although I'm +4 search, if that comes up."
[D&D] Onyx says, "I'm just +1."
Skalheth says (to Onyx), "Please don't do that."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Nobody has spot as a class skill?  Oh, well."
[D&D] Fincul says (to Skal), "Nah, I've just got Alertness and elvish blood."
[D&D] GM asks (of Onyx), "you want to push it again?"
[D&D] GM asks, "or just look at it?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "If he does, I'm ducking pre-emptively."
[D&D] Onyx says, "No."
Skalheth sighs. "Hurr.  Well, let us see what's hiding up ahead."
[D&D] Onyx says, "Okay, I'll be a guy, just to avoid confusion."
Skalheth forges on down the passage.
[D&D] Fincul says, "Arr. I'm sorry. I thought you were ARly just then."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Maybe that's my problem. Both four-letter names, both with Y's in them."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "That's not the first time, and Sara was thinking of being a guy anyway."
Skalheth whispers into his sleeve, then crouches down.
GM says, "what's hiding up ahead turns out to be an entry-room, a closed door flanked by two pillars"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Aw, I like Onyx as a woman."
Fincul says, "Ah, a door."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Me too."
Skalheth says, "Oh, nevermind.  We're here."
Fincul says, "Er. You all probably noticed that already."
Skalheth gathers up his snakes again and stands.
[D&D] Arly sighs.
[D&D] Arly says, "I'm sorry, everyone."
GM says, "the door has the familiar lion-head on it"
[D&D] Arly says, "I make time specifically for this game, and people won't leave me alone."
Skalheth looks behind the pillars.
GM says, "well, semi-familiar"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Are you leaving?"
[D&D] Onyx says, "whatever.  being tough is fun either way."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Eh, we're being distracted by a kid, too ;-)"
Fincul says, "We should try to avoid any more... surprises."
[D&D] Skalheth says (to Arly), "Aww."
Fincul checks for traps, inasmuch as he can.
[D&D] Arly says, "No no no, I'm not leaving."
GM says (to Skalheth), "the right one is flush with the wall, but there's a small gap inside the left one, in which you see a key"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Oh, good. Phew."
Kaylee examines the pi.llars
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 11 | 11 + 4 = 15
[D&D] Arly says, "It's just very difficult to devote much time/energy to this game when people bug me every five seconds.  But it should be okay now."
GM says (to Fincul), "well, you do note a small button underneath the lock on the door"
Skalheth says (to GM), "Is the key hooked to anything? (Especially anything trap looking?)"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 9 | 9 + 2 = 11
Onyx says, "If the key don't work, we can bash it in, most like."
GM says (to Kaylee), "the front part of the pillars are painted red and gold, although most of the color has faded or peeled"
GM says (to Skalheth), "not as far as you can see -- it looks like it's just sitting on a shelf"
Kaylee says, "Ooh, pretty."
Skalheth takes it, then.
Fincul asks, "Ah, a button. Are there any volunteers to press it?"
Onyx says, "Sure."
Fincul says, "Preferably while I stand a safe distance from any flung darts."
Kaylee says, "Hey, you should probably push the button while you unlock the door."
Onyx says, "Best back up then."
Fincul backs up then.
GM says, "(Skalheth takes the key without apparent incident)"
Kaylee does, too.
Onyx says, "Um, hand me the key, then, and lessee what happens."
Skalheth passes it over.
Onyx tries the key and button combo, keeping an eye out for suprises.
Fincul says, "The common 'dungeon' is actually a fascinating place, if you study them."
Skalheth grunts. "Sterile."
Fincul says, "Most have been abandoned and reclaimed multiple times throughout their history, and in many cases, information on the original constructors has been completely lost to the mists of time."
Arly watches intently, sword at the ready, just in case.
GM says, "There is a faint click from the lock as you push the button, but the door unlocks and swings open without incident"
GM says, "on the floor on the other side is a skull"
Onyx says (to Fincul), "Ahm guessing you ain't been an unwillin' guest in one. Hmph."
GM says, "the rest of the skeleton is a short distance away"
Skalheth looks at the skull.
Skalheth asks (of GM), "Human?"
Skalheth asks (of GM), "...oid?"
[D&D] Onyx says, "are teh bones scattered, or is the skeleton pretty much intact."
GM says (to Skalheth), "well, obviously old enough to be a skull now -- although as you look at it, you notice tooth-marks on the bone which suggest it may have had some help in getting down to just a skull"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Is there more passage on the other side, or a room?"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "No, no, I meant `humanoid?`"
[D&D] GM says, "oh, whoops"
[D&D] GM says, "sorry, yes -- probably human, in fact"
[D&D] GM says, "the rest of the skeleton looks partly intact and partly just bones piled up"
Skalheth says, "Picks up the skull and stares at it."
Skalheth shrugs and turns to the rest of the room.
[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "Can I tell anything about the toothmarks?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Like, what kind of animal may have done it?"
Kaylee says, "Hmm, wonder if some trap made this guy headless."
GM says, "(the skull and skeleton are in a short passage leading to another room, like five feet long -- the skeleton is just at the other end of the passage, and the skull at this end)"
Kaylee says, "Poor kid."
[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "hmm, might be rats. but they'd have to be awfully big rats"
Fincul says (to Kaylee), "If so, we should take care not to trigger it while passing through."
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "hee hee"
[D&D] Onyx says, "checks the bones for any clue as to who the person was - any jewelry still left, gender, etc."
Kaylee crouches, and moves forward to the pile-o-bones.
Onyx checks the bones for any clue as to who the person was - any jewelry still left, gender, etc.
Skalheth takes the lead and prods sweeps the bones aside with the butt of his spear, staring at the floor.
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Clothing? Gold?"
Kaylee says, "I'd duck, folks."
Onyx ducks.
Arly ducks?
Kaylee looks at the walls.
GM says, "the only thing among the piles that's not bones appears to be a small gold amulet in the shape of a lion-head"
[D&D] Fincul gooses.
Kaylee says, "Swinging blades and the like."
Fincul ducks, yes.
GM says, "it must have been on a leather thong or something similarly decayable, because it has no loop now"
GM says, "You duck down for a bit, but no traps go off, so."
Onyx says, "Some sanctuary.  Poor bastard.  More like a oob-lay-ette."
GM says, "the walls have faded paintings of something -- it looks like exploits of the lion-headed deity"
Kaylee says, "Hey, we got a themed dungeon."
[D&D] Arly asks, "Can we tell what the exploits are?"
Fincul looks at the door handles and locks, to see if it's openable (and unlockable, if appropriate) from both sides.
Skalheth asks (of paintings), "This how you take care of your followers, Lionhead?"
GM says (to Fincul), "it's definitely openable from this side -- you can see some kind of mechanism connected with the button that looks like it'd stab out something through the door"
[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "it looks like there's a fair amount of foe-smiting going on"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "So, should I roll detect traps for the floor, or no?"
Onyx examines the wals behind the hangings, and the floor.
[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "although it's hard to tell exactly what"
[D&D] GM says, "is being smited"
[D&D] GM says, "something short and dark"
[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "Can I tell how the foes are being smited?"
Fincul, while not in the path of the stabbity, presses the button.
[D&D] GM says, "the lion-god's got the pair of blades he's holding which seem to be doing most of the work, yeah"
GM says (to Fincul), "a needle pops out through a tiny hole in the door, in position to prick someone unlocking it"
[D&D] GM says, "oh, and there he is tenderly cradling a child in his arms"
Skalheth ignores the rest of the furnishings and presses on into the next room.
[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "Does it have a head?"
GM says, "(there's nothing else in this short passage here, though -- you can continue on through into the next room)"
[D&D] Onyx asks, "a human child? or lion-headed?"
[D&D] GM says, "yes"
[D&D] GM says, "human child"
Kaylee says, "Hey, I was right about the button!  Go me."
Onyx shifts the axe on her back to a more comfortable position.
GM says (to Skalheth), "the next room is about 20x20 -- it has side-passages leading off left and right"
GM says, "but the room is piled with bodies"
Kaylee exclaims, "Yi!"
[D&D] Onyx asks, "skeltons, or are the bodies still juicy?"
GM says, "a half-dozen of them, scattered over the floor"
[D&D] GM says, "they're not skeletons"
Fincul says, "Ah. Lovely."
Skalheth asks, "Hurr.  Fresh.  Where'd they come from?"
Onyx examines the bodies.
Kaylee listens.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 8 | 8 + 2 = 10
Fincul asks, "Er. I imagine we can safely assume, by the fact that they haven't woken, that they are not asleep?"
Onyx turns a body over.
GM says, "as Onyx heads over to one, it suddenly thrusts its fist up and swipes at her"
[D&D] Onyx asks, "is there a stench?"
Fincul says, "Although, it may be wise to verify this, in case that the assumption proves invalid."
Kaylee exclaims, "Yi!"
Skalheth yells and spasmodically stabs the nearest body.
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 15 | 15 + 3 = 18
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 13 | 13 + 3 = 16
Arly draws his weapon and prepares for battle.
[D&D] GM asks (of Onyx), "what armor are you wearing?"
[D&D] Onyx says, "studded leather"
Kaylee mutters under her breath "Sanctuary my eye."
[D&D] Onyx says, "leather bracers, +1"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Is this initiative?"
GM says, "Onyx, though surprised, turns just in time to deflect the claw with her armor"
Arly asks (of Kaylee), "It said Sactuary, remember?  Doesn't that mean trap in some dead language?"
GM says, "ok, and now please roll initiative, as the other bodies also pull themselves off the ground"
[D&D] Onyx says, "I also have quick-draw, so theoretically could have cut his arm off."
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 16 | 16 + 0 = 16
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "d20+dex?"
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 8 | 8 + 7 = 15
[D&D] GM says, "yeah, +4 if you have improved initative"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 20 | 20 + 8 = 28
[D&D] Fincul says, "Yeah, unless you've got some special init boost thing."
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 10 | 10 + 3 = 13
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18
[D&D] Kaylee says (to Arly), "Wow."
GM says, "the creatures:"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 2 = 12
[D&D] Arly asks, "Uh, and I have improved initiative, so I guess that's... 32?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Is that good?"
[D&D] GM says, "well, it means you go first, yeah"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "...Arly What?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Or am I wrong?"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "You have +8 Dex?"
[D&D] GM says, "although the +8 actually includes your improved initiative already"
[D&D] Arly says, "Oh wait."
[D&D] GM says, "but you still go first, so"
[D&D] Arly says, "I saw something on my character sheet that said "init," so I assumed that was what I was looking for."
[D&D] Arly says, "My dexterity is +4."
[D&D] Skalheth says (to Arly), "Yes.  +4 dex +4 improved init = +8"
[D&D] GM says, "no, that's right, your init number just includes your dex plus your improved initiative bonus"
[D&D] Arly says, "Ah, so it is 28.  I just don't add the +2.  Okay."
GM asks (of Arly), "so there are six of them -- what do you want to do?"
Arly says, "Mow them down."
Arly exclaims, "I shall rend the nearest one from fore to aft!"
[D&D] Fincul says, "<family fued> Good answer! *clap* *clap* </family fued>"
GM says, "ok then, go for it"
[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"
[D&D] Onyx says, "hee"
[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "Uh, how do I do that?"
[D&D] GM says, "roll 1d20+ your bonus, which we decided last time was 8"
[D&D] GM says, "and try and get 14"
[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "How do I know the bonus is +8?"
[D&D] GM says, "it's written on your sheet, albeit incorrectly -- you have +3 BAB from your level, +3 from your str, +1 from your weapon focus, and +1 from your magic sword"
[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "For future reference, where is it?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "And how can I write it correctly?"
[D&D] GM says, "in the equipment section by your sword"
[D&D] Skalheth says (to Arly), "Perhaps now is not the time to go into this."
[D&D] GM says, "but yeah, just roll for now"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 3 | 3 + 8 = 11
Arly says, "CONFOUND."
GM says, "Skalheth next"
Skalheth stabs at a body as it rises.
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 5 = 9
GM says, "Fincul"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "How many can I line up at once, without hitting friendlies?"
GM says, "(clearly the surprise has affected everyone's aim)"
[D&D] GM says, "2"
Fincul adjusts his angle to line up a shot, points at the foes, and shouts "Hava-Shuul!"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 14 | 14
GM says, "one of them crumples to the ground again; the other shakes its head (showing a flash of fang) but remains on its feet"
GM asks, "Onyx?"
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 3 | 3 + 7 = 10
Kaylee runs up the wall and does a back-flip, coming down kicking at a zombie.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 7 | 7 + 3 = 10
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 2 | 2 + 3 = 5
Onyx's axe swings wildly, hitting neither fiend nor foe.
Kaylee misses completely, however.
[D&D] GM says, "(crikey)"
[D&D] (from Skalheth) The doors open and a thousand more identical zombies run in.
[D&D] Onyx exclaims, "yay!"
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay!"
GM says, "the remaining five creatures, noting there are five of you, claw one at each"
GM says, "Arly, Skalheth, Fincul, Onyx, Kaylee:"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 17 | 17 + 3 = 20
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 17 | 17 + 3 = 20
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 14 | 14 + 3 = 17
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 12 | 12 + 3 = 15
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 13 | 13 + 3 = 16
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Sheesh."
Skalheth exclaims, "Yarg!  My treeskin is no help at all!  Curse you, Lionhead!"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Can I cast bless when the combat's already begun?"
Onyx exclaims, "RRrrrrraaaaooorrrr!"
[D&D] GM says, "sorry, 1 sec"
Onyx considers getting mad.
[D&D] GM says, "arly is ac 21 and missed"
[D&D] GM asks, "skalheth is ac what?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Woah. Go Arly."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "19 with the spell, 16 without"
[D&D] Arly rocks.
[D&D] Onyx says, "Arly *is* a rock."
[D&D] Arly says, "That too."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Arly 'Peter' McCaversham"
[D&D] Onyx says (to Arly), "how did you manage a 21 AC? That kicks ass."
[D&D] GM says, "fincull's 11, onyx is 15, kaylee is 15"
[D&D] GM says, "which I suppose results in everyone except Arly getting clawed, for 2hp each"
[D&D] Onyx asks, "I think I'm 16 - +2dex/+3studdedleather/+1bracers/+10base - or did I miss something?"
[D&D] GM says, "oops, sorry, I forgot about your bracers"
[D&D] GM says, "so you're missed also"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Well, Arly has +4 Dex to start, and I assume he's wearing heavier armour."
GM says, "next round, Arly's turn again"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "+10 base +4 Dex +2 large shield +5 chain would do it."
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 16 | 16 + 8 = 24
[D&D] Onyx says, "cool."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "He wouldn't even need the chain if he's got a magic shield or something."
[D&D] GM says, "+4 chain shirt, +1 dodge, I think"
GM says (to Arly), "ok, and you roll 1d8+4 for damage"
Arly rolls 1 8-sided die: 1 | 1 + 4 = 5
[D&D] Arly says, "Sheesh."
[D&D] Onyx says, "ouch"
GM says, "Arly hacks into the creature, chopping off an arm, but this doesn't actually seem to faze it much"
GM asks, "Skalheth?"
Skalheth fumbles a scroll out of his pouch left-handed and reads it aloud.
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Do I need a Concentration check for that?"
[D&D] GM says, "I think so, yeah"
[D&D] Onyx says, "afk"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 3 | 3 + 6 = 9
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "I think that'll leave you open for an attack of opportunity, too, no?"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Probably."
[D&D] Fincul says, "I think you pick which you want."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "So, did that fizzle or what?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Concentration check or AoO. Assuming it's a one-action spell."
[D&D] Skalheth says (to Fincul), "You can pick?  That's bizarre."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ok, I'll take the AoO, then. :-)"
[D&D] Fincul says (to Skalheth), "Well, you can pick whether to cast on the defensive or not."
[D&D] Fincul says, "If you're casting on the defensive, you have to do a concentration check for dodging while reading the scroll at the same time."
[D&D] Skalheth asks (of GM), "Ping.  Does my spell go off?"
[D&D] GM says, "you need to pick before you roll, though -- right now your spell fails"
[D&D] GM says, "if you'd like, this once you can take an AoO instead"
[D&D] Fincul says, "(Of course, if you actually get hit for damage, you need to roll concentration for *that*, but that's separate.)"
[D&D] Fincul says, "(Yes, I researched this :) )"
Skalheth curses as nothing happens.
GM asks, "ok, Fincul?"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Fuck."
[D&D] Skalheth asks (of fFincul), "Why couldn't you have told me that before I rolled?"
Fincul takes up a defensive stance as he tosses a pinch of sulphur into the air. "Pyros!"
[D&D] Fincul says, "I tried! You rolled too fast."
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 13 = 28
[D&D] Onyx says, "back"
Fincul creatures a ball of flame several feet across, and directs it at the creature that's attacking him.
GM says, "the creature dives out of the way"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 9 | 9 + 2 = 11
GM says, "but unsuccessfully, as the ball rolls over it"
GM rolls 2 6-sided dice: 1 5 | 6
GM says, "it's scorched and on the ground but not, apparently, out yet"
GM asks, "Onyx?"
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 1 | 1 + 7 = 8
GM asks, "Kaylee?"
Kaylee grabs the arm of the zombie that just clawed her, and whaps it with her other hand, then elbows it in the face.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 20 | 20 + 2 = 22
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 7 | 7 + 2 = 9
Onyx says, "Fortunately, Onyx's axe is quite sturdy, so it doesn't even nick as it slams into the wall."
Kaylee rolls 1 6-sided die: 5 | 5
[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "roll again for the first one to see if it's a critical hit"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Oh!  Exactly the same?"
[D&D] GM says, "the same roll, yeah"
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 11 | 11 + 3 = 14
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(also, the first ones should have been +3, too)"
[D&D] GM says, "ok, so it is, and therefore does double damage"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(not that it matters)"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Meaning roll damage again, or 2X what I rolled?"
[D&D] GM says, "roll it again, I guess"
Kaylee rolls  6-sided dice: 3 | 3
Kaylee manages to break the zombie's arm with her maneuver, though her second shot goes wide.
GM says, "the creature howls"
GM says, "then it's their turn"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 16 | 16 + 3 = 19
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18 + 3 = 21
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18 + 3 = 21
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 3 = 11
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 14 | 14 + 3 = 17
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Oy gevalt."
[D&D] GM says, "(geez)"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Onyx is the 11, right?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Same people got hit again, looks like."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Right."
[D&D] GM says, "yeah"
[D&D] Onyx says, "Its my intimidating demeanor that spoils their aim. :-)"
[D&D] Skalheth exclaims, "You can't intimidate the undead!"
GM says, "the creatures bite and claw, doing 2hp to Skalheth, Fincul, and Kaylee"
[D&D] Fincul makes a mental note to thank Anna later.
[D&D] Onyx asks (of Fincul), "Anna?"
[D&D] Alex says (to Onyx), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Anna is a bot for logging conversations on #big-snake."
GM says, "and then it is the next round, and Arly's turn again"
[D&D] Fincul says, "My familiar. Without her, I'd have several fewer points of base hp."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Aha."
Arly rolls 1 8-sided die: 5 | 5 + 4 = 9
[D&D] Arly says, "Wait, that's not right."
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 2 | 2 + 8 = 10
[D&D] Arly says, "Oh yeah, that's MUCH better."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hee."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "You were better off with the d8 ;-)"
GM asks, "Skalheth?"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 5 = 20
[D&D] (from Fincul) Arly says, "I shoulda had a D-8!"
Skalheth roars and skewers a zombie.
[D&D] Onyx asks (of Fincul), "You have a afamiliar?  A familiar what?"
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "hooray"
Skalheth rolls 1 8-sided die: 2 | 2 + 2 = 4
[D&D] Onyx says, "wince"
[D&D] Fincul says (to Onyx), "A toad. I'll introduce her after the fight, if you like."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Psh."
GM says, "The creature reels back at Skalheth's strike"
GM asks, "Fincul?"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Can we gang up on any of these guys without taking Aoo's?"
[D&D] Skalheth says (to Fincul), "Hmm.  I believe my familiars prey on your familiar."
Fincul starts by trying the old fashioned 'smack 'em with a big stick' maneuvre with his staff.
[D&D] GM asks (of Fincul), "uh, you don't want to control the sphere this round?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Did that ball o'fire... yeah, that."
[D&D] Fincul asks (of GM), "I do, but I can do a move-equivalent action after attacking, right?"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Is it not concentration?"
[D&D] GM says, "yeah, sure"
[D&D] Fincul says (to Skalheth), "One round per lvel; it still exists if I stop paying attention to it."
Fincul rolls 1 20+-sided die: 7 | 7 + 3 = 10
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Nope, I guess not."
[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "yes, you can gang up if you like"
Fincul says, "Oh, forget that."
Fincul just points at the zombie again, and lets the sphere do the dirty work.
GM says, "the zombie struggles to get out of the way"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 2 = 6
GM rolls 2 6-sided dice: 2 4 | 6
GM says, "but slips on the ground trying to get up, and the sphere rolls over it until it is ashes"
GM asks, "Onyx?"
Fincul says, "Hmph. I wonder if there are any good spells that require zombie ashes."
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 17 | 17 + 7 = 24
[D&D] GM says, "that's more like it"
Onyx rolls  12-sided dice: 2 | 2 + 2 = 4
GM says, "I guess that's more of a nick"
GM asks, "Kaylee?"
Onyx's axe nearly bounces off the zombie, but manages to leve a faint scratch.
Kaylee spins around, punching at her zombie twice as she spins around.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 20 | 20 + 3 = 23
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 5 | 5 + 3 = 8
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 8 | 8 + 3 = 11
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(so, no critical)"
[D&D] GM says, "ok, so this time it was just a normal hit"
Kaylee rolls  6-sided dice: 5 | 5
GM says, "The creature's head flies clean off, and its body falls to the ground"
GM says, "the remaining three, seemingly uncaring about the fate of their comrades, claw at Arly, Skalheth, and Onyx"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 6 | 6 + 3 = 9
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 3 = 7
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 3 = 11
Kaylee exclaims, "Thwap!"
GM says, "(but perhaps not that uncaring, as the three ward them off with their weapons)"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Hmm.  Should I not roll both attacks at once, in case the first kills the guy?"
GM asks, "Arly again?"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 3 | 3 + 8 = 11
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I don't think you can transfer your second attack anyway."
GM asks, "Skalheth?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Oh?  OK."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'll just roll both at once, then, and then roll to check for criticals if needed."
[D&D] GM says, "hrm, yeah, I think he's right"
[D&D] GM says, "ok"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 20 | 20 + 5 = 25
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 5 = 13
Gunther has arrived.
[D&D] Skalheth exclaims, "Aww, so close!"
Skalheth rolls 1 8-sided die: 6 | 6 + 2 = 8
[D&D] GM says, "luckily that's still enough to take it out"
Skalheth exclaims, "Hurr!  Take that, unnatural beastie!"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(My spear does x3 critical.  That would've been sweet.)"
GM says, "Skalheth's blow smashes it to the ground, where it lies still"
GM asks, "Fincul?"
GM says, "(Arly and Onyx both have wounded opponents left; nobody else has one)"
Fincul points his toasty servant towards the next closest zombie.
[D&D] Fincul says, "Also, AFK."
[D&D] Arly says, "Oh, right, I forgot I actually HIT mine at some point.  :P"
GM says, "I guess that's Onyx's, which tries to get out of the way"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18 + 2 = 20
GM says, "and actually manages to keep ahead of the sphere long enough for it to fade away"
GM asks, "Onyx?"
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 16 | 16 + 7 = 23
[D&D] Onyx exclaims, "yay!"
[D&D] GM says, "nice work"
Onyx rolls  12-sided dice: 2 | 2 + 2 = 4
[D&D] Onyx says, "I need to sharpen my axe, obviously."
GM asks, "and Kaylee?"
[D&D] GM says, "clearly you're working more on trying to hit the thing at all than hit it in a vital spot"
Kaylee does a forward spring, kicking at Onyx's zombie.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 2 | 2 + 3 = 5
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 3 | 3 + 3 = 6
Onyx's axe whistles toward, and nearly past, the zombie, leaving another scratch in its midfrif.
[D&D] Onyx says, "midriff, rather."
Kaylee loses sight of the zombie as she tumbles, and it saunters out of the way.
GM says, "the two last creatures claw at Arly and Onyx again"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 17 | 17 + 3 = 20
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 3 = 11
GM says, "Arly's dodge saves him just in time"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Sweet."
[D&D] Onyx says, "I can't hit them, they can't hit me.  Its a standoff."
Arly says, "Woo."
[D&D] GM says, "hrm, actually, it occurs to me that people other than Onyx and Arly should get flanking bonuses now"
[D&D] GM says, "(which is +2 to hit)"
GM says (to Arly), "your turn again"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Wouldn't have mattered for me ;-)"
[D&D] Onyx says, "Arly is not only a rock, he's a darned mobile rock.  :-)"
Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18 + 8 = 26
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay!"
[D&D] GM asks, "and 1d8+4 damage?"
Arly rolls 1 8-sided die: 6 | 6 + 4 = 10
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay!"
GM says, "Arly swings his sword down and over, chopping off the thing's head"
[D&D] Onyx exclaims, "whoohoo!"
GM asks, "Skalheth?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Back."
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18 + 5 = 23
Skalheth moves around to flank Arly's zombie, but sees it fall, so he spins around to strike at Onyx's instead.
Skalheth rolls 1 8-sided die: 2 | 2 + 2 = 4
Skalheth's spear barely scratches it due to the change in focus.
GM says, "The creature is still on its feet, but just barely"
GM says, "(all those scratches adding up)"
Fincul joins in against the last zombie, staff swinging.
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 13 | 13 + 5 = 18
GM says, "And very slowly, it falls over"
GM says, "You all pause to take a breath"
GM says, "(although not too deep a one -- it smells weird in here)"
(From Arly) GM says, "While breathing, you all inhale darts and die.  GAME OVER"
Onyx lets loose a stream of what sounds like invectives, in her native tongue.
Fincul says, "Oof."
Kaylee tends to people's wounds.
Fincul says, "And that gate guard thought the swamp itself was dangerous."
Onyx says, "Let's cut the heads off.  I wanta be darn-sure them things don't get up."
Arly says, "First, let's search them for valuables or information."
Kaylee says, "Right."
Fincul collects some ash for his component pouch.
Onyx asks, "They need heads fer us ta search em?"
Fincul asks, "Do you think zombie ears are worth anything?"
Kaylee asks (of zombie#4), "You!  What's the average speed of a swordfish?  How long does it take a floating eye to find its native stream?"
Fincul says, "I think this grey flaky bit over here was the head."
GM says, "Between the five of you, you get the bodies chopped up and searched"
Onyx shrugs, and proceeds to search the bodies *before* she cuts the heads off.
GM says, "two of them have pouches in the pockets of their (rotting and dirty) clothing"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "What effect does Kaylee's wound-binding have?"
GM says, "containing 30 gold between them"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Oh, and I presume one of us took the amulet from the previous room?  Anyone want to claim it/wear it?"
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "I think nothing at this point, unless you guys want to rest for the day"
Skalheth says, "I have plenty of scrolls and potions if any of you are badly hurt."
Onyx says, "Ahm bettin the skeleton in th'other room was a zombie."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Yeah, it's an overnight thing."
GM says, "and in the corner of the room, there's a capped metal vial thrown in a pile with some bones and clothes"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Everyone took 4hp that got hit; Onyx and Arly never got hit at all?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "I didn't pick it up, but I can detect magic on it if you want. Although we may as well wait until we have more stuff."
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "If nobody else wants it, I'll hold onto it.  Jewelry!"
[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "note that it's got no chain and so can't be worn at this point unless you improvise something"
[D&D] Fincul says, "But I wouldn't wear something found around the neck of someoen whose head was mysteriously separated from their body without checking it out first."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Right."
[D&D] Onyx asks, "any identifying characteristics on the zombies?"
[D&D] GM says, "nuh-uh, although they're basically human in size"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Besides the heads they no longer have?"
[D&D] GM says, "though stooped"
[D&D] Kaylee says (to Fincul), "Right."
Fincul picks up the vial, shaking it gently and observing the contents.
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Could an alchemy roll tell me anything about the liquid inside without, like, drinking it?"
Skalheth nudges the vial out of the pile with his spear. "Does anyone want this... metal thing?"
Onyx peers down the left corridor while the others inxpect the vial.
Arly says, "I'll take it."
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "sure"
Arly says, "Just in case.  It'll be safest with me."
[D&D] Onyx says, "inspect, rather."
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 13 | 13 + 3 = 16
Skalheth heads over to join Onyx.
[D&D] Fincul says, "(Actually, reading the skill desc after rolling, I guess I'd need a My First Chemistry Set to actually do much here.)"
[D&D] Skalheth asks (of Onyx), "Ok, time for the final word: what's your gender?"
GM says (to Fincul), "smells somewhat fresh -- probably beneficial"
[D&D] (from Skalheth) Fincul swallows some, and discovers it to be Pine Sol.
GM says, "meanwhile, the left corridor continues into the darkness"
[D&D] Onyx says, "Oh, I really don't care."
Fincul hands it to Arly. "Smells like it's good for you. ALthough that's just a guess."
[D&D] Arly says, "I'll hold onto it, just in case."
Arly says, "Hrm."
Arly says, "I believe I'll wait until it can be properly identified."
[D&D] Onyx says, "I guess I'll stay female, since a couple folks said they liked it."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Me like woman."
[D&D] Onyx says, "Onyx might, too, so you better watch it!  ;-)"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Oh, is that what kind of friendship you two ahve?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Timing."
[D&D] Kaylee scampers away.
[D&D] Onyx says, "LOL"
Skalheth says (to Onyx), "You fight well.  Most human warriors feel the need to encase themselves in metal."
Kaylee picks up her fallen torch from the floor, and waves it into the hallway.
Fincul asks (of Anna), "How are you holding up?"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "There's been no branching yet, right?"
[D&D] Skalheth says (to Kaylee), "Left and right from this room."
Fincul says (to Anna), "Good, good. If I spot any bugs in here, I'll try to catch one for you."
Onyx exclaims (at Skalheth), "Thanks!"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Oh, missed that."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Anyone want to map?"
[D&D] Arly says, "I can, I guess..."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Do we know which direction the tunnel started out in?"
[D&D] GM says, "this isn't going to be complicated enough to need to map, although you can if you want"
[D&D] Arly says, "Okay, so much the better.  I'd rather not map if I don't have to."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Alrighty."
Skalheth peers down the tunnel.
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "I have 60' darkvision - do I see anything?"
Onyx says, "Most human warriors are thin-skins."
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "a room at the other end, near the limit of your sight -- there are some boxes, and some stuff piled on the ground in the center"
Skalheth says, "Hurr!  Indeed, yes."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Which tunnel's he peering down?"
[D&D] GM says, "the left one, I thought"
Skalheth gestures down the tunnel, and whispers, "I think there is a storeroom.  No doubt that will make our possession-loving friends excited.  Should we tell them, or try the other tunnel?"
Onyx says (to Skalheth), "We do both anyway. Don't matter which way."
Kaylee exclaims, "Hey, I heard that!"
Skalheth calls out, "Nothing interesting down there.  Let's try the other one."
Arly exclaims, "So did I!"
Kaylee asks, "Who's calling me posession-loving?"
Fincul says, "Are we going to move on? If we're staying here for a while, I'll do some studying."
Kaylee says, "Let's go."
Arly keeps his weapon handy, but follows.
Skalheth looks guilty. "I meant those two, with their box of weapons and trading for rings."
Kaylee heads down the hall again, this time keeping a better eye out for suspicious-looking rocks.
[D&D] GM asks (of Fincul), "incidentally, what did you do with the crate and the weapons when you left the city?"
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 9 | 9 + 2 = 11
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(spot)"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Which hall?  Left, or right?"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "The one we got a description of.  Left?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Unless any of the others said anything, hid them in the room and locked the room."
GM says (to Kaylee), "you reach the other side without incident -- indeed, it's a smallish room with a number of chests against the walls"
[D&D] GM says, "alrighty, just checking"
Arly says, "Be careful with the chests."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Perhaps tossing some less than useful junk into the crate, to make it less appealling to any would-be thieves."
Onyx grunts at Skalheth. "No worries, thick-skin.
Arly says, "Traps could be plentiful around here...  We've already been ambushed."
GM says, "four chests, to be specific, and two barrels"
Kaylee drums on a barrel experimentally.
GM says, "but most noticably, a pile of bones in the center of the room"
GM says, "and scraps of torn cloth"
Onyx asks (of GM), "Do the barrels contain white, green, purple, yellow, red, orange or blue liquid?"
Skalheth ignores the material goods and goes to sift through the bones.
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay!"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Is that a Zelda ref?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Might and Magic."
Fincul searches for traps again.
[D&D] Onyx says, "Might and Magic"
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 12 | 12 + 4 = 16
[D&D] Arly says, "Yay Might & Magic."
GM says (to Skalheth), "more gnawed bones, these with some actually split open and the marrow inside scraped out"
Arly says, "This bodes ill."
[D&D] Onyx says, "each boosting luck, endurance, speep, accuracy, strenght, intelect or charisma, respectively."
GM says, "the cloth looks like it was torn off the people who previously surrounded the bones"
Kaylee says, "Er, I hope these weren't gnawed on by, like, lions."
[D&D] Onyx says, "but not spelling"
Arly says, "Eeeeagh, lions."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Any chance I can get a better idea who's gnawing on these bones with Wilderness Lore?"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Mmm, speep. That's the marshmallow potion, right?"
GM says, "with boots and bits of belt and so on in the pile too"
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "Arly took a look earlier -- it seems like rat-teeth, but if so, they're big rats"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ah.  The Zelda dungeon I just finished (the second one, for those counting) has pots of liquid that act as teleporters."
Skalheth says (to Kaylee), "More like large rats, I think."
GM says (to Fincul), "the barrels and the main floor has nothing interesting; one of the chests has some small runes beneath the latch"
Kaylee pops a lid off a barrel.
[D&D] Arly says (to Skalheth), "Yay Wind Waker."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Assuming the lid is pop-offable."
Fincul says, "Hmm. There's magic on that chest; beware."
GM says (to Kaylee), "wine, looks like"
Kaylee sniffs.
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Is it still good?"
[D&D] Fincul asks (of GM), "Will Spellcraft tell me anything about the runes sans Read Magic?"
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "yeah, you can give it a shot"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Or knowledge(arcana)"
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 8 = 18
[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "hard to say -- it's on the verge of going bad if it hasn't"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Both of which are +8 for me."
Kaylee puts the lid back on, and experimentally rocks the other barrel.
[D&D] Skalheth says (to Fincul), "Convenient, that."
GM says (to Fincul), "some kind of warding glyph on the chest, yeah, usually set to trigger when it's opened unless some condition is met"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "So check once for spellcraft, and once for knowledge ;-)"
GM says (to Kaylee), "the other barrel seems like the first, possibly a bit heavier"
Kaylee opens it.
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hee."
GM says, "also full of wine"
Kaylee says, "I suppose there could be something other than wine in here."
[D&D] GM asks, "who will volunteer to drink all the wine and find out?"
Skalheth picks up the boots.
[D&D] Fincul says, "I nominate Arly."
[D&D] Arly says, "Not I, said the... grr."
Skalheth looks at the boots.
Skalheth puts the boots back down.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I nominate Anna."
Fincul tries one of the non-magically-protected chests.
[D&D] Fincul says, "She's a toad; not a fish."
[D&D] GM says, "(1 sec)"
Onyx opens a non-warded chest.
[peanut-gallery] Bishop exclaims, "Run, Runner!"
[D&D] GM says, "sorry, right"
GM says, "the boots are boots -- well-worn traveller's boots, by the looks of it"
Skalheth sits down in a corner and waits patiently.  A couple of snakes emerge from his cloak and he strokes their heads.
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Do the snakes swim?"
GM says, "the chests which are not warded contain candles, a coil of rope, some rations (jerky, still dry), a pair of knives, two tinderboxes"
GM says, "some sacks of flour (bad), and some flasks of oil"
Fincul says, "Ah, rope."
Kaylee experimentally rolls the barrels on their edge a bit, listening for anything clunking inside.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 19 | 19
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(+2)"
Onyx says, "Hmph.  Useful."
GM says, "nothing that you can hear"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I have no idea if they swim.  They're vipers, so I'm not sure you'd want them in your wine."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "vino vipers"
Onyx asks, "Uh, Skalheth?"
Fincul touches his eyelids and mutters to himself.
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "How many vinos do you vant viped?"
Onyx says, "Why vipers? Snakes make good leather, not pets."
Fincul looks around at the contents of the room, while the others chat.
Skalheth says, "Not pets.  Friends."
Onyx says, "Huh? Unh-unh."
Fincul asks (of Kaylee), "May I see that pendant for a moment?"
Kaylee hands it over.
Fincul says, "Oh, and by the way, I think there's something on the bottom of that barrel you were playing with."
Kaylee asks (of Fincul), "Oh?"
Kaylee asks, "Should we dump it out?"
[D&D] (from Skalheth) Funcul says, "No, just scrape it off.  I think someone set it down on a lizard."
Onyx asks, "How's the runed chest?"
Kaylee asks, "Oh, are you checking for magic?"
Fincul says (to Kaylee), "If you don't think it belongs to anyone, and don't want to lug it back through the swamp, I don't see why not."
Fincul says (to Onyx), "Some sort of abjuration is protecting it. A trap of some kind, probably, set to go off if it's not opened right."
Skalheth grudlingly calls from the corner, "Check the bones, too."
Kaylee says, "If it belongs to someone, they keep zombies as pets."
Fincul says (to Kay), "I am -- the barrel seems to contain something... illusive."
Fincul hands back the pendant. "The pendant is just a pendant though, as far as I can tell."
Arly asks (of Fincul), "How can it be elusive if it's in the barrel?"
Kaylee rolls the barrel over to a dirt part of the floor, and dumps it out, being careful not to soak the chests or whatnot.
Fincul says (to Skal), "Oh, yes, speaking of the bones, your boots appear to have some kind of alteration-related effect cast on them."
Fincul says (to Arly), "Perhaps it's merely pretending to be in the barrel."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "And not all at once, just enough so that I can see what it is in the barrel."
GM says, "wine flows out and soaks into the ground"
Skalheth grunts in satisfaction. "Knew it."
GM says, "but there's nothing in the barrel as far as you can see -- eventually it's empty"
Onyx asks (of Skalheth), "Gonna try 'em on, then?"
Kaylee reaches in the barrel and waves her hand around.
Skalheth retrieves the boots and puts them on.
Fincul peers intot he barrel.
Onyx says, "Here, lemme try . . ."
Kaylee says, "I bet it was actually the wine that was enchanted."
GM says (to Skalheth), "they're comfy"
Onyx picks up the barrel, up-ends it, and taps it on the ground a few times to dislodge whatever might be in the bottom.
GM says, "Fincul and Onyx realize between them that the barrel's got a false bottom in it"
Skalheth says, "Hmm.  Comfy."
Skalheth wiggles his toes, trying to get used to the constriction.
GM says (to Skalheth), "and quiet"
Onyx says (to Skalheth), "Nice."
Skalheth jogs around the room and jumps up and down a few times, trying not to feel foolish.
GM says, "(even when jogging)"
Onyx attempts to pry open the bottom of the barrel.
Kaylee says (to Skalheth), "Hey, you're pretty stealthy there."
Skalheth says, "Bare feet in the mud are already quiet..."
GM says (to Onyx), "once you know it's there, it's pretty easy to get the top off"
Skalheth says, "But I suppose they're useful on the stone floors."
Fincul asks (of Skalheth), "Enjoying your acquisition?"
GM says, "There are a series of small packages inside, each carefully wrapped in cloth and the whole padded"
Fincul says, "Interesting."
Fincul selects one of the packages and looks inside.
Onyx gently peels the wrapping from one off the packages.
Kaylee selects another and does the same.
Arly examines the packages closely before doing anything else.
Skalheth says, "I suppose I am, yes."
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 8 = 23
GM says, "the remaining cloth packages contain two small gemstones each, except for one, which has a platinum ingot"
[D&D] Onyx says, "so Arly has a ring, Skalheth has boots and Kaylee has a pendant.  We've gotten some nice loot."
Fincul says, "My."
Kaylee exclaims, "Oooh, pretty!"
Fincul says, "If we can safely trust that the owners of these things are gone, then we have made quite the profit here."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Also, what did you mean by 'remaining'?  What was the first?"
Arly says, "I would agree with that."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Er, that'd be mine."
Fincul looks into the pouch that was in his package.
Skalheth says, "I don't think we can trust that."
Kaylee asks (of skalheth), "Is that what was magical?"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Has it been a half hour yet?  Is my barkskin spell gone?"
Skalheth points at Fincul. "Ask him.  Hurr."
[D&D] GM says, "mm, if you get into another fight soon it'll probably last through that"
Kaylee says, "Oh, right."
Onyx asks (of Finc), "Whazit?"
GM asks, "so what now? are you going to investigate the last chest, or head back and take the other passage, or?"
Kaylee asks, "Should we try to open it?  Take it with us?"
Fincul says, "Huh? Oh!" He blinks. "Yes, this appears to be some sort of magic dust. I *think* it... well, provides a sort of disguise, so to speak."
Kaylee exclaims, "Neat!"
Fincul says, "Although tht's a guess -- there are several different kinds of magic dust, and it's difficult to be certain which it is without trying it out."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "How old is the chest?  Does it look like it would smash open if dropped from a height?"
Onyx says, "I'll get it."
Fincul says, "As for the runed chest, I *think* it only triggers if it's opened, so carrying it with us should be safe."
[D&D] GM says, "uh, quite possibly"
[D&D] GM says, "I mean, you could also smash it with your axe, if it came to that"
[D&D] GM says, "er, Onyx could, that is"
Onyx moves toward the trapped chest.
[D&D] Fincul says (to GM), "I think Kaylee's looking for solutions that don't require being an arm length away from it at the time."
Kaylee asks (of Fincul), "Does it look like we'd trigger the rune if we cut open the bottom?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Right."
Fincul says, "Hmm. Good question. I think the runes are on the lock, so probably not, although I make no promises."
[D&D] Onyx says, "I'd be an axe-length away, not an arm's length.  I'm sure its quite safe.  :-)"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Pfft ;-)"
Fincul moves away from the locked chest, in case Onyx and Kaylee are going to try anything out.
Kaylee says, "Here, let's try this."
Kaylee stacks the three now-empty chests lenghtwise on top of each other, then puts the runed one on top, and loops the rope around it.
Fincul says, "Er, one thing, though..."
Kaylee asks (of Fincul), "Yes?"
Onyx says (to Kaylee), "Gonna break what's in there, girl, droppin it like."
Fincul says, "On the chance that its effect is fire-related, take care to avoid the wine."
Kaylee says, "Right."
Kaylee grabs the rope and heads down the hall.
Onyx sighs.  We kin cart it home, iffen that's what ya want.
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(the other end of the rope, that is)"
Kaylee says, "If it breaks, it can't have been that important."
GM says, "everyone files out of the room, and Kaylee yanks on the rope"
Onyx asks, "And none o' yer fripperies is fragile?"
GM says, "the chest falls off the stack, bounces on the ground, and the lid pops open"
Fincul says, "Er, uh..."
Kaylee exclaims, "Hey, this cloth is sturdy stuff!"
GM says, "there's a piercing whistle from the chest, and then a voice calls "Thief! Thief!""
Skalheth says, "Well done.  Now you are curse."
Skalheth says, "cursed."
Fincul says, "Phew."
Kaylee says, "That also happens to be brightly dyed."
Arly says, "Confound."
GM says, "but nothing else seems to happen"
GM says, "and the voice fades after a few moments"
Kaylee asks, "I'm cursed?"
Kaylee says, "Oops."
Fincul says, "What color? Some colors can be quite expensive."
Fincul says, "As can, of course, some fabrics."
Onyx gently rights the chest.
[D&D] Fincul asks, "How long have we been down here?"
GM says, "the chest turns out to have some rocks piled in it"
[D&D] GM says, "almost a half-hour now"
Kaylee asks (of Skalheth), "How did you know I'm cursed?"
GM says, "(some of which fell out when it popped open)"
Kaylee asks, "Or was that just your guess?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "Can I tell what kind of rocks?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Including the battle and all? Cool, no time at all."
Onyx looks quizically at the rocks, then stacks them next to the chest.
[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "stones, I think"
Kaylee says, "There just for the trap, looks like."
[D&D] GM says, "well, the battle didn't actually take that long in real-time"
Skalheth says (to Kaylee), "Hurr.  It was a joke, woman."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Also, is it cloth or rocks?"
Kaylee says, "Oh!  Whew."
[D&D] GM says, "rocks -- I don't know where I said cloth"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "The cloth is my clothes."
[D&D] Skalheth asks (of Fincul), "Where are you getting this about the cloth?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Sorry."
[D&D] Onyx says, "Kaylee said cloth."
[D&D] GM says, "ah, okay"
Fincul says, "Well, that was an entertaining interlude."
[D&D] Fincul says (to Kayleth), "Aha. I got confused, since you mentioned it right after the lid popped open."
Skalheth says, "Much confusion all around.  Can we go now?  There's a giant rat thing around somewhere I want to kill."
Fincul says, "I don't see why not. I'm not one to keep a man from his giant rat thing."
[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"
GM says, "very well then -- you head back to the previous room, and from there to the right corridor"
GM says, "which continues for a distance until it comes to a door -- possibly once locked, because it's since been smashed open"
Fincul says, "Ah, we would seem not to be the first to go looting here."
GM says (to Fincul), "although it looks like it was smashed from the other side"
Onyx heads throught the door.
Skalheth follows right behind her.
Arly follows, his weapon again ready.
Fincul says, "I wonder if this was done by one of the skeletons we found. Or possibly the soon-to-be zombies."
Fincul follows as well.
GM says, "this is a large room, with a number of tables and chairs, and a raised platform against one wall"
GM says, "the tables and chairs are flipped over or smashed"
GM says, "and the podium that was on the platform has been knocked over"
Kaylee says, "Looks like someone didn't like this guy's speech."
[D&D] Onyx asks, "but no dead bodies? or un-dead bodies?"
GM says, "and there's an archway in the north wall (taking north as the direction you came in originally)"
Fincul says, "I wonder if we're underneath the lake at this point."
GM says, "and yeah, more bones here, scattered among the furniture"
Skalheth shakes his arm and a snake emerges from his sleeve and twines up his spear.
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Any markings on the walls?"
Skalheth pads silently through the bones towards the arch.
Kaylee pokes around the room.
Onyx cursorily searches some of the furniture, and the podium.
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "the same as in the other rooms -- murals of the lion-headed god, though here they look as though someone was raking at them with long claws"
Fincul looks through the carnage for anything salvage-worthy.
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 7 | 7 + 4 = 11
GM says, "it looks like mostly bones and scraps of cloth, but even more torn apart than elsewhere"
Fincul says, "Something makes me think that someone was unfond of the old Lionheaded fellow."
Kaylee says, "Or that the lionhead fellow was unfond of the inhabitants."
Kaylee follows Skalheth north.
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 7 = 17
Fincul follows as well.
Arly exclaims, "Wait!"
Arly exclaims, "Stop!"
Kaylee asks, "Oh?"
Skalheth waits outside the arch for his friends to finish their search.
Arly says, "Don't go through the archway."
Fincul asks, "Mmm?"
Onyx asks, "Why?"
Arly speaks lower.  "There's something on the other side.  Draw your weapons."
Arly says, "We need to be prepared."
Kaylee cracks her knuckles.
Onyx asks (of Arly), "You first or me?"
Arly says, "I'll go first."
Skalheth asks, "Were we not prepared already?"
Arly proceeds slowly through the archway.
Arly says (to Skalheth), "One cannot be too prepared."
Fincul watches to see if Arly gets eaten.
Onyx asks, "Prepared or nervy?"
Arly says (to Onyx), "There's seldom a difference in my world."
GM says (to Arly), "on the other side there's a short passage, and then you come into what must be (have been) another shrine -- there are benches, and a statue against the wall"
Onyx merely grunts.
GM says, "but the left wall has a gaping hole in it, at least four feet across"
[D&D] Onyx asks, "smashed?"
GM says, "and jumping off the pews at you are short creatures that seem to be all teeth and claws"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "This would be the time when we like to roll initiative?"
[D&D] GM says, "yeah, initiative everyone, please"
Skalheth brandishes his spear, and the snake wrapped around the tip rears to strike.
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 13 | 13
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 14 | 14
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 16 | 16 + 3 = 19
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 1 | 1 + 6 = 7
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 5 | 5 + 8 = 13
GM says, "and the four creatures:"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 3 | 3 + 3 = 6
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Woot"
GM says, "(see how prepared Arly was for them)"
Kaylee kicks and strikes at a rat thing.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 18 | 18 + 3 = 21
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 3 | 3 + 3 = 6
Kaylee rolls  6-sided dice: 1 | 1
Kaylee kicks one, but it mostly shakes it off.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ok, this is gonna be painful."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(I presume)"
GM says, "(they're actually about four feet tall, but they've got rat teeth and claws on their hands and feet)"
GM says, "Skalheth next"
[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "yeah"
Skalheth spreads his arms and chants.  Clouds of noxious green smoke begin to coalesce in front of him.
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "I assume I'm not in combat yet, so that goes off automatically?"
[D&D] GM says, "right"
Skalheth reaches into the cloud, plucks a mass of flailing tentacles, and hurls an octopus at the creatures.
Kaylee . o O ( How'd *that* get here? )
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(Summon Nature's Ally II - 8 +5 melee attacks with Improved Grab)"
Onyx . o O ( What watery hell did *that* come from? )
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "It probably can't attack this round due to disorientation from being hurled.  Next round, should I roll new initiative or have it act on my turn?"
GM says, "Skalheth hurls the octopus towards the creatures"
[D&D] GM says, "um, let's just have it act on your initiative"
[D&D] (from Arly) Arly yells, "TAKE THAT SUCKERS."
GM says, "Arly, Fincul, then Onyx"
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Groan!"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Also, as a free action..."
[D&D] Onyx says, "this guy befriends snakes and octopi.  joy and jubilation."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Are these humanoids, by the way?"
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "yeah"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "I sense a long and wriggly theme, captain."
Skalheth hurls a pair of writhing snakes along with the octopus.
[D&D] Onyx says (to finc), "reptiles and amphibians are not humanoids, in general."
GM says, "the snakes also fly over"
GM says, "no doubt hissing "whee!""
GM asks, "Arly?"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "How many rat-things are there?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "4"
[D&D] GM says, "yeah"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Is that it?  I pictured a horde of four-foot thingy's."
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 19 | 19 + 8 = 27
[D&D] GM says, "when they're jumping at you, it *seems* like a horde"
GM says (to Arly), "ok, your sword does a threat on a 19 or 20, so roll again to see if this is a critical"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 7 | 7 + 8 = 15
GM says, "ok, it is, so you can roll double damage"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Sweet."
Arly rolls 2 8-sided dice: 7 7 | 14 + 4 = 18
GM says, "Arly spits one neatly on his sword as it jumps towards him"
GM asks, "Fincul?"
Fincul wiggles his fingers at one of the undamaged creatures. "Cootchie-cootchie-coo!"
[D&D] Skalheth falls over, missing his next attack.
GM says, "a pair of disembodied hands appears at Fincul's command and grab for one of the creatures"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 3 = 13
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 16 | 16 + 7 = 23
Onyx rolls  12-sided dice: 7 | 7 + 2 = 9
GM says, "Onyx'x axe bites deeply into one of them, but it's still biting and clawing as it comes down"
[D&D] Onyx says, "yay"
GM says, "Kaylee, Arly, and Onyx are the closest ones, I guess, so they each get bitten and clawed at"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 7 | 7 + 3 = 10
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 16 | 16 + 0 = 16
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 14 | 14 + 3 = 17
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 0 = 4
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 3 = 7
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 0 = 4
GM says, "not very effectively, though, except for Kaylee, who is clawed once for 1 hp"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "At +5, what do I need to actually roll to hit one?"
Kaylee exclaims, "Ow!"
[D&D] GM says, "they're ac 15"
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 11 | 11 + 4 = 15
[D&D] Kaylee says, "So, 50/50 chance."
GM says, "next round, Kaylee"
Kaylee kicks them again.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 1 | 1 + 3 = 4
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 1 | 1 + 3 = 4
Kaylee says, "...ineffectively."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Wow."
Skalheth rolls 8 20-sided dice: 15 5 20 16 20 7 12 12 | 107
[D&D] Fincul coughs.
Kaylee says, "Watch out, that bite felt oddly tingly."
[D&D] Onyx asks, "uh, what?"
Skalheth's octopus wraps four arms around one of the creatures.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "That's an Improved Grab, so now it gets a free bite (1d3) every round until it breaks free."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Now I need a ruling - does this give me a bonus for attacking it because it's being held?"
[D&D] GM says, "I think you get +2, yes"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(it has Str 12)"
Skalheth strikes at the held creature with his spear.
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 1 | 1 + 5 = 6
[D&D] Skalheth says, "And now the snakes..."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Hey, who replaced our d20's with d1's?"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 3 | 3 + 4 = 7
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 4 = 19
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 19 | 19 + 4 = 23
(From Skalheth) The snake on the spear strikes forward and misses, but the two squirming along the ground but the creature's ankles.
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Are there no fumble rules, btw?  Maybe I shouldn't bring this up."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "That's 2 DC 11 poison saves, 1d6 temporary Con damage."
Skalheth rolls 1 3-sided die: 2 | 2
[D&D] Skalheth says, "And 2 hp damage from the octopus bite."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(Sorry to take so long - hopefully next round this'll go faster.)"
GM says, "the creature snarls as the octupus wraps itself around its head, and snakes bite its ankles"
GM asks, "Arly?"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 8 = 12
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "They need to roll their saves, right?"
[D&D] GM says, "no, they don't"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Aha."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Uh-oh."
GM says, "Arly swings at another one, but misses"
GM asks, "Fincul?"
Fincul focuses on Kaylee's creature. "Misticus mentis," he says, snapping his fingers.
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 10 | 10 + 7 = 17
Onyx rolls  12-sided dice: 10 | 10 + 2 = 12
GM says (to Onyx), "1 sec before I resolve that"
GM says, "a bright flash of light appears in front of the creature's face -- it snarls and jumps back a bit"
GM says, "then Onyx spins round and cleaves one of the creatures in half with her axe"
Onyx neatly slices into the creature.
[D&D] Onyx says, "afk - ellric needs a diaper."
GM says, "there are two left, one with octopus and so on, one blinded from the flare"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Is the flared one the one I was tweaking?"
GM says, "the flare-blinded one flees for the hole in the wall, dropping down to run on hands and legs"
[D&D] GM says, "yeah"
[D&D] Kaylee nods.
GM says, "kaylee can make a single attack (not a flurry) as an AoO if she likes"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Sure."
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 20 | 20 + 5 = 25
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 9 | 9 + 5 = 14
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Can I throw my spear?"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Arr, curses."
GM says, "not quite a critical"
Kaylee rolls  6-sided dice: 5 | 5
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "sure, since you have it in hand"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 20 | 20 + 3 = 23
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 3 = 7
Kaylee kicks the creature in the knee as it steps back.
Skalheth hurls his spear at the creature's back as it staggers.
Skalheth rolls 1 8-sided die: 6 | 6
[D&D] Skalheth says, "+2 if Str damage applies to thrown weapons - I can never remember."
GM says, "the spear pokes out the other side, pinning it to the ground"
GM says, "meanwhile, the one with the octopus on its head snarls and claws at the octopus"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hee."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "How does this work.  Opposed Str?"
[D&D] GM says, "I think it's just going to do a straight attack"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 14 | 14 + 0 = 14
GM says, "but it's hard to claw at something effectively when it's on your head"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ah, opposed grapple checks."
GM says, "next round, Kaylee"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(Turns out the octopus was supposed to make a Grapple check for every arm that hit, but I think with 4 arms we can assume at least one would have made it.)"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Is the one through the hole still going?"
[D&D] GM says, "no, it's dead, or at least not moving"
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "yeah"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Do I get flanking on the octopus'ed one?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "'Dead' being such a subjective term, what with them probably not having been 'alive' to begin with."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "You get a +2 cause it's being held.  I don't think flanking, though."
[D&D] GM says, "right, just the +2"
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 14 | 14 + 5 = 19
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 19 | 19 + 5 = 24
Kaylee rolls  6-sided dice: 6 | 6
Kaylee rolls  6-sided dice: 3 | 3
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Cause nobody else is attacking it except the octopus, which isn't exactly on the other side."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Very nice."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "But if Kaylee attacks it, everyone else can get flanking, right?"
GM says, "Kaylee's one-two combination sends the thing to the ground"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Well, OK, except for the whole thing about it being immobile now, of course."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."
GM says, "Virtually at the same time, a terrible stench of death and rotting flesh wafts from the hole"
[D&D] Onyx says, "back. diaper changes when El Nino has severe diaper rash take longer."
[D&D] Skalheth exclaims, "Timing!"
GM says, "everyone make a fortitude save, dc 15"
[D&D] GM exclaims (at Skalheth), "ha!"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 19 | 19 + 4 = 23
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 4 = 19
Skalheth is used to the stench of rotting things.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 6 | 6 + 4 = 10
Fincul is used to Skalheth.
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 5 | 5 + 6 = 11
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 19 | 19 + 5 = 24
GM says, "Kaylee and Arly turn a distinct shade of green"
Skalheth exclaims (at Fincul), "Hey!"
Onyx grabs Kaylee and Arly by the arm and haul them out.
GM says, "(and are both at -2 to hit and saves for the moment)"
Fincul says, "Perhaps you two should wait in here."
Skalheth says, "I keep myself very clean.  It's not my fault I live in swamp gas."
Arly says, "Perhaps.  I'm not feeling well..."
Kaylee says, "Blergh"
Kaylee says, "Man,now my face doesn't match my outfit."
Fincul looks around the room where the battle took place.
GM says, "Then something leaps out of the hole and charges at Onyx"
Skalheth retrieves his octopus and perches it on his shoulder.  It wraps a tentacle companionably around his throat.
GM says, "howling and gibbering and bringing the scent of the grave with it"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Oh, oops, I thought I was preparing to enter the tunnel."
Kaylee exclaims, "So *that's* what stinks!"
Fincul says, "Oh, bother. Not another undead."
[D&D] GM says, "oh, were you? if so, I suppose you were in its path instead"
[D&D] (from Kaylee) GM says, "muha muha muha."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Yeah, and Onyx was hauling Kaylee and Arly."
GM says, "It claws at Skalheth nastily"
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 19 | 19 + 2 = 21
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 5 | 5 + 2 = 7
GM rolls 1 4-sided die: 2 | 2
GM says, "for 2 damage"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 4 = 14
GM says, "Skalheth's muscles lock up as the creature opens up a gash in his arm"
GM says, "he stands there, frozen"
GM says, "roll initiative, everyone"
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 2 | 2
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 8 | 8 + 3 = 11
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 7 | 7 + 6 = 13
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(the -2 is just to hit and saves, right?)"
[D&D] GM says, "right"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 20 | 20 + 8 = 28
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 6 | 6 + 2 = 8
GM says, "Arly, Skalheth's creatures, Onyx, Kaylee, creature, Fincul"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 7 | 7 + 8 = 15
GM says, "The creature just barely evades Arly's blow"
Arly says, "Blast."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Sadly, you're -2 to hit."
[D&D] GM says, "oops, right"
[D&D] GM says, "so slightly more than barely"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Creatures and the rest of us get flanking though, right?"
GM asks, "Skalheth?"
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "true"
Skalheth rolls 8 20-sided dice: 19 15 11 8 8 11 4 17 | 93
[D&D] GM says, "(assuming you spread out around it before attacking, and it's practically in the middle of you anyway)"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "So what's my target here?  10 again?"
[D&D] GM asks, "it's strength 13, does it get a bonus?"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "+5"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "...is its total attack bonus"
[D&D] GM says, "oh, sorry, ac, you mean? it's ac 16"
[D&D] GM says, "I assume four attacks is again enough to grapple it"
Skalheth rolls 4 20-sided dice: 12 3 17 14 | 46
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Yep, 3 of the 4 grappled."
Skalheth rolls 1 3-sided die: 1 | 1
GM says, "the octopus nibbles on its ankle for a bit"
Skalheth's octopus slurps off his shoulder and flings three of its arms around the ghoul.
Skalheth's snakes also swarm its ankles, ineffectually.
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "well, they do do 1hp if they bite"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "They do?  I have 1d2-2 here."
[D&D] GM says, "yeah, but it's always minimum 1, as far as I know"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Aha"
Skalheth rolls 3 20-sided dice: 13 18 5 | 36
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Two hits (they need 12)"
[D&D] GM says, "(except for things which explicitly do 0 damage, like the octopus arms)"
GM says, "ok, snakes bite"
GM asks, "Onyx?"
GM says, "(who gets +2 to her attack, for flanking)"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Any for the grapple?"
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 18 | 18 + 9 = 27
Onyx rolls  12-sided dice: 6 | 6 + 2 = 8
Onyx's axe makes more meaty 'thunk'
[D&D] GM says, "hrm, I think you get either the grapple or the flanking but not both, since they're basically the same sort of thing (can't defend yourself properly)"
[D&D] Kaylee nods.
[D&D] Onyx says, "rather, another, not more"
GM asks, "Kaylee?"
Kaylee kick the thing in its back.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "`Make more thunk!` sounds charmingly barbarian."
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 6 | 6 + 3 = 9
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 1 | 1 + 3 = 4
[D&D] Skalheth asks (of Kaylee), "As opposed to kicking it in somebody else's back?"
Kaylee's sickened condition doesn't help matters, as she fails to do any damage.
GM says, "The creature spins around, dodging Kaylee, and bites and claws at Onyx"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "It looks like if the octopus makes another opposed grapple check, it can Pin and hold it completely immobile for the round."
[D&D] Fincul says, "That's handy."
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 4 = 19
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 6 | 6 + 1 = 7
GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 5 | 5 + 1 = 6
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 14 | 14 + 5 = 19
GM rolls 1 8-sided die: 4 | 4 + 1 = 5
GM says, "Its teeth sink into Onyx, but luckily her barbarian training enables her to throw off its paralysis"
GM says, "(but 5hp damage)"
GM asks, "Fincul?"
Fincul tries to hit it with his staff.
Fincul rolls 1 20=-sided die: 16 | 16 + 5 = 21
[D&D] GM says, "hooray"
Fincul rolls 1 6-sided die: 6 | 6 + 3 = 9
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "BTW, in the upcoming rules revision, they've changed Hold spells (and, I assume, all paralysis) to get a new save every round instead of a set duration.  Do we want to use that rule?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "There, much better than those silly little 'spells' I was trying before."
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "sure, I'd be fine with that"
GM says, "Fincul's staff connects with a meaty thunk atop its head"
GM says, "next round, Arly? (who now receiving a flanking bonus, as it's facing Onyx)"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "(for a net of the original +8, since you're -2 from the stench)"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 13 | 13 + 8 = 21
[D&D] GM says, "that's a hit, 1d8+4"
Arly rolls 1 8-sided die: 1 | 1 + 4 = 5
GM says, "Arly's sword cuts into it, and it snarls and gibbers"
GM says, "it does seem pleased, however, when the octopus fades away"
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "so how about going ahead and making another save, dc 15"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "What?  There's a time limit on the octopus?  I assumed it stuck around until it died."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "There's no duration listed in my PHB."
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 4 = 14
[D&D] GM blinks
Skalheth rolls 3 20-sided dice: 3 6 14 | 23
[D&D] GM says, "the srd has it is one round/level, just like the other summon monster spells"
Skalheth still can't move, but one of his snakes bites it.
GM says, "Onyx, then Kaylee"
GM says, "(Onyx no longer getting the +2 flanking to hit, since it's facing her)"
Onyx rolls  20-sided dice: 15 | 15 + 7 = 22
Onyx rolls  12-sided dice: 8 | 8 + 2 = 10
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ah, there's a `See Nature's Ally I` here."
Kaylee again attacks, trying to avoid the stench.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 20 | 20 + 3 = 23
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 2 | 2 + 3 = 5
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 15 | 15 + 3 = 18
[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yes, critical!"
[D&D] GM says, "woo"
Kaylee rolls 2 6-sided dice: 2 6 | 8
[D&D] Fincul says, "Yay"
GM says, "and this last blow is definitive, as the creature topples over"
GM says, "still smells terrible, though, but eventually Arly and Kaylee are feeling themselves again"
Kaylee says, "Take that, stinky."
Fincul wonders if there's going to be another one.
Onyx takes a moment to clean her axe.
GM says (to Fincul), "not so far, anyway"
Kaylee peers through the hole in the wall.
GM says, "it's dark in there, and looks like a chewed (or clawed) tunnel"
Fincul says, "Remind me, in the future, that I should not be so ready to allow a man to chase after his rat creature, unless I am fairly confident that said rat creature is not undead."
Skalheth eventually is able to move again, and spends some time petting and calming his agitated friends.
[D&D] GM laughs and laughs
Kaylee says, "So, seems like these rat guys broke into the lionhead's sanctuary."
Arly asks, "Indeed.  But why?  For the treasures within?  Or for some more... sinister reason?"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Can we get a recap of the room description?"
Skalheth says (to Fincul), "You've done well in ridding the area of a dangerous and unnatural aberration, and nature thanks you."
Skalheth says, "So, pfft."
Kaylee says, "Tee-hee"
Fincul says (to Arly), "They left the treasures. Perhaps they were sent by an enemy of the Lionhead's religion."
Fincul says, "Or perhaps, being creatures of darkness and evil, they simply lashed out against what was pious and holy."
GM says (to Kaylee), "now that you're able to stop for breath and look around, you see that this room is somewhat similar to the upstairs area: it's smaller and more cramped (lower ceiling and all) but it's got the same statue up front (though it's not so mossy) in a niche, other smaller niches which have wax traces inside, and some benches facing an open spot in front of the statue"
Skalheth says aloud, "I apologize for my earlier harsh words, Lionhead.  I was mistaken.  I like you again."
GM says, "though the benches are torn and gnawed on and some broken off their fastenings on the floor"
Kaylee examines the wax traces.
Fincul looks at the statue, to see if it's at all different from the other one.
GM says, "and there are bones scattered in between, and the paintings on the walls are nearly totally defaced"
GM says (to Fincul), "it's pretty similar -- the lion-headed figure, crossed swords, "sanctuary for travelers""
Fincul says, "I am surprised the statue itself was not defaced."
GM says (to Fincul), "it looks like this one was slightly less nice originally than the other one, but the other one's been so affected by the ravages of time that this is probably better"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Oh, wait--the wax traces were from candles?"
Arly frowns.
[D&D] Skalheth says, "No, it's lion wax."
[D&D] Kaylee snorts.
[D&D] Fincul says, "Maybe there's some lion honey around someplace."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "For keeping the non-mane areas - er, nevermind."
Fincul asks, "Does anyone want to look in that hole, in case the creature had a stash of... I don't know, expensive lice or something?"
GM says, "there are also some other scattered items around, probably used in rituals -- a pair of golden candlesticks, for instance, each with the same lion's head as on the amulet"
[D&D] Onyx says, "out of the eater, something to eat, out of the strong, something sweet."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Shave and a haircut, two bits."
GM says, "and some things that were probably valuable tapestries at one point, but are now so much rags and dirt"
Kaylee lights one of the candles from the storeroom and places it in a niche.
GM says, "it sheds a friendly glow"
Onyx peers down the hole in the wall.
Kaylee says (to statue), "Sorry, guy."
Kaylee says, "Yes, let's finish off whatever other abominations killed the worshippers here."
Fincul asks, "Should we take the candlesticks? On the one hand, it seems disrespectful. On the other hand, were they more for the benefit of the worshippers or the worshipped?"
GM says (to Onyx), "it's a bit hard to judge, but you hear echoey water dripping, which suggests it goes into the darkness and then opens up into a larger area"
Fincul says, "If there is a chance of further undead, I should like to take a few minutes to prepare myself first."
Arly says, "I would agree.  And perhaps we should leave this deity's possessions where they belong."
Kaylee says, "If we can restore this place with the money we found here, I think we should."
Skalheth says, "Hurr."
Kaylee says, "But I think the candles should stay."
Kaylee says, "For now."
Fincul asks (of Kaylee), "The candles or the candlesticks?"
Kaylee looks more closely.
Fincul says, "If we can find worshippers of this deity outside, perhaps it would be better to deliver them there."
Skalheth says, "I will clean the shrine and bring offerings of food - yes, meat would be appropriate."
Kaylee says, "Oops, thought they were candles."
Skalheth says, "What you do about the gold is up to you."
[D&D] Fincul says, "AFK a few."
Onyx says, "Wouldn't hurt to pray.  "Goddess, bless our endeavors."
Kaylee says (to Fincul), "That's a good idea."
[D&D] Arly asks, "Actually, me too...  How much longer is everyone else going to want to play?"
Skalheth asks, "Is anyone badly hurt now, or still scratches?"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I'd like to keep going, although I wouldn't mind grabbig 5 min to eat."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "This feels like it's near the end to me, though maybe not."
[D&D] Onyx says, "I wouldn't mind stopping, but I'm willing to be outvoted."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Food break, then finish?"
[D&D] GM says, "this is probably a good stopping place if you're going to want to stop soon"
[D&D] Kaylee says (to inky), "Is that reasonable, or are we... Ah, OK."
[D&D] GM says, "if you'd like to explore a bit more going through the tunnel won't take too long"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Lets check the tunnel."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Yeah."
Skalheth retrieves his spear and wipes it down, then looks into the tunnel.
[D&D] Arly says, "Uh, okay."
[D&D] Onyx says, "Alrighty."
GM says, "you head cautiously into the tunnel, which, as predicted, runs for a short bit and then opens into a larger cavern-like area"
GM says, "the air feels very damp, and you can hear water dripping all around"
GM says, "the walls here seem naturally formed, unlike the previous areas"
Onyx says, "Prob'ly right under the swamp.  Hmph."
GM says, "(except for the tunnel connecting this part to the statue room, which looks like it was clawed by sheer persistence)"
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Can I see the far walls?"
Onyx inspects the walls and floor.
GM says, "The floor is similar -- basically bumpy rocks, stalagmites, claw-scratches in parts"
GM says, "in fact, all the walls have claw-marks on them, as if something was here mindlessly scraping against the walls for years and years"
Skalheth looks for other exits.
[D&D] Onyx says, "that doesn't sound good."
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "with your darkvision, you can make out a flat area in the far wall"
Skalheth says, "Hurr.  Watch out - I think there's another tunnel."
Skalheth approaches the flat area cautiously.
Arly exclaims, "Wait!"
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 5 | 5 + 7 = 12
Arly says, "I believe it's safe to proceed."
Onyx proceeds.
GM says (to Skalheth), "eventually it comes in range of the lights, and you can make it out -- it's a great door, ten feet high and solid bronze, marked with a giant sigil in silver"
GM says, "set into the rock"
[D&D] Kaylee tries a straight int check for knowledge of the sigil.
Kaylee rolls  20-sided dice: 3 | 3 + 1 = 4
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Nope."
Kaylee says, "Ooh, pretty."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Back."
Onyx says, "Somethin' was sealed in here, then, an' broke loose.  I don' like it."
Kaylee nods.
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Can I use Arcane Lore to try to recognize it?"
[D&D] GM says, "yeah"
Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 8 = 16
Onyx says, "Must'a been large, whate'er it was.  An' it was here a looong time."
Kaylee says, "Well, it could have been that undead aberration we found."
GM says (to Fincul), "it's some kind of warding symbol"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Is the door open or shut?"
GM says, "(shut)"
Fincul says, "That symbol is a ward. Presumably to keep whatever's on one side of the door on that side."
Skalheth says sadly (to Kaylee), "Hurr, no.  Something stronger, I think."
Onyx says, "It worked.  It didn' go out through the door."
Kaylee says, "Hmm."
Fincul says, "It's possible that something good has been sealed in as well."
Kaylee asks, "So you think it's out and loose?"
Skalheth says, "Probably long gone now - out roaming somewhere."
Fincul says, "Lionhead himself, even."
Skalheth says, "I worry."
Kaylee asks, "Should we try to find out more about the sigil before trying to open it?"
Kaylee says, "(Not that we'd be able to)"
Fincul says, "I would advise so, yes."
Fincul says, "There is a sizable magic guild in Mor's End."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Can I make an Intuit Direction roll to tell where we're under now?"
Fincul takes out his notebook and copies the sigil in ink.
[D&D] GM says, "sure"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "(Or at least to confirm my suspicion that we're directly under the lake.)"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 11 | 11 + 6 = 17
GM says (to Fincul), "there are other, smaller symbols around the edge of the door, which you copy also"
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "you are indeed, as best you can reckon -- not under the center, but definitely under the water"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Is the copy good enough, or can we take a rubbing?"
[D&D] GM says, "I dunno, I figure mages copy sigils all the time"
[D&D] Kaylee nods.
Onyx runs her fingers over the sigil.
GM says (to Onyx), "there's a slight warmth"
Onyx says, "Its warm."
Kaylee looks around the rest of the cavern for anything of note besides more stalactites, climbing up and over the walls and stalactites.
Skalheth says, "We are under the water."
Onyx examines the rest of the door and doorframe, to see if any of the rest of it is noteable.
GM says (to Kaylee), "it looks like this is all, just the door"
Skalheth looks around.  "This place feels wrong.  It should be sanctified."
GM says (to Kaylee), "though you see the claw-marks continue over every inch of the floor, and to the walls up to seven or eight feet off the ground"
GM says (to Onyx), "just that the claw-marks are especially heavy near the door, but then suddenly within an inch of the frame, they cease"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Would the creature we offed have been able to do that?"
[D&D] Onyx says, "I think it was too short."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Given how many years?"
[D&D] GM says, "it was five or six feet tall, but no higher"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "And it didn't have 3-feet arms?"
[D&D] GM says, "no, although they were longer than they should have been"
GM asks, "ok, so are you opening the door? or leaving it for now?"
Fincul says, "I'll do some research on these markings at the guild."
Onyx says, "We killed it easily. This strong cage was made for something more."
Skalheth says, "I think opening it would be harmless, since we're already on the bad side."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Are we even capable of opening it?"
Kaylee says (to Skalheth), "Maybe, but let's make sure."
Skalheth says, "But - yes, there's no more pressing need."
Skalheth says, "First, stand back.  I would like to bring some peace to this cage."
Skalheth pulls a small feather from his cloak and kneels in the center of the cavern.
GM says, "right, the door has no handle, which is also a little weird"
GM says, "and I should also mention that the crack around the door is sealed with something, perhaps wax"
Onyx asks (of Skalheth), "Want help?"
Skalheth steps backwards.
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Er, wait a second.  How high is the ceiling here?"
[D&D] GM says, "maybe 20 feet at its highest point, 10 feet in other places"
Skalheth stops, looks at the ceiling, and shakes his head. "Sorry.  Bad idea."  He picks up the feather again.
Skalheth says, "Some candles and incense will have to do."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "So, what's the vote on opening the door?"
Onyx asks (of Skalheth), "Prayer helps. Shall we?"
[D&D] Arly says, "Try to melt the wax."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Against."
Fincul says, "Hmm."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Nay, for me (for now)"
Fincul says, "Despite what Skalheth feels, I do not assume the danger is passed."
[D&D] Onyx says, "research first. even the barbarian is intimidated in here. :-()"
Arly says, "Nor do I."
Fincul says, "As I believe that this sigil was meant to seal in whatever is on the *other* side of this door."
Skalheth asks, "Hurr.  I pray to abstracts.  What do you pray to?"
Skalheth asks (of Fincul), "Why do you think that?"
Fincul says, "Of that, I am fairly confident."
Onyx says (to The), "Goddess, of course."
Arly exclaims, "Hold!"
Arly says, "Give me a moment."
Arly steps up to the door and puts his face close to it.
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 2 | 2 + 7 = 9
Fincul says (to Skalheth), "The arrangement of the markings. That curved one on the left, with the smaller one beside it."
GM says (to Arly), "the metal is warm against your face, but it's dead silent"
Fincul says, "I don't know the exact meaning of most of them, but enough are familiar to me to suggest that."
Arly asks, "I can hear nothing.  But the metal is warm...  Perhaps the thing on the other side has fire?"
GM says, "although there is a very faint vibration"
Fincul says, "As I said before, it may be perfectly safe. It may be Lionhead himself sealed in by his enemies."
Skalheth says, "Hurr.  This disturbs me."
Skalheth says, "A quick prayer, then we should be gone."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Back to town, then."
Fincul says, "But on the other hand, it may be something more terrible even than whatever was in this cavern trying to reach it."
Kaylee says, "Back to town,t hen."
Kaylee says, "We still have to trek through the swamp, which we shouldn't do after nightfall."
Onyx grasps her pendant, and begins to chant under her breath.
Fincul says, "Indeed."
Skalheth says, "I wouldn't want to meet something more terrible without another octopus."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hmm. Unless we want to start selling off Lh's gems, we probably don't have cash for healing."
[D&D] Fincul says, "But I guess we have potions."
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "How much is normal healing?"
[D&D] Skalheth exclaims, "I keep asking if people are hurt, and people keep not answering!"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "So I assume nobody actually needs healing."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'nmm only down 5, personally."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ditto, I'm down 6."
[D&D] Fincul says (to Skalheth), "Oh, sorry. Down by seven."
[D&D] Onyx says, "I'm unhurt."
[D&D] Fincul says, "I was assuming others were hurt worse than me, though."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "You don't actually have CLW as a class spell, right?"
[D&D] GM says, "I think you might have taken the most bruising, actually"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Ok, so 3 or 4 potions should do it."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I do, I just don't keep it memorized all the time."
[D&D] Onyx says, "oops, I'm down 5.  I missed that."
[D&D] Fincul says (to Skal), "Aha."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "If we normally heal 2 overnight, my healing doubles that."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "So I can stock up on it for tomorrow if we want to rest a day."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "I think."
[D&D] Onyx says, "Resting and food - good. Back to town, then.  Hmph."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "How late will it be when we get back, if the trip's not unusually eventful?"
[D&D] GM says, "you've only been in here an hour or two"
[D&D] GM says, "so it'll be like 2 or 3pm"
[D&D] Onyx asks, "oh.  I thought it was longer.  how long might sigil research take?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "So we can head back, do lunch, and then research this evening."
[D&D] GM says, "it depends how good their library is"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Afternoon and evening, even."
[D&D] Arly says, "That sounds like a good idea."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "So are we gonna call it for today or RP the journey back?"
GM says, "ok, so you make your way back through the cavern, the shrine, the meeting-room or whatever, the entrance, and up the rope"
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Oh, and get attacked by that teleporting creature that's after our crate."
[D&D] GM asks, "what are you doing about the hole in the floor here?"
Fincul says, "We may as well take the rope back with us."
Arly says, "Yes.  It could come in handy again."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Ignore it? As far as we know, we killed everything in the dungeon."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Well, we don't want other things entering."
Kaylee tries to re-cover the hole in the floor to prevent its discovery by bad guys.
GM asks (of Kaylee), "how?"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "What does the floor look like as it is?"
Skalheth says, "We could plant a tree in it."
[D&D] GM says, "covered with tufts of moss and/or dirt"
Skalheth says, "But that would make it hard for us to get back down.  And I only have one tree."
Kaylee covers it with branches, leaves, and dirt, then.
GM says, "okay"
[D&D] Onyx says, "considering how abandoned this place was, I think wanderers are unlikely."
GM says, "you spread some branches across the hole and stick leaves on top"
Fincul says, "Arly could carve a decorative but functional trapdoor/footrest."
GM says, "it eventually looks more or less like the rest of the floor"
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "hee hee"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Except of course for the nice trail we - well, you guys - left on the way here."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "We could cover it up on the way back."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Well, someone with some sort of tracking skill could."
[D&D] Arly says, "Well, since you asked."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hee. The four of us tromping through the forest, Skalheth madly spreading moss and leaves behind us."
[D&D] Onyx says, "or maybe leave a nice, juicy, steak near-by, then let the ogres it attracts do the gaurding."
[D&D] Fincul says (to Onyx), "You just want ogre ears, I bet."
[D&D] Arly says, "Oh wait, I don't have a tracking skill.  I thought I did.  Hrm."
[D&D] Onyx says, "Yup.  <Grin>"
[D&D] GM says, "you have the tracking feat"
[D&D] GM says, "it uses the wilderness lore skill"
[D&D] Arly says (to GM), "Oh right."
[D&D] Arly says, "I forgot it was a feat in this one."
[D&D] Arly asks, "Should I try to cover up our tracks, then?"
inky hollers, "I predict Rob will soon come in"
GM says, "roll wilderness lore if you'd like to"
GM says, "(Skalheth too)"
[D&D] Onyx says, "we could chop down a largish tree and leave it across the path."
[D&D] Fincul says, "I don't think anyone would complain if you did."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh"
[D&D] Fincul asks (of Onyx), "That one's to attract the goblins now, right?"
Skalheth rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 7 = 15
[D&D] Onyx says (to Fincul), "Goblin tongues, ogre ears, sure,."
Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 6 | 6 + 5 = 11
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I don't have the tracking feat.   I took combat feats."
GM says, "between the two of you you roughly cover up your tracks"
[D&D] Arly says, "Man, are those dice loaded?  My rolls are always terrible."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "One of which I predict I will never, ever use cause I don't have a high enough BAB.  Oops."
GM says, "and head back to town, where the journey is thankfully once again uneventful"
[D&D] Kaylee asks, "BAB?"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Is that the -N BAB -> +N damage?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Base Attack Bonus."
(From Arly) GM says, "until you file your tax returns on the treasure you found.  THEN THE PAIN BEGINS"
[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "So, after lunch, should we split up?"
[D&D] Arly asks, "And what does Wil stand for?  Willpower?"
[D&D] GM says, "it appears you heal your character level in hp per day of rest"
[D&D] GM says, "yeah, or maybe just Will"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Cool, so with Healing, we don't even need spells."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Some of us to check on the room and the Stuff there, some to research in the library, etc.?"
[D&D] Onyx says, "Splitting up is fine. Barbarians are poor researchers, since most of us are illiterate, including yours truly."
[D&D] Fincul asks (of GM), "Does Kaylee double that?"
[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "yeah, but you can't really do anything for the day she's treating you"
[D&D] GM says, "(and she can't treat herself)"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Mmm. And we might want to spend tomorrow back under the lake again."
[D&D] Arly nods.
[D&D] GM says, "there's not necessarily a rush to get back there, although there is the possibility of, say, someone finding the place"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hmm. Possibly some of us should research Lionhead, too."
[D&D] Fincul says, "I imagine, being a deity, he's probably not listed in the mage guild's Who's Who."
[D&D] GM says, "well, the mage's guild library has books on a variety of subjects, including history, but it's true it's stronger on the arcane"
[D&D] Onyx says, "More likely the temple.  Onyx can't read, but she can chat with the clergy just fine. Maybe she'll drop by the local temple."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "We have three options that I see:"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "wait an entire day so we can heal naturally or let me cast"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "my healing spells and then study more again."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Use up a bunch of potions"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Or don't heal, cause we're only down a couple of points anyway."
[D&D] Skalheth asks, "Pick one.  How important is it to you to get back in there tomorrow?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "To me, that depends on what we find out."
[D&D] Fincul says, "If it's a big nasty that we want to slay, we want to be healed."
[D&D] Fincul says, "If it's Lionhead, and he's a Good deity, we're probably fine without it."
[D&D] Kaylee asks (of Skal), "Oh, you have healing spells?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Heck, if that's the case, he might give us divine healing just to say 'thanks for letting me out'."
[D&D] Arly says, "Healing would be best, I think."
[D&D] Arly says, "Better safe than sorry, as they say where I come from."
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Well, whatever.  I'm bored with the discussion."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Yeah, I think we're done."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Tune in next week for research results."
[D&D] Fincul says (to Skalheth), "You're the one who ...."
GM says, "ok, so some folks head to the mage's guild, some to the temple, and some to the bar"
GM says, "or to your rooms"
[D&D] Skalheth exclaims (at Fincul), "I was saying, `Here!  Let me heal you!`  And apparently there's debate about the issue, so I guess I won't!"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hee."
[D&D] Fincul asks, "So, are we ending here?"
[D&D] Kaylee says (to Skal), "I thought you had to use potions."
[D&D] GM says (to Skalheth), "well, you guys don't have time to go back today, so if you have spells, you can use them now"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "Why does this keep happening?  Hello!  I have healing spells!  Got potions over here!  Want healing?  <dead silence>  Ok, I can fully heal you all if you give me a day!  <I dunno, maybe we should heal if we want to be back under the lake tomorrow.>"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I have no spells memorized.  As I've said three times now, I can memorize them and cast them tomorrow, and then restock on combat spells the next day."
[D&D] GM says, "ok, that's what I thought"
[D&D] Skalheth says, "I also have a bunch of potions if you want to be healed now now right now immediately."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "Right."
[D&D] Kaylee says, "There's no rush; let's find out what research tells us, and plan accordingly."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Yeah."
GM says, "actually, the research results are short enough that I can give them now"
(From Skalheth) GM says, "You find nothign."
Arly says (to Skalheth), "Yay."
GM says, "Onyx's discussion at the temple suggests that the lion-headed deity is an old one, worshipped by people who pushed out the borders of civilized lands"
GM says, "adventurers, travelers, guards, and the like"
Arly says (to Skalheth), "I was going to @emit something along the lines of, 'Monkeys are funny,' but yours is better."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Hence the sanctuary for travellers."
GM says, "he was popular in this area in Mor's End's early days but has since faded, although there are probably still some worshippers"
[D&D] zarf has joined the channel.
GM says, "he seems like he was a good guy and led his followers to fight against evil that lurks in dark places"
Arly says, "Thank goodness we didn't anger an evil God."
GM says, "meanwhile, the sigil is an old one, with bits that haven't been seen for centuries"
GM says, "it's the sort of warding put on a tomb or other resting-place when there was the worry that something evil could emerge"
GM says, "the bronze, especially, suggests some age"
GM asks, "was there anything else or more details you guys wanted to look for?"
GM says, "/ask about"
Skalheth asks, "Is there anything to support Fincul's idea that the cavern we were in was still outside the ward?"
Kaylee asks, "Yeah--which side of the door was supposed to be the tomb?"
GM says, "well, the cavern didn't look much like a tomb"
Skalheth asks, "Any stories of Lionhead meeting and entombing a big nasty?  Anything to suggest the closeness of tomb and temple isn't a coincidence?"
Fincul asks, "I assume this particular door and/or the area under the lake weren't mentioned specifically in the history books, right?"
GM says, "the people who made these kind of sigils would have had something much more decorated"
Skalheth asks, "Huh.  So was that a guardian beast that got out, then?"
GM says (to Fincul), "not that you found, although if you're interested in shelling out for the fee to look at the advanced library, you might find more"
Fincul asks, "How much?"
Fincul will leave it up to everyone else whether or not we want to spend the money.
GM says (to Skalheth), "no -- there *are* some stories that the lion-headed deity (Raz) often had his sanctuaries with hiding-areas underneath"
GM says, "to be used in case of danger"
Onyx says, "Sure, spend the money."
GM says, "and that in far-away shrines there'd generally be some hints for how to access them if travellers stumbled across the shrine"
[D&D] Onyx says, "we've been on about 6 hours, and I for one am loosing feeling in my behind.  I say we break."
[D&D] GM says, "ok, I think we're good for now"
[D&D] Fincul says, "I'm fine with that."
GM says, "I'm not sure exactly what my schedule will be next week, let alone yours, but I'll check in mid-week or something and see what we can work out"
Skalheth asks, "So I think it's a coincidence that the Lionhead sanctuary ended up a short tunnel away from the tomb, and that the door has nothing to do with Lionhead.  Any takers?"
[D&D] Arly says, "Works for me."
[D&D] Onyx exclaims, "sounds good.  c-ya all next week, same bat channel!"
Arly says (to GM), "I'm going to be having the same problem."
[D&D] Onyx waves.
[D&D] GM says, "thanks for playing"
[D&D] Onyx exclaims, "'twas fun!"
[D&D] (from Arly) GM says, "here are some lovely parting gifts"
[D&D] Skalheth exclaims, "See you!"
[D&D] Fincul asks, "Anything before I close the log?"
[D&D] Fincul says, "Also, nice dungeon crawl, of course."
[D&D] Fincul says, "Gotta remember to make sure I have enough spells that work on undead next time, though, just in case."
Onyx has disconnected.
Onyx goes home.