2 - 010: The Second Piece

[K Man]

OOC: Have we gained any HP since we drank the potions? And what about the ghoul fever?

{Sorry Jevva, I sometimes miss a few things with a dozen players. You have not gained any HP naturally yet, all gained HP would be from potions or leveling up. [You can roll your own HPs for leveling.] Let me know if you need to imbibe a potion.

As for the ghoul fever. Those inflicted now take 1 temp CON damage and 2 Temp DEX damage. I believe the inflicted were; Galdren and Sehanine. Anyone else?}
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Garor, Newt, Hero, Callian, Caelith and Angelus - Master Theld seems to grow impossibly more irrate. He stems his anger and calms himself before speaking again, addressing the strange man.



"I told you little annoying man...I didn't think anyone would want to steal machine components. We're very safe here and my research has never hurt anyone."

[Newt, Search Check] A very thorough and pain-staking search of the machine results in a strange find. Near the area of the mechanical juggernaut where Theld says the gears are missing from you see a few odd things. A spot of dried blood, light scratch marks and a few slivers of silver. You're not sure what these have to do with anything, but whomever stole these objects seems like quiet the amatuer with leaving so many clues behind.

Master Theld addresses the Paladin.



"There have been no attempts to locate the parts magically. In times such as these, wizards and clerics are hard to come by as they are often summoned to the front lines to serve with Sturmguard."

"That's why I pride myself on being an alchemist and designing this machine. Sturmguard has deemed it so important that I am to finish it here rather than being sent to the front lines or crafting potion after potion."

"I was going to tell it was done after a few more tests."

"I first noticed the pieces were missing in the morning, before I tried to test it again. The pieces must have been taken in the night. I was very tired and slept quite soundly."

Caelith, you examination of the material results in little beyond your first guesses. The cloth is simple, not notable or special in anyway..in fact it is smudged slightly and dirty as though worn by a peasant. It is a common cotton material.

It smells faintly of...cooked meat?

Turning to Angelus, Theld huffs.



"Fine. Find the missing pieces so that I may get my machine working again and you'll have two spells as a reward."

"As for angering anyone. I keep to myself here. I don't bother anyone and no one bothers me."

Continuing your search around the complex, you wonder how much you can glean from Master Theld.
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Krysta, Girud and Galdren - {Remember, anyone touching the crystal gains a +4 to STR for one hour.}

Irinys stands at the ready, nodding approvingly.



"Excellent. We will guard the crystal. Go."

The elven prince motions with his hands and the elven warriors gently place the crystal on the ground, taking flanking positions around it. They draw their bows and look quite impressive as they maintain their stances.

Moving forward into the brush, Mordrock quietly whispers, drawing a stubbed and rusty dagger he managed to find.



"Mordrock will help."

You wonder precisely what Mordrock will do with such a sad weapon, none the less, you've got some revenge to fulfill.

You sneak to the edge of the brush, following Mordrock. He stop and leans down, pulling aside a small branch. He points with a grimy finger.



"There." Mordrock whispers.

There, just beyond the brush are the fifteen monsters Mordrock warned you about. The five goblins are gathered around a pit fire, eating something that smells horrible. The orcs are in three different groups; one group of three is sleeping soundly, another four are wrestling in an orcish game and the last three are eating around another pit fire.

Whatever they are doing, they are not aware of your presence.

{You are 15 ft. from the goblin fire, 15 ft. from the wrestling orcs and 30 ft. from the other two groups.}
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Yuri, Romar and Sehanine - Marg rubs his chin, his two companions going about the process of cleaning and packing the camp quickly.



"Yuri, Sehanine and Romar eh? Well met."

"This horse sounds important lad but I feel that I have grave news for ye. As we traveled here, we did see a man...cloaked and wrapped as though fearing the sun itself riding atop a steed of the undead."

"The horses flesh was rotted and ye could see straight to the bones in some parts. He was too far and moving to fast for us to stop him, but he was headed straight towards the swamps of DeathSpew."

Marg furls his brow, looking your trio over.

"I don't know why ye chase this horse with such a vengeance laddy, but ye best cut your losses. It's dead and in the hands of evil now...most mother don't chase their dead children with such fury."

Marg leans downs and grasps his pack, tossing it over his shoulder. He notices a few more things.



"However, I know about a man on a quest. King Grandil is a man on such a quest..."

"By the gods! This is a sign."

Marg drops his bag to the ground.

"We be headed to Bazarkrak Castle now lad, why don't you come with us? I think you will find King Grandil's advances in magicks and sciences to your liking...it may help you get your horse back. What do ye say?"

"If not, I understand and wish ye well. If ye need healing, we would be obliged to assist with that before we be on our way."

Marg waits for your choice.
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[sonnetinkinston]

I glance at Yuri's robes as another man is described. The connection is not a difficult one. And Romar is not going to be pleased.

Speaking to Romar, my suspicions hidden, I try to be comforting.

They speak with sense, Romar, much as it pains me to speak of it. And we are all in need of food and rest in reasonable safety. Why not accompany them for a night a least, hear their proposal? Perhaps Huna is not yet lost.

I speak in turn to the spokesmen for the dwarves, his jovial attitude contagious.

Any healing you could provide would indeed be appreciated, as you can see I'm not precisely in my best of health. I grin at the understatement of my own words. However, though I cannot speak for my companions, but I feel that a nights rest in your halls would cure me better than a healing spell. I would accompany you, if it pleases?

[Japic]

3 vs 15, ick. Ok even if mordrock is here, 3.5 vs 15.

If a potion is still available, I should probably take one, I'll need every HP I can get.

Stealth would be our best option.

KMan, the layout of the camp. Is it possible that we can sneak up on the three sleeping and CDG them without being seen?

If not then I suggest that I stomp the goblins and their fire. That should hurt them pretty bad. We can deal with the others after that.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Japic and KMAN, same sentiments. I say that we can shoot the sleeping orcs, since the others are wrestling, that would mask the arrow flight. A map would greatly help in a decision though. CDG the sleeping orcs would be the best option....

EDIT - I hand over a potion, and have 2 left afterwards....I guess I'll drink one and have one left for the other fighter to use if he wants.

Edit again - Does Mordrock still have the handaxe I gave him in the cave? If that's a better weapon, then he can use it, if not, oh well...

[K Man]

{Crude map time, Yeah!!!}

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rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrr................rrrr..........rrrrrrrrrrrr......rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
...o..o....................................o...o..............................ssss
......f...........................................................................ssss
......o....................................... o................................ssss
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....ggg.......................................oo.................................ss
......f..........................................oo..............................ssss
.....gg..........................................................................ssss
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..................................................................................ssss
ssssssssssssss.......ssssssss.......sss.............sssssss.......
sssssssssssssssMGKGsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

f = Fire
r = River
g = Goblin
o = Orc
s = Shrubbery
MGKG = The group.

Each line is 5ft.

Does Mordrock still have the handaxe I gave him in the cave? If that's a better weapon, then he can use it, if not, oh well...

Nope, Mordrock seems to have misplaced it. [Honest truth which will come into play later, the goblin is horrible at holding onto stuff.]

EDIT - I hand over a potion, and have 2 left afterwards....I guess I'll drink one and have one left for the other fighter to use if he wants.

{Potion Heal rolls = 7, 8 Use them if you want to.}

Ok even if mordrock is here, 3.5 vs 15.

{Dude, show 'The Rock' some respect. Still funny though. ;D}

[VemuKhaham]

Romar listens to the dwarve. As he describes what he saw, Romar's stomach churns, but he was not surprised; just infuriated. It might be strange, but Romar has felt no more pain since he swoar his oath, as if those feelings have been blocked out. He justs listens to his words with one thing weighing heaviest on his mind: his goal. First their seems to be no apparent reason, only the confirmation he is on the right track, but when the dwarve speaks of this king and what he might do, he realises that following the vampire blindly into deathspew swamps would be in vain. He will have to be patient, he knows that. Húna is still far away from him. Sehanine's words finally turn the scale:

"I will go with you, master dwarve, and follow you to Bazarkrak Castle, were I hope you're king will be able to aid me in my goal."

Then, suddenly, a streak of distrust rushes over Romar, feeling this is a critical decision in his goal, and a primitive feeling telling him he can only rely on himself in this quest makes him more or less spout the following words in the direction of the helpful dwarve:

"But you'd better not lure me into straying from my last clue!"

His narrowed eyes shoot fire ...totally unlike Romar...

[Hero]

"A strip of cloth that smells of cooked meat. ...

Slivers of silver. ...

Scratch marks. ....

A drop of blood. ....

The smell of cooked meat - could this thief be a butcher? A housewife?

Slivers of silver - maybe they used silverware or a silver candlestick to pry off the parts.

We should try looking for a commoner that works in a place with access to silver, so a maid in a nice home or a cook at a reasonably good inn.

Master Theld, are there any wealthy houses or fine inns in town?"

[TheUdjat]

Caelith frowns. After a moment or so of contemplation, he levels his gaze at the wizard again. "You mean to tell me that in light of such a monumental creation as this machine, you have not a single rival that you know of? Nobody that is perhaps jealous, or might have something to lose from this lightning fast travel? While I agree, nobody should want to steal it, there are those known to be selfish." He pauses. "And ofcourse, there are agents of the Master everywhere."

He paces to the others, holding out the green cloth. "It is unique in that it isn't, like much of this thief's works. Peasant material, I would say, with no further information. Cotton, dirty and smudged, smelling faintly of," he frowns at the uselessness of the information. "Cooked meat." A sigh, as he looks at the machine. "We are not dealing with an exceptionally good thief, I think. We might hope for exceptionally evident tracks, then, or other clues about town that somebody has done wrong."

He looks over his companions. "What do the rest of you think?"

Added in Edit:

He listens to and nods approvingly at Hero's suggestions. "That sound like a fair bet. Even a barmaid or waittress of some sort."

[Merovingian]

My guess is that who ever took the gears pried them out with something silver, a knife or fork or something. This seem odd though in that a thief would have used tools and definitely not silver, to soft. Also whoever did it hurt them selves while doing it. So whoever we are looking for will have a cut hand possibly not even know they bleed on the machine. Who ever it was they were sloppy very sloppy. If I were doing this job the old man wouldn’t have known things were gone tell he tried to turn it on. My thoughts are some one was hired to sabotage the machine but had no idea how to do it. We should look for some one pore and desperate. Maybe start with an innkeeper or cook or something like that.

[Hero]

Waiting for Master Theld's answer but...

"We should split up and look for a commoner with bandaged hand."

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri simply listens to the conversations being about, doing little and saying little at the moment. He is more concerned with his blood-lust. It is only a question of when and where it will overwhelm him. The thought is too much to bear. He cannot afford to have it occurr now....

He finally speeks up, softly....

As I have stated before, I will accompany you as well.

It may be a decision he will soon regret....

He turns to Romar, addressing his question:

That I will explain later, please do not press it further now....

[VemuKhaham]

For GeneralMHB:

You see, before I agree to travel with anyone else, I would first like to know more about those who decide to follow us in the shadows." and his eyes turn towards Yuri. "If you wish to travel with us, then you are more then welcome, but I see no reason why you wished to do so unnoticed. If not for Sehanine's warning I would have cut your throath. Can you please tell me what this is all about?"

Just a reminder of my previous post: If it was ingame you're intention to avoid answering, Romar will continue asking, until you react.

[glow=red,2,300]EDITED after Yuri:[/glow]
"You ask much trust of me, I would almost say to much. You have proven yourself in the past; I could not refuse you're support if you offer it to me. Maybe the safety of Bazarkrak Castle will indeed give us better opportunities to discuss such matters. As stated before, we should leave here by now."

That said, Romar makes one quick search, making sure the orcs had nothing of true value, and then prepares to leave.

---

Search +0

[GeneralMHB]

VemuKhaham said:

For GeneralMHB:
Just a reminder of my previous post: If it was ingame you're intention to avoid answering, Romar will continue asking, until you react.

Oops, forgot about that part.... Updated accordingly

[sonnetinkinston]

That's what I'm thinking, gentleman. We all have our tales to tell, but this is not the time or place. To the castle it is, then. The last is spoken to the dwarves.

[Wizard]

Callian pulls Hero aside.

"This is near foolishness! Even if we do find whatever parts this sorcerer needs, it could take days! Agents of the Master could be moving for the crystal right now! Let me ride---and ride now! Time is of the essence!"

[Japic]

In light of the map I suggest that we fire a volley of arrows into the wrestling orks, that way they and the orcs near the fire may mistake the pain for silly wrestling injuries. Once the goblins are aware I suggest stomping their campfire. I can wade into them and play cleanup. {Str of 24 with cleave and combat reflexes? I'm so gonna killify shit.}

Girud's bow does 1d8+2 damage and he shoots at a +4 ranged. If it will help the shot any he'll drop to a knee and take careful aim on the wrestlers before firing.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Japic - Ok, I guess we can go for the wrestling orcs. I would seriously prefer shooting the sleeping orcs one by one, as that should be some easy pickings. Once volleyed, I got the combat reflexes and two weapon fighting, so I am doubling up my attacks. "The Rock" is aparantly going to do whatever he wants, so go figure. Looks like with us three fighters, this might go well...HOPEFULLY!!! Also, we are in the dark, and they are in the light. Don't forget that. We might do well to stay hidden as long as possible. But if we are ready to fight, I say go for it.

If we are ready:

She will look down to Mordrock and say, "If you can get to the sleeping orcs, kill them quickly." Krysta will volley with the others, into the wrestling orcs if that is the mojority vote. (AttBon +7, 1d6dmg, x3) She will then let the half giant go stomping into the goblin location, while she charges the remaining wrestling orcs. If she can't charge and attack during the surprise round, then she will fire another arrow into the orcs, and then quickly grab her sword and mace.

OOC - Just wanting to get a few options, in case something pops up.

[Jevva]

Yeah, shooting the wrestling orcs hits them without their dex bonuses too, since they're grappling, not that they have it in the first place.

Galdren draws his swords silently, then waits for the other two to shoot their arrows at the orcs, then he'll charge the three orcs around the fire and attack the closest one with his katana.

d10+3, +8 plus cleave

[Hero]

Wizard said:

Callian pulls Hero aside.

"This is near foolishness! Even if we do find whatever parts this sorcerer needs, it could take days! Agents of the Master could be moving for the crystal right now! Let me ride---and ride now! Time is of the essence!"

"Brave Callian, I am your peer in this endeavor, not your commander. If you must ride now, then ride now. I too chafe at the thought of .... investigating while there is a war on. I too long to be in my saddle, leaving others to handle this matter. Indeed, the enemy's agents may be about to close in on our prize. But I think our thief was not very skillful. The parts we need to make this magical machine function may be very close at hand. I urge you to wait one day and if we have come no closer to finding these parts, then I will ride out with you. If we can make this machine function soon, we can all go on together. I think that possibility is worth one day, don't you?"