PrP: Codex Bifolium

Log Info

• Title: Codex Bifolium
• Emitter: Jinks
• Characters: Aisha Level 2, Garthos Level 3, Halani Level 2, Teppus Level 2, Zerridwyn Level 4
• NPCs: Codex
• Place: Alexandria - the Dragon's Den, the Old River Docks, and the Heap
• Time: May 2011
• Summary: The war golem Codex is in a bad way and requires the aid of adventurers in retrieving a lost piece of himself. He informs them that the lost part can be found at the Heap - a sort of dumping grounds for things people want lost. After a trip through the shadier parts of western Alexandria, the intrepid group comes in contact with mysterious members of a shadowy organization. Once matters are settled there, they dive into the Heap in search of the missing golem part. A horrible abomination of magic waits for its supper to arrive...
• APL: 3
• Encounter 1: the Tsuran (Expert 2, Rogue 2), Rgohn (Fighter 1, Ranger 3) and Tetran (Fighter 1, Ranger3), CR 5
• Encounter 2: young Cloaker, CR 4

Another posting for assistance at the Guild of Explorers. Another night (the first for some) of helping the war golem collect himself. Upon arriving at the Guild, however, Codex is nowhere to be found. A half-elf girl, reclining near the door and oiling beautifully crafted armor is minding the building at this late hour. Her braided hair is an autumnal red and any inquiries about the scheduled meeting have him directing you to the Dragon's Den in a bored, Sylvan-accented common tongue. The walk from the Guild to the Den is a relatively short one on this unnaturally dark evening. Human eyes are grateful for the street lamps and torches hanging from sconces. There's no moon out and the stars are in hiding as well. Still, business isn't slowed and there's the usual bustle throughout the western marketplace. Callers shout their wares, whores tease and flirt. Just another night west of the Highbridge. The Den is bright by comparison, with a popping hearth and a wealth of candles and torches burning. There are few patrons at this hour and most are at the bar, sullenly holding court with glasses tall and short, wide and narrow. The longtable near the hearth has been done up quite fancy-like; with a rich red cloth and a pair of matching candelabra. Pitchers and glasses wait along with plates of greasy, rich finger-foods. No expense was spared. And waiting at the head of the table is Codex, the battered, junker of a war golem. He glances at each new arrival eagerly, the chipped blue gems of his eyes catching the playful dance of firelight and reflecting it.

Zerridwyn's cheer has been renewed by the tourney of late and her demeanour is no different even as she strolls in to meet the golem. "Good day! Hey, we're doing the job for you, right? It sounds very exciting!" She's almost bouncing up and down on the spot. Eventually, the elf does stop sproinging and calms herself. "Ooh, what are we doing?"

Aisha is quite familiar with the Dragon's Den, as while she prefers Fernwood due to its better location, she does visit the Den reasonably often as well. The lack of light outside also does not hinder her at all so she has no problems finding the meeting location. She has met Codex before so it takes her only a moment to spot her once they get inside, walking over to the table and inclining her head slightly in greeting to him. "Good evening, we meet again." she offers to the construct.

"Hey there." Garth greets their haphazard employer with a cheery grin. A glance at the set up table has the burly man slightly puzzled. How harshly it stands out in the Den makes it even more mind-boggling. What, is the golem expecting a lady golem any minute now? He shakes it off. "The note said ya needed help. Whatcha need done?" Straight to the point, this one.

Teppus is here. At the moment, he's dressed down in casual, peasent's clothes. He runs a hand over his shorn scalp and then moves up towards the table. "The hell happened to you?" He asks the war golem in question, almost i8mmediately. Then he shakes his head, "Nevermind. I'm bound likely to hear the bloody story in a moment anyways." A pause, then he eyes the other. Especially the Shadow Elf with the symbol of Daeus. "The fuck?" he manages to sputter.

Zerridwyn is likewise wary of Aisha once she's in and this dawn elf notices her. She looks between Aisha and Teppus and back again, noticing the symbol as well. "You, and er. She's a. Um. So." Zerri frowns and rubs a hand over her face. She forces herself to brighten up. "I'm Zerridwyn! Zerridwyn Angosil, Eldritch Knight!" she adds an 'almost' under her breath.

The golem stands to meet you, rising smoothly from the chair and waving its arms out wide in welcome. The plates describing Codex's form are mismatched or missing; some a dull brass color, others a polished steel or the matte blue of an adamantine alloy. In places where the plates are missing the cogwork, manatubes and wires of artifice can be spied pistoning back and forth or spinning around. One hand is a wonderfully articulated and masterfully crafted gauntlet made to duplicate a human hand while the other is a wirey, skeletal series of pins, springs, and thin interior plates. "Gn... gn... gn... Well met, please sit and relax (ease, settle, be tranquil). It is good to see you all -- and you again." The construct's voice is a troubled thing, choked at times and then wonderfully melodious and expressive. It stutters with a muffled internal clicking or drops flat and without affect when spouting redundancies. "There is food (sustenance, vittles, chow, refreshment) to be consumed. Drink gn.. gn.. gn.. as well." There's a fantastic explosion of blue sparks from the side of its head that it doesn't seem to notice at all (a passing serving girl flinches and lifts a serving tray defensively) followed by a whispy trail of smoke that continues to issue for some time. It wears no clothing and seems to have no possessions other than a small satchel that sits on the table where a plate should be. His head swivels between everyone as they speak, like a bird might eye passing strangers below it.

You paged Aisha with 'If you're not entirely distracted by Teppus' outburst, you'll notice that Codex moves more like a young man and less like the broken geezer he has previously -- likely do to the retrieval of the last component.'

<OOC> Jinks says, "Ale, water and wine are available in the pitchers. There are chunks of greasy red meat, some slightly-aged vegetables, and a plate of little segmented bugs that might be a delicacy... somewhere."

Aisha takes a look around at the others gathered, seeing none of the same people that were in the previous expedition, she nevertheless gives a slight incline of her head in greeting to each one. "Good evening to each of you as well, I am sunguard Aisha, it is good to meet you all." she offers, her eyes especially looking at Teppus when she says that, to make it clear she didn't miss his outburst. Then she turns towards the table and lifts her hands up slightly in a short prayer. "The light of Eli has blessed our feast, please do have a seat and replenish your strength while our host tells us more of what he requires." she offers to all, and then does so herself, taking a seat and gathering some of the various foods to her plate, although skipping the bugs, along with a goblet of wine.

GAME: Aisha casts purify food and drink.

"You are exploding!" says Zerridwyn, pointing out the obvious. "That can't be good for you. I don't know anything about fixing golems so um. I can try finding some repair magic. I know of some spells that can help and I know where to get them." She notices some of the food and considers it. Daringly, the elf goes for those bugs and tries crunching one between her teeth. Always willing to try something new and... Zerri chews and swallows. "Oh! These are very... different. Where are they from?"

"Um. Pleased to meet cha too." Garth replies to Aisha, but there isn't total sincerity in his voice. Daeus' symbol carries some weight, but so does the hue of the woman's skin. "Name's Garth. Or Numbers. Whichever ya prefer." he introduces himself to those who do not yet know him. He leans on a chair, draping over the back of it rather than sitting. "Er, I'll pass." he says of the meal, eyeing the nearby bug-bowl warily. "Been eatin' entirely too much at the Tournament." he admits, a little more quietly. He doesn't wanna get fat!

"..gyah. The hell." Teppus' response is now geared towards Codex and his exploding head! He steps back from them adn then puts a hand to the back of his neck. "You look like you need help, golem. I've seen your kind badly hurt in Sendor before.. enough to know that sure as hell isn't normal, though not less normal than a shadow elf claiming to serve Daeus." He gives Aisha a once over, pointing at his eyes and then at her. He's WATCHING her. He wants her to know that.

Halani slips into the tavern, rubbing at her arms to try and take away the night's chill as her gaze surveys the room. It doesn't take too long to find what she came for... the battered war golem surrounded by those who made it here before her. Her nose wrinkles at the small tendril of smoke curling up from the side of his head.. then she shrugs and saunters on over to join the others. Hopefully she's not too late to hear what body part he needs retrived this time.

"My apologies." Codex states with a slow nod. It reaches for a napkin and lifts it in the clattering skeletal hand, calmly patting at the place indicated until the smoking has subsided. It twists in the chair to show you the place, the blackened scorchmark, then eases back into the chair. "Pieces of me are gn... gn... gn... missing (lost, unaccounted for, misplaced) and that is why you are here. As she has gn.. gn.. gn.. done." It indicates Aisha with the cloth. When Codex realizes it still holds the napkin, the construct sets it down on the table. It motions again at the food, considering Garthos longer than those that are eating. Finally, the smooth faceplate with 'eyes' set too far apart swivels back. "The other indicated that it spent gn... gn... gn... too much time in unpleasant (repulsive, gross, undesirable) places. I thought we would meet here." Halani arrives just as Codex speaks of her, the coincidence producing a chortling whirr-chunk of laughter from the construct. "It would be good to make my friends (comrades, fellows, colleagues) happy." Aisha has heard most of what the construct is explaining before too, so she stays silent, patiently waiting for it to get to the part of what exactly it is after this time while idly eating some pieces of food and sipping from her wine.

"Hello!" Zerridwyn waves cheerfully to the new arrival. She smiles broadly at Halani. "We're going to find parts of this golem for him!" The elf wiggles in her seat. "I've never helped put someone back together before. It's so new and different!" She pauses and looks at Codex. "Do you know a golem named Strike? She lost her head! Or, um. She lost her body and still has her head. She has another body now, a different one, and wants her old one back." Zerridwyn calms herself and trails off, "It's complicated..."

Garth eyes the not-quite-construct back, though his own eyes bear a bit of goodnatured pity for it. Poor thing is falling apart - literally in some cases. He flops down into the chair sideways, a motion that causes a cacophony of metal as all of his weaponry resettles, a muscle-bound arm draped over the back of the chair casually. He's listening, at least. Empathically. He also gives Zerridwyn a brief, puzzled glance. Elves. So weird.

Halani puts two fingers to her head, then flicks them outwards in a lazy salutation in response to Zerridwyn's greeting.. and by way of offering silent greeting to everyone else. "You aren't sending us to another trash heap, are you?" she asks of Codex.

With people eating and drinking now and the groundwork laid for the task at hand, Codex lifts the flap of its satchel and produces a roll of paper. Carefully, making very sure not to tear it with the needle-like fingers of one hand, the golem smooths the paper out on the table between the candlesticks. The ink on the page illustrates a schematic of sorts, a hinged piece of metal, set with what are most likely some multi-faceted, cut gems. Arrows and notations describe spinning of stones. There is not much text otherwise. The page appears to have been torn out of a book. He either didn't hear Halani's question, or he's making a point of ignoring it. "This is from my head." It tells Zerridwyn, 'this is' fuzzing together in an odd vibrating sound.

Aisha gets more interested when the schematic is laid out on the table, seems like the golem is getting to the point now. "I assume something is missing that we need to retrieve?" she inquires while looking down at the paper, trying to see if there is anything obvious showing at the paper that isn't present at the golems current state.

"...okay, then," says Teppus. He's definitely wary (very) and a little puzzled about all of this. This, you know, is his first time accepting any sort of contract. It sort of shows, given how confused he looks about all of this. It's pretty obvious this isn't at all what he was expecting. "I think he's missing parts of *himself*, elf," he tells Aisha.

"What's it do?" is the first question out of Garth's mouth at Codex, blurted almost immediatelly upon seeing the part and hearing the statement of where it's missing from. The man leans forward to peer at the schematic, trying to work out the stuff on it. He also gives the war golem's head a glance, as if attempting to pinpoint from which precise part of it the piece is missing. "Also, um, how big is this thing? I assume the picture ain't to scale." he adds.

"The last missing piece was hanging around some ugly brute's neck," Halani offers up, squinting a bit at Codex as if it was his fault. "How much worse could this one be?"

"It looks fancy," says Zerridwyn, "But I don't know anything about technology. I just do magic and swordplay and archery and acrobatics and... and... no. That's about it." She finishes listing her abilities and peers at the drawing again. To Halani's comment, the warrior-wizard adds, "Ooh. It would look nice as a necklace. Look at that fine gearwork and gems."

"This is from my head (skull, crown, pate)." Codex reaffirms, nodding at the picture. Apparently, the whole thing is missing. It holds the paper flat a little longer and then reverantly pushes it closer to those who would help him. Finally, it turns to look at Garth. "What does the gn... gn... gn... stuff in your head do?" It wonders quietly, the usually chipper voice dipping into melancholy. There's a subtle shrug to indicate that it cannot be more specific at this time. "There are... holes," both hands come up to hold its head, almost as if it means to remove the plating like one would a helmet. "Big gn... gn... gn... holes." "But you will help (assist, support)!" ... "... it is also in the gn.. gn.. gn.. Heap." It's a whisper, really, and said as fast as a war golem with a stutter can say things. Codex also turns to look at the fire, as if something very interesting is there. Something that isn't Halani.

"... the heap. Great." Halani lets out a rather drawn out sigh. She raises a finger, as if to point at Codex.. at his back rather... then pinches the bridge of her nose instead. "Well. At least we know the way! And hopefully Gruesome isn't guarding the door again."

Aisha reaches a hand up to rub her temple with two fingers as she hears what the golem is saying. "Heap again... I sure hope they haven't stepped up on security since the last time... as that giant was already rather difficult to handle." she notes with a glance between the others.

"The heap. What's this 'heap'?" says Teppus, eyeing the lot of them. "Is this some sort of mad engineer's junkyard or what not?" He looks back and forth.

"Not much, usually." Garth makes an obvious joke in reply to Codex, although the humor probably goes right over the war golem's probably quite literally mostly empty head. "Though if I were missin' it, I'd probably be a corpse. Still, I get your point." he says, nodding, and gives an amicable grin. "Well, no worries. We'll find it for ya." he assures the miserable creature. He, at least, seems happy to help.

Zerridwyn stands up abruptly, knocking over her chair. "We'll help! There is nothing nobler than aiding a fellow in putting his brain back together! Where's the heap? I'm ready to go get your parts." She looks back and lifts her chair back upright before someone complains about it lying tipped over on the floor.

Aisha gives a look over towards Teppus at his question. "It is sort of like that... except for the smugglers and the like instead of engineers." she offers to him. "Last time it was guarded by a big brute that we barely managed to subdue." she adds before standing up, finishing up her wine and apparently being ready to go.

Codex tries to ignore Halani's look but can't help peeking and meeting her gaze. A low rattle issues from the chest area. "Apologies." It states, waving at the food. "Eat (dine, sup, devour) and then go. You will be gn.. gn.. gn.. rewarded." It stands slowly and offers a remorseful bow, clapping a hand in gratitude on Garthos' shoulder. Its head cocks as if looking for some more words of consolation before it just shrugs and walks for the exit. Apparently, Aisha and Halani will be forced to describe the Heap.

So Teppus is *still* keeping an eye on Aisha because, well, Shadow Elf. And who can blame him for that? At any rate, he's eating. Cautiously. He is clearly not one to turn his nose up to any sort of food, though.

"Okay, so. Ya say you've been to this heap place?" Garth asks, turning his attention to Aisha and Halani, now, turning his chair to better face them with a screech of wood against wood that has him grit his teeth a little. "Before we head over, can ya tell us anythin' about it?"

"Is the brute still there?" Zerridwyn asks. "I have some different magics I can prepare. If there is anything specific you want, let me know and I'll see what I can do." She pulls her spellbook out from her pouch and flips through it. There aren't very many pages filled. "I normally set up to set things on fire, but that might not be a good idea if we want to save this thing intact."

Aisha offers a slight shrug to the others. "There isn't much to tell, we can discuss it along the way. It is basically a warehouse at the rivers edge, where all manner of stuff is dumped by smugglers and other people like that that they couldn't find a use to... including bodies, which is why it also tends to attract, sometimes dangerous, scavengers."

"It smells something awful, too," the islander woman feels the need to point out. Warn. Complain. Take your pick. "I don't know about the doorman," Halani adds. "We beat him up pretty good." She turns towards the door, eager to get this Heap business behind her.

"Don't think anything can beat that... whatsitsname room at the Enclave for sheer smell-based terror." Garth mutters, shuddering a bit at the memory. Oh the things he has smelled here in Alexandria! Wonderful things that made his organs twist into a pretzel! He hops to his feet, accompanied by that metallic clatter of his weapons and armor, and moves to follow Halani, who he assumes knows where to go.

The Heap really isn't the sort of place they talk about when you arrive at the docks, or the airstation, or the western gates. It's not the sort of thing that the bards sing about or get marked on maps. It's west of the Highbridge and south of the market district -- that means most people never see it. Or, at least, most people with two silver to rub together never do. The moon and stars are still hiding too far away to be seen when you leave the warmth of the Dragon's Den behind. The noise and bustle of the marketplace and red light districts fade quickly when you cross that main thoroughfare. The street lamps become fewer, further between, and more ill kept up to the point where the last is passed, bent slightly at the middle with its head covered in thick, greasy crude. There's no flame in that one at all. What few fires there are burn small in the recesses of the broken down buildings. Those houses that are well kept have high gates, guards, and thick shades drawn behind the windows to keep the light in and the sight of the slums out. Even those are lost before you reach the old docks, a district of forgotten warehouses and sagging piers. Halani and Aisha spot the familiar shape of the building in the distance but it's far too dark to determine whether or not the red splash of paint is there.

Zerridwyn strolls along with the party, hands in the pockets of her floofy wizard robe. Her myriad weapons sit strapped across her back and ready for quick access. "This place is pretty messy and stinky! Why doesn't someone come down here and clean it up? It needs a lot of cleaning."

<OOC> Jinks says, "You're still about a block away. Go ahead and do approach poses. Halani and Aisha can add anything they remember. If anyone wants to cast prepatory spells, feel free to do so. We aren't in any kind of initiative yet. If anyone would like to make a specific roll for anything let me know." <OOC> Jinks says, "Now would also be the time to let me know you're going into stealth mode if you've any intent."

Aisha knows the way quite well, as its not exactly the kind of place you forget too fast, she is paying close attention for any possible guards in place where the ogre used to be, her vision not being hampered any by the darkness. "It is that building just ahead." she informs simply to those who haven't been here before.

<OOC> Zerridwyn figures firing up mage armour is a safe bet around now. <OOC> Zerridwyn has three hours of it.

Halani is somewhat warier now than her last visit... she still remembers the Eyes. And the club. She points to the warehouse as Aisha speaks up. "Probably want to watch out.. we tried the friendly approach last time. Didn't work out so well. I don't think that anyone in there appreciates friendly."

<OOC> Jinks says, "Go ahead and cast it, Zerri. Guys, give me perception checks!" GAME: Garthos rolls Perception: (15)+4: 19 GAME: Aisha rolls perception: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Zerridwyn casts mage armor. GAME: Zerridwyn rolls perception: (8)+6: 14 <OOC> Jinks says, "Also. Is anyone sporting a torch, light spell, or the like? It was Dim previously, it is actually Dark tonight." <OOC> Zerridwyn has low light. GAME: Teppus rolls Perception: (13)+1: 14 GAME: Halani rolls perception: (16)+7: 23 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12 to Jinks GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+8: (11)+8: 19 to Jinks Jinks pages: PCs fail to notice the stealthed rangers due to urban (favored) terrain (+2 to StealtH) distance (-10 to perception) and being outside of the lightsource (-4 for bad conditions).

Stealth?

There is one thing that Teppus is not and that's pretty stealthy. He does his best not to draw too much attention to himself, buy hey, he's got a big long stick with long blade on top of it. He stands out.

<OOC> Garthos says, "If the wizard does not provide - and assumingly we're not going for the stealthy approach - I think Garth may bust out a sunrod unless the rest of the party tells him not to. Cause, well, human. BLIND ASS HUMAN. If the light level is full darkness, he and Teppus can't see their own hands."

On approach to the site, Zerridwyn starts casting a spell about herself, granting herself improved protection from whatever might jump out at them and try to tear them to bits. She totally neglects the fact that doing so requires uttering magical noises that might be overheard. Oh well! This warrior-wizard is at least acting fearless and exuberant. "Hey, do any of you have a good light? I can cast a spell if that will help."

<OOC> Jinks says, "Correct, Aisha is the only one who can see. The rest of you are functionally blind if you don't have a light source." <OOC> Jinks says, "Though, funny story, you can still make sight-based perception checks. Just at an additional -4 to other modifiers." <OOC> Garthos says, "Guess not, then. SUNROD HOOOOOO." GAME: Garthos used a Sunrod. <OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. Normal Light to 30' from Garthos. Dim to 60'. Zerri has normal to 60' and Dim to 120'." <OOC> Garthos says, "Since sunrods are basically glowsticks and won't burn my ass, I'll put it in my belt or something, somehow secure it handlessly, since I'm a 2h fighter and need mah hands free."

You're unmolested on your approach but there's no shaking that sense that hidden eyes are watching. Then, as you draw close enough to make out some shapes -- even beyond the glow of the sunrod -- all notice a figure standing by the door. Standing, the figure is cloaked and (thankfully) not giant-sized. It takes a few steps away from the door and draws back its hood, waiting patiently for the group to approach.

Aisha doesn't seem to have any input as to whether or not they should use a light, darkness doesn't bother her so she is largely indifferent on the subject. Spotting yet again a figure at the door she points towards it. "Seems there is a guardian again at the door... although a bit more normal sized than last time." she offers as they walk closer.

"Hello!" Zerridwyn announces. She strides forward and waves a hand. "We're here about the thing. Do you know about the thing? I don't even know what it's called but I assume you know. Is this where we are supposed to pick it up? Thanks for being around to help us out, by the way. It can't be great standing around in all this dark!"

"..." Teppus just sort of looks at Zerridwyn for a long moment. "...yeah. That's going to work." There is sarcasm dripping from him and he steps forward. "'Ello there. I'm Teppus. These are my friends. We're going to go by and you're gonna let us. We're here to fetch something that belongs to a golem. How's about you let us pass and we'll all be happy. Oh, by the way," he brings his pike up onto his shoulders, resting there with his arms hooked over it, "I'm a servant o' Serriel in good standing, capable o' delivering a righteous bloody beat down in her name if you force my hand. But I don't really wanna do that. So. Stand aside and we're golden, eh?"

For a moment the memory of Garrin striding forth to inquire about the giant's health super imposes itself on Zerridwyn striding forth in the here and now... she allows herself a small sigh, then skips ahead to catch up to the elf woman just in case this turns out to be a repeat event.

"Don't think a clandestine approach is gonna be terribly efficient at this point." mutters Garth. The light of the sunrod secured in his belt is probably painfully visible. He only twitches a LITTLE at Zerridwyn, but makes the approach all the same, alongside the rest of the group. He keeps glancing around, though - perhaps just a bit of paranoia, cause he doesn't seem to notice anything in the pitch darkness. And says nothing. The horror duo's already spoken.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. BUNCH O' ROLLS! Perception (again, now that you are within better lighting), Knowledge (Geography), and Knowledge (Religion)!" GAME: Zerridwyn rolls perception: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Aisha rolls perception: (10)+6: 16 GAME: Aisha rolls knowledge/religion: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Teppus rolls Perception: (12)+1: 13 GAME: Teppus rolls Knowledge/Religion: (1)+5: 6 GAME: Garthos rolls Perception: (11)+4: 15 GAME: Halani rolls perception: (9)+7: 16 Jinks pages: PCs fail to notice second ranger in low cover. Only Zerri notices ranger on roof. Religion DC 10 identifies Ceinara markings for Aisha, no PC succeeds at Religion DC 20 to identify additional marking details denoting Taara cult worship.

A full set of pearly white teeth reflect the glow of the sunrod and his deep, dark eyes are almost black under a curly mop of unruly hair. He's an attractive young man, fit and lean, and seems to wear no sort of armor and only a simple, clay jug hangs from a string tucked into his sash. He's bare-chested under the cloak and a colorful tattoo depicts a female shadow twirling in dance at the center of a burning flame. He holds up his empty hands, palm out, in a sign of peace. "Wait. Friends. Surely there is time to talk. You head into a dangerous place. We might not have opportunity once you go through that door."

You paged Aisha with 'The tattoo is likely a depiction of Ceinara.'

"Uh huh. Why do I have a feeling I'm not really going to like anything you have to say?" says Teppus, eyebrows lifting. He's definitely got this wary look on his face. "Out with it, then. Speak your piece and then let us pass."

You paged Zerridwyn with 'Beyond the strong glow of the sunrod -- and thanks to your sharp, elven eyes -- you are quite certain there is another cloaked figure crouched at the roof watching with a bow in hand. The bow is not nocked.'

Garth's arms fold. He's standing at Teppus' shoulder, now, seeming almost bodyguard-like in the pose. Big, burly, kinda scary man! But he still doesn't speak or make any hostile actions, content to let the Serrielite - or self-appointed Serrielite, at least! - guide the conversation along for the moment.

Aisha studies the man over for a few moments while the others speak. "Please do speak out your mind then, child of Vaire. What is it that you want to tell us?" she asks in quite a lot more pleasant tone as Garth, giving a friendly smile towards the stranger.

Zerridwyn looks around and scans the area, looking upward and spotting someone else here. She looks back at the man speaking and lets the other members of the party talk. She remains ready, however, in case things go bad. Subtly (at least, she tries to be subtle), she attempts to let the party to know there's someone up there with a little bump and gesture.

<OOC> Zerridwyn will try to make that a bluff to inform the party without giving the game away? GAME: Zerridwyn rolls bluff: (20)+1: 21 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (15)+11: 26

"Ah, thank you, miss. We are most grateful and would like to welcome you back to the Heap. You and your friend." The young man with olive-toned skin continues to smile as he bows first to Aisha and then again to Halani, deeply and formally. He rises slowly, careful to always keep his hands plainly visible. "We would also like to apologize..." he trails off, look at Zerridwyn, then up the direction she's indicating. He laughs, sheepishly. "Ignore him, please. We simply must be careful in this section of your wonderful city. He is of no threat to you." He turns back and re-establishes his warm smile. The sniper does not move. "But we will get to business. We see clearly that you are in a hurry; we must first apologize for our friend's behavior. Ogres are so... ill tempered." He turns his lip, as if mentioning the brute puts a foul taste in his mouth. "But we must ask that he is returned to us. He is one of our own in spite of his uncultured nature."

"Not entirely sure what ogre you're talking about," replies Teppus, "but he's nothing to do with why I'm here. you want him back, it's a matter for people who aren't me. I'm sure you understand. Oh, by the way, there's only two of you and there's a lot more of us. Oh, and by the way," he continues, "I don't entirely like your tone or what you're implying you'd like. This is probably a criminal enterprise of some kind so... you can shove right off." Oh dear gods. Paladins.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Anyone who would like a sense motive is welcome to it!" GAME: Zerridwyn rolls sense motive: (6)+2: 8 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28 <OOC> Jinks says, "There will b a -5 to this result because of unlikely circumstance." GAME: Aisha rolls sense motive: (17)+9: 26 GAME: Teppus rolls Sense Motive: (16)+5: 21 GAME: Garthos rolls Sense Motive: (11)+1: 12 GAME: Halani rolls sense motive: (20)+8: 28

Zerridwyn looks rather put out. "Oh, how'd you see that? I was being super subtle!" She pouts and scuffs the ground with a foot. "So um. Aren't ogres monsters? What do you want an ogre back for? They just fight and kill things and blow up Sendor. You don't want any ogres."

You paged Aisha with 'He's a convincing sort; he likely survives on a daily basis by convincing people whatever he wants them to believe... but you can sense there's a danger here. He isn't the friend he pretends to be... but you don't get the feeling he's eager for violence, either.' You paged Aisha with 'This might even remind you of conversations at home.'

You paged Halani with 'He's a convincing sort; he likely survives on a daily basis by convincing people whatever he wants them to believe... but you can sense there's a danger here. He isn't the friend he pretends to be... but you don't get the feeling he's eager for violence, either. (Sense Motive result wins by 5) Additionally, he seems to be quite confident in his safety in spite of the fact he's surrounded by armed sorts.'

Aisha listens intently on what the man is saying while also glancing up to the guy on the roof briefly, to acknowledge he is there, ignoring the weird elf for now as she focuses on the man they are talking with. "The ogre is not in our custody, last I heard he was locked up by the city guard, and we have no influence over them." she informs the man in reply. "However, our business here has nothing to do with you, we simply wish to retrieve a lost item from the Heap. So if you would be so kind as to let us pass, we will find what we are here for and then be on our way and neither of us has no nee to bother each other." she suggests.

"I'm not sure that we can return your.. friend to you.." Halani says, somewhat sourly. "Seeing as how he tried to kill us. I don't think the city watch will take kindly to us explaining to them it was all a big waste of their time." <OOC> Aisha wonders if I could roll diplomacy check or something? <OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha, would you like to attempt a Diplomacy check?" <OOC> Aisha says, "I will also use my domain power to get +2 to the roll" GAME: Aisha rolls diplomacy: (11)+7: 18 <OOC> Aisha says, "So 20 total" <OOC> Jinks says, "Alright." (Creature was indifferent, DC 18. Success to Friendly)

The young man listens to Aisha and nods, some familiarity sparking in his eyes. He steps forward, casually, and still with his hands in plain view. He states simply, speaking quietly now and almost entirely for the shadow elf's benfit. "We appreciate that you are not magistrates or judges -- to say who goes free and who is sent to the headsman. We were simply tasked in acquiring your word that you would speak to the Watch. Tell them that our friend was drunk, you made a mistake and do not wish to see this misunderstanding ruin his life. Our... organization would be satisfied." He pauses, briefly, and smiles then at Teppus. "There are more than two of us."

"I bet. But if they attack, your 'organization' won't be quick enough to save me from spearing your sorry ass to the wall first," says Teppus with this big old grin at the fellow. "Believe me, I seen worse ambushes back in Sendor. Now," he continues, "I don't know who or what this ogre was. But if you cooperate with us, I can put in a good word with the guardsman on your behalf," he means tell them all about them, "and yuo can carry about your highly illegal and treacherous business, since I've got other things on my mind. 'Course, since it is no doubt a highly illegal and treacherous business, I'm thinkin' you may be wanting to join your good friend in the Watch's care?"

<OOC> Jinks says, "Did you want to attempt an Intimidate, Teppus?" <OOC> Teppus says, "Sure!" GAME: Teppus rolls Intimidate: (5)+7: 12 <OOC> Aisha says, "Thats not going to intimidate a gnome. :p" <OOC> Jinks says, "It is not sufficient, sadly. Even if Garthos were to assist (which I was also going to suggest)."

Zerridwyn appears to have lost interest and wanders around amongst the party, looking out at the darkened areas. "I don't even know why we are talking about an ogre. We just want the golem-brainy thing. It goes ding when there's stuff." She puts her hands in her pockets again and turns around.

You paged (Aisha, Halani) with 'Ultimately, guys, he's asking for a promise to speak to the watch on Gutmunch's behalf. You could say 'yes' and then blow him off. Or you could agree and follow through. Teppus' attitude is testing his patience.'

Halani reaches her hand out, though she stops short of actually touching Teppus. One can never tell how someone might respond to that. She's warier now than she was, the sarcastic cynicism noticeably absent. "This isn't Sendor." She looks towards the smiling young man. "Look. I'll put in a word myself, okay? Even though they're likely to be none too pleased at us wasting their time. We just need to get in their to find something for a friend."

At this point, Garth is looking... really uncertain, actually. He hasn't a CLUE what's going on. No, really, he gets the basics, but he simply was not there on the first visit. He frowns a bit. He glances at Teppus, tenses. He's slowly realizing the other man is one of those religious types. THOSE. You know, them? Those. "Look, mate." he says, rubbing his face. "Whoever this ogre fellow is, that's your business, or least business for another time, yeah? We're here for somethin' completely different. Ya talk to the people who put your ogre in jail, and we'll go lookin' for the thing, yeah? Be a waste if this ends bad over a trinket." Shiny, shiny braintrinket.

Aisha is about to reply to the mans suggestion when the apparent paladin starts threatening the man, which makes her want to facepalm, but resists doing so anyway, has the man no idea of how such negotiations work? They are daily business! Or well, at least were where she grew up. Then fortunately Halani seems to talk with a bit more sense which makes her to relax some and she nods in agreement with her. "Yes, we will tell the watchmen that he was drunk and not thinking clearly." she offers, hoping that the overzealous man realizes to not blow things out of proportion.

Satisfied (and maybe a litle relieved) the young man cups a hand over his heart. "You are wise beyond your years -- as wise as you are beautiful. We are most grateful." He bows again, then reaches deliberately into a pocket to produce a key which he holds out. "The lock was changed since your misunderstanding with Gutmunch. There are many, many dangers inside so be on guard." He waits until someone takes the key and then turns to leave. "May the Dancer guide your every step." The bowman on the roof stands and waits until the Tsura boy is clear. A third figure, cloaked and replacing two glowing flasks of alchemist's fire in his belt pouches, stands from behind a shadowy crate and makes to leave as well. There's a disappointed slouch to his shoulders

"Thanks a lot! Byeeee!" Zerridwyn throws the man a cheery wave and accepts the key hastily. "So where's does this go?" she asks the rest of the party. "I'm itching for dangers. There's got to be something exciting in there!" The elf is almost bouncing on the spot again.

"Deep breaths." Garth asides to Zerridwyn, in an attempt to have her... calming herself a bit. Gods. Bouncy elf. "Okay then." he says, rubbing idly at his face as he watches the trio of men - one of which he never even noticed - depart with narrowed eyes. Sometimes, adventuring is overcomplicated!

"Yeah, sure, whatever," says Teppus with a roll of his eyes at the others before nodding towards the door. "Okay. Let's open 'er up and have ourselves a looksy." He points at his eyes and then points at the retreating cloaked figure in the distance, with the glowing flasks. He's totally doing the whole 'I see you' thing. Anyways, he's waiting.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Does anyone have Knowledge (Engineering)?" (offered for insight into what purpose this building served in he past) <OOC> Zerridwyn doesn't! <OOC> Teppus does not! <OOC> Garthos is totally uneducated.

Aisha offers a slight nod to the Ceinarian man, walking over to the door and taking the key from the weird elf with a look given towards her as if wondering if she is wrong in the head or something, then uses the key to open the lock and then gestures for the big burly guys to take the lead to inside the building. "Keep your guard up, there might well be something hungry inside that wont be too picky between carrion and fresh meat."

Halani lets her breath out slowly, then steps away from Teppus stand beside the door, waiting for one of the armoured folks to lead the way. "I feel heroic already.." she mutters.

Stepping into the Heap is disconcerting to say the least. The fresh air rushes past you into the place as if it were some great dragon of myth drawing in a massive breath. Stepping through the door you're met with a physical wall of musty warmth and the smell of rot and living things kept in an enclosed space. The inside, also, is massive in a way that induces vertigo. Visiting the building at night and viewing it from outside never allowed you to appreciate the sheer scope of it. It's the sort of place where massive battleships could have been built. The floor is wooden planking, rotted, and sporting enough holes that you will have to move slowly. The space immediately inside of the building is relatively free of debris but the glowrod extends far enough to reveal shallow piles of discarded clothing, junked tools, and food that has long since stopped being edible. Beyond that, the darkness closes in to obscure the far walls and the cieling -- even the source of faint splashing of water against posts.

"I'm all ready to go. Oh! Wait!" Zerridwyn stops and fusses with her spell component pouch for a second, pulling out talc and some powdered silver and rubbing them between her fingers while she incants. Her eyes take on a faint white blur over her irises and exude soft wisps of white fog. "I'm ready now."

GAME: Zerridwyn casts see invisibility. <OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. Search checks!" GAME: Zerridwyn rolls perception: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Teppus rolls perception: (12)+1: 13 GAME: Garthos rolls Perception: (14)+4: 18 GAME: Aisha rolls perception: (14)+6: 20 <OOC> Jinks says, "This first check covers a wonderful, fun filled hour of searching." GAME: Halani rolls perception: (12)+7: 19 <OOC> Jinks says, "Unless otherwise stated, the building is Dark. The roof is exceptionally high, and you are moving through Difficult Terrain." <OOC> Zerridwyn will get out her bow if it's hard to move around.

You paged (Garthos, Aisha, Halani) with 'Between the THREE of you, you manage to steer the group between piles and piles of garbage. The type of garbage varies impressively from the relatively benign to the opressivel repugnant. Finally, you seem to find an area of 'themed' garbage that might be the sort of techno-magic bits you're looking for.'

<OOC> Jinks says, "To be clear. Most of the place is unorganized and messy. The pile in question seems to be one of few exceptions. This is all to one side of the building as well, further away from the water (closer to the street)."

Aisha tries to more or less ignore the smells as she focuses on the task at hand, managing to eventually find an area that looks like it might have things like what they are looking for and motions the others over as well. "This looks like... golem parts section?" she offers with lack of better word to describe the junk

"I'm not sure what I was expecting... but... organization was pretty low on the list," Halani admits as a general themed layout starts to become vaguely apparent. She definitely prefers to avoid the more disgusting sections.

"Watch your step." Garth warns his associates as he navigates the piles and piles of, well, junk. All kinds of junk. Normal junk, weird junk, smelly junk, I-don't-wanna-know-what-that-was junk, hey-that-hat-might-still-be-wearable junk... In the end, though, he points a finger at a junkpile just in the reach of the light from the sunrod. "That looks like a good place to start, yeah." he offers. Yes, the same one Aisha pointed out.

"Balls, but it's dark in here," mutters Teppus, irritably, watching his step. He feels around at his feet with the tip of his bladed stick, poking around here and there to make sure he's not about to trip on something.

Eventually, Zerridwyn's aid to her vision fades and she can no longer see anything that might be invisible. She'll have to rely on regular old senses. "I can get another light if we need one. Hmm. I haven't found anything that looks like the thing," she says, rooting around in the piles. Out of caution, the elf does get her bow ready and holds it in one hand.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. Everyone go ahead and roll Initiative for me. Also, give me one more Perception check." GAME: Garthos rolls Perception: (9)+4: 13 GAME: Zerridwyn rolls perception: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Aisha rolls perception: (3)+6: 9 You roll initiative for Mystery Guest: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 9 = Total: 28 GAME: Halani rolls perception: (13)+7: 20 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+16: (11)+16: 27 (Disguise check for Young Cloaker) GAME: Teppus rolls Perception: (3)+1: 4 <OOC> Zerridwyn has the diviner ability to act in the surprise round even if unaware, if this is a surprise round.

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------            
 28                  Mystery
----------------------------------------        
 20                  Aisha
----------------------------------------  
 18                  Halani
----------------------------------------         
 9                   Garthos
----------------------------------------  
 7                   Zerridwyn
---------------------------------------- 
 6                   Teppus
----------------------------------------                
============================== 

<OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus and Halani are at the pile. Zerri and Aisha are 10' away. Garth is watching the rear at about 15'?""

The humid, stinking air is competing with cool air coming off softly splashing water not very far away. It's a mild reprieve but in these conditions anything of the sort is worth thanking the gods for. This pile is exceptional when compared to the others as it seems to contain bits tossed away by artificers, broken and forsaken golems... even dead and forgotten warforged. Perhaps the custodians of this place keep these seperate should anyone ever need to come looking for spare parts. There are also signs of other equipment; tattered backpacks, rusted swords and shields, a broken staff. Maybe... even something glowing near the bottom? As the pile is sifted, things are pulled aside, tossed away, or shifted roughly with a boot. As Teppus moves to attempt another angle of attack (his progress blocked by a massive, immovable spiked ball), he's pulling at a cloak when its leathery feel makes the hackles on the back of his neck rise. Then it starts to moan.

<OOC> Jinks says, "I need Will saves :D" GAME: Aisha rolls will: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Zerridwyn rolls will: (10)+3: 13 GAME: Garthos rolls Will: (5)+4: 9 <OOC> Garthos says, "If it's Fear, add +3 to my roll." GAME: Halani rolls will: (8)+6: 14 GAME: Teppus rolls Will: (1)+3: 4 <OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. Everyone is Panicked. A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can't take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature cowers and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape." <OOC> Jinks says, "This is still difficult terain. Zerridwyn, you get to act in the surprise round. You run awy."

Whatever it is, Zerridwyn's divination lets her see this coming first. She looks into the future and... "AAAAAAAAAH!" Before anything has come into sight, the elf drops her bow and screams, fleeing in terror. She clambers over the rugged, junky terrain as fast as she can go, away from what her foresight has shown her.

<OOC> Jinks says, "The monster moans, Zerri also acts in the surprise round and runs away (feel free to pose). First round of normal initiative, the monster will attack Teppus (who is yet to have a chance to move)." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (11)+11: 22 <OOC> Jinks says, "... I'm guessing your CMD isn't higher than a 22, Teppus?" <OOC> Teppus says, "It is not." <OOC> Jinks says, "You are (engulfed)." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+9: (1)+9: 10 <OOC> Jinks says, "YAY! It misses."

It's horrifying, really. The massive, leathery thing Teppus thought was a cloak flips over. The other side is lighter but two murderous eyes flip open and its fleshy pucker of a mouth sports dozens of yellowed fangs. Its scream is is the sound of children being crushed slowly and horrible flapping ensues as it lunges up and envelops Teppus in a violent embrace. He can feel that drooling, toothed sphincter gnashing close, so close, to his face and shoulder.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha, Halani, Garthos, and Zerri pose running away." <OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus goes foetal."

"WAAAH!"

The staff-stick-bladed-thingy hits the ground as Teppus tries to get away and then OH GODS IT HAS HIM. Sweet Serriel, deliver me from horrilbe things! That's what his expression says. And he is TRYING to get away. Desperately.

Zerridwyn keeps going, flailing her arms and scrambling over the junk and rubble. She makes plenty of distance, leaving her bow lying down there on the ground. After fleeing for a while, the elf eventually comes around and stops, resting hands on knees and panting. She looks at her hands, looks back and sees where she left the weapon. "Uh oh."

Aisha blinks as she sees the jumpy elf girl suddenly scream and drop her bow and start running away, then she hears that sound which makes her shiver and shriek out and starts running away from the... whatever it is, over the assorted junk as fast as possible.

Garth's never been so scared in his life. EVER. The normally brave man screams, then turns tail and runs, scrambling awkwardly over the junk with his hands over his ears, trying to escape the noise. THE NOISE. But it's not something that goes through just the ears.

Whatever that sound is, it's the most awful, horrifying thing she's ever heard. And when the creature rises from the pile... it's a nightmare come to life. Halani screams, then turns about and starts trying to get AWAY.

<OOC> Jinks says, "It is trying to lovekisssmooch Teppus again." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14 <OOC> Teppus says, "My AC is 17 normally." <OOC> Teppus says, "Er, 18."

The horrible abortion of magic and nature continues to cling to Teppus, gnashing and snarling and chomping. He manages to fend off the slapping, sucking maw somehow but it only seems to be a matter of time...

<OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha, Halani, Garthos run." <OOC> Jinks says, "After their poses, Zerri will act normally." <OOC> Zerridwyn says, "If I come back, will I be in range to cast a spell on Teppus?" <OOC> Jinks says, "You will be 55' away with a single move." <OOC> Jinks says, "The piles aren't insanely high. I'll argue that you can see him."

Garth keeps running like a headless chicken, not looking back. He falls over his own feet and the junk several times, scrambling to his feet and continuing his pathetic attempt to flee the horror from beyond! Or at least its horrible screeching.

<OOC> Jinks says, "It will be dim light, though, as Garthos has run away." <OOC> Zerridwyn will move up once and cast magic missile at it. GAME: Zerridwyn casts magic missile. GAME: Zerridwyn rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7 <OOC> Jinks says, "4 damage to the monster, 3 to Teppus." <OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus, someone is PUNCHING YOU!" <OOC> Zerridwyn says, "Ack. It splits the damage? D:" <OOC> Zerridwyn says, "Is this fact visible to me?" <OOC> Jinks says, "Roll Perception?" GAME: Zerridwyn rolls perception: (9)+6: 15 <OOC> Jinks says, "Sure."

Aisha likewise continues running away from that infernal moaning as fast as she can, which due to the various junk in the way isn't that fast. For the moment not concerned with anything else but just getting away.

GAME: Jinks damaged Teppus for 3 points. 16 remaining.

Halani keeps running. All thoughts of how she shouldn't be, how she should be sticking close to the others, seem to evaporate before they even have a chance to form.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Alright, pose Zerri. Teppus, last round of Panickness." <OOC> Teppus says, "Can I try to escape while paniced?" <OOC> Jinks says, "Sure. -2 to your rol." GAME: Teppus rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18 <OOC> Jinks says, "It does not succeed :("

Zerridwyn mutters to herself and trudges back through the junk and rubble. She can see the thing over there and draws out her curved, two-handed blade as she goes. Uttering arcane syllables, she invokes a spell and sends a pair of red-white streaks of light toward the aberrant thing. The impact into it... and Teppus inside it. "I'm sorry!" Zerri calls out. To everyone else, she shouts, "Look out! If you hurt it you might injure him!"

Teppus, of course, panics like only a good paladin can. Wait, that's not right. At any rate, he's screaming and trying to peel himself away from this thing without much success.

<OOC> Jinks says, "It bites at Teppus again, with aproper bonus this time." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (2)+11: 13 <OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha, You started 70' away." <OOC> Jinks says, "Do you still want to double move?" <OOC> Jinks says, "That'd put you 40' away." <OOC> Aisha says, "Yes I will do that still"

Gnashing, snarling, buffeting. It's an entirely unwholesome experience for Teppus but the monster can't quite seem to sink his teeth into the young paladin.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Halani, you are 60' away."

Aisha blinks a few times and shakes her head as she clears off whatever it was that had her behaving so irrationally, frowning as she starts wading back through the junk towards where that whatever it is is trying to eat Teppus, drawing her sword while doing so, just in case.

<OOC> Halani says, "Alright, well, I start heading back as fast as I can." <OOC> Aisha says, "Drawing my sword also as free action part of the move" <OOC> Jinks says, "You are 30' away, Halani." <OOC> Jinks says, "Garth, you are 75' away." <OOC> Garthos says, "Do you have to ask? Double-move back towards my trapped companion!" <OOC> Jinks says, "Hoorah! You are 45' away." <OOC> Zerridwyn will use arcane bond to cast grease on Teppus' armour, if that's doable. <OOC> Zerridwyn has a 30 foot range, so will go another 15 and be close enough. <OOC> Jinks says, "You can. That will grant a +10 bonus to Teppus' escape attempts."

Garth... stops. Finally. The pseudo-magical effect lifts from his mind. "... Waitaminute. The fuck am I doing?!" Embarassed, and now far more realistically scared for the safety of his companions, the man turns and begins making his slow way back, kicking junk out of his way and leaping over it. He makes slow progress. His panicked run took him way far.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus!" <OOC> Jinks says, "You are no longer a scaredicat."

Zerridwyn moves up over more piles of stuff, not making great time with so much impediment. Eventually, she's near enough to affect the creature and casts another spell. She pulls out a small vial of substance from her components pouch and the droplets within float out and hover in the air while she concludes the spell. The droplets zip through the air at lightning speed and splat onto Teppus. They spread, red in colour until engulfing his form with slippery slickness. The red slime over him looks like... could it be... it is! STRAWBERRY JAM

<OOC> Teppus says, "I attempt to free myself!" GAME: Teppus rolls 1d20+16: (15)+16: 31

Halani skids to a stop, the effects of the creature's shriek wearing off. She gives her head a small shake... memory of being panicked is still there, but for the life of her she can't figure out /why/ she was that scared. Then she remembers that the others are still here, that one of them didn't get away.. so she turns about and starts moving as swiftly as she can manage.

<OOC> Jinks says, "You escape its hold. It is adjacent to you. You have a move action but anything more than a 5' back will provkoe an AoO." <OOC> Jinks says, "Actually, you can't 5' because of difficlt terrain." <OOC> Jinks says, "Durp. So are you just standing there or drawing the attack?" <OOC> Teppus says, "Grabbing my guisarme, if I can." <OOC> Teppus says, "That's fine. I'll eat the AOO :)" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13 <OOC> Jinks says, "It snaps at you but fails to bite again." <OOC> Jinks says, "Take an AoO, Teppus, as it flies up." GAME: Teppus rolls 1d20+7: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Teppus rolls 2d4+6: (3)+6: 9 <OOC> Jinks says, "A hit! A most palpable hit!"

"..ganuh!"

Teppus is finally free of the thing thanks to Zerridwyn's (awful) magics. He slides free of it, grabs at his polearm, then turns as it flies upwards and catches it with the bladed end, allowing the things own momenetum to do most of the cutting -for- him.

Snarling in frustration, the leathery, animated cloak-monster buffets Teppus again as it surges up into the air. A little scream escapes as it disapears into the shadows above and then echoing, eldritch snarls issue.

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4 <OOC> Jinks says, "The monster disappears into the darkness. Zerri and Aisha can still see it. Paging addendum. Then it will be Aisha's action."

You paged (Aisha, Zerridwyn) with 'Escaping the limits of the sunrod's glow, the leathery ray-like monster spins and cavorts in the air... seeming to split into five exact duplicates!'

You paged Aisha with 'It growls complaint in Undercommon, "Filthy food is fighting. Filthy food will stop and die." It does not settle your nerves, knowing that this... thin can speak.'

<OOC> Aisha says, "I will move another 15 feet closer to the others, and cast bless, will also speak some." <OOC> Zerridwyn says, "May I roll spellcraft?" <OOC> Jinks says, "Go ahead, Zerri." GAME: Zerridwyn rolls spellcraft: (17)+9: 26 You paged Zerridwyn with 'It was mirror image!'

<OOC> Jinks says, "Halani, you're up."

Aisha continues wading through the junk, starting to get close to the others again, which is when she lifts her arms up to a prayer. "Fear not the dark, for the light will prevail, do not let your courage falter for the light of Eli is with us." her words seeming to also carry weight as the others can feel their spirits rising, then she looks up to the shadows and adds in more normal tone. "It split up to several duplicates." then adds something more in a louder voice, and in a strange language.

<OOC> Jinks says, "You can doublemove and be shoulder-to-shoulder with Teppus." <OOC> Halani will do so

Aisha pages: Adding in undercommon up to the creature. "Pick your food more carefully, cease your attacks and leave us alone or you will be destroyed!"

GAME: Aisha casts bless. <OOC> Jinks says, "Garthos!"

Halani finally returns! Just in time to see the creature fly off. She slows to a stop at Teppus's side, eyes fixed on the shadows where the monster disappeared. "Anyone know what that thing is?" Yes, let's just forget how she ran off like a little girl.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Doublemove puts you at 15' from Teppus." <OOC> Garthos says, "Which is why I'll now do one move, draw my sword, and ready an action to attack it if and only if it attacks me. And bellow up at it I can't understand it. In Common. :(" <OOC> Jinks says, "Zerri, it's you. It's about 75' away from you... hypotenuse-ly?" <OOC> Zerridwyn says, "Stop being far away, creature!" <OOC> Zerridwyn should be within 15 feet of her bow, right? <OOC> Jinks says, "That sounds correct, yes."

Garth slows when he comes in sight of the group, moving more cautiously towards them and holding his weapon in hands. He's a little puzzled, looking around. "Um. I'm sorry, we don't speak Monster!" he bellows into the darkness in the general direction of the unseen roof. "Ya speak Common, maybe? Common? Goblin? No?" Nuh-uh.

<OOC> Zerridwyn will trudge over and stand over her bow. <OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus! It is 60' above you. Now that Garth is closer, the creature can be seen in the Dim illumination part of the sunrod's light." <OOC> Jinks says, "If -anyone- has Know (Dungeoneering) they may roll it!"

Once the thing has flown off, Zerridwyn puts the large sword back in the hook on her back, then clambers over the rubble to her bow. The elf calls out on the way, "It cast mirror image! You need to hit it with lots of shots to destroy the false images!" Almost there, she stoops down, about to pick it up.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Would you like to move closer to anyone? Ready an action?" <OOC> Teppus will be readying an action, yeah. <OOC> Teppus says, "If it comes after me or within my reach, I will do so. Stay close to Garth since he's already by me."

"..hey! Come back down here!" Teppus yells at it, ineffectually. He glares at it. Quite a bit. "The hell IS that thing?"

<OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. Well. It's done with Teppus. Another creature already left its mark. It's charging Zerri. I will say that Garth threatens but the monster is entering the space above her and not moving enough to provoke an AoO." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+9: (8)+9: 17 <OOC> Zerridwyn has mage armour. AC 18 currently.

The monster seems to flinch when the dim light hits it, hissing and spouting obscenities. It twists in the air like a flock of horrible pale-bellied crows and then swoops down towards Garthos and Zerridwyn. That horrible mouth snaps at the spell-flinging elf but doesn't manage to do anything -- except for maybe startle her.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha! 10' away from the monster." <OOC> Aisha says, "Ah well, will turn my swordwhip to the reach weapon form and try to hit it, not likely to hit but maybe get lucky and manage to get rid of one image" GAME: Aisha rolls 1d20: (20): 20 GAME: Aisha rolls 1d20: (1): 1 <OOC> Aisha says, "no crit. :p" <OOC> Jinks says, "Alright. a 1 is the monster, 2-5 hits an image." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d5: (1): 1 <OOC> Jinks says, "You hit the monster, roll damage." GAME: Aisha rolls 1d6+1: (6)+1: 7 <OOC> Jinks says, "Halani, you are 15' away." <OOC> Halani says, "15' away ground-wise, or is it out of reach?" <OOC> Jinks says, "It's above Zerri. For reach purposes, 15' puts you adjacent to her, which means you threaten the square above her, too." <OOC> Halani will move to attack it, then. Try to get its attention.

Aisha shakes her head as the creature apparently isn't listening to reason, she swings her apparent short sword back, which surprisingly enough causes it to extend and turn to what is pretty much a bladed whip, which she then lashes towards one of the creatures at random, managing surprisingly enough to hit the real one, cutting a gash across its side with a resounding *CRACK* of the whip. (You were warned.) she states to it in undercommon.

<OOC> Halani will go for a stunning fist. <OOC> Jinks says, "OK!" GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11 <OOC> Halani says, "and miss!" <OOC> Jinks says, "OK, pose it." <OOC> Jinks says, "Garthos!" <OOC> Jinks says, "You are close enough to move in and attack." <OOC> Garthos says, "I attack it! Probably miss on Mirror Images, but hey. :P" <OOC> Garthos says, "PA up and all that lovely stuff." <OOC> Jinks says, "OK!" <OOC> Jinks says, "Roll to hit." GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+3+4+1+1+1: (3)+3+4+1+1+1: 13 <OOC> Jinks shakes a fist. You miss. :( <OOC> Jinks says, "Zerri, you are surrounded by friends with a monster above your head. Action?"

Halani darts towards Zerridwyn and Garthos, aiming a jumping high kick at the leathery cloak like monster. It easily evades her, however... it's hard to aim a solid kick at something when you don't know which part of it is solid.

<OOC> Zerridwyn will pull out her sword again and sword it. <OOC> Jinks says, "OK. Roll it." GAME: Zerridwyn rolls weapon5+1: (5)+6+1: 12 <OOC> Jinks says, "Miss." <OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus, you are close enough to move and reach-stab it." <OOC> Teppus do so! GAME: Teppus rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

Zerridwyn is bending down to pick up her bow when the thing flaps right overhead. "Aaah!" she squeals, standing up and again and re-drawing the sword. The warrior-wizard swings her blade up but does so too hastily and out of surprise, failing to strike the creature or any of its images.

The creature attacks! The time for trying to be nice is done for Garth, and he moves up to Zerridwyn. "Don't move." he tells her as he swings his sword over her head and at the creature! But the critter is quite dodgy. It tucks itself in, the blade missing every single copy of it as it swishes by. "... Dammit."

GAME: Teppus rolls 2d4+6: (4)+6: 10 <OOC> Jinks says, "1 hits it, 2-5 an image." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d5: (5): 5 <OOC> Jinks says, "Poof!" <OOC> Jinks says, "it will attempt to grapple Zerri now."

And now there are multiple creatures.

Teppus looks rather stricken for a moment until one of the creatures poofs when its struck. The idea that there were multipls was, well.. pretty worrisome to him! Now that it's close enough, though, he darts forward ands ticks the bladed end of his stick right in the back of one of them. It goes 'poof' as well. There's some colorful swearing.

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17 <OOC> Jinks says, "Against your CMD, Zerri." <OOC> Zerridwyn says, "CMD 19"

Spittle flies, tails whip and wings flap. The many images of the cloaker continue to writhe overhead. Another lunge is made at Zerridwyn but its unable to establish a hold.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha!" <OOC> Aisha says, "I guess will attack it again with the whip" <OOC> Aisha says, "moving to flank first though" <OOC> Aisha says, "With whoever is closest to get flanking with" <OOC> Jinks says, "That's fine. You and Teppus can flank with your reach weapons." GAME: Aisha rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18 <OOC> Jinks says, "You poof an image." <OOC> Jinks says, "Halani!"

Aisha moves around the junk to get within advantageous position and swings her whip again, this time not managing to hit the real one, but at least the whip lashes through one more of the copies, dissipating it, which was really what she is mainly trying to do so the others who are more trained in melee can find the real beast.

<OOC> Halani will... flurry! <OOC> Jinks says, "Roll it." GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12 <OOC> Jinks says, "Both miss." <OOC> Jinks says, "Garthos the Burninator." <OOC> Garthos says, "I'm failing to burninate any damn thing. Can I flankz with anyone?" <OOC> Jinks says, "I'll say you can move into a flanking position but you would provoke an AoO since you cannot 5'." <OOC> Garthos says, "Ah yes. Sod that. I attack!" <OOC> Jinks says, "Do eet." GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+3+4+1+1+1: (1)+3+4+1+1+1: 11

Halani takes a second to try and center herself... trying to get a hold on which one is the real creature. She lashes up at one, then strikes her foot out at another.. and never finds out if they were the actual monster or not as the images seem to mock her.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Zerri!" <OOC> Zerridwyn stab! GAME: Zerridwyn rolls weapon5+1: (16)+6+1: 23 <OOC> Jinks says, "1 is monster, 2-3 is image." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d3: (1): 1 <OOC> Jinks says, "Damage!" GAME: Zerridwyn rolls 2d4+4: (3)+4: 7 <OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus, you're flanking with Aisha."

Garth positions for a more precise attack. He widens his stance, he readies his blade! ... he slips on a rotten banana peel, faceplants the side of his own weapon and nearly gives Zerridwyn a very unwanted haircut. "Sorry!" USELESS.

<OOC> Teppus says, "Attack! :D" GAME: Teppus rolls 1d20+9: (13)+9: 22 <OOC> Jinks says, "1 is monster, 2-3 is image." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d3: (2): 2 <OOC> Jinks says, "Poof!"

Zerridwyn complains and flails at the beating flaps of the monster, and at the close shave with Garth's polearm. The elf gasps at a few strands of her hair falling down past her face. "Be careful!" She reaches up and swings the blade two-handed over her head, hewing into the leathery monstrosity.

Pop!

Another image is speared by Teppus with another pop. Another string of curses. "Dammit! Stop.. being illusory! Or whatever it is!" He's staying on his toes, though, that's for damn sure.

<OOC> Jinks says, "The monster is upset with Zerri. It is going to try and eat Halani. Out of spite. Spite." <OOC> Jinks says, "ATtempting grapple." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+3: (1)+3: 4 GAME: Jinks damaged Halani for 4 points. 8 remaining.

With only a twin pair of the monsters left flying in the air, it decides to change tactics! It feints for Zerridwyn but passes her and latches onto Halani. Both of the beasts almost seem to cocoon her and the wet tearing noises resume. A horrible crunching and slurping noise might indicate that it managed to break the skin this time.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha, it is you." <OOC> Aisha says, "I will command it to fall, in undercommon." <OOC> Jinks says, "Cast the spell." GAME: Aisha casts command. GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17 <OOC> Jinks says, "The spell will have no effect." <OOC> Jinks says, "Halani, it is molesterizing you."

Aisha sees the thing to wrap around the monk now so she doesn't attack again because she would be about as likely to hit her, instead saying a simple word to the creature, although nobody else likely understands the language she is using, the tone is fairly commanding, she even cracks her whip to underline it. (Fall!). But alas, it seems its will is too strong.

<OOC> Halani will attempt to excape <OOC> Jinks says, "Roll it." GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14 <OOC> Jinks says, "That will not succeed, sadly." <OOC> Jinks says, "Garth, you're up" <OOC> Garthos says, "Well, I don't wanna hurt mah friend. I'mma sheathe by sword momentarily and bravely try peel it off and probably get stung/slapped for my troubles."

This is swiftly becoming one of the worst nights of the young islander's life. Rooting around in the trash for a piece of someone's brain. And then being touched unnecessarily by a bump in the night creepy crawly. "GIT IT OFF!" she screams, losing what little of her composure she managed to retain after being sent fleeing in fear not so long ago. Her own attempts to free herself are for naught.

<OOC> Garthos says, "Since unlike the sexy monkiness, I do not have Improved Grapple or anything. So hit meh with the tail if you want, and tell me what you want me to roll for this attempt of rescueness." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18 <OOC> Garthos says, "Yes, that hits. :(" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6: (1): 1 GAME: Jinks damaged Garthos for 1 points. 31 remaining. <OOC> Garthos says, "So -1 to mah roll. Grapple, is it?" <OOC> Jinks says, "Just roll a grapple check for me." GAME: Garthos rolls 1d20+3+4+1-1: (5)+3+4+1+-1: 12 <OOC> Jinks says, "Zerri."

Realizing that striking the monster while it is so attached will likely endanger Halani's life even more than it already is, Garth sheathes his weapon and reaches for the monster. He attempts to grab onto it, but finds no purchase on its slick outer skin and its lashing tail manages to batter him in the process, too. He just can't get a break today!

<OOC> Zerridwyn will just cast magic weapon on her sword. GAME: Zerridwyn casts magic weapon. <OOC> Jinks says, "Teppus!"

Zerridwyn watches the scene with horror. She can't strike the creature without harming Halani and stands ready with her blade. "I can't do anything. Do any of you have any ideas?" The elf casts another spell, this one giving her weapon a faint luminance.

<OOC> Teppus says, "STAB" GAME: Teppus rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27 <OOC> Jinks says, "Do it." <OOC> Teppus says, "..threat." GAME: Teppus rolls 1d20+7: (18)+7: 25 <OOC> Jinks says, "1 hits, 2 poof." <OOC> Teppus says, "Confirmed :D" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (1): 1 <OOC> Jinks says, "You hit the right one." <OOC> Jinks says, "Roll your crit." GAME: Teppus rolls 6d4+18: (20)+18: 38 GAME: Jinks damaged Halani for 19 points. -11 remaining.

So Teppus has had about enough of this. Losing his temper, he lifts his guisarme and attempts to bury it in the thing. He does try to be careful and not go -through- int into Halani. He just sort of.. misjudges how thick certain parts of its body is. "Rrggh!" A very elaborate battle cry, that, but something in it suddenly gives way and he punches through in Halani herself. "Aw, *hells*," he says, as soon as he realizes what just happened.

The cloaker screams another horrible, blood-chilling scream and releases Halani violently. It writhes, convulses, and then tears messily as it slides off of Teppus' weapon. Halani, for her part, is impaled. Imagine her surprise when the steel, stabbing tongue shot from the horrible thing's puckerface to tear through her chest. Her eyes roll back and she falls to the floor -- right at death's door.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Aisha, it's you. Time to save the day." <OOC> Aisha says, "I will channel" GAME: Aisha rolls 1d6: (4): 4 GAME: Jinks damaged Halani for -4 points. -7 remaining. GAME: Jinks damaged Garthos for -4 points. 32 remaining. GAME: Jinks damaged Zerridwyn for -4 points. 30 remaining. GAME: Jinks damaged Teppus for -4 points. 19 remaining. GAME: Jinks damaged Aisha for -4 points. 13 remaining. <OOC> Jinks says, "And, yes, Halani is still very hurt but stabilized." <OOC> Jinks says, "Garth, do you want to finish off the monster or would you like to let Zerri have the honors?" <OOC> Garthos says, "Zerri may do it happily." GAME: Zerridwyn rolls 4d4+8: (10)+8: 18 <OOC> Jinks says, "It is indeed dead. Let Aisha pose and then do your smiteroo." <OOC> Garthos says, "I will unfold poor Halani to a less precarious position, clear garbage around her and so on. And eyeball Teppus balefully for nearly killing her. :("

Aisha sees the monster fall, and more importantly, the woman it was chewing on getting mortally wounded by the overzealous Serrielite who gets a 'look' from her, but right now there are more immediate worries to deal with, so she takes hold of her holy symbol and presents it up, starting to radiate gentle golden light that emanates outwards in a wave of healing energy, bringing the monk back from deaths door to, not quite good health, but at least enough to keep her among the living.

<OOC> Aisha says, "I will do clw on Halani too if its ok." <OOC> Jinks says, "Go ahead and pose it, Garth." <OOC> Jinks says, "Yea, go for it, Aisha." <OOC> Aisha says, "spont casting" GAME: Aisha casts command. GAME: Aisha rolls 1d8+2: (4)+2: 6

For his part, the 'overzealous Serrielite' in question was grabbing hold of his potions to get ready to forcefeed them down Halani's throat -- but it seems that the matter was already taken care of. He looks quite relieved by this, giving a nod of his head in her direction. Seems that that act has dealt with some of his earlier suspicion about being paired with a shadow elf.

GAME: Jinks damaged Halani for -6 points. -1 remaining.

"Angoron's balls, man!" Garth says, looking at Teppus disbelievingly and more than a little disapprovingly. Both for the force of the blow and for the fact said force of the blow nearly eviscerated poor Halani outright. He kneels down beside the fallen woman, picking her up briefly in very gentle fashion for someone so large, kicking and shoving garbage away from under her before setting her down in more comfortable position and place. He tries not to get in the healer's way, shadow elven though she might be.

"Nooo! You killed her!" Zerridwyn does not look before she leaps, thinking Teppus just slew the poor monk. Without waiting, the elf takes out the burst of anger on the subdued cloaker, hacking into its unmoving form with her enhanced blade. "Aaaagh! Stupid monster! Horrible, evil thing! You made him kill her!" It's not until she's finished wailing on the thing for a while that she looks back and sees that Halani is not actually dead. Zerridwyn feels an incredible relief, slumping her shoulders and exhaling after that act of emotion.

Aisha with a quick flick of her wrist, retracts the whip back to what looks more or less like a short sword, before sheathing it as she walks over to where Garth has put Halani down to, reaching to touch the grievous wound with her hand that is glowing with golden light, merging some more of the wounds, but it still is not enough to return her back to consiousness. "Vardama does not relieve her grip o this one so easily, but the light of Eli will guide her back among the living." she murmurs before channeling more of said divine light to further heal her wounds, which should be enough to get her consious once again.

<OOC> Aisha says, "rolling another channel" GAME: Aisha rolls 1d6: (5): 5 GAME: Jinks damaged Halani for -5 points. 4 remaining.

Halani's eyes flutter open. "I just had the most awful dream," she says, then starts to cough. She wipes at her mouth, stares oddly at the blood on her hand.. left over from the internal wounds left by being impaled, no doubt. "Wait.. " She struggles to sit up, then, wincing at the leftover pain of being nearly dead. And looks around. And sees Teppus, and his weapon. Then she quickly paws at her chest, looking for the wound that should have been there.

"..I'm really sorry about that," says Teppus to Halani, "I... am sorry." He's quite sincere about it, as well, reaching out his hand to help her to her feet. He's tossed the weapon aside and he does look pretty shaken. Zerridwyn is eyed. Just *eyed*.

Aisha offers a gentle smile to Halani. "The Grey Harpist was calling for you, but the light of Eli brought you back from her doorstep to among the living. Though you are still weak and should rest for a few days." she explains to the woman, then glances aroun at the others. "Well, let us find out what we came here for and be away from here before anything else shows up." she then recommends to the others.

In the quiet of concluded battle -- not counting the shouts or horror, accusation, and relief -- the sheer size of the Heap begins to press in again. The sounds of other things moving in the distance; the splash of water, the tumble of trash, the creek-crack of rotting floorboards. Perhaps it is time to collect what you came for and leave? Other denizens are waking, curious, and on their way to answer the call of the fresh carrion.

"Far be it from me to suggest running," continues Teppus, "but we should probably collect what we came for and leave." He's probably totally right about that, too.

<OOC> Jinks says, "One last Perception check. Make it awesome." GAME: Zerridwyn rolls perception: (4)+6: 10" GAME: Aisha rolls perception: (8)+6: 14 GAME: Garthos rolls Perception: (18)+4: 22 GAME: Teppus rolls Perception: (19)+1: 20

You paged Garthos with 'You find it! Barely. It falls out of a tattered, bloodstained pack as you move it aside. The picture doesn't do it justice. When you lift it up and off the ground it's surprisingly warm to the touch and seems to throb gently in your hand.' Garthos pages: How big is it? Curiosity more than anything. You paged Garthos with 'An average human palm. It folds closed like a book on a small and delicate hinge that runs down the middle, lengthwise.' You paged Teppus with 'You don't find the Thing but you do locate a gauntlet that looks exquisitely detailed and exceptionally familiar. This might be Codex's missing 'hand' that would cover the wirey skeletal frame.'

Halani accepts Teppus's help up, after only hesitating a moment.. he did just nearly kill her, after all. "Thank you." She turns her eyes to Aisha, nods at the shadow elf's explanation.. and repeats, "Thank you." She lets the others search, though.. she can't help but keep poking at where the polearm ran her through. "Going to have to stitch these," she mutters, fingering the rip in the centre of her robe's tunic.

Garth makes sure Halani's okay. "Yeah. That bleedin' corpse is gonna draw every carrion-feeder in this horrid place." he agrees, hopping to his feet and more or less diving into the pile. His search is noisy and a little uncoordinated, and it's mostly by pure luck that he grabs hold of an old, tattered pack covered in bloodstains - the piece the group seeks tumbles out of it as the man is going through setting the pack aside. "Got it!" he says triumphantly, carefully lifting the tiny piece of intricate machinery. He eyes it curiously for a few moments... but then decides on something better to do. "Let's get the hell out of here." he suggests. And that's what he heads to do, pulling a cloth from his own pack to carefully wrap and cushion the thing in.

Zerridwyn scratches her head and stows her sword after giving it a clean. "Oh, that was terrifying." She looks back at Garth when he calls out and nods solemnly. "Yes, let's. I don't want to spend any more time in here. This was not a heroic battle. It was... I don't know what to call it. Just gruesome."

"I found something else," calls Teppus while digging around in the heap as well. "I don't think it was what he wanted but he'll probably be glad to have it none the less." He pulls what appears to be a gauntlet ou of the heap's, well.. heapishness. It's a guantlet that looks exquisitely detailed and gilded. "Yeah, this has *gotta* be his."

And then they ran!