Session Start: Fri Sep 15 16:47:15 2000

*** Now talking in #nightbelow

Pre-chat chat edited out

<Saif> So, the situation

<Saif> You guys made it through the purple worm holes through the use of a lot of magic

<Saif> Of course, if you ever head back this way again...

<Kat> "We should kill the worm, just in case."

<Saif> Not that the DM would have anything chase you into the area or anything nasty like that <WEG>

<Sane> *Saif, do you ever see more than one worm at a time?

<Sane> *you=we

<Saif> Sane - no

<Kat> "We can do it from a distance. It would be easy. As long as there is only one of them."

<Saif> You think it was just one worm, but you did hear sounds that would either be very strange acoustics or another worm in the distance

<Ari> brb..need to put Christopher to bed

* Nikki refrains from making nasty comment.

<Saif> * BTW, I really wasn't trying to push you into attacking the worm, I was just messing with your minds... really.

<Diana> battle grid doesnt wanna come up for me :P trying another comp

<Thengal> The worm holes, can I tell how old some are compared to others? (i.e., Are the smaller ones much older than the larger ones?

<Saif> Thengal - different ages, and there doesn't seem to be any correlation between size and age

<Thengal> OK thanks

<Nikki> * did we do any detect spells on our way through?

<Castinar> Worms of this size could threaten him, yes. They are often faster than their size belies

<Castinar> I wouldn't want him to fly into their tunnels themselves -- flying overhead is a bit safer, but remember, there were holes in the ceiling and walls as well

<Sane>

<Thengal> Nope, had a thought that these warrens could have been made by only one worm, but the age and size correllation don't match up

<Amber> I agree Sane"

<Kat> "At least make a place for Diana to use her spell."

<Thengal> I.E. very strong possibility of morethan one critter here

* Sane nods to Thengal.

<Kat> "Diana, how long does it take to make the runes in the ground? How long do they last?"

<Saif> sorry, brb, kid crying again

<Diana> "It takes maybe 10 minutes to make the runes. They will last until activated."

<Diana> (i think, let me check the duration)

<Sane> <But why would we want to place one here?

<Kat> "At least nearby... Some place we could run back to that doesn't mean going through the worms."

<Sane> *Diana, how many of these exit points can you have active at one time?

<Saif> back - sorry

<Sane> *next time try the ol' backhand; it's quicker. <g>

<Diana> "Not very many. Maybe half a dozen, at best."

<Saif> * I've got a stressed out wife and two tired kids and for some reason I get to be the peacemaker.

<Diana> "I would have to see how much they interefere with one another."

<Diana> * ie: however many Saif will let me have... currently about 1/level

<Saif> checking to see what's on the spell description...

<Saif> * hum, can't find it, but it wasn't very many. 1/level (which includes the master one back at the TSR) sounds OK

<Diana> Ok, Ill make a way point, and gaurd it with glyphs of warding

<Diana> Thatll take about an hour and a half.

<Saif> So the party rests up and Diana casts her spell?

<Sane> yes

<Thengal> Sure

<Saif> OK, and I take it everybody is happy with the current spell lists, which you change to at this point?

<Sane> *oh so happy

* Saif takes Shadow Magic off of Sane's spell list, just to keep him humble

<Diana> * im good

<Saif> OK, then press on?

<Castinar> hehe

<Saif> Same thing, Cast and Sane alternating 1 hour ahead of the party?

<Sane> yes

<Sane> *without objection

* Castinar nods

<Saif> checking map real quick...

<Saif> It is now the next day, nearing the end of the marching day (well, hold on, better make sure on this...)

<Saif> yes, 1 day's march is about 20 miles

<Saif> Sane is out ahead, scouting, invisible

<Sane> even underground?

<Nikki> afk. work.

<Saif> He hears sounds from up ahead

<Saif> * yes, at least that's what it looks like I've been doing for travel distances. You're on "underdark roads", not really going into dangerous or hard to get through areas

<Saif> and realizes there is some light up ahead (normal, white light, not the green glow of mold)

<Saif> what do you do?

* Sane gets to the wall. (he's invisible, btw) Hides, and listens, waits.

<Saif> There is light coming from somewhere ahead in the tunnel. The sound of voices float down once and a while, but nothing distinct (language or words). You can't see the source of light, it must be behind a turn or something up ahead.

<Sane> stop, look and listen

<Saif> same thing

<Saif> or do you move forward?

<Kat> *Does being invisible drive Sane insane? (With the chat's off, I've been watching too much TV. See Invisible Man on Sci Fi to understand comment.)

<Sane> *how long have I waited?

<Saif> how long do you want to wait?

* Sane watches for 5 minutes.

<Saif> No, Sane is immune to his insanity due to his name

<Kat> *How cool is that.

<Saif> Sane no change. The voices stop for a while, then talk for a bit, then stop.

* Castinar laughs

<Kat> *Damn birds with their clever names.

* Sane very slowly sneaks forward, moving along the wall.

<Saif> Sane comes to a turn in the tunnel.

* Sane peeks around the turn.

<Thengal> * Actually I was wondering if he'd have to change his name if he went insane

<Saif> About 150' away from him he sees a small band of people in the tunnel. They have what appears to be a continual light stone on a staff casting light on them.

<Saif> Sane watches for a while and makes out the following:

<Saif> There is an obvious fighter, dressed in plate mail. There are several others around him. In the middle of the group are three close together, two of which are wearing hoods. The third in the small group is a drow male. All three in the middle appear to have their hands bound.

<Nikki> * oh cool, you always get the best items by whacking a party of npc adventurers!

<Saif> Just about everybody in the small group is wearing bandages.

<Kat> *kill them and get their magic

* Sane studies the badges as close as possible and tries to hear all he can. (knows Undercommon)

<Saif> The voices are still too soft to make out words

<Nikki> * FIREBALL!

<Saif> But the appear to be talking in common

<Saif> not undercommon

* Sane will sneak forward to within 80'.

<Kat> *ie... Sane has a great sneak, bad listen.

<Saif> d100 Sane

* Nikki polymorphs into a common underdark mouse/rat and moves forward

<Sane> db d100

<db> Sane rolled 1d100: [46]

<Saif> Sane sneaks forward

<Sane> *What race is the fighter?

<Saif> nobody in the party appears to hear him

<Saif> The fighter appears to be human, but he has a large helm on, so it is hard to tell

<Nikki> <-- moving forward?

<Sane> How many total individuals?

<Saif> * you guys are still doing the wait thing until Sane reports back.

<Nikki> * sorry, only sane knows they're there?

<Saif> 8 individuals - 5 talking, 3 that look like prisoners

<Saif> * yes

<Nikki> * oh. the problem with work. sorry.

<Nikki> brb again

<Sane> what race are the prisoners?

<Kat> *killz zem all

<Saif> Sane can hear them talking now. They are discussing how long they should extend this break for, and about how are they going to make it to the surface in the condition they are in.

* Sane raises an eyebrow.

<Saif> the fighter keeps shaking his head and saying "We should have gone back for the priest. We really should have."

<Saif> Race is hard to tell at this distance. Next to the armored fighter is a young male, elf or half-elf.

<Saif> In the middle group one with a hood is very tall (7'ish) and you can see the one without a hood is a drow fighter.

<Saif> In the back are an elf or half-elf female, a tall probable human, and another tall figure wearing a cloak with the hood pulled up.

<Sane> Weaponry?

<Saif> The young man in the front keeps looking down the tunnel nervously

<Saif> Long sword on the fighter

<Saif> young man in front has two weapons of some sort (smallones) on a belt. In the back hard to tell, but the tall human is leaning heavily on a staff

<Saif> no weapons on the prisoners

<Sane> *The drow isn't one of the prisoners, right?

<Saif> No, the drow IS a prisoner (his hands are bound)

<Sane> *oh, ok

<Saif> Strangely, every once and a while the fighter whacks the tall prisoner with his sword

<Saif> The fighter slowly gets up, groaning as he does so, and checks the bonds on the prisoners

* Sane listens for accents. Do these people sound like they come from Jurgenville or the surrounding area?

<Saif> Too hard to make out accents at this distance in a tunnel where the sounds echo a lot.

<Saif> The fighter sounds "local', and the young human a little strange, but other than that you can't tell

<Sane> When the fighter gets up, Sane sneaks away.

<Saif> * I should say the fighter doesn't sound exotic rather than local

<Saif> K

<Saif> So head back to the party?

<Sane> yes

<Saif> db d60

<db> Saif rolled 1d60: [38]

<Saif> The party is about 40 minutes back

* Sane tells everyone everything that he has seen and heard.

<Nikki> * Like that friendly mage with the books?

* Castinar nods approvingly

<Kat> "How did they get here?"

<Thengal> "Problem me sees, is dat dey may see us as a t'reat

<Ari> "You want to do what?"

* Amber nods reluctantly a bit apprehencive.

<Castinar> Perhaps a couple of us should meet them, witht he rest ready in case of trouble

<Castinar> Perhaps a number equal to their number

<Castinar> not too strong, not too weak

<Ari> "They have a bound drow in their midst and you want to take me to meet them?"

<Kat> "Are you going to make an illusion of us to talk to them?"

<Ari> "Um, yeah ok. You go and tell me when it's safe. Careful the drow is really tied up though ok?"

<Thengal> Me thinking dat p'haps Cast, Diana An mebbe Matar would get a better reception. Most humans don'

<Thengal> t initally react well to drow or Kenku, No offence Ari or Sane

<Kat> "In the meantime, are we going to disguise Ari?"

<Ari> "No."

<Sane>

<Ari> "I will keep my hood pulled up though."

<Nikki> * Maybe clip her ears? Do a Michael Jackson on her skin and nose?

<Ari> *ow ow ow Judd! You are harsh

<Nikki> * just in a funny mood. :-)

<Sane>

<Nikki> * someone do a detect illusions or something. this is fishy

<Ari> *know alighnment too!!

<Castinar> If they can detect magic, they'll get suspicious

<Sane> *I was just thinking that myself, Nikki

<Thengal> "or dey'll see right t'rough it, and be suspicious of us

<Nikki> * im not heavy on the detect stuff but someone should do some basics

<Saif> So... ?

<Thengal> "Ye said dey be hurt, me's t'inking dat all we need ta do is offer dem some healing an' dey'll probably be receptive

<Sane> "They might be. But I want to be sure first.>

<Saif> "Remember the Dragon!", the new TS battle cry <g>

<Thengal> "me does remember,

<Castinar> That's why we don't all go together

<Nikki> * at least the dragon finally got us out of happy-go-lucky mode

<Thengal> "Me agrees wit' Castinar on dat"

<Saif> Give me a concrete plan once it's decided on (Sane's job)

<Nikki> * Then again, remember the lizard men and trolls... lesson: don't split the party. heh, just being devil's advocate.

<Kat> "Sane, how far away to do you have to be to make your illusion?"

<Kat> "Can you see ok?"

* Castinar nods

<Saif> * Sane - with the acoustics in the tunnel you'll probably need to be within 100' or so to be able to really converse with them- unless you want everybody to play hard of hearing.

<Sane> *ok

<Kat> "So, how close do you have to be, in case they block your view or you can't hear them?"

<Sane> *apparently 100'

<Kat> "How far from you do you want the rest of us?"

<Thengal> "Me still ti'inks Ye bein' too dependent on illusions. If dey see t'rough it, dey gonna be suspicious

<Kat> "The drow might see you. Unless, you are invisible."

<Saif> * 500' will not be within line of sight. The curve in the tunnel is about 150' away

<Sane>

<Thengal> An, dere be five o' dem to try an see t'rough em

<Kat> "What are you going to say to them?"

<Thengal> Mebbe, remember dat dey appear a be an adventurin party, and badly beat up. T'ink how suspicious we been gettin lately o people we meet down here

<Thengal> "Dragon bein' da exception

<Saif> So... ?

<Kat> "Be careful, Sane. You don't want Ari to test her new prays on you."

<Thengal> "Do wat ye feel be right. Me's just pointin out potential flaws ta yer plan

* Castinar will have Hunter go along Invis

* Ari pulls her hood way up to cover as much of her face as possible then stands behind Matar.

* Castinar will follow suit

<Castinar> *Remember, if they are "local" they will well have heard of us

<Ari> "Sane, "K'harn wants to know if you want her to go too."

* Amber does as she is ordered to do, mouth shut, eyes and ears open.

<Saif> * remember you guys are a couple hundred miles away from Jurgenville by this time

<Ari> "She won't be invisible though unless you can do that."

<Nikki> * Question on distances.

<Nikki> * MM has a listed range of 90. is that feet, yards, or something else?

<Thengal> "OK"

<Ari> "Go ahead."

<Ari> *she has her stone skin up and running too

* Sane casts Invisibility on K'harn.

<Saif> MM - 60 yards + 10 yards per level

* Castinar will stay ~75 feet away, using cloak to hide

<Sane> *is Sane protected by Stoneskin?

<Saif> No, nobody has stoneskin on them right now

<Nikki> I should

<Sane> *How 'bout a quick hit?

<Sane> *anybody willing?

* Castinar hits Sane

* Castinar chuckles

<Saif> K, K'harn is invisible

<Castinar> *Be more precise, my friend

<Saif> Nikki - you don't have stoneskin memorized right now

<Sane> *how's that?

* Castinar nods approvingly

<Saif> * Nikki is the only one that can cast it normally and she doesn't have it memorized right now. K'harn is the only one with stoneskin, since she has the ability to cast it on herself.

<Castinar> need drink, brb

<Saif> So how many groups will there be? Illusions or real people?

<Sane> Plan: Sane hides along the wall; casts Imp Invis. (no spell cost); casts Spectral Force. Illusion:

<Saif> Sane - 100' away?

<Saif> or get closer to make sure you hear everything OK?

* Saif prods Sane

<Sane> Party of 5. Two human fighters; one female wizard-looking type; an elven archer; and an dwarven cleric. They will look individual; detailed; variation; travel worn; armed; wary; The dwarf will clearly be an Athena priest.

<Sane> *athena=lawfulgood ?

<Saif> Yes

<Sane> One male human fighter dressed in plate mail with 2-handed sword will speak for the group; looks a bit knight-ish.

<Saif> Problem - area of effect, you've only got 13 10' cubes to play with. Well, I guess you could start them from the corner, but once they get near the party they won't be able to move around much.

<Sane> The party will be resting much like the other party was. They will be sitting around with some folks on watch. A small continual light will float in the air in their area.

<Saif> Or you can have them appear closer to the party, but risk the party noticing them suddenly appearing

<Sane> I'll have them appear long before the party gets there.

<Saif> oh, never mind, you're not approaching them?

<Sane> We can just wait for them.

<Saif> K

<Sane> *right? <g>

<Saif> So where do you set this up at, compared to where they are at?

<Sane> *they did mention 'getting to the surface'

<Castinar> Yep

<Sane> *weren't they heading out when Sane left?

<Castinar> Were there any side tunnels at all between here and there?

<Saif> not really

<Sane> *oh

<Saif> no, they were still there

<Sane> *but they weren't camped

<Sane> *just appeared to be resting, right?

<Saif> no, kind of like a lunch break - not camping, but not a simple "let me catch my breath"

<Saif> i.e. - packs off, etc.

<Saif> but not unpacked

<Sane> Move up to about 1000' from where they were and set up

<Saif> OK

<Saif> how long do you plan on keeping the illusion up if they don't show up?

<Sane> then just wait them out

<Sane> whatever it takes

<Saif> OK

<Saif> So you want to be in a nice straight stretch of tunnel, at a curve, elbow, what?

<Nikki> * Maybe a fireball would get their attention?

<Sane> curve; want them to see the light from a distance, just like I did with them.

<Saif> so just past a curve?

<Sane> exactly

<Saif> OK

<Sane> *this is a test of the emergency underdark alignment monitor; this is only a test

<Saif> * hold on a sec

<Sane> *Saif, can I make one minor change?

<Saif> sure

<Sane> Just before casting the illusion; Sane will cast Change Self on himself;

<Amber> *afk brb

<Sane> He will appear like.... Beleg. But still invisible.

* Sane thinks. <Sorry, Ariessus.>

<Ari> *sure, give her a heartattack

<Nikki> * hes invisible

<Sane> *btw; that's innate ability Change Self

<Ari> *K'harn will be listening for any drow speech

<Saif> Sane - that won't change your clothing, etc, so you won't really look like a paladin, just a large human

<Sane> Ok, spell then.

<Sane> have to use Free Magik

<Saif> So you want to look like a paladin, complete with armor and everything?

<Sane> oh yeah

<Sane> but invisible

<Saif> what spell do you use? change self (even the spell) won't do that

<Sane> oh

<Saif> hold on, re-reading

<Saif> Ok, it will do the armor, but only lasts 2d6 +2r per level

<Sane> OK, if that's right then I'll just look like myself, in terms of clothing, but I'll just be human.

<Saif> So do it?

* Nikki polymorphs into a paladin :)

<Saif> Yes, you could do your innate thing and look like a human

<Sane> Beleg look alike

<Thengal> *Nikki? a paladin? Scary thought

<Saif> db d15

<db> Saif rolled 1d15: [3]

<Nikki> * Never fled a combat yet

<Sane> Saif, if I can look like Beleg; I'll do it; if not; human in Sane's clothing

<Saif> So does everybody go up close to the 1000' mark, or do you stay put 40 minutes back?

<Sane> They are 300' back

<Sane> Cast is 75' back

<Kat> *right, what the leader said

<Saif> Sane - you can't immitate a specific person, but you can look like a large human

<Sane> Hunter and K'harn are with Sane, both invisible

<Sane> ok

<Saif> So on the way there you follow 300' as well?

<Sane> All humans kinda look the same to him anyway. <g>

<Amber> *back

<Saif> * no denial on the party following Sane at 300' distance?

<Sane> Sane is 100' back from the illusion

<Ari> *as long as Ari can stand behind Matar, nope.

<Castinar> *sounds good

<Thengal> brb, gotta reconnect fore I get kicked off

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* Sane is along the wall looking a little like Beleg with both Invisibility and Imp Invisibility running. Maintaining concentration on the illusionary party.

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<Saif> reading something... just a sec.

<Sane> Sane's Imp Invisibility duration: 19rds

<Saif> Sane, you are still about half a mile away from where the party was when you see faint light up ahead in the tunnel.

<Sane> Set up on the spot; send Hunter to tell everyone.

<Saif> db d3

<db> Saif rolled 1d3: [2]

<Saif> This ends up being in a fairly straight stretch

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<Saif> Sane quickly sets up - casting Improved Invisibility on himself and then the Spectral Force - correct?

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<Sane> how far away is the light

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<Saif> Several hundred feet or so, not direct yet.

<Saif> Make that yards

<Nikki> * anyone want me to decrease that ping timeout to kill off dead sessions sooner?

<Sane> *Saif, this is kind of screwed up; I wanted to just wait; but you seemed to have a problem with that so I told you some specific distance. I was simply going to set up the situation and wait; which is what I said, but you didn't seem to think that made sense, so I changed.

<Saif> Were the illusions in a camp then?

<Kat> *Doesn't matter to me, Nikki

<Saif> * no, you wanted to wait, but at 1000'. You are now moving to do that but instead run into this light heading your way before you get to the spot where you wanted to set up.

<Sane> Well, no; but I think there was a slight miscomprehension before.

<Saif> * so you just cast it now, is that correct?

<Sane> I didn't want to get into a setup where they came upon us like this. I wanted to set up and wait for them

<Saif> So you wanted to wait where you were, not at 1000'? Where did that 1000' come from?

<Sane> You didn't seem to like it when I set just find a good spot; perhaps I misread something

<Sane> set=said

<Saif> I told you you could set up at 1000' from where you saw the party, just behind a curve. Is that not what you wanted to do?

<Sane> not quite; but lets just play

<Saif> OK

<Saif> So you see the light and set up the illusion

<Sane> The only change I'll make to the illusion is that the light won't spring on; it will slowly grow brighter.

<Sane> yes

<Sane> cast imp inv; spec force

<Sane> one party member on watch

<Sane> others sitting; resting; chatting softly

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<Ted> Here we go again, btinternet keeps kicking me out

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<Saif> Sane - which party member is on watch?

<Sane> The elf

<Sane> When appropriate the elf spots the other party and tells his companions, who all get to their feet, hands on weapons.

* Sane attempts to disbelieve the party when it comes into view.

<Saif> * I would _never_ use your own tricks on you!

<Sane> *they're traveling with light... very suspicious

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<Saif> The group finally comes into view

<Nikki> * Blast em!

<Saif> It is the same group you saw before, except for the young male who looked nervous.

<Saif> You finally spot him about 40' ahead of the party, keeping to the shadows, but not very well.

* Sane waits to see what the party does. The leader, human knight guy, calls out, "Hail! Who brings this light through the darkness?"

<Saif> They are in pretty much the same formation as earlier - one in front, three prisoners in middle (stumbling, still hooded), and three behind.

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<Saif> As the kinght steps forward the elf female in the back (wear robes, btw) calls out "It's an illusion, beware!"

<Sane> *oh yeah, right

<Saif> The group stops. The fighter draws his sword.

<Saif> * that's what she does

<Sane> *I don't doubt it

<Saif> The young male continues moving forward

* Sane drops the illusion completely; leaving the place in darkness.

<Saif> Sane, d100 please

<Sane> db d100

<db> Sane rolled 1d100: [28]

<Sane> *what was that for? Hiding?

<Saif> the young man calls out "We're armed and ready to defend ourselves!"

<Castinar> Hunter sends <Beware -- they saw through it>

<Saif> * so sane, you drop the illusion?

<Sane> *oh thanks, Hunter <g>

* Sane drops the illusion completely; leaving the place in darkness.

* Nikki patiently waiting for the coming combat....

<Saif> well, not complete darkness - they still have their light source

<Saif> The young man calls out again "We mean no harm to any creature of goodwill, but will defend ourselves against any attacker!"

* Sane sends <You need not defend yourself from me.>

<Sane> *that was a general broadcast

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<Sane>

<Saif> Sane, d20 please

<Galen> *grrr

<Sane> db

<db> Sane rolled 1d20: [14]

<Saif> "Who are you" the male (he's a half elf, you think) calls out

<Sane> *Saif, have I tried to disbelieve these guys?

<Saif> sorry, d20 <blush>

<Sane> db

<db> Sane rolled 1d20: [6]

<Saif> they are still there

<Saif> the half-elf then says "We'll make no promise not to harm slavers, so if you be one of them, prepare for battle!"

<Saif> the young half-elf looks around nervously

<Sane>

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<Nikki> * Nikki calls out, "Oh no, Master! Please stop beating me! I'll do as I'm told!"

<Saif> * lol

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<Saif> "If you do be a traveler, then let us pass in peace." he responds

<Saif> The young man keep glancing back at the party behind him, as if for encouragement.

<Ari> K'harn keeps listening for anything unusual or any drow being spoken.

<Saif> * the main party hears a voice calling out up ahead from some distance. You can't quite make out what it is saying.

<Matar> what? but i have keen taste!

<Saif> The large fighter speaks up. "They attack us. They slavers" in response to Sane's previous question. "They kill cleric friend!" (he sounds kind of like a simpleton)

<Kat> *What? I have keen hearing

<Saif> The young man then says "We ran into a group of other so called travlers who attacked us. We fought them off, taking these prisoners but losing two of our party, including our priest."

* Kat tries to listen to the voices

<Saif> * it isn't the distance that makes it difficult to hear the words, but all the echos. It sounds like a single male voice speaking in common. You now hear a second voice as well.

<Saif> "We are tired and wounded, but not so much as to be easy prey or unable to defend ourselves again!" the boy calls out.

<Saif> The elf female from the rear then speaks up in a gravely voice "It's a slaver's trick, Shut up Dac! they're stalling while they get ready to attack. I say we get out of here."

<Sane>

<Saif> But the young man continues speaking "Now, I have answered your question. It's time for you to tell us who or what you are."

<Sane>

* Sane cancels his change self

<Saif> the young boy looks back and replies "Peace Cryss, let us give them a chance to speak lest we become like the group that cowardly lied and attacked us."

<Saif> He looks forward and puts his hands on the weapons at his belt, but doesn't say anything.

<Saif> "Show yourself then, Sane of the Truth Seekers, but make no sudden moves. My companions nerves are short and I cannot guarantee they won't react badly to surprises."

<Nikki> * I like the elf mage chick in the back. My kinda girl.

<Castinar> hehe

<Nikki> * Nikki and Cryss are going to hang.

* Sane walks to the middle of the passage about 40' out in front of the half-elf, not trying to be quiet, but still invisible.

<Saif> Kat - you can just make out the gist of the conversation once you get everybody else to shut up - remembering that you only hear what the other party is saying, not Sane.

<Kat> "Sane is talking with them, I guess. Can K'harn or Hunter fill us in on what is going on?"

<Castinar> *too far away for Hunter

<Castinar> *His tele is only 60'

<Saif> The nikki-wannabe yells "He's not speaking the truth, he's already tried to trick us. Get us to drop our guard! Come on Dac, lets split!"

<Ari> *K'harn doesn't understand common

<Sane> *does the half-elf react to my walking up in front of him?

<Kat> "So, Castinar, don't give me that blank look. Can you talk with Hunter."

<Saif> The young man idly scratches his ear "The name sounds familiar to me. Arent you a mercernary company or something?"

<Saif> * Sane, I thought you were invisible?

<Sane> *right; but I thought he might hear me walking

<Ari> *yeah, the one with the tame drow..perhaps you remember now?

<Saif> No, he doesn't seem to notice your approach, continuing to look around nervously

<Saif> Unless you try to make noise walking while you approach?

<Sane> <You have heard of us... but do not call us mercenaries in front the whole party.> Sane gives a mental grin. <Some of my friends do not like that term.>

<Saif> "I'm afraid that your words are of little comfort, my invisible friend. We've been in combat too often in the past few days and are not keen on trusting anyone unless they be healers."

<Nikki> * KIIIILLLLLL THEEEEMMMMMMMMM!!!! I want that chick's spellbooks.

<Saif> * K'harn doesn't have detect alignment

<Castinar> *Hunter will cast Know alignment on the speaking one, then again on the elven mage type lass

<Castinar> *will relay to Sane/Castinar

<Ari> *no, but she knows evil when she sees it

<Ari> *senses rather

<Saif> The boy detects as chaotic and quite fearful, with some violence. The female is mostly "who cares" with a healthy dose of selfishness

<Saif> "I be Dac."

<Saif> the boy says

<Thengal> *damn, that is Nikki

<Kat> *She is a Nikki wanta be

<Saif> The girl then calls out again "It's a kenku! I can see him. What the heck is a Kenku doing down here?"

<Nikki> * A mere pretender to the crown

<Sane> *with Imp Inv running?

<Saif> The figher then looks around. "Kenku? Where? He better not hurt us!"

* Sane reveals himself.

<Saif> "Calm down, idiot! He's just a birdman."

<Sane> With a flourish of his cape, Sane bows.

<Castinar> Hunter sends (Full of fear, but not really evil)

<Saif> How far away from the group are you? Dac is about 40' ahead of the others.

<Saif> When Sane appears the fighter just about leaps out of his armor

<Saif> the half-elf's eyes widen

<Saif> then he nods at Sane's bow

<Saif> Hunter gets a quick wave of some negative emotion from Dac when Sane appears - jealousy or anger or something.

<Nikki> * i need to take off.

<Nikki> * chaos shield goes up first, then a series of attack spells

<Saif> The elf chick draws a wand out and looks around. "Where's the cat?"

<Saif> K, Nikki

-> *Nikki* hurry

<Nikki> * MM first due to range.

<Ari> *peeing on your shoe

<Castinar> Hunter sends <Be wary of that one -- you --- have --- something he wants or fears>

<Saif> * Sane, they are on the other side of the wormholes - heading towards them.

<Saif> "You said not mention the word mercenary in front of your friends, Sane. Are they nearby?" Dac asks

<Nikki> * should i wait a few minutes or rush home?

<Nikki> rushing.

<Nikki> cyas.

<Nikki> chaos shield, then attack spells.

*** Nikki has quit IRC (Leaving)

<Saif> "I ask only because, as I said before, our nerves are frayed and any suprises my cause a problem for us both."

*** Saif is now known as Dac

<Dac> "It might be wise for you to return to them and warn them of our presence. My friends and I will wait here if you wish to bring them to us."

<Dac> "What wormholes?" Dac asks

<Dac> he has a puzzled expression on his face

* Sane whistles to make sure he's still connected.

<Dac> "From the south. We heard there was an exit from this accursed place further to the north, down this tunnel, something that would get us to Cormyr."

<Dac> "Near Westgate. We've been down here for almost two months. Where are you from?"

* Sane casts Detect Magic and scans Dac.

<Dac> "Never heard of it."

<Dac> Dac's armor is magical, as is a ring on his hand. Whatever the weapons he carries are they are not magical.

<Dac> Even looking at Dac Sane can sense very strong magic coming from the human with the staff in the back of the party.

<Dac> "So does this tunnel lead to Cormyr?" Dac asks

<Sane> *Do the bodies themselves give off magic, or just items? I'm trying to see if they might be polymorphed or anything.

<Dac> So you scan all of them?

<Sane> *Who is wearing the badges you mentioned, Saif?

<Dac> * what badges?

<Dac> oh, bandages?

<Sane> *nevermind <g>

<Dac> all of them have some kind of bandages - the fighter looks the worst off.

<Sane> yes; scan them all

<Dac> So Sane - you look at each of them? (remember, it's pretty obvious you are staring intently at them.)

<Dac> * actually it does got to cormyr, through the gnome lands

<Sane> stare away

<Kat> *Sane is a bird. It is always obvious when he stares at anything

<Dac> Dac you know

<Dac> fighter has magical armor and weapons, hard to tell on him himself

<Dac> elf female is holding a magical wand

<Dac> human male has strongly glowing staff and ring

<Dac> figure with cloak and cowl in back glows with a diffuse magic

<Dac> The elf says "He's doing something. He's not being up front with us. Dammit Dac, he's setting us up. He's scanning us or something."

<Sane> *"So you guys, the Truth Seekers are quite wealthy. Perhaps you'd like to sell some of your possessions?"

<Dac> "What about that damn cat, birdman?" she asks

<Dac> * BTW, where is Hunter? I thought he was back with the party???

<Ari> *he? it?

<Castinar> *Hunter up on ceiling, between Cast and Sane

<Sane> *whatever <beg>

<Dac> The elf glares at Sane. "Well then, why aren't you answering our questions. Where are your friends? Where's the illusionist? Start talking!"

<Sane> <_I_ am the illusionist.> Sane bows again.

<Dac> The elf slowly claps. "Ohh. Ahh."

<Sane> *this is the female right?

<Dac> yes

<Dac> "Crystenna the Red" the elf replies, touching her bright red hair (rare for an elf)

<Sane> <Sane, at your service.> He nods.

<Dac> Dac then speaks up. "OK, you've come clean with us... kind of. We're still a little suspecious of you, but... if you are who you say you are... we have wounded. Can you help?"

<Dac> "Call me Crys. Do your friends have any healing among them. Groz is hurt worse than he looks." the redhead offers.

<Dac> the fighter shakes his head. "Id-don't trust bird man. He could be s-slaver"

<Sane> <Suspicious of me?> Sane winks. <That's good. If you ever fully trust a kenku you've let your guard down too far.>

<Dac> The elf grunts and waves her wand at Sane. "Don't worry Groz, if he's a slaver, I'll blast his feathers off."

<Dac> * everybody else - you stay put??

<Diana> * unless called forth

<Matar> * all we hear are indistict voices

<Diana> * such as to heal the wounded with ari or something

<Sane>

<Dac> * Kat (and anybody else with keen hearing) can hear the other party side of the conversation, but not what Sane says. They can pass it on to the others.

<Thengal> *Same here, no reason to go forth unless called

<Kat> "They seem to be talking with Sane. Or they are weird.

<Dac> Dac looks back at the others.

<Kat> "They need a healer. They have wounded."

<Dac> "Hold it right there. That's just what a slaver would want!" Crys says.

<Dac> she keeps her wand aimed at Sane

<Kat> "They are talking a lot about slavers"

<Sane>

<Dac> "Yeah, you're trying to separate us!" Dac adds.

<Matar> "Ari and I should go up there to tend them."

<Ari> "And have them think I am a slaver?"

<Dac> Crys shakes her head. "We all go forward or we all go backward, you choose, Sane. But we don't send our wounded alone."

<Ari> "It may be best if you take Diana Armatage."

<Matar> "Urk, sorry I sometimes forget about that."

<Kat> "Not Ari. They don't trust drow."

<Dac> "We already know your tricky. Illusionists have a way of disappearing when they want. I say no, Dac."

<Thengal> "Me t'inks we should all go" It'll be easier dat way

<Amber> "I'll go, no one is ever afraid of a being my size."

* Ari smiles at Matar. "Thank you."

<Sane>

<Dac> Dac shakes his head. "I think we should just agree to go our separate ways. Better to suffer with our wounds than split ourselves into two weak groups"

<Thengal> "Me'll go wit' ye Amber"

<Matar> "Well, Amber then, I will accompany you. Ari, can you get a message to Sane?"

<Dac> The fighter starts coughing violently. The three behind move closer to the prisoners, looking at them nervously.

<Ari> "No Arm, I can not."

* Matar rolls his eyes.

* Castinar will slowly move away from Sane, using the cloak and boots -- back a short distance, then I'll move slowly forward, as if I'm cautiously scouting

<Castinar> *er, you want me forward or back? <through hunter>

* Matar calls out, "Sane! Amber and I are coming forward to tend them!"

* Matar starts walkin.

<Sane> *Saif, did I detect any magic on the prisoners?

<Dac> When the fighter wipes his mouth he leaves blood on his hand.

* Amber moves forward when its time making sure her holy symbol is visible.

<Diana> * did you not want Diana to go forward?

<Castinar> *Hunter will fly back and relay the message to slowly come forward

<Dac> Sane - yes, diffuse on the drow and the smaller hooded figure.

<Matar> * nah sacrifice... er risk one healer at a time

<Thengal> It would be a good idea if ye did Diana

* Castinar will then move forward to where Sane stnads

<Dac> Cast - still hiding (cloak), or do you reveal yourself?

<Castinar> *Hide to back a way a short distance, then forward normally

* Diana will move forward with Armatage then.

<Diana> "Better we need sacrifice none at all..."

<Dac> When Cast suddenly "appears" fairly close to the others they start

* Castinar bows

<Castinar> "You called, Sane?"

* Castinar looks over hte "new" group carefully

<Dac> * So Amber, Diana, and Matar move forward as well?

<Sane> *omit comma

<Diana> * yes

<Dac> OK

<Kat> *How far away and still see them?

<Amber> *yes

<Castinar> "What, or better, who, have we here?"

<Dac> * Kat - see who?

<Kat> *Rather, how far away can Kat be and still see the elf with wand

<Castinar> "Healing? That, I can provide -- but who is it I heal? Be they friends in this wild place?"

<Dac> Kat - about 200' (move forward 100')

<Dac> the fighter moves over to the drow and grabs him by the neck. The drow is glaring at Castinar.

* Kat will move up to have her in view. I little red dot on her if she points that wand at anyone

* Castinar stares cooly back at the elf

<Matar> * coyly?

<Castinar> "Do you know me?"

<Castinar> *that to the Drow

<Dac> the fighter has another coughing fit

<Dac> the drow tenses, but Crys prods him in the back with the wand. "Don't be stupid" she says.

* Castinar looks carefully at him, then says to the others "May I see if I can assist him?" (motioning at fighter)

<Dac> The drow doesn't answer Cast, just glares at him - and at Diana as well when she comes forward.

<Castinar> "I have spells as well as mundane healing"

* Diana returns the glare with interest, penelties, and taxes due.

<Dac> Dac looks back at the others again.

<Dac> * that from Hunter

* Castinar nods

* Castinar waits for the nod of approval from Dac to start attempting healing

<Dac> The fighter looks at Castinar and replies "I must keep him from attacking."

<Castinar> "Where did you get these captives?"

<Sane> *heal who?

<Castinar> "Keep him from attacking? He is bound, is he not?"

<Dac> Dac smiles. "He's gotten loose twice before. Almost killed Groz last time."

<Dac> "They are slavers. Tried to kidnap our priest. They killed him in the process." Dac replies

<Dac> the fighter says 'DAc, you wanna watch 'im?"

<Castinar> "They? Was this all of them? Are you sure there are not more following you?"

* Castinar glances intently down the tunnel

<Dac> "We killed the rest of the bastards" Crys replies, "but they got Demma and Fankli"

<Dac> The tall figure starts tossing his head around

<Dac> tall hooded figure that is