Session Start: Fri Sep 15 19:14:32 2000

* Logging #DM to '#DM.log'

<Saif> I need to konw right now if you want to change positions. We're about to star

<Saif> start that is

<Prentyss> looking now

<Saif> Prentyss, I stuck you donw the hallway a bit. You're invisible. Oh yeah, F should be invisible as well

<Robert> Looks good to me

<Fara> You need to update Fara's memorized spells. Also, did the map just get blown up a bit. I was thinking that Fara is on the left hand wall, so she could see into both of the elbows in the tunnel. But now the maps zoom up a bit and the other elbow disappeared. I still want her on the left wall though. At about M or N

<Prentyss> is r at the front or the rear of our party

<Quad> They are coming up from below

<Prentyss> but I'm ahead of our party right?

<Saif> Prent - yess, so you'll be behind the seekers when they show up

<Prentyss> ok thanks

<Saif> So Fara - where exactly do you want to be? M3?

<Saif> The elbow isn't that strong of a turn

<Fara> M3 is close enough

<Fara> Message only works if Fara has line of sight to Prentyss. In the current scenario, Fara looses contact with Prentyss. I don't want that.

<Prentyss> prent at r9?

<Prentyss> or r8?

<Prentyss> oop - r5 opposite wall

<Quad> Fara, I'm still thinking ice storm early on would take care of a lot of stoneskins

<Prentyss> i'll leave teh magic up to the experts - I work best with a point and shoot

<Fara> Quad: yes! please do. Icestorm, by all means.

<Saif> OK, both your grid and the map combat2 have been updated.

<Saif> Quad - to get ice storm you'll have to give up your summon elemental kin or stoneskin

<Robert> Have we precast any Stoneskins?

<Saif> just those that show on the grid - prentyss and faranayel have them

<Robert> Oops, haven't looked at the new grid. Sorry

<Fara> Saif, I still don't see the corrections on Fara on the grid. Will you get confused?

<Saif> Quad would have his as well, unless you want to take ice storm

<Saif> what are you looking for?

<Quad> I'll cast stoneskin now, then flush summon earth elemental for ice storm

<Prentyss> saif - did you see about moving me to the opposite wall?

<Saif> did you want to move there, or was Fara?

<Saif> Quad - check

<Quad> thanks

<Prentyss> I'll move tot the opposite wall to keep LOS

<Fara> Prentyss can stay put, I've already moved Fara

<Prentyss> ok!

<Saif> OK, we're set then?

<Saif> Who wants to play Dac as the front man?

<Quad> 10 ft squares

<Quad> ?

<Saif> yes, 10' squares, ceiling height 50' pretty much uniform

<Saif> Fara - how high up do you want to be on the wall? I've got you at 30' right now

<Fara> Fara's spells. 1st level: D Magic, Feather Fall, Cantrip, Message, Color Spray. 2nd Level: Strength, D. invis, alter self. 3rd Level: P/F magic missles, haste, wraithform

<Prentyss> i'll turn down on Dac

<Saif> You guys want to play Cryss, Dac, or Thump?

<Saif> Anybody for those three?

<Fara> 30 feet sounds good

<Prentyss> not for me on any of them right now

<Robert> I suppose, since my character won't be doing any talking, that the least I can do is speak for one of the others

<Saif> Robert - how about Dac for you?

<Robert> Sure, as long as I don't have to determine his combat actions <g>.

<Saif> Thump is almost all melee (which you'll be doing already) and Crys is mostly spells

<Robert> I don't mind the talking part

<Saif> He's easy - pulls out his guns and shoots

<Quad> I'll do thump in melee

<Fara> I'll play Crys.

<Saif> OK

<Saif> You three look over the sheets and let me know if you have any questions about your NPCs

<Robert> Let me get our story straight though.

<Fara> So, how's this going to work. Do we get to hear what the others are posting, or will you cut and paste to this channel?

<Saif> I'll probably have Robert sign on to the other channel as Dac at first and do the talking

<Saif> I'll keep you updated here as best I can

<Robert> We ran into a group of slavers, our priest and a warrior were killed, several party members were wounded, and we captured 1 (or 2?) prisoners

<Saif> Once combat starts I'll have another channel with everybody in it

<Fara> What is Chrysies Amulet of effective evokations?

<Groznyj> Three prisoners.

<Robert> Three prisoners, check

<Groznyj> The two drow, and Thump

<Groznyj> And I'm dressed up with old bandagges, correct?

<Robert> k, I'm going to run to the bathroom. Back in 2 minutes

<Quad> Thump has a potion os speed. VBG

<Fara> And our cleric was killed. And we're paranoid that the seekers are slavers.

<Groznyj> Check.

<Groznyj> Is Ari offering to heal me actually realistic?

<Groznyj> What if things don't go that way?

<Saif> Fara - forget about the amulet, she doesn't have it

<Fara> Can we have Harag have already cast his "silence" spell on a pebble and have given it to Prentyss? That way,she could toss it out on round one. Totally screw up a few spells

<Quad> Thump will have the potion of speed in the palm of his large hand ready to go

<Saif> Fara - it could, but if the party passes close to Prentyss's location they might notice the effect.

<Groznyj> Prisoners loosely bound, drow loosely gagged.

<Robert> Saif, should I not let the seekers know it's me playing Dac?

<Saif> Robert - check, change your nick to Dac before you go over into the main window

<Saif> I'll tell you when

<Saif> brb, kid crying again

<Robert> I'm chatting with Kim right now. I'll tell her I have to leave <G> and then change my nick <G>

<Fara> Saif, can we still be told what's going on. Robert shouldn't be alone on this one. Fara can help him out via the message spell if he gets stumped.

*** Robert is now known as Dac

<Dac> I'll stay here as well and let you guys know what is going on.

<Fara> Saif, Crystenna will already have her stoneskin up.

<Quad> me too

<Dac> Don't worry, I'll be soliciting lots of advice (or at least as much as Saif will allow <G>)

<Fara> Dac: great! If you get stumped, just ask us and we can help you out. Fara can relay any questions you have to the others in the group. Those not in the front lines should be able to whisper replies without drawing too much attention.

<Saif> back

<Saif> Yes, I'll try and keep you guys updated with what is going on by posting it into this window

<Fara> Dac: actually, now that I think about it, it will look wierd if you are whispering to no one. You have to give us the high sign. Scratch yourself if you want suggestions.

<Dac> I'll scratch my ear when I need some advice

<Fara> K

<Fara> Saif, can I get a "roger" on Crystenna's stoneskin?

<Groznyj> Basic idea is to talk Ari into healing us, right?

<Fara> Well, they have loads of clerics. Any one will do.

<Dac> I plan on starting out with a nervous/defensive posture

<Groznyj> Ari or Diana, or even both. Amber isn't quite the threat they are.

<Dac> "Thats close enough strangers, we're armed and ready to defend ourselves" - something along those lines

<Fara> Dac, sounds good. Keep in mind we think they're slavers. We want them to do the whole goodguy thing. it will motivate them to bring forward a cleric.

<Saif> Fara - roger

<Groznyj> Then Thump charges. and The .... hits the fan.

<Dac> I might even start out with a shouted warning to you guys - "stand ready, there's a group of strangers coming toward us". I'll have to see how things unfold.

<Saif> Do you want hoods over the heads of Thump and the two drow?

<Groznyj> Over Thump adn the female drow would be best

<Dac> I think hoods, pseudo blindfolds, and fake manacles

<Saif> OK, that way the female wouldn't have to be gagged

<Quad> Yes, then I can have the potion of speed poised in my mouth, all I need to do is raise my head when Fara says drink

<Saif> Quad - check, good idea

<Fara> Quad, now we're thinking!

<Saif> BTW, you have "dust of magic resistance" spread all over you, giving you and additional 30% magic resistance.

<Fara> All of us! Thanks, saif!

<Dac> Does that affect our own magic or just hostile magic?

* Groznyj coughs odds evening cough cough

<Groznyj> Sorry, must be getting a cold.

<Dac> We're still probably going to get wiped out, but it should be exiting for a while <g>.

<Saif> dac - that would effect all magic. Don't worry, its a GOOD thing for Thump (he regenerates, so won't need much healing magic)

<Quad> Hey, I've got broncitis, I can e-mail it to you

<Saif> OK, here we go!

<Groznyj> Being honest, there's a small chance we'll win, and a good chance that they'll have actual casualties.

<Saif> BTW, since you have humans you have to have light, so the area is lit

*** Quad is now known as Thump

<Dac> Do beetles have infravision <G>?

<Dac> What about flesh golums :) ?

<Groznyj> Gotta hit the theme music on Napster.

<Dac> golems even <vbg>

<Saif> what theme music?

<Thump> need to add stoneskins to Quad on the grid

<Groznyj> Kung FU fighting

<Saif> added, you got 7

<Thump> okay

<Dac> lol

<Fara> Why does Dac have "haste" spell on the Grid. I thought as front man, he wasn't going to cast it.

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

<Saif> <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.

<Saif> fara - somehow I loaded up a version of the grid without the changes. It's changed now

<Saif> Prentyss - you see the kenku sneaking forward towards the party

<Saif> what do you guys want to be talking about?

<Fara> ###Saif, I hit reload on my browser and I keep getting the same grid.

<Saif> I haven't reloaded it yet. Will just before the combat starts

<Dac> We should be talking about how long we should rest before heading to the surface and how we are going to guard the prisoners if we run into more trouble

<Groznyj> Talk about the battle where we 'lost' some party members, and took prisoners?

<Fara> Fara sends: talk about limited rations, and need for healing.

<Groznyj> Check.

<Fara> Fara sends: talk about going back for the cleric's body.

<Saif> what race are the prisoners?

<Saif> <Kat> *killz zem all

<Saif> <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.

<Saif> * Sane raises an eyebrow.

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

<Thump> Occasionally check on wounds, somebody hit Thump a couple of times in anger, he'll heal

<Prentyss> sorry had a phone call

<Fara> Fara sends, Thump says to hit him so he can start healing.

* Groznyj whacks Thump with the flat of his sword

* Dac keeps looking around nervously

<Thump> Thank you sir may I have another!

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

<Saif> <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> <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.

<Groznyj> Behave, or I'll take Harag's death out on you

<Fara> Thump says he wants more damage.

<Groznyj> OOC:Please sir, may I have some more?

<Dac> lol

* Groznyj whacks Thump again

<Saif> Weaponry?

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

<Saif> <Saif> Long sword on the fighter

<Saif> <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> <Saif> no weapons on the prisoners

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

<Prentyss> I'll keep an eye on the kenku

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

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

<Saif> <Sane> *oh, ok

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

* Groznyj 'tightens' Thumps manacles

<Groznyj> That'll make him behave

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

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

<Groznyj> I don't speak well. I am a brute after all.

<Prentyss> what do I see other than the kenku?

<Saif> nothing, he is just sitting there, listening

<Saif> the kenku gets back and make makes his way away from the group

<Prentyss> am I 'linked' with our party through message?

<Saif> the kenku is gone

<Saif> yes

<Groznyj> Haard enough for ya Thump?

<Saif> * fudging on some spells/times here. the party itself probably won't show up for a bit, but we'll put your group in stasis as far as spell durations go

<Thump> yep, reminds me of Dirty Harry

<Saif> Thump - "Feel good, do more"

<Groznyj> Prayer?

<Prentyss> send - I think we've been 'heard' Kenku just was here and left away from us

<Fara> Prentyss, gotcha. How'd he react. did he buy it?

<Prentyss> send - 'react?'

<Prentyss> sorry - I was AFK with a phone call

* Groznyj begins humming an odd song

<Fara> Hey everybody. FYI, each of you is linked to Fara via the message spell. she's the only one who is linked to everyone. If you want to send a message to the group, just tell Fara.

<Groznyj> What prep we making spellwise?

<Prentyss> send - 'kenku sat and listened for short time and then left'

<Fara> Gang, the Kenku is gone. You can relax a bit.

<Dac> Have the flesh golem carry a sack on his back. The sack is full of bones.

<Dac> When he moves into combat he drops the sack. You then cast Animate Dead on

<Dac> it and get an instant guard of 7 skeletons.

<Dac> That's the first thing Haragswarld is going to do for spells

<Fara> Well, it would help if they had weapons too.

<Saif> ah, forgot to add that to the battle grid - updated now

<Groznyj> How are Themp and the Drow equipped?

<Saif> the drow are equipped fine, but they won't help much in the fight (their own agenda). Thump has his claws and teeth.

<Saif> that's all he needs

<Groznyj> check.

<Thump> 6 attacks

<Groznyj> Who's his target?

<Fara> Go Thump!

<Saif> 5 - four claws and a bite

<Groznyj> Matar? If so, I call Thengal

<Saif> he wants to take on Matar

<Prentyss> afk -

<Thump> Potion of speed, doubled right?

<Saif> * BTW, for those of you familiar with the seeker's history, Thump is basically Tharg at a higher level

<Thump> 10 attacks?

<Dac> Yikes

<Groznyj> I'm familiar, though not on the trollkin race.

<Groznyj> What's his str?

<Thump> 18.00

<Groznyj> OUCH.

<Saif> dex 19, con 20

<Saif> he's a killing machine

<Thump> Am I right on the 10 attacks with the potion

<Dac> Saif, do I have time to go get a soda?

<Saif> yes, 10 with the potion <ouch>

<Saif> Dac - probably

<Dac> brb then

<Saif> they are still working on their plan

<Fara> Wait the potion isn't necessary. Fara will cast haste. Who wants in on the haste. She can cover herself and 5 others.

<Groznyj> IC:Prent-tis go spy?

<Groznyj> I do.

<Saif> Dac would not - it interferes with him being able to use his guns well

<Saif> It would work on the flesh golem -make it much more dangerous

<Fara> OK Fara, Thump, Groznyj, and Fleshy. Anyone else?

<Groznyj> The drow fighter? Pretys?

<Saif> Quad doesn't really need it - he'll be casting spells. The drow fighter will take it

<Prentyss> back -

<Saif> Prentyss probably won't be within spell range

<Prentyss> leave me out

<Thump> I've been reading about the staff, probably won't be doing much casting

<Saif> * Also Dac can really turn on the speed when he needs to (running wise)

<Dac> back

<Saif> Thump - remember your limit on charges. BTW, you do NOT have the highest level abilities. You had to give that up to get all the powers of the other four elementals in one staff.

<Thump> ah shit

<Thump> where are the charges listed?

<Saif> You essentially have 24 charges

<Saif> But remember that each charge expended has a 5% chance of releasing the elemental inside.

<Fara> Saif, in case the good guys are getting tricky, Fara will look for invisible divination censors--like the kind that appear when you get scryed.

<Saif> divination censors?

* Groznyj whacks hard with sword

<Prentyss> I'm just holding until the party gives the move signal

<Groznyj> If they are spying on us.

<Fara> Ya, when you cast clairaudience, clair... magic mirror,... it creates an invisible censor in the area you are scying.

-> *Thump* before I knew you were going to be here I was planning on using the staff as the equalizer. If the fight was balanced he won't use it. if the seekers are having it too easy then he lets loose with it. So for now plan mostly on casting spells.

<Prentyss> I'll keep on the lookout for people unless someone tells be what to look for

<Fara> Prentyss, you're fine. Stay put for now.

<Groznyj> Are we in camp?

<Saif> Yes, a lunch-camp (short break)

<Saif> In fact, the drow female suggests you start eating, to give a reason why you've waited in one spot for so long. It's been almost an hour now.

<Groznyj> Fara, use minor globe of invuneralbility

<Fara> No, the globe can wait until they're on there way back.

<Groznyj> Good call.

* Dac will get some rations from his pack but not leave his place as obvious lookout

<Fara> OK, you heard the lady, eat some food.

* Groznyj eats some rations, but not enough to weigh down the staomach

<Prentyss> cyber snack time - popcorn anyone?

<Groznyj> Need caffeine...

* Dac takes a handful of popcorn

<Fara> OK everyone, it's time to force their hand. Let's pretend that Thump breaks his bonds and begins attacking the group. We all shout, thump roars. We fake some combat. They're forced to come help us.

<Saif> * they are a ways away

<Saif> * be patient <g>

<Fara> Too bad.

<Fara> Prentyss, how far away where they when you first spotted them?

<Saif> I think you guys had Prentyss out 100 yards ahead. She only saw the kenku.

<Saif> this is the way most chat sessions are - hurry up and wait

<Dac> I may have to go to bed before the battle starts <G>

<Saif> they are finalizing it right now

<Fara> "/me claps enthusiastically!"

<Fara> Oops, it didn't work. How do you do actions?

<Dac> lose the "

<Saif> no quotes

<Dac> just /me

* Thump barfs

* Fara claps enthusiastically

* Dac demonstrates

* Fara shoots an arrow into Thump

<Fara> just kidding!

* Thump smiles

* Groznyj thumps Thump

<Fara> Clean up your barf or I'll stop hitting you.

* Fara grows impatient.

<Thump> Anybody take a look at 3rd edition yet?

* Fara breaks out her copy of War and Peace

<Fara> Yes, I'm really liking it. I'm ready to make the change.

<Saif> How long do you guys want to wait if they don't show back up?

<Thump> Picked up DM Guide Monday but haven't had a chance to really sit down with it yet

<Saif> Still slowly moving through the PH

<Fara> Finally! First off, there's no they. There's just a Kenku. I would have wanted Prentiss to go looking for him long before an hour had passed.

<Saif> OK

<Saif> Prentyss, how far do you go searching for them before you turn back?

-> *Prentyss* you here?

<Prentyss> checking movement rate

<Saif> Fara - how long do you want Prentyss to take scouting ahead...

<Saif> P - give me a time, not necessarily a distance

<Fara> Prentyss, we'll give you 20 minutes.

<Saif> Prentyss goes out 10 minutes but doesn't see anything and returns

<Prentyss> thanks saif

<Saif> So what now? Move on?

<Fara> OK, I say the Kenku's gone. What say we move on, but keeping the disguise.

<Prentyss> I would say move ahead

<Dac> I agree

<Saif> OK, you press on then?

<Prentyss> move about 15 minutes and then let me scout again

<Dac> failure to do so would threaten our disguise

<Groznyj> Head em up, move em out

<Fara> OK, we want Prentyss way ahead. We want at least a three round warning or we wont have the advantage.

<Saif> So you move ahead 15 minutes and then let Prentyss scout ahead again?

<Fara> Yes. Is 100 yards far enough for us to get several rounds warning?

<Saif> yes

<Saif> K, hold on

<Dac> I think we should let her move for 15 minutes, then we move for 15 more while she scouts ahead. At the end of 30 minutes or when she makes contact whe returns to us

<Saif> OK

<Groznyj> My connection's messing up. I'll brb

*** Groznyj has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer)

<Fara> As we travel, Fara says: What the heck is a Kenku doing in the underdark?

<Fara> Dac, are you saying Prentyss goes 15 minutes ahead of us?!

<Thump> Let's take the kenku if he's alone.

<Dac> yes, that will take her to where she was and then we will move behind her

<Saif> OK, pay attention

<Thump> We need to cast some sort of wall behind her to cut off her escape

<Fara> But if she gets discovered, it will look wierd, and she be too far to call for help--which is what she'd do in keeping with our disguise.

<Saif> Prentyss, you are about 3 minutes out from your last contact with the party (they are 3 minutes behind you) when you see an invisible human moving down the tunnel. Strange thing is, he is dressed just like the kenku was. At his side is a cat (also invsibile) and overhead a bat (also invisible)

<Saif> * Prentyss is very good at not being detected

<Prentyss> send - human and partner

<Saif> P - you're too far out for that. You'll need to hurry back to the party, do so?

<Fara> Prentyss, you know that the message spell requires line of sight.

<Prentyss> yes

*** Groznyj has joined #DM

<Groznyj> back

<Saif> OK, Prentyss returns and reports the above. The kenku is only a minute or two away. What do you guys do???

<Saif> Make that human this time, wearing the kenku's clothes.

<Groznyj> look tired

<Saif> keep moving?

<Prentyss> after I report I head back in front

<Dac> I say we keep moving slowly forward as if we were unaware of their presence

<Thump> Fara somebody had dust of appearance, take it since you are up high

<Saif> Anybody object to just moving forward?

<Saif> Fara - this will put you on the ground, but still invisible

<Fara> Keep moving, but spell prep before the Kenku can see us.

<Saif> What spells do you want to prep with, besides Message?

<Dac> prayer

<Fara> Message gets cast before Prentyss gets away.

<Prentyss> lol

<Fara> Detect inviso next

<Saif> * there may be several rounds of negotion before the fighting starts - if you burn spells now they may expire before combat actual begins.

<Prentyss> leave the detect invis to me - I'll try to give as straight up as possible

<Dac> I agree, we should hold off on spells as long as we can

<Saif> Prentyss moves foward - about one minute from your current location she sees something strange.

<Prentyss> ???

<Groznyj> Uh OH

<Saif> Set up in the corridor where she just was is what looks like a party

<Prentyss> send - stop hold

<Groznyj> recieved.

<Groznyj> Sorry, remember to wait on Fara

<Prentyss> slowly approach the party

<Saif> hold on

* Dac turns to his visible companions and says "I'm going to scout ahead for a bit. I'll be back in 10 minutes"

<Dac> to prentyss he whispers via message "I'm going to act like a scout to help hide you."

<Prentyss> ok

<Fara> I'm not likeing this at all.

<Saif> ok, back

<Saif> Prentyss sees a party of five apparently camped in the tunnel ahead of her. She was just here a minute ago, no party.

<Saif> Two human fighters; one female wizard-looking type; an elven archer; and an dwarven cleric.

<Saif> No sign of the human, cat, or bat

<Groznyj> Groznyj suspects Prentyss has been drinking OTJ again

<Prentyss> send - party of 5-2 fight, 2 magic type, and one with bow

<Saif> Prentyss - you'll need to head back to send this

* Dac moves forward as if he were the groups real scout

<Prentyss> looking around for human, cat or bat

<Saif> Do so?

<Saif> the party will be in this stretch of tunnel in about 1 minute

<Fara> You mean we'll be to the illusionary camp in one minute?

<Saif> Yes

<Thump> Quads keeping an eye on the tunnel behind

<Groznyj> send to Harag-Prepare Hold person for mages

<Saif> So keep moving or what?

* Dac thinks the party ahead is an illusion

<Prentyss> I've stopped until more info to send to party

<Saif> So P, you don't go back and tell the party what you've seen??

<Saif> Fara - keep the party moving forward? The party can now see light in the distance.

<Saif> ### pick up the posting, people, we're in real-time now

<Fara> Move forward cautiously.

<Groznyj> walk forward and look tired

<Saif> the party eventually comes to a point where they can see the camp for themselves about 200' away. Five people, as posted above

* Dac is moving forward as the party's visible scout - approx 40' ahead of the main group

<Prentyss> I sent a message backto party

<Fara> Fara sends to Crysty to tell them it's an illusion. Crys calls out loudly, it's an illusion, beware!

<Thump> What happened to the bat,cat,human?

* Dac is using his move silently skill

* Groznyj stopsw suddenly

<Saif> So you want her to say that? The illusionary party will hear.

<Saif> you can't see the bat, cat, or human

<Fara> That's the idea!

<Thump> ok

* Groznyj scratches self, and continues

<Saif> The leader, human knight guy, calls out, "Hail! Who brings this light through the darkness?"

<Prentyss> after sending the message i stopped and started looking for the party of 3

<Saif> OK

<Saif> Crys calls out "It's an illusion, beware!"

<Fara> Fara too is scanning for the three. front and back.

* Groznyj draws his sword and looks around cautiously

<Groznyj> Huh?

<Fara> Dac do your thing!

* Dac continues to move forward until he sights the party

<Saif> So the party stops?

*** Thump is now known as Quad

<Saif> Dac, you can see them

<Saif> Approach them?

<Saif> How far away does the party stop?

<Fara> Dac: come on. "We're armed and ready to defend ourselves.

<Groznyj> About twenty?

* Dac makes himself visible to the others and says "We're prepared to defend ourselves stranger"

<Saif> suddenly the five people and their light vanish, leaving you alone in the tunnel

<Fara> Chrys casts shield

<Dac> "We mean no harm to any creature of goodwill, but will defend ourselves against any attaker

<Prentyss> as our group approaches I'll carefully go forward some more

* Groznyj moves forward to help guard Dac

<Groznyj> scratch that.

<Quad> Send Mention fear of slavers

<Groznyj> Moves to a point where I can help Dac, but stop prisoners from beaking away

<Saif> you hear, in your head (telepathy) <You need not defend yourself from me.>

* Dac takes on an expression of amazement at the disappearance of the other party. "They just disappeared" he exclaims

<Saif> then

<Dac> "Who are you"?

<Dac> "We'll make no promise not to harm slavers, so if you be one of them, prepare for battle"

<Fara> Prentyss, he's got line of sight on us. He can see us. Find him.

* Dac looks around nervously for the source of the telepathic communication

<Quad> "Slavers?"

<Saif> <a traveler> you hear in your head again.

<Prentyss> move ahead slowly looking high and low

* Groznyj 's eyes narrow at mention of slavers

* Fara begins to scan the cieling for a kenku invisible

<Saif> P - how far do you move forward?

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

<Saif> <What brings you to this place? Why do you have prisoners?> the voice asks

<Prentyss> not that I'll be out of sight (message) range

<Saif> K, that's about 200'.

<Fara> prentyss, remember the kenku. keep your eyes up as well as down.

<Saif> You don't see him in that distance

<Prentyss> send - I'm not finding 'him'

<Saif> * how do you answer the last question about prisoners?

<Fara> Pren, Stay put for now

<Groznyj> "They attack us. They slavers."

<Prentyss> I'll hold

<Groznyj> "Kill cleric fr-fr-friend"

* Groznyj whacks Thump angrily

<Prentyss> send - but keep looking high and low for 'him'

<Dac> "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."

<Dac> "We are tired and wounded, but not so much as to be easy prey or unable to defend ourselves again"

<Fara> Cryssy calls out for all to hear. "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.

<Dac> "Now, I have answered your question. It's time for you to tell us who or what you are"

* Groznyj winces at the effort of abusing big prisoner

* Dac turns to he companions "Peace Cryss, let us give them a chance to speak lest we become like the group that cowardly lied and attacked us"

<Quad> Thump drops to one knee

<Saif>

* Dac lays his hand on his weapon, but does not draw it.

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

<Dac> *OOC Saif, have we heard of the Truth Seekers?

<Saif> Yes, you know the people you work for are really, really pissed at these guys for shutting down one of their operations in Cormyr

<Dac> *Do we know where they are from or anything else about them?

<Groznyj> "Sa-ay-ne? Seekurs?"

<Saif> * no, but the drow both stiffen when the name is mentioned

<Fara> Cryssy 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!

* Groznyj looks confused

<Saif> Prentyss - you see the kenku (now kenku again) still invisible step away from the wall, where he had been hiding.

* Dac idly scratches his ear "The name sounds familiar to me. Arent you a mercernary company?

<Prentyss> I'm still concentrating on trying to find the party of 5 and the party of 3

<Prentyss> OOC - saif - am I 'hearing' Sane's conversation

<Saif> * what party of 5 and party of 3??

<Saif> Yes, you hear the whole conversation as well, Prentyss

<Dac> "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"

<Prentyss> the fighters, mage, cleric and archer (Party of 5) and the human with the cat and bat (partyof 3)

<Saif> <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.>

<Groznyj> OOC:Human, cat and Bat? Who's that?

<Saif> Prentyss - the party of 5 just vanished (dispelled illusion), the party of 3 is mostly likely the kenku you see now. You also see the cat next to him, but not the bat.

<Saif> <That is wise.> (to Dac's last)

-> *Fara* you here? Dac's going to scratch his ear off

<Prentyss> ok - got lost in converstaion having to deal with kids at home!

<Dac> "I be Dac. And you be?"

<Fara> Chrys calls out, "It's a kenku! I can see him. What the heck is a Kenku doing down here?

<Quad> I don't see anything!

<Groznyj> "Kenku? Where? He better not hurt us!"

* Dac starts at Chrys' call. "What is a kenku"? he shouts

<Groznyj> OOC:My light bulb is about 20 watts.

<Saif> Dac - he's already introduce himself as Sane

<Fara> Chrys says, Calm down! He's a birdman.

<Saif> *Fara - he's still invisible, you still want to say that???

<Fara> Fara is telling Chrys what to say. Chrys is speaking.

<Saif> K

<Saif> The kenku appears

* Groznyj starts

<Groznyj> (in surprise)

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

* Dac takes on a wide-eyed expression at the appearance of the bird man

<Groznyj> Turkey?

* Dac nods in acknowledgement of Sane's bow.

<Fara> Chrys holds her wand and stares with suspicion. "Where's the cat's master?

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

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

<Fara> How far away is the Kenku and how far away is the cat?

<Saif> Dac - please change your nick to something else so I can use Dac for a minute

<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> k

<Saif> <How did you get past the wormholes?> Sane asks (you don't know of any wormholes)

*** Dac is now known as robert

*** Saif is now known as Dac

<robert> brb, my daughter just got out of bed.

<Dac> k

<Dac> Fara - you want to run Dac for a bit?

<Prentyss> send - since you have this one covered I'm scouting out for 5 minutes

<Dac> <Alright.> Sane sends

<Fara> Pren, roger that.

<Prentyss> ooc - ???

<Dac> Pren - you only go about 200' when you spot what must be the rest of the party waiting further down the tunnel. There are 9 of them.

<Fara> I'll do Dac if nobody else wants to, I guess.

<robert> back

<Prentyss> ooc - saif - did sane hear my message?

<Quad> Use Sir Ellery's charm

<Dac> P - no

<robert> I'm going to have to take off in half an hour or so.

<Fara> So Robert can have Dac back when your ready Saif.

<Prentyss> bic - send - party of 9 in 200'

<Dac> K, Sane is asking Dac about some location stuff - Dac claims the party is from Westgate

<Dac> Sane says he is from Jurgenville

<Fara> We can't wait, we have to move forward now.

<robert> If someone else wants to be Dac, I'll gladly give him up :)

<Dac> * you guys hear that message from Prentyss (who has to move back a ways to contact Fara)

<Dac> * just trying to move thing salong, if an important question comes up I'll let you answer it

<Fara> OK, I say we move forward.

* Groznyj grunts

<Dac> So move forward to Sane?

<Prentyss> send - fara should I check out the group more/

<Fara> Yes, give us race and brief description. And check for that bat! We want to account for all invisibles.

<Groznyj> OOC: invisibility doesn't work on bats.

<Dac> For a quick rundown on the Seekers (don't use the knowledge other than the visible factors) http://www.xmission.com/~saif/night/grid.htm

<Groznyj> right?

<Dac> The kenku starts looking at you all closely

<Fara> Wait, is he still there! I thought he went back to get his friends!

<Fara> Saif, is the kenku still there?

<Dac> no, he is still there

<Dac> he and Dac are talking about where they are from, where your party is headed. Dac is lying well. <g>

<Fara> Then why didn't he answer Chrys' question about the cat?

<Dac> The kenkuy looks at each of you

<Dac> He ignored the question about the cat.

<Prentyss> send - fara - party of 9 5 fighters and 4 magic type

* Groznyj guards the prisoner, eyeing the bird man susiciously

<Fara> Chrys 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."

<Prentyss> (returning to own party) - send fara - what do you need me to do?

<Dac> <My dear elf, I am merely looking closely at each of you. Protecting myself.> he says in reply to Crys

<Dac> * so you guys just keep talking?

<Fara> Chrys, Well then, why aren't you answering our questions. Where are your friends? Where's the illusionist? Start talking!

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

<Dac> The elf slowly claps. "Ohh. Ahh." (Cry's reaction <g>)

<Fara> Chrys smirks, "You? Huh."

<Dac> * you guys want to press the 'heal us' issue?

<Dac> Dac, you want to word it??

<Fara> Yes!!!

<Dac> or somebody else??

<Dac> <My dear, perhaps you can grace my ears with the sound of your name?> (that to Crys)

<Groznyj> brb checking grid

<robert> You're doing a fine job as Dac, Saif <G>

<Prentyss> send - FARA - I have the rest of the party of 9 in 200 ft 5 fighters 4 magic type

<Fara> Crys settle a bit and says, "Call me Crys. Do your friends have any healing among them. Groz is hurt worse than he looks."

<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?"

<Fara> Pren, we gotcha, the group knows. Stay put.

<Groznyj> "Id-don't trust bird man. He could be s-slaver"

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

<Fara> Chrys says to Groz, "Don't worry Groz, if he's a slaver, I'll blast his feathers off."

<Dac> <Great Sir, I told you. The Truth Seekers hunt slavers. But Dac, back to your more urgent question.> (that to Groz)

* Groznyj nods slowly to Crys's claim.

<Dac>

<Fara> Crys' wand goes up. "Hold it right there. That's just what a slaver would want."

* Groznyj looks suspicious, but looks hopeful

<Fara> Crys says, we all go forward or we all go backward, you choose, Sane. But we don't send our wounded alone."

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

<Dac>

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

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

<Dac>

* Groznyj begins hacking severely (coughing)

<Quad> Ba-dum-pa

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

<Dac> Prentyss sees somebody else invisible slowly moving forward, as if scouting

* Groznyj surrepittously wipes his mouth, leaving a bright red trail on a bandage

<Groznyj> OOC:bit your tongue.

<Prentyss> I'm being watchful

<Dac> You all hear a voice from further down the tunnel "Sane, Amber and I are coming forward to tend them."

* Groznyj tries to waft the smoke from pouring from his ears from his good idea

<Dac> An elf suddenly appears about 20' behind Sane. Prentyss saw him sneaking forward

<Fara> Fara casts cantrip, if she can do it quietly while people are shouting and talking.

<Dac> Prentyss - you see a female elf mage, a human fighter, and a halfling female moving forward

<Dac> Castinar bows

<Dac> <Castinar> "You called, Sane?"

<Dac> * Castinar looks over hte "new" group carefully

* robert nods to Castinar

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

* Groznyj moves closer to the drow to cut off any sudden rush towards the elf

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

<Prentyss> ooc - can I move to a position that I can see BOTH groups?

<Fara> While the conversation is going, Fara casts alter self, if she can do so quietly.

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

<Dac> You now see the others moving forward - elf female, human male, halfling female

* Groznyj fights off another coughing fit

<Dac> Prentyss reports that a human female with a bow drawn and ready moves up to about 200' from the party

<Fara> fara looks for a ledge to fly up to, Saif?

<robert> *I know that we're just getting to the "fun" part, but I'm afraid I have to call it a night. I have to get up in 6 hours and rebuild a server at work.

<Groznyj> send fara to prent-flank her

<Dac> the fighter has another coughing fit

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

<robert> *Sorry to be so little help Saif, but thanks for the opportunity.

<Groznyj> Night Rob.

<Dac> sorry it took so long

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

<robert> Not a problem. I know how chat's go <G>.

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

<Groznyj> Cappucino works wonders on low sleep.

<robert> At this rate, we may get to finish this next Friday anyway <VBG>

<Dac> * So this may be the choke point - they are offering healing. What do you do?

<Dac> Oh, this will probably last three weeks or more

<robert> Good Night all.

*** robert has quit IRC (Leaving)

<Dac> the drow fighter is exchanging cold stares with Castinar and Diana (the two elves)

<Dac> ### So what do you do about the offer to heal Groz?

<Groznyj> "I must keep him from attacking."

<Groznyj> OOC: what weapon does the drow have?

<Dac> * they are starting to get suspicious

<Dac> Drow fighter has two short swords - both drow's weapons are well hidden right now

*** Quad is now known as Thump

<Groznyj> "Dac, can you get him?"

<Groznyj> OOC:cursed drow. if pnly he had a dagger of venom he could hide in his hand."

<Dac> Dac nods, scratching at his ear again. "Show time!" he sends to Fara

<Fara> Fara says, lets move. Thump, take the fighter, Groz get the elf, Fleshy, get the halfling. Dac, get the kenku, Chrys get the cat. Fara casts haste.

* Groznyj begins to wheeze slightly

<Thump> Thump downs his potion of speed

<Thump> Lifting his head up high and gives a grunt

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

<Dac> * Castinar glances intently down the tunnel

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

<Dac> <Dac> The tall figure starts tossing his head around

<Dac> <Dac> tall hooded figure that is

<Dac> <Crystenna, where have you heard the name Truth Seekers?> Sane asks

<Groznyj> send fara hold off a sec

<Prentyss> send - fara - there are nine in all

<Thump> I drank it

* Groznyj moves to restrain Thump, but act like the drow has attempted to break after castinatar

<Dac> K, Thump is ready

<Dac> * so thump, play the enraged wookie?

<Thump> Thump snaps his manacle, then rops his hood off and swings wildly at Goznyi

<Dac> the elf puts his hand on his sword. "What is that?" he asks. The kenku sands <Castinar, please. Everybody, relax.>

<Prentyss> send fara - 11 with the kenku and cat

<Dac> OK, here we go!

<Fara> Pren, I copy.

<Groznyj> Hold him down a second D-dac

<Dac> The tall figure starts breathing heavily and then screams - it sounds more like an animal roar. His hand suddenly shoot apart, knocking the fighter back a few steps. It then rips the hood off it's head and looks around.

<Thump> He straightens and stands fully erect toweering over the masses as he snaps the second set of manacles

<Fara> Chrys casts mm at the cat.

* Groznyj wheezes loudly, and begins coughing

<Thump> *I need to see where everybody is saif

<Dac> The party is taken back for a second because it looks just like Tharg. Then they realize there is more troll in this one than human, but the resemblance is uncanny. (After all, they all look the same to non-trollkin <g>)

<Groznyj> OOC: hold off just a few seconds, and it's perfect

<Dac> * sorry, Thump is loose!

<Fara> Dac casts melf's acid arrow at Sane (is th