Session Start: Fri Nov 10 18:53:28 2000

*** Now talking in #nightbelow

<Saif> Either of you guys really here?

*** Saif changes topic to 'The party stands there, staring at the wall'

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<Kat> hello

<Diana> hihi

<Kat> Does this mean that Matar moves like Neo now or something else?

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*** dshutton is now known as Amber

<Kat> Saif, what if we don't want to change our stats?

<Saif> Hey

<Amber> hi, be back in a few minutes..gotta set the vcr for B5 movie...

<Saif> Paul - please send me an e-mail. I haven't gotten any e-mail since early this afternoon. Want to make sure it's still working.

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<Kat> I didn't see the race section on your character sheet.

<Saif> Kat - if you don't want to change your stats you don't have to

<Saif> Hey Galen, welcome to CONUS

<Saif> Race is up near the top, I think. Hold on...

<Kat> message sent

<NeoMatar> im here

<Castinar> Hey, thanks <G>

<Saif> Yes, right under Character Name. No place for race info, however.

<Saif> That's a copy of the character sheet in the back of the PH. I'm not overly happy with it.

<Diana> here

<Castinar> Except, it feels like I'm still in England --- Cold, wet, and windy (not to mention a dusting of snow earlier in week)

<Kat> I didn't say there wasn't a spot to put your race. There isn't a spot to put your race info.

<NeoMatar> Saif: what adjustments can be made to magic items during the conversion?

<Saif> I guess everybody is just being quiet - e-mail received fine. Thanks.

<Kat> Kat's magic turn out to be better.

<Castinar> catching up on e-mails -- lots of them

<Kat> in 3e

<Saif> Matar - we'll take adjustments like that on a one-on-one basis

<Diana> working on getting my email, to see if you responded to my emails before I ask questions :)

<Saif> For example, Kat pointed out that they have changed the Ring of Spell Storing, making it MUCH more powerful. Things like that will have to be changed somewhat.

<NeoMatar> my other question is what happens to hps?

<Kat> Lots of emails? There haven't been lots of emails. Well, just emails about rules.

<Saif> Haven't replied to any detailed character submissions yet. I spent all day rebuilding my daughter's computer - twice. <grrr>

<Diana> doh

<Kat> B5 on, yipee

<Saif> HPs will be according to 3e rules. You'll probably want to take/design a new feat to reflect a d12 for hps and give up something in the standard fighter package to offset it.

<Saif> Like lower your armor feat down to chain and below, something like that.

<Kat> The Necklace of Sustenance is more powerful too

<Castinar> b5? where? chan?

<Amber> back...B5 on now and again in 3 hours Sci-Fi

<Kat> The slippers of spider climbing are more powerful too (15' per combat round = 150' a minute verse 60' a minute before)

<Castinar> have to check on it...

<Kat> taping it

<Castinar> Saif, you mean ..... I get to REROLL my HPS??????

<Kat> hahah

<Saif> wow, it is - (the sustenance bit) - no week on/week off bit and the less sleep

<Kat> same sleep

<Kat> no week on/off

<Saif> Cast - not really, you need to mirror what you have.

<Saif> In general, unless I feel an item has changed too much (like the ring of spell storing) we'll go with the 3e description. In the case of the ring it's going to stay the way it is - with a set line-up of spells.

<Kat> maybe I shouldn't have shown that to Saif.

<Saif> Then again, maybe Nikki could use Kat's ring to design an easy-to-make but more limited version (locked spells) of the Ring of Spell Storing.

<Saif> BTW, Sane won't be here. He's getting a dog.

<Saif> matar - any word on Seth? Does he plan on being here?

<NeoMatar> eww

<NeoMatar> hes here

* NeoMatar points at Diana

<Kat> Saif needs glasses

<Saif> Oh sorry <doh - was reading Diana as Diane and thinking it was Diane/Amber>

<Kat> or Diana made her hide roll

<Saif> <g>

<Castinar> Hey -- found B5 <G>

<Kat> or both

-> *Nikki* when you look at this, let me know

<Saif> Let's wait a bit to see if Judd can join us, then we'll press

<Castinar> Hmmm... this is hard --- no printer available yet :-( What's your timeline on getting the characters converted?

<Saif> Sane gave me a general intention, but it's not something I think you'll do since I'm going to strongly recommend you don't.

<Castinar> Is this an earlier version of B5?

<Diana> eh?

<Diana> ah heh :)

<Kat> yes and no

<Saif> His idea was to send a few people back to town and buy a bunch of Passwall scrolls or something. But that's exactly the type of thing I did not want the Town Portal spell to be used for - turning it into a "let's jaunt off to the store so we can buy our way out of the current problem"

<Kat> I think it was made before and wasn't shown until after.

<Amber> its the prehistory of the series, which if memory serves was shown in the middle of season 2..like now.

<Amber> The other movies will be on 12-1, 12-8, 12-15 and on the 12-17 The Gathering will be on, the pilot.

<Castinar> Saif, can I get most recent version of Shadow/Castinar? I don't have my paper copies of latest

<Castinar> I think best thing to do at moment is to rest and heal (Nap maybe?) and try a divination spell or two to try to locate Ari, then decide on how to proced

<Saif> Cast - they've already done that. Everybody is rested and full up. As for the divination spell, you don't really have many to choose from. Ari was the one with the good div spell (the one used to find out about Shadow)

<Castinar> Try again, Saif?

<Saif> k

<Kat> 3 days Castinar

<Castinar> Hey, I've got a few div spells, or access to them

<Amber> I thought we had rested and were at the wall, I had offered to do Stone Shape a door or two and acouple of other spells, no one agreed or commented.

<Kat> Ari could be anywhere

<Castinar> Hmm.. why DCC rejecting... let me check

<Saif> Cast - want me to e-mail them to you?

<Nikki> yo

<Saif> Hey Judd

<Castinar> Try one more time, just autoaccepted... I'll turn off after I receive

<Nikki> miss anything? shoould i scroll back?

<Saif> Still resolving a few things then we'll start

<Kat> Nikki past away

<Castinar> Hmmmm.. strange... I guess E-mail will do then

<Saif> K, on the way

<Castinar> doh, found out why --- I had .doc files rejecting for some reason

<Castinar> oh well

<Saif> sent

<Nikki> Did she at least take Kat with her?

<Kat> nope

<Nikki> CS,MM,MM,MM,MM,MM,thunk!

<Kat> oops

<Nikki> lol

<Kat> I guess she did

<Kat> db 6d100

<db> Kat rolled 6d100: [173] 1 72 1 41 48 10

<Castinar> You know --- I don't have my 2nd ed PH available! :-{

<Kat> nope

<Kat> made the MR against your spells 3 times

<Nikki> MM,MM,MM,MM

<Nikki> I've got about 12 of them

<Saif> want the soft copy version of 2e PH?

<Kat> db 4d100

<db> Kat rolled 4d100: [146] 21 53 6 66

<Castinar> I've got Reflecting Pool as a Divination spell... but not sure how useful it will be

<Nikki> how many hps does Kat have?

<Kat> 73

<Nikki> gee

<Nikki> I need to correct a typo on my char sheet. it says i only have 23 but it should also say 73 like yours

<Kat> oh

<Kat> When you convert Nikki to 3e, you should ask Saif if you can make her 11th level. 2nd Fighter, 9th level mage.

-> *Castinar* you want the Word version of the 2e PH? It's 3 MB. I could save it as an RTF if that will take too long to download.

<Nikki> i'd rather be mage 13

<Kat> Of course

<Nikki> i plan to continue on with the long tradition of not owning, using, or knowing how to use physical weapons

<Kat> Welll....

<Kat> That's how you could trade for other powers

<Kat> er feats

<Castinar> When we convert, are we going with the basic stats? What about the +1/4 levels?

<Kat> Yes

<Kat> yes

<Kat> 35 points

<Kat> or keep your stats and add the bonus points

<Kat> if you get any

<Castinar> 35 points? Bonus points?

<Kat> bonus points of +1/4 level and the the race adjustments

<Saif> Cast - use the method in DMG where everything starts at 8 and you add to them. You get 35 points to add on, then you do the racial mods, then the level up mods.

<Castinar> Everyone is eligible for the bonus points, if you're talking the +1/4 levels

<Castinar> Got it... thanks

<Castinar> Remember, the +1/4 levels is for overall character level, not class levles

<Kat> yes

<Amber> Sigh, Amber stays the same except for the +1/4 bit. oh well.

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> So, IC, what do you guys want to do?

<Saif> Cast, you want to cast some spells?

<Castinar> I've got Reflecting pool (lev 4 Div) spell available -- not sure it's capabilities tho (my 2nd ed books are packed right now <G>)

<Nikki> * we still in UD 3 days after the battle?

<Diana> * Im not sure what spells diana can memorize, but She would like to div some things on Ari

<Castinar> If I can use it to try to locate Ari, I will

<Saif> Yes, 3 days after the battle, standing in front of the wall where they disappeared.

<Amber> *Do we have our standard spells memorized? It would mean more time wasted to change Ambers to make a stone door, if so.

<Saif> Yes, standard spells, since you figured you might catch up with the others and fight them

<Saif> Diana - do you have your spell list? I thought we went over your spells last time we chatted??

<Saif> Diana and Cast - it's up to you two on any div spells, so let me know what you try

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<Nikki> I'm certain one of the spells was "Detect Ari"

<Diana> ok

<Diana> let me go over it

<Saif> Hey Groz

<Castinar> checking -- be with you in a sec

<Groznyj> Reporting for duty.

<Saif> The Seekers are trying to track you guys down <g>

<Groznyj> ???

<Saif> Actually, they are trying to figure out what happened to Ari.

<Saif> You guys are gone.

<Nikki> the ones who survived.

<Castinar> Drat -- wish I had standard divination spells <G>

* Saif nods

<Groznyj> Ok, last time, I was in a big brawl, with Seekers surrounding me, but we still had a small chance

<Castinar> Well, I can determine whether Ari is on the Ethereal or inner planes, but cannot use Reflecting pool to check these tunnels... :-}

<Saif> Things went south for your group when Fara was killed. In the end Fara, Thump, and Umlith were killed. Dac was captured and later killed. The rest of you got away.

<Saif> All the details are on the web page, if you want to read what happened.

<Nikki> we decided hunting you down would be more entertaining than killing you all outright.

<Groznyj> bluearch.net/night, right?

<Saif> right

<Saif> go to "History"

<Groznyj> Sorry for not showing up, but I never recieved the mail telling me to show up.

<Groznyj> BRB

* Castinar looks at Diana --- nothing to ckeck the local tunnels.....

<Saif> that's fine. It was over that week - which was about a month ago

<Saif> K'harn has talked to the stone, Cast. She discovered that somebody who "loves the stone" passed through here, using spells to open up passages for him and his friends (the bad guys). She discovered that they have moved far from here now, and that they have blocked several tunnels behind them, like the one you are currently standing before.

<Castinar> Blocked? How so -- with more stone?

<Diana> two i have are Genius (4th cleric) and Reflecting Pool (also 4th cleric)

<Diana> Genius probobly the most useful

<Saif> Yes, with more stone

<Castinar> Reflecting pool only good if they're off prime material plane

<Saif> Off?

<Diana> so genius then

<Saif> No, it works on PMP and inner planes, but not outer

<Castinar> Ethereal and inner is what I read

<Saif> just a sec...

<Saif> It can "extend to" those planes. I'm assuming that the Prime plane is assumed, and what they are after there is that you can't reach the outer planes with that spell.

<Castinar> Yep -- okay, I read that too

<Castinar> Okay, I will try that spell, Diana can try Genius maybe?

<Saif> So Diana wants to use Genius, and Cast wants to use Reflecting Pool?

* Castinar looks at Diana

<Diana> nod

<Castinar> Diana, you have time spells?

<Diana> yep

<Castinar> Do you have anything which might allow me to modify my spell to sort of "follow" them back, travelling the same passages they travelled?

<Diana> er...

<Castinar> *Sort of stowaway on their trip to whereever?

<Diana> i have no idea heh

<Castinar> *OOC, neither do I -- and even if you did, not sure it could work that way <G>

<Castinar> But it's a good idea (well, *I* think it is <VBG>)

<Saif> Sounds like an interesting spell to research - Past Tracking.

<Saif> There is a somewhat related spell - the one where you "capture thoughts" in an area and can see what happened there in the past.

<Saif> OK, so Genius and Pool then? Which first?

<Castinar> What exactly will your spell allow? Would it be better to use that and get me information to hone my spell, or work it the other way?

<Groznyj> Alright. In one round they got a knock out punch. Lucky stiffs. <k>

<Saif> Diana?

<Diana> er...

<Castinar> Hmmm... I'm going to use my detect magic through my reflecting pool, try to determine what type of magical traps might be waiting for us

<Diana> thats up to saif really

<Nikki> nah, it started to fall apart the moment we split our party. a clever ruse designed to fool you into attacking us prematurely.

<Diana> it says the dm should answer one question truthfully.

<Saif> Right, but you need to come up with the question

<Diana> *nod*

<Nikki> "Where is Ari?" "On this plane."

<Saif> So good question - try the question first, or the pool?

<Diana> exactly

<Saif> Remember, if you really want to, you can wait a day between spells and try them both again.

<Diana> i think pool first

<Nikki> "What is Ari's exact location?" "2.4 feet from the bars. Standing up."

<Castinar> How is this for a question....

<Diana> that way we know what to ask the genius spell

<Castinar> "Is Ari with range of the Reflecting pool spell if cast from this location"

<Diana> "In detail, explain the exact tasks this party must preform to arrive at the precise planar location of Ariessus."

<Castinar> That way, I can use the pool, knowing it will work

<Saif> That's something that can be found out by casting the reflecting pool.

<Saif> If she's not, the genius spell is used and you can't use the pool spell. If she is, the genius spell is still gone and you can use the pool anyway.

<Saif> that's not making much sense, is it? <g>

<Groznyj> You need me for anything, Saif?

<Saif> I'll shut up and let you guys decide what to ask.

<Castinar> Hehe --- I'm trying to follow the logic --- not used to being up this early <VBG>

<Saif> Groz - nope. Didn't you see the e-mails about shutting the egroup down?

<Groznyj> No...

<Castinar> Guess I'll go with the pool, using a detect magic through it.... after we see the situation (assuming we see it) we can work on a question

<Saif> Well, the group is gone now. I sent out a thank-you message and then closed it up.

* Amber speaks up while putting runestones away. "Ari is not within 5 miles of this location."

<Saif> So Diana, it's your question, you give me a "this is my final answer" question and I'll answer it

<Diana> ok

<Diana> hrm

<Diana> did we try the pool already?

<Saif> Unless you want to talk Castinar into casting his spell first

<Amber> ## hey guys...AMber just gave some info!!

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<Castinar> I'll cast the pool first, maybe it will help in determining a question

<Diana> notice

<Diana> noticed :)

<Diana> ok

<Castinar> :nods his thanks to Amber

<Kat> I found Ari

* Castinar nods his thanks to Amber

* Kat points at Ari

* Amber smiles and stands up happy to be of some help.

<Saif> OK, Cast, so you cast your Reflecting Pool?

* Castinar nods

<Saif> K

<Nikki> so what was on her corpse? anything?

<Saif> Castinar finds a nice little puddle to cast his spell on

<Saif> He casts the spell and gazes in intently, concentrating on Ari

<Saif> After a few moments the surface of the pool ripples, then goes glass smooth

<Saif> In the water Castinar sees a faint image of Ari's face

<Saif> It appears to be hanging down. One of her lips looks swolen

<Saif> For a moment he fears she is dead, then he sees her twitch

<Saif> She is apparently asleep

<Saif> He pulls his view back a little and frowns

<Saif> Ari is spread eagle against a rock, standing up

<Saif> The rock itself has been molded around her upper arms and lower legs, holding her firmly

<Saif> There is also a black strap across her waist

<Diana> bondage! kinky

<Saif> She is clothed in a simple black and red smock

<Saif> Castinar then jerks back a little

<Saif> He had the impression of a spider running across the surface of the pond... but there is nothing there

<Saif> K, you've got your intitial picture, now what?

<Saif> That was one round

<Castinar> Detect magic through the pool --- in particular, is the belt and/or smock magical?

<Castinar> *then break the spell -- I know what that spider means......... <G>

<Saif> Yes, the belt is magical - you get the sense of it being more "anti-magical", perhaps something to keep her from casting spells

* Castinar nods

<Nikki> * we need to make sure to destroy that evil artifact when we get there

* Castinar agrees with Nikki (wow!)

* Castinar grins

<Saif> K, two rounds gone

<Castinar> *Hmm. before I break, expand the view back to see the cavern she's in

<Saif> Castinar pulls back, trying to see where Ari is.

<Saif> After pulling back only about 15' feet he passes something - a large stone block of some kind

<Saif> He pauses and focuses in on it

<Saif> Unfortuantely he recognizes it. It is an altar - to Lloth.

* Castinar breaks the spell

<Saif> Pulling back further he verifies his suspecion. He sees that Ari is in a room, not a cavern, and the room is highly decorated in a spider motif. Ari is being held captive in a temple to Lloth.

<Diana> well thats no good.

<Nikki> * not really a big surprise

<Nikki> * I think we can take Lloth, just not on her own plane yet :)

* Amber bites her lip in dismay.

<Saif> K, Castinar drops the spell

<Saif> The water ripples again

<Saif> * I take it you inform the others what you see?

* Castinar describes the altar/temple to Diana.... can you use that as the basis for your question? FInd out which city -- and location of city, this altar is part of?

<Diana> *nod*

<Diana> lets see..

<Diana> hints are welcome guys heh :)

<Saif> talk it over - I'll brb

<Kat> "Do you know where the temple is?"

<Kat> "Can you use a spell to find out where the temple is?"

<NeoMatar> "How about what's the closet city with a temple that looks like that?"

<Kat> "Do we need to find this slaver that loves stone to get Ari out the the temple? Create our own route out?"

<NeoMatar> "Break the shovels and pickax's out of the cottage!"

* Castinar consults his Where in the Underdark is Carman Sandiego ------- hmmm... there are several Drow strongholds within 300 miles..... however......

<Diana> "wherefore it is agreed that the entity known as Ari, a demihuman dark elf female, whose location is unknown to me, is at present in a location containing an altar to the entity known as Lloth, a goddess of the dark elves and a demon queen. And whereby Ari's location is desired by this questioner, I would..."

<Castinar> I think we can find the tunnels the slaver used to get Ari and follow him in....

<Kat> "Do we need to have Nikki summon an earth elemental to dig Ari out?"

<Diana> legal speak :)

* Castinar points out the irregularities in the wall which was recently sealed behind Ari.......All we have to do is find more stonework like this, unseal the passage, and continue on in

<Saif> back

<Nikki> * dont recall having that spell but i could try ;-)

<Diana> hrmm

<Castinar> Don't have it yet myself <G>... I can talk to them though <G>

<Diana> "What would be the exact actions that this party would need to take in order to arrive at the location of Ari?"

<Diana> sound good?

<Saif> * to make this a little eaiser, I'm not going to be as nit-picky on this as I would be on a Speak with Dead spell or coerced wish

<Diana> heh

<Diana> ok :)

<Diana> My lawyer girlfriend is here, so I was gonna have her write up some boilerplate hehe

<Saif> * that's kind of two questions in one - where she is and the directions on how to get there

<Diana> its just one question... what we need to do to get there

<Castinar> To get to the temple described by the Reflecting pool

<Saif> That will probably be outside of the scope of the spell. The way I understand it you would have to know the basics, I just flesh out your memory and fill in the cracks.

<Diana> trhrm ok

<Diana> lets see...

<Saif> So unless you had heard of this location at some point, the spell probably wouldn't answer that well.

<Saif> Then again, I could always say "Find teleport scroll, scry location, energize" <g>

<Castinar> Oh...... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

<Diana> hehe

<Diana> hence the boiler plate :)

<Saif> So you can get good information out of this, but perhaps not that detailed. (Trying to help you focus in on a good question since we've never used this spell before)

<Diana> (using only the resources available to these individuals, present here at this time, without returning to any city or dwelling..)

<Diana> ok...

<Diana> so asking where Ari is wont really get a useful answer?

<Castinar> Any chance of me knowing of a drow city/outpost in this area? (Underdark knowledge)

<Saif> Then again... OK, you can ask that spell. I just figured out a way that you would be able to know that information.

<Kat> "How can we safely recover Ari alive?"

<Castinar> Hmmmmmmm... nm, didn't get that NWP yet

<Diana> ok.

<Saif> scrolling back up...

<Diana> so the 'exact actions' one is ok?

<Saif> Yes, here's what happens.

<Saif> Diana casts the spell, then stands there for a minute, thinking hard

<Kat> "With our current skills and equipment, how can we safely recover Ari and keep all of us alive?"

<Diana> * the strain is evident, as is the pain :)

<Saif> * I'm getting flashbacks from an old Star Trek episode here - the one where McCoy learns how to do brain surgery on Spock - a Genius spell! <g>

<Diana> yep :)

<Diana> and then starts to forget hehe

<Saif> Diana looks up and snapes her fingers at the group. "Quick! Where are all of the things we took off of that drow warrior? All the pins and jewelry!"

<Castinar> hehe

<Saif> The party digs around and pulls it out all. As they do this Diana looks over at Katrina.

<Saif> "I remember Ari talking to you once about where she was from. She mentioned a house that wanted to kill her. Aswad..something or another."

* Kat tries to remember the house Ari was trying to kill.

<Saif> Diana then grabs one of the pins the drow male had on. "She mentioned that one of the symbols of this house was a dagger piercing three rings. Look! That symbol is on this pin.

<Saif> "That leads me to believe that Ari was captured by her old enemy, house... Aswadain, yes, that was the name. In fact, do any of you read drow?"

<Saif> Diana finds an inscription on the inside of one of the drow's ring. Castinar reads it and confirms that the name "Aswadain" is there.

<Kat> "Castinar, do you know drow?"

<Saif> "So" Diana continues, still under the influence of the spell and thus the DM <g>, "She was taken by house Aswadain, probably back to their city - Ari's old city. What was the name?"

<Diana> heh

<Castinar> Checking

<Saif> OOC: Big screw up on the DM's part here. Ari and I discussed this last week. I can't find the name of her city! <g> i've got a whole map drawn out and everything, but I can't find it.

<Diana> doh

<Castinar> man --- big lag here or what?

<Kat> *no lag problems here

<Saif> OOC: Anyway, Diana zeroes in on that name, concluding that Ari is held in that city

<Diana> ahh, there we go

<Saif> "So now the question is, how do we find that city? Ari has mentioned it several times, but never how to get there. Wait! I remember her talking with Valdaeron once, and he nodding when she told him where she lived. He knows! He can tell us how to get there."

<Castinar> *Have terrible connection in this billeting room

<Castinar> *The gnomes may know where it is as well

<Saif> * Now I feel like I'm writing an episode of "Connections" <g>

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<Diana> :)

<Saif> Yes, the gnomes may know. Castinar probably has a fairly good idea where it is, but not how to get to it from here. It is a fairly well-known drow trading city

<Saif> Diana blinks several times and seems to calm down a bit.

<Kat> brb

<Saif> So, what now?

<Saif> * looking for that stupid city name...

<Amber> We need big time advice if we have to go to a Drow city and survive to escape..Valdaeron is probably our best bet." Amber remembers the kind gentlemen and the singing a while back...

<Nikki> * Hey I could survive in the drow city... might not even see a reason to leave. ;-)

<Castinar> Maybe --- it is a Drow trading city... we need to be traders....

<Castinar> *OOC And I need to keep Fin bound.... or left behind <G>

<Amber> "Trade?!" AMbers eyes light up her merchant family vibes vibrating...

<Nikki> * Hey Saif, what would it cost Nikki to get setup in the Drow city for the long term?

<Diana> shape change spell?

<Diana> they dont like elves...

<Saif> * Nikki - just swear fealty to Lloth and promise her your soul. I'm sure you'll get a nice recompensation package.

<Nikki> * works for me

<Saif> so what do you do?

<Nikki> * swear fealty, etc.

<Castinar> *How far aare we from gnomes... several days travel as I recall?

<Saif> * Ha, finally! The city is "Sakar-hath-Aswabahir". Ari would have referred to it as Sakar.

<Kat> *Lloth, wild mage, a match made in.. um.. HEY.. How do we know that Nikki hasn't promised her soul to Lloth?

<Saif> Cast - I think about two weeks, checking...

<Castinar> How do we know Nikki <HAS> a soul? <VBG>

<Nikki> * i assure you she does.

<Castinar> hehe

<Nikki> * she just doesn't 'own' it anymore.

<Saif> No, more like 8 or 9 days

<Castinar> Good point

* Castinar looks at Diana -- I don't suppose you have any spells to farspeak someone?

* Castinar looks at Amber and Nikki as well

<Saif> BTW, something that you guys would know is that you are at least a couple weeks away from Sakar, and Castinar doesn't know of any way there from here. You don't think the Slavers are heading that way.

<Saif> ...

<Diana> hrm

* Castinar isn't worried about the slavers.... for now

<Amber> "we need more information about this place and perhaps a guide. The gnomes or Valdaeron might help us..." Amber paces back and forth frustrated.

<Kat> "How long does Ari have before... before they kill her?"

<NeoMatar> "Hmmm our best bet at this point may be to head back to town and consult with Jontom. He may be able to direct us there or have a source in the city."

<Castinar> We can deal with them after we retrieve Ari

<Castinar> Probably a good, long time.... and they won't kill her, though she'll wish they did.... they'll turn her into one of their pet driders

<Castinar> The gnomes.... or perhaps Sane's friends? They are traders, maybe they'll furnish a guide?

<Castinar> *Speaking of Sane's Kin that he found

<Kat> "So, it sounds like we should go back to town."

<Kat> "The gnomes have made it clear that they are not going to help us ever again."

<Kat> "I don't want their help."

<Saif> Sane thinks that the kenku probably know. The gnomes probably do as well, but he doubts if they will provide a guide. They are quite the homebodies.

<Nikki> we should wipe out the gnomes

<Castinar> Might the Kenku?

<Castinar> *provide a guide, that is

* Saif casually reminds Nikki about the rumored treasure in the gnome burial chambers

<Nikki> * doesnt need a reminder....

<Saif> Sane grins (eyes crinkle). <Oh, they'll do anything... if the price is right. Leading a group of adventurers to a drow city? That's going to cost us, but I think they'll do it.>

<Castinar> *That sounds like a good idea to me, then.... a map would help, but a guide would be much better

<Saif> So you guys going to head back to Jville?

* Amber says yes [as does player for her vote :)]

<Castinar> *I guess so

<Saif> any disenting votes?

<Castinar> *Dunkirk in space

<Nikki> I do

<Saif> on general principle or do you have a reason, Nikki?

<Kat> We need to get Superman and Friends help. Back to town

<Nikki> just because.

<Nikki> im the only one not betraying ari

<Castinar> heh

<Castinar> How are you not?

<Saif> OK, Diana casts her Town Portal spell and the party heads back to Jurgenville.

<Nikki> because im voting not to return

<Castinar> How does that help her?

<Nikki> but of course you bullies outvoted me and im helpless alone

<Kat> must have been a ballot problem

<Nikki> think so

<Kat> We'll count your vote for town

<Nikki> i demand a recount

<Saif> of course, the party used Butterfly ballots again

<Amber> your never alone you have that blue thing with you...:)

<Nikki> i want a recount, a hand recount, an automated recount, and more hand counts until I get my way. and then im suing.

<Saif> K, the party shows back up in TSR. Um... checking on the season/weather

<Kat> made by the party that is complaining about it

<Nikki> when we voted to go back to JV I was confused and distracted by checking the traffic on the net.

<Nikki> speaking of which

<Nikki> its about that time

<Kat> see ya

<Amber> ta

<Saif> It is early spring (late April) and fairly wet this time of year. Between the snows melting and the rain itself the town often has problems with flooding this time of year. Matar's father has been very busy keeping the giant beaver pools the party owns together as the stream flow has been stronger than expected

<Nikki> being home in roughly 50 if the net isnt lying about road conditions

<Kat> plans for Jville?

<Kat> id the rest of the magic?

<Kat> get help to find Ari?

<Saif> Later, Judd

<Kat> sell any magic items?

<Saif> So, what now??

<Nikki> once we get back to JV, nikki kills a beaver and has someone make beaver fur lined boots and mittens

<Amber> get map, information about DRow cities...

<Nikki> cyas

*** Nikki has quit IRC (Leaving)

<Saif> who do you see and talk to?

<Castinar> *Sane should travel down to the Node the Kenku occupy (perhaps I and shadow will accompany?) and look for guide

<Kat> How long are we going to be here?

<Saif> Cast - check, you're in charge, let me know what you/Sane do (NPC Sane)

<Amber> *brb afk

<Kat> Diana, talk to Val?

<Castinar> Okay, the tree of us will travel to the node and look for a guide.... Diana, Kat, Nikki, you want to check on what we can get IDd? And Kat, maybe you can arrange some sort of trade good we can convey? (After all, we're going to be traders)

<Saif> Anybody else want to talk to anybody else/do anything else? Any objections to Kat's ideas?

<Diana> sure

<Diana> I mean, no, no objections :)

<Saif> OK, Between the rest of the party you get the other stuff identified.

<Saif> The green sword is a Venom Blade that does extra damage if a ST vs poison isn't made

<Saif> the boots are (checking...)

<Kat> Kat, go to Laila's to tell her what is going on?

<Saif> Drow elven boots

<Saif> * I think that's all the Nikki missed

<Saif> Kat - you going to do that?

* Amber wants to talk to her high priest and try and see Val

<Kat> yup

<Kat> sorry, big battle in B5

<Saif> OK, So I've got Sane, Cast, and Shadow going to see the kenku. Kat going to see Laila, and Amber going to see Dum Tiddis and then Valdaeron. Anybody else?

<Kat> Isn't Nikki and Diana going to talk to Val?

<Diana> Diana going to talk to val

<Saif> Diana - do you... OK

<NeoMatar> ill be in on the val visit

<Kat> Doesn't Diana have a 'thing' for Val? <g>

<Saif> So Diana, Matar, Amber, and Nikki to go see Valdaeron

<Kat> or is it the other why around?

<Saif> K, since I know what's going to move things along a little faster, let's do the Val visit first.

<Saif> The four of you go to the Mage's Guild.

<Saif> Shalut, Val's assistant, is there.

<Kat> Nikki says, "We need to see the boss.:

<Saif> When you enter he looks up at you, then back down at his books. The quickly back up, his eyes widening slightly as he recognizes you. "Ah yes, can I help you?"

<Saif> He has a strange manner about him - almost as if he both expected to see you, but is surprised to see you as well.

<Kat> *wait, Val isn't the guildmaster any more, is he?

<Saif> * Yes, he is

<NeoMatar> "We would like an audience, it is a matter of life and death."

<Diana> "Yes... are you ok? You seem shocked to see us?

<Saif> Shalut smiles. "No, not really." then to Matar "Valdaeron is... not in at the moment but..."

* Amber bites her lip, I'd...I mean we'd like to speak with Val...please. Its most urgent." she pleads.

<Saif> he pauses, considering something. "I do believe Jondon may wish to speak with you. Won't you all please have a seat? I'll go see if he is available."

<Amber> "Thank you." she sits down.

<Saif> Shalut hurries out

* NeoMatar nods, but proceeds to pace back and forth.

<Saif> He is gone for about ten minutes before returning. "Jondon will see you now. He asks that you come back to his manor house."

*** NeoMatar is now known as Matar

<Saif> A young boy is following Shalut. He leads you back into the large courtyard that Val and Jondon share, and then into Jondon's house.

<Saif> Only Kat has been in here before, so it is new to all of you.

<Saif> You find it somewhat... jarring. Each room seems to have its own style.

<Amber> *Where'd Amber see Val...oh never mind.

<Saif> Only a few are familiar - on room that could be found in Waterdeep.

<Saif> Diana's eyes widen at one room that looks very much like something from the palace in Evermeet.

<Saif> Matar recognizes a room that is styled after the land of Wu, where he has received training with his katana

<Saif> Some are so foreign you couldn't even tell what half the things in them do

<Amber> "Interesting...most ecclectic." Amber looks around with interest at the various objects.

<Saif> But you only get a chance to see these rooms in passing as the boy leads you back to a sitting room furnished all in black leather... dragon leather.

<Diana> duude!

<Saif> When you enter servants follow you in and serve a light lunch as you speak.

*** Saif is now known as Jondon

<Jondon> "I understand you were looking for Valdaeron" Jondon says as he gestures for you all to take a seat. "Can I help you?"

* Amber sits gingerly on the black stuff remembering another black dragon..or rather shadow..

* Matar looks at the party to see if they are going to be the spokesperson.

* Jondon waves his hand in front of the party

<Kat> *go for it big guy

* Amber looks to Diana..

* Matar clears his throat and speaks himself.

<Diana> * brain not functioning at full capacity...

<Diana> * flu ick

<Amber> brb gotta turn off vcr

* Jondon looks at Matar

* Matar tosses the pin to Jondon, "Do you recognize that symbol?"

* Jondon studies the pin, then shakes his head. "Should I?"

* Matar sighs, "I was hoping you would. We got it off a member of the party that abducted Ari."

* Jondon nods, but doesn't look surprised

<Jondon> "Val is the expert on the drow. But... that's why you came to see him, isn't it."

<Matar> "We believe it to belong to the drow house of Assdude or something like that"

<Jondon> "Aswadain" Jondon corrects Matar

<Amber> *back, good thing I checked..B5 still on!

<Jondon> "House Aswadian, in Sakar, where Ari was from."

<Castinar> LoL

<Matar> "We determined that she was in a temple to Lolth in Sa... er yes, that's where she is. But we have no idea where that is located."

<Diana> "And Val seemed to know its location when Ari talked to him about it."

* Jondon nods again. "So what exactly did you want to see Val about, then? A map?"

<Jondon> "Yes, Val knows where it is.

* Jondon sits back and eyes the party for a moment

<Jondon> He then lean forwards and speaks again

<Matar> "A map would be a great help, info on the town and how we might sneak in without fighting an enitre drow city would be even more so."

<Jondon> "Being a Guildmaster is Valdaeron's "day-job", but it isn't where he puts most of his effort. After all, this is such a small guild here.

<Jondon> Val spends most of his time keeping track of the drow. What they are doing. Who's doing it. Why they are doing it.

<Jondon> He has extensive contacts in most drow cities. Aswadain is one of his favorites, one of the more "open" cities

<Castinar> *another "grey stalker" type...

<Jondon> "We learned yesterday that Ari was in Aswadain, captured by... Merra, I believe her name is. Ari was shown as a trophey to the Council and is being kept - as you said - in a temple to Lloth in Aswadain.

* Jondon looks up and into the party's eyes

<Jondon> "Val left this morning to go look into this. He'll probably be there a day or two before he reports back."

<Diana> Trophey?

<Matar> "So it sounds like we came to the right place."

<Diana> "Maybe we can catch up to him and help...?"

<Jondon> * Ari knew she was being hunted - that there was a large bounty on her head

<Jondon> to Diana Jondon shakes his head. "He doesn't walk where he goes. He uses magic to travel. He's already there."

* Diana nods.

<Matar> "We fear time may be on the escence.... that they may kill her or worse. Does this match what you know or have heard?

* Jondon smiles. "and I doubt he would appreciate a bunch of 'amatures' poking around and stirring things up while he's trying to figure out what happened."

<Jondon> "Still, what can you tell me about how she came to be in Merra's hands?"

<Castinar> *hmmm... just thought of something...... wonder if the Dark Stalkers could help...

<Ari> *she was homesick wnet back for a vacation

<Jondon> to Matar Jondon shrugs. "The drow like to enjoy their victories. In time I suspect Ari will meet a most unpleasant fate, but knowing how drow society works, Merra is doubtlessly trying to use Ari to maneuver her house into a greater position of power. As long as Ari is useful, she'll survive.

<Diana> "We gought a group of slavers, unexpectedly well informed on us and our capabilities. One of them cast a spell at Ari that trapped her."

<Matar> "Well as you know we've been looking into the slavers. We ran into one of their bands that fooled us into thinking they were a waylaid adventuring party. When we tried to help them they ambushed us. One of the drow grabbed her and disappeared in a shadow. And they were both gone."

<Jondon> "There were drow with this slaver group?"

<Jondon> Jondon then looks at the pin still in his hand. "I take it one of these drow is no longer with this adventuring group?" he asks with a smile.

* Amber describes all the people they fought.

<Matar> "Yes, two of them if i can count right. They were supposedly prisoners."

* Jondon nods, listening to Amber's and Matar's accounts

<Matar> "I'm afraid that's the case. There are four less slavers to worry about."

<Jondon> "So do you get the impression Ari was specifically targeted?"

<Jondon> "I guess one of the bounty hunters finally caught up with her."

<Matar> "Well I think they wanted all of us, but the drow were on a special mission."

<Jondon> "Do you mind if I keep this pin? Val might be able to make something of it when he returns. He only wanted to get in and find out what was going on. He's got something cooking over in some other drow city right now that he needs to deal with."

<Jondon> "So, I'm afraid I can't help you much, other than to say that Val is looking into it already, and if you're willing to wait a day or two he should return. I'll have you contacted when he does come back."

<Matar> "Sure. And if you could send for us when he returns and let us know what is happening we would greatly appreciate it."

* Jondon nods. "Anything else I can do for you?"

* Amber says its alright with her, she looks to Matar, "Maybe Val can do a magic history on it and find out info on its owners or sometihng.

<Jondon> "do you know anything about this pin? You seem to think it is significant."

* Amber shrugs not know the magic spells that are available to such a high personage.

<Jondon> * so, done here?

<Jondon> * Castinar, you still want to meet with the Kenku?

* Matar shrugs, "Not that I know of. It's just the only link we have with the persons who took Ari."

<Jondon> * Kat, you still want to meet with Laila?

<Kat> sure

<Jondon> Kat - Laila comes down and meets with you in one of her siting rooms with lots of glass. She asks what she can do for you.

<Castinar> Yes, I do

<Kat> "Have you heard what has happened?

* Jondon nods and stands. "Well then, I know it will be difficult waiting, but I'll send word as soon as Val returns."

*** Jondon is now known as Saif

<Kat> "Ari was kidnapped!!"

<Saif> Cast - I'll do Kat, then yours

*** Saif is now known as Laila

<Laila> "No, what happened?"

* Kat will relate to Laila the battle with the slavers.

* Laila listens intently * I take it you highlight Ari's disappearance?

<Kat> "And there was so many clues. Yet, Sane didn't want to believe that they were bad guys. It was terrible. Now, Ari has been taken."

* Kat nods

* Laila looks very concerned. "She should be here, developing her skills as a physician, not out waving that sword of hers around like some fool-headed hero."

* Kat also informs Laila about what Castinar and Diana found out.

* Kat raises and eyebrow, "Some fool-headed here?"

<Ari> *hey! I'm sick..quit picking on me. fool-headed indeed

* Laila cocks an eyebrow. "I wonder if that's what Val was all fired up about the other day. He was very concerned about something. He mentioned something about a possible trap, or possible opportunity."

<Kat> "I hope so. Diana, Matar, and Nikki went to talk to Val."

<Laila> "Yes. Heros are for poems and songs. People with talent like Ari's need to use it to better the world."

<Kat> "Well, there is a song about Ari and Beleg. So, that makes her a hero."

* Laila frowns. "I don't think he's there today. At least, he missed the city council meeting this morning."

<Amber> *humph, forgot amber again <g>

<Kat> "So did Sane."

* Laila chuckles. "OK, she's a hero... but anybody running around in the Underdark is either touched by Tymora or Beshera, one or the other!"

<Kat> "Or neither. I'm not here to talk about the gods."

<Kat> "Any ideas about what we can do to save her?"

<Kat> "Is Val the best person to help? Or is there someone else?"

<Laila> "but that's not my point, my dear, my point is, use your abilities where they will have the most impact for good on others. I believe Ari's place is here, or elsewhere, but as a healer, not an adventurer. Still, I remember when the road called to me as well."

<Kat> "If Ari wasn't an adventurer, I wouldn't be one either, now."

<Laila> "If Ari was taken by the drow then yes, Val is the best person to go to for help. He knows more about the drow than anybody I know, including several drow."

<Kat> "She saved my life out there in the underdark. I'm glad that she was trained to do so and kept on adventuring with us."

* Laila nods. "Yes, she is a fine healer. But..." she then shakes her head. "This is an old argument between Ari and I. It doesn't need to become an old argument between the two of us."

<Kat> "Can you send a message to Ari? Telling her that we are looking for her. We will rescue her, some how."

<Kat> "Hope is a powerful thing when one is a prisoner."

<Diana> * bleh, Im not speaking coherently any more... gonna go home. Saif, need your input before i can continue on 3e conversion. Let me know :) *wave*

* Laila considers this. "It depends. The drow tend to associate with Illithid. If they have illithid guarding her it will be... difficult. But if she is alone in the temple then I should be able to reach her."

<Laila> Diana - K, hope to look at some more in detail this weekend

<Kat> "Castinar didn't mention and illithids."

<Amber> bye

*** Diana has quit IRC

<Kat> "I hope they are not doing anything to her mind. We got to get her out of there soon."

<Laila> "I doubt if they would be allowed into a temple proper, but they could guard her from a short distance away... or from another plane. But I'll try. Ari and I have a close relationship. Even if I have to punch through a couple squid-heads I should be able to at least reassure her that help is on the way."

<Laila> "It will be interesting to see with Val thinks of this. He mentioned that he knew Ari's home city quite well."

<Kat> "That would be great. I hope it helps Ari."

<Laila> * anything else?

<Kat> "Well, I can let you know what we find out. Or, you can just ask Val."

<Kat> "When he comes back, of course."

<Laila> "If you would let me know I would appreciate it. Val comes and goes so often, it is hard to keep track of what he's up to. I'm willing to help however I can."

<Kat> "Got any healing potions or salves? We could use more."

* Laila smiles. "If you go on a mission to rescue Ari then I'll be glad to supply your group with healing goods. Otherwise, the Institute wouldn't last long if I gave out expensive medications to everybody who wanted it."

<Kat> *Kat is thinking, 'I've got over 20k of gems to spend, how can I spend them... hmm..'

<Laila> * so you want to buy some healing magic?

<Kat> "I would pay for them. Do you have any for sale? And, unless Superman, er, Val has rescued Ari, we will go to rescue her."

* Laila nods. "I'll see what we have in stock. I'm sure we'll be able to free up something. How much were you considering spending, so I know how much stock to look for?"

<Kat> "What's the typical price for these things? Diana or Ari get them."

<Kat> "How about 5,000gp of gems?"

<Laila> "Potions run in the several-hundred gp range each, depending on what type you get."

<Kat> "We'll need some of each. Matar is a big guy, you know."

<Laila> "5,000? I'm not sure I have that much on hand at short notice. But I could start looking.

<Laila> * oops, potions go from 50 to several hundred

<Kat> "Whatever you can spare would be great."

<Laila> "How long do you plan on being in town?

<Kat> "Hopefully, we'll find out more information when Val returns."

<Kat> "I don't think we are going to leave until we've found some way to rescue Ari."

<Kat> "So, at least we will be in town until Val is back."

<Laila> "He's usually gone for several days at at time. When you return to let me know he's back I'll be able to give you a better idea what we can sell you."

<Kat> "Great. Sorry about the bad news. We will rescue her. Please let her know that."

<Kat> "I will see you later."

* Laila nods. "I'll send word if I contact her."

<Laila> * K, Cast, you still there?

<Laila> * You're up

*** Laila is now known as Kenku

* Kat will head back to TSR to report back upon what she learned from Laila, which wasn't too much, but we might get some healing potions.

-> *Castinar* you there?

<Castinar> here.. sorry

<Castinar> was getting coffee

*** Castinar is now known as Sane

<Kenku> K, Sane takes you down to where the Kenku are rebuidling the Nexus

<Kenku> You are rather impressed at the progre