Session Start: Fri Dec 15 18:50:25 2000

*** Now talking in #nightbelow

<Missy> hehehe

<Saif> Hey all

<Kat> Hi Saif

<Missy> hi!

<Thengal> Hey Saif

<Diana> hihi

<Saif> in the middle of trying to come up with a mod to the character sheet. Be back in 10.

<Amber> hey!

<Thengal> Are we upto version 20 yet?

<Missy> would someone send me the NB homepage addy

<Amber> Guess I'll work on my Celestials for a few more minutes...

<Thengal> www.bluearch.net/night

<Thengal> Mmm, there is no better smell than that of brewing coffee

<Diana> smells good, tastes awful

<Missy> lol - thanks for the page

<Amber> oh I don't know...hot chocolate comes a close second.

<Thengal> I can't live with out it, partivcularly since it's 2 AM here

<Kat> drinking it or smelling it?

<Thengal> drinking it

<Kat> Mountain Dew has more caffeeee

<Diana> nono

<Diana> not even close

<Diana> jolt has about 1/2

<Diana> course, depends on the brew...

<Thengal> True

*** Ari has joined #nightbelow

<Diana> hihi

<Kat> hi

<Missy> hi

<Amber> hi

<Ari> hello all

<Kat> Surprised to see you here, Ari

<Kat> Now, we don't have to rescue you

<Missy> brb - cake for dessert for kids

<Thengal> Hi Kim

<Ari> thought I drop in and see if y'all kill me

<Missy> dunno Ari - Kat thought I'd been killed already!!

<Missy> (I was a slaver)

<Thengal> Naw, we'll leave that for Nikki, of course, she'll probably kill the rest of us in the bargain

<Ari> better you than me <G>

<Saif> *&!!@# Just locked Word up in the middle of a big change

*** Castinar has joined #Nightbelow

<Thengal> OUCH

<Saif> Oh well. At least I know what I want to do now.

<Kat> I think that's the character sheet that causes that

<Kat> Hi Castinar

<Amber> hi cast

<Thengal> Hi Galen, did you get my messages?

<Diana> :)

<Castinar> Hello -- yep ted

<Saif> ### Does anybody have the "Volo's Guide to Cormyr"???

<Thengal> Hope that helped you some

<Castinar> Yep --- somewhere <G>

<Amber> yes, but handy at moment

<Diana> no

<Amber> not handy i mean

<Thengal> Sorry, I Don't

<Castinar> Actually, I can find it fairly quickly (I think) I think I know which box it is in

<Castinar> need it?

<Saif> yes, Amber and Cast to #DM please

<Amber> Sorry, cant get at it...under a ton of stuff I moved around for Xmas. Whatcha need? I can look it up later.

<Saif> Cast is trying to find it. I'm trying to find my copy of the stupid book.

<Missy> hi Castinar

<Saif> brb

<Amber> I think they will be having it for download at the website for TSR

<Amber> Saw a whole bunch of Volo downloads last week.

<Missy> so what's the fun of buying the book if they'll let you download stuff?

<Amber> Its outdated with 2e stuff. :)

<Missy> ahhh - just checking cause I know for sure I'll end up having a bunch of NEW stuff to have to BUY!

<Amber> B5 fans, A Call To ARms movie will be on Sunday along with The Gathering. Shown once each.

<Thengal> It's there to tease you unti they get the update 3e version out

<Amber> brb afk

<Kat> B5 is free!!! They are independant from Earth Central.

<Thengal> Ahh, and when will they release it in the third world countries like England?

<Kat> When they get cable

<Kat> It's on Sci Fi

<Missy> lol

<Missy> about a month b4 YOU return back to the USA

<Thengal> Hey I do have Sky Digital, I'm not completely pre-historic

<Kat> Do you get Sci Fi?

<Thengal> Cool, I get that here

<Kat> B5 was shown in Europe. The wide screen version, that was shown in Europe, is on Sci Fi now at 7pm EST every night.

<Thengal> I'll have to check it out

<Kat> It's in the third season of the five seasons. Many agree that the third season was the best.

<Thengal> Thanks, Sky one is noe showing re-runs of the 1st season of DS9 again

<Amber> back...

<Thengal> noe=now

<Castinar> Hey --- those aren't reruns for me!!!!!

<Kat> I think DS9 doesn't get good until the war.

<Missy> heheheheheh

<Thengal> You could have gotten a sattelite dish when you were here

<Amber> Anyone know when Balders Gate II coming out for the Mac?

<Thengal> I agree with you on that Kat, I thought ST-TNG was better, but Voyager, is still my favorite of the three spin-offs

*** Nikki has joined #nightbelow

*** db sets mode: +o Nikki

<Kat> Hi Judd

<Nikki> Badges? We don't need no stinki'n badges!

<Diana> hihi

<Nikki> howdy

<Missy> hello

<Amber> hi

<Thengal> So, Nikki's spell goes haywire and causes Armageddon? Oh Hi Nikki

<Kat> Voyager? Death to Janeway

<Nikki> T: Yeah what else is new? You're lucky to be alive hanging out so close to the Blue Witch

<Saif> Trying to find a name. We'll start soon

<Thengal> True, guess I'm just living dangerously

<Nikki> I'm not going to be here that long.

<Nikki> Figured I'd drop in and give my blessings :)

<Kat> thanks for dropping

<Amber> Irish?

<Nikki> T: *AND* you still have the same race, gender, # of limbs, etc.

<Amber> Blessing that is..

<Kat> Are you sure?

<Nikki> It's a blue blessing

*** Sane has joined #nightbelow

<Thengal> So far so good I guess

<Kat> SANE!!

<Kat> Hi

<Nikki> I haven't checked but hehasn't complained.

<Sane> Howdy

<Thengal> Hi David

<Amber> SANE!!

<Ari> hello David

<Missy> hello

<Saif> .

<Saif> ..

<Saif> .

<Saif> Since most everybody is here we'll go ahead and start

<Saif> First item of business: Magic Items

*** Drubar is now known as Matar

<Diana> :)

<Saif> I need to know if there is any protest to what Matar posted, and what item(s) you guys want from Valdaeron in the trade

<Amber> no Protest for Matar list...winged boots seem like a good idea so far...but do they only fit one size?

<Thengal> No protest other than the comment I made about my armor in the e-mail. Sounds like George thought it out well

<Saif> Silence will be understood as "no protest and I'll go along with whatever concensus the rest of the party comes to"

<Diana> My vote: no to the wands, but the rest I dont mind.

<Kat> too bad a ring of regeneration costs around 90k.

<Nikki> rings

<Nikki> eings are good

<Matar> i'd kinda like to get ari something since she's losing her gear

<Saif> OK, let's try to narrow it down a bit. Which do you trade for: a weapon and defensive item, two minor items, or one major item?

<Sane> looks good to me; perhaps Sane should get the hat of disguise, but that's not really too important.

<Ari> don't worry about Ari..she still has all her old stuff from when we first started

<Kat> a weapon and defensive item

<Diana> We might be a bit heavy on weapons/armor, although the dancing shield would be nice...

<Nikki> no weapons

<Thengal> I thought that would be great for Ari or Cast..... Spellcasting with shield and all

<Matar> now the bag of holding would be bad with the town portal spell we use right?

<Nikki> we're dripping in weapons. another +1 for one person isnt that big a deal

<Sane> Trading for a Staff would be nice.

<Kat> long sword of spell storing

<Nikki> most rods dont have charges.

<Thengal> afk

<Diana> working on the spell. I really did intend it to be teleport, not dimensional, and for just this reason.

<Saif> Matar - I have to look at Seth's changes to the spell. I think a bag of holding is OK anyway.

<Diana> Teleport Circle (wizard, 9th) is a good base to run it off of too, so there is precedent

<Matar> that's kinda a fruity rod tho - someone would have to treat is as a +2 light mace really

<Sane> we should try to get some sort of magic which might be otherwise unavailable on the surface; i.e. rare

<Diana> *nod*

<Thengal> back

<Saif> I'm seeing a fairly even split between those that like the weapons and those that don't. Sane and Matar - what do you guys think (Sane as party leader, Matar as the one who has been given responsibility over this)

<Sane> Ring of Wizardry for Sane, since he's getting severely hacked by the 3e conversion.

<Saif> * For OOC planning purposes, Ari won't have any of her arms or armor when she is rescued.

<Sane> *g

<Diana> * diana and nikki both would love that of course, which is why im not recommending it heh

<Diana> * Diana especially would dearly love it :) :)

<Nikki> we should get stuff that has general use. like the folding boat.

<Saif> Matar? What do you think? The final decision will probably be yours.

<Matar> i think id like to bump him up to 30k and get the winged boots and a rop +3

<Ari> *and I keep ttelling ya I have some non-magic stuff in the House. just in case

<Nikki> anyone got any plans when we hit water?

<Sane> I think we should attempt to see what the drow have to offer, but I do not think we should trade for any basic +1 weapons

<Kat> Does this mean that Val has all of these magic items?

<Matar> as i figure we're giving him over 40k worth of stuff

<Kat> Can Kat organize a theft with the theives' guild for more items? <g>

<Saif> It means that Val can get his hands on these items. Most are from the Dark Stalkers who will receive the cloaks and boots

<Sane> folding boat is good

<Castinar> Someone set me straight --- dancing shield would require no armor/spellcasting penalty, right? But I would imagine you still need to be proficient in shield use....

<Saif> Matar - I figured closer to 28,000

<Saif> Cast - yes, that's how I understand it (double checking)

<Kat> So, what magic are we going to give Ari when she returns?

<Sane> Saif, in either case, we're giving Val a lot of stuff

<Matar> chain +2 is 8k each, extra planar is 8k plus 1/2 bane (doesnt convert well), venom is about 15k, and boots 2k

<Castinar> My only input is that that boat may be very useful surprise escape route should we need it

<Matar> dagger +1 venom is 9k in the book

<Saif> Hold on...

<Sane> Vote for Boat

<Nikki> boat.

<Amber> boat

<Amber> we've run across a lot of water down there.

<Nikki> Nikki has seen the city of the glass pool. It's a *huge* lake.

<Diana> boat might be good, but briefing says submarine would be better?

<Thengal> Considering all the magic items we found that deal with water, another might not hurt

<Saif> Yes, caster has both hands free when using the animated shield

<Sane> submarine--hopefully we won't be heading down to the kuo-toa

<Castinar> I'm thinking once we rescue Ari, if we make tracks like we'

<Saif> K, with the Folding Boat you also get one other item out of:

<Saif> Ring of Force Shield, Ring of the Ram, (Wand of Knock AND Wand of Melf's

<Saif> Acid Arrow), Wand of Magic Missile (9th level), Bracers of Armor +3, Bag of

<Saif> Holding (4)

<Castinar> we're heading down tunnel, and suddenly pull out boat and make for lake we could fool some followers

<Kat> Who cares about the boat. Put a boat into the house.

<Nikki> Either of the rings.

<Sane> *Saif, can you give description of the boat

<Matar> boat can only hold 3 or 4 peeps comfortably, otherwise its a ship that only hold 15 and i doubt we can sail it

<Nikki> I'm not going to get eaten while you're screwing around dragging an 8 man boat out the front door somehow.

<Kat> I think we should get the Long Sword of Spell Storing

<Saif> Let me cut and paste out of DMG, hold on

<Kat> That would be a great item for Ari

<Diana> i say bag of holding

<Sane> also, we can't open up the house all the time; only once a week

<Kat> and the Chain +2 of Light Fortification. She will need armor too

<Saif> Boat, Folding: A folding boat will always be discovered as a small wooden "box''-about one foot long, one-half foot wide, and one-half foot deep. It will, of course, radiate magic if subjected to magical detection. The "box'' can be used to store items like any other box. If a command word is given, however, the box will unfold itself to form a boat of 10 feet length, four feet width and two feet depth. A second (different) command word will cause it to unfold to a 24-foot long, 8-foot-wide, and 6-foot

<Saif> and 6-foot deep ship.

<Saif> In its smaller form, the boat has one pair of oars, an anchor, a mast, and lateen sail. In its larger form, the boat is decked, has single rowing seats, five sets of oars, a steering oar, anchor, a deck cabin, a mast, and square sail. The first can hold three or four people comfortably, the second will carry fifteen with ease.

<Saif> A third word of command causes the boat to fold itself into a box once again. The words of command may be inscribed visibly or invisibly on the box, or they may be written elsewhere-perhaps on an item within the box. The words might have been lost, making the boat useless (except as a small box) until the finder discovers the words himself (via legend lore, consulting a sage, physical search of a dungeon, etc.).

<Nikki> by the time we get down to using the boat i figure only 3 or 4 will be left anyway. ;-)

<Matar> Kat: we do have some chain +2 that we're savin for her already

<Diana> I think we might be able to handle the boat, but a one mast'ed ship will be a bit of a challenge...

<Castinar> not sailing --- in big form it has 5 banks of oars

<Matar> and a mast

<Matar> with a square sail

<Saif> Just get some slaves and you'll be fine

* Sane likes the boat

<Castinar> and we cant put a boat in the house (well, we could) but the idea is quick quiet escape route --- putting the house up isn't quick necessarily

<Saif> Or use Matar's and Castinar's followers <g>

<Nikki> how much for a slave?

<Thengal> Heh - heh

<Castinar> LoL

<Matar> we can't - it only holds 15 peeps - thats just barely our party and menagerie

<Nikki> ill chip in for a few slaves.

<Saif> Put Matar on one side and have Thengal, Cast, and Shadow pull at the other

<Diana> lol

<Diana> that almost evens the strengths

<Diana> hehe

<Missy> lol

<Saif> OK, so I'm seeing a great deal of interest in the boat, but a few still thinking about weapons.

<Saif> Sane and Matar, again, this is a decision you two will have the final word(s) on.

<Diana> i dont agree on weapons. we have enough, unless we can get something for Amber

<Matar> well im against the boat in case that wasnt apparent

<Sane> What else can we get with the boat? could you repeat the list you gave before?

<Diana> or anyone else that doesnt already have something magical to attack with

<Saif> Ring of Force Shield, Ring of the Ram, (Wand of Knock AND Wand of Melf's

<Saif> Acid Arrow), Wand of Magic Missile (9th level), Bracers of Armor +3, Bag of

<Saif> Holding (4)

<Amber> The boots would be great cause I could then fly around the battle field to heal. Walking is too dang slow.

<Matar> boat is 10,500 so we can ask fer another 14,500 worth really

<Amber> And I could then wear heavier armour than leather.

<Saif> Numbers are not exact

<Matar> yaya

<Saif> I've also factored in how useful this things might become

<Amber> What do the Bracers translate to in AC number?

<Saif> these things, not this things

<Sane> Matar--plz repeat why you're against the boat

<Saif> +3 to AC

<Matar> boat can only hold 3 or 4 peeps comfortably, otherwise its a ship that only hold 15 and i doubt we can sail it

<Matar> we can't - it only holds 15 peeps - thats just barely our party and menagerie

<Thengal> Matar, you don't have to sail boat in larger form, we can row it

<Nikki> brb

<Sane> We could learn how to use it.

<Diana> rowing it wouldnt be bad

<Diana> anyone can steer a boat, and rowing it just requires a drummer

<Saif> * somebody would probably need to take some kind of navigation/sailing skill

<Matar> its also a ship and i dont know how deep rivers are going to be in the underdark

<Diana> all these big strong men...

<Sane> Also, sometimes we might want to use it in its smaller form

<Sane> Some people can fly; and some people and go in the boat

<Thengal> There is that, none of us has had any nautical experience that I'm aware of

<Matar> id rather get something interesting and get a wand of fly or water walk if we think we'll need it

<Amber> Okay, thought Bracers couldn't be worn with armour but 3e doesn't mention it now.

<Saif> Ari was almost drowned by a Deepspawn... but I guess that doesn't really count <weg>

<Diana> bracers cant be worn with armor and do any good anyway

<Ari> just try and get her in a boat

<Diana> armor bonus' (except shields) dont stack

<Saif> I haven't seen that restriction either - it appears to stack, but I'd have to investigate that further. There are some specific stacking rules.

<Amber> People can fly but not too long ...an hour or two at most.

* Sane thinks the group should vote on the boat (in an orderly fashion and without comments)

<Castinar> What's your take on skills like sailing that aren't available --- prof skill?

<Diana> its actually very explicit under the bonuses. the only ones that stack are dodge bonuses and certain exceptions

<Matar> ya both armor and bracers are armor bonus so they wont stack

<Saif> I think a sailing profession would cover it. We could also come up with a separate skill.

<Matar> i think id rather get ring of force shield and winged boots

<Saif> K, there's the answer on the bracers

<Saif> Sane, what would you put with the boat?

<Castinar> K -- I took most of my "special" skills as knowledge or professional (Mining for example)

<Saif> Then we'll vote on the boat + something vs the boots and the ring

<Sane> Ring of Force Shield

<Matar> ring of force shield is nice for casters or peeps with hand and a half weapons and i like the idea of amber as a angel of mercy flittering about

<Saif> OK, so reall it comes down to the Folding Boat or the Winged Boots.

<Castinar> Yup --- thought of that too

<Saif> Anybody protest to a vote?

<Diana> cant get both?

<Diana> maybe if we sweetend the deal with cash?

<Matar> we could get those two

<Thengal> I like the idea of ring and boots better than the boat

<Matar> thats 12000 plus 10500

<Saif> with both of those you would get the Ring of Force Shield

<Matar> since Saif is undervaluing the stuff we're giving Val anyway

<Diana> i mean the winged boots and the boat. the ring isnt all that useful really, at least not to diana

<Ari> Ari says no for boat

<Saif> Val explains that he's effectively acting as a middle man in the trade here and that moving stuff around won't work because of who owns what and who is willing to trade what.

<Kat> Kat says no for the boat

<Sane> OK, let's vote; please don't comment for a moment, while everyone puts in there vote.

<Sane> Boat and Ring

<Saif> ### OK, simple vote - each of you say "boat" or "boots" and we'll make a final decision here and move on

<Sane> boat

<Castinar> Boat

<Amber> boots

<Matar> boots

<Kat> neither

<Nikki> bstain

<Diana> boots

<Thengal> boots

<Diana> * both really

<Saif> Ari, you areound?

<Ari> no go away

<Saif> OK, it looks like its the boots

<Saif> Somewhere off stage a gavel falls

<Missy> knock, knock

<Saif> OK, so now we get back to the magic items in general. No protests to the list Matar made? And who gets the boots and ring now?

* Sane would humbly like to ask that he be the holder of the new Ring.

<Sane> *Sane got nothing from the last horde of treasure, btw

<Diana> dont want ring. amber for boots

<Kat> Sure, Sane. It's yours

<Matar> does Sane have Sheild Prof? its not just magic armor

* Thengal votes for amber to get boots

<Matar> amber gets boots - that was the idea

<Saif> * Note that you still need to use the force shield like a shield, it's just a force sheild now instead of a physical one. It still takes an arm when using.

<Amber> sure, ring for Sane

<Sane> Saif, can I hear a description of the Ring?

<Saif> Pardon spelling errors, I'll type this fast...

<Sane> *um... I don't think Sane wants the ring.

<Saif> ring generates a large shieeld-sized and shaped wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it where a normal shield (+2 AC).

<Matar> the other option would be giving the bag of holding to Amber to carry all the healing around and forgetting about the ring

<Sane> Could a wizard use this item?

<Saif> This special creation, since it can be activated and deactivated at will (a free action) has noarmor check penalty or arcance spell chance of failure

<Diana> nice

<Sane> Would I need to have a shield proficiency to have the full effect?

<Diana> still dont want it, but nice

<Saif> No, not single classed. Wizards do not know how to use shields.

*** Ted has joined #nightbelow

<Ted> Sorry about that

<Sane> Doesn't anyone else want the Ring?

<Saif> and rogues don't get sheild prof either

<Saif> So you guys going to reconsider the ring now? <g>

<Ted> Can Castinar use it?

<Saif> Yes, but he needs to make a decision about two-weapon fighting

<Diana> is cast a arcane spell caster now?

<Ted> Ahh

<Nikki> ring of the ram is probably better

<Matar> cast could - i could use it to good effect with my katana - but it might be better to just get the bag of holding

<Sane> Description, ring of ram?

<Matar> ring of the ram is lame

*** Thengal has quit IRC (Ping timeout)

*** Ted is now known as Thengal

<Sane> Bag of Holding is fine with me.

<Saif> If you guys are worried about a mage AC, there is a set of Bracers of Armor +3 in that same set

<Saif> Ring of Force Shield, Ring of the Ram, (Wand of Knock AND Wand of Melf's

<Saif> Acid Arrow), Wand of Magic Missile (9th level), Bracers of Armor +3, Bag of

<Saif> Holding (4)

<Diana> bag yeah

<Kat> Sane has the bag?

<Sane> Wand of MM is the best thing on there, but you guys probably wouldn't go for that, eh?

<Saif> Sane - do you already have Bracers?

<Matar> sane already has bracers 3

<Castinar> Cast can use it, but he has a +2 (3)? small shield already

<Kat> How many charges does the wand of mm have?

<Saif> Oh, and one other item - what do you guys do about the guns off of Dac?

<Saif> Fully charged wand

<Matar> wand is only worth 6500

<Matar> 50 charges

<Amber> 3d6 using 3 charges for ring of Ram is pretty good sounding for a force blow.

<Sane> Does Sane have Bracers?

<Matar> sane already has bracers 3

<Sane> Yes, he has some now.

<Matar> according to the web page

<Castinar> Add them to the list of things to sell <G>

<Sane> Has had them for a long time

<Kat> that would be bracers of armor +7, right Matar?

<Castinar> I thought about exotic weapon prof for them though --- I can't get myself past the sound they make in the UD though <VBG>

<Matar> what would?

<Thengal> I'd like to have Boustan or the elf weaponsmith we have at the keep take a look at them to see if we can figure them out and such

<Kat> Isn't Sane's Bracers of AC 3?

<Nikki> gotta go.

*** Nikki has quit IRC (Leaving)

<Sane> yes

<Matar> oh ya i dunno how that works

<Saif> Yes, Sane has Bracers AC 3 which turn into Bracers of Armor +7

<Matar> dear god those are beefy

<Saif> So the Bag of Holding then?

<Saif> Yes, Bracers don't translate well with the lower ACs

<Castinar> Wow --- I have TV reception!

<Saif> * note that's lower in 3e terms - lower is worse

<Sane> *they translate pretty well from my perspective <g>

<Kat> So, Sane gets a bag of holding.

<Kat> or, a wand of mm?

<Saif> ### Last chance for objections to Sane having the Bag of HOlding and Amber having Winged Boots

<Matar> i think amber would get more use out of the bag

<Diana> bag is fine, boots is fine

<Castinar> no objections here

<Sane> I would rather have the wand

<Matar> shes carry a lot of healing

<Thengal> No problems here

<Diana> we can make are own wands for less :P

<Kat> Wand of MM for Sane

<Matar> we can make those wands

<Kat> xp?

<Kat> is less?

<Kat> time?

<Saif> ### Have any of the party's spell casters taken "Craft Wands"?

<Diana> not yet, but soon likely

<Amber> nope, just Brew potions

<Kat> Is storage a problem?

<Matar> more str for her

<Diana> sorta...

<Kat> The wand of MM would help in combat a lot more than the bag

<Kat> unless the bag has some good stuff in it

<Diana> we cant always open the house

* Sane takes the Wand of Magic Missiles.

<Saif> To craft the Wand sane is thinking of would cost about 3,500 gp and cost the person who creates it 270 XP

<Matar> its a huge waste

<Diana> nod

<Diana> thats about right

<Sane> Matar, what is?

<Matar> its 2000 less right off and is combusitble which the bag isnt

<Kat> How long would it take to make?

<Matar> that wand is

<Matar> 4 days

<Saif> But remember - if nobody took the Create Wands feat then that's a moot point.

<Matar> 1 day per 1000

<Saif> per 1000 of original cost, so about a week

<Saif> ...

<Diana> *shrug* sane, doesnt help to make dictorial decisions, historically :)

<Saif> You guys want to vote on this one too? Bag or Wand?

<Kat> Unless you say how you are going to take advantage of bag, the wand will be better for us in general.

<Matar> could we get a +1 staff thrown in or something to make up the diff?

* Sane takes the Wand

<Saif> Matar - no, offers are as-is

<Diana> store stuff in it that we can access easily, so we dont get burdened and can still get it during combat

<Amber> wand for Sane.

<Diana> Diana at least is moderate encumberance already

* Sane doesn't wait for a vote.

<Diana> Lol sane...

<Diana> please... dont do that

<Amber> snicker

<Kat> Get stuff to superguy to hold

<Kat> Give stuff to Matar to hold

*** Matar has quit IRC ([x]chat)

<Saif> Matar is the one finalizing the deal anyway

<Saif> and there he goes

<Diana> you are just going to piss people off, thne im gonna log off cause im not paying $7 a hour to listen to people argue

<Diana> i came to play

<Sane> *at this point I do not care; let's just end it; wand or ring doesn't matter.

<Diana> but no bag. see? lets vote when matar gets abck

<Sane> let's just take the boat and bag and be done with it

<Saif> Matar wants the bag, he's the one finalizing the deal, so he brings back a bag

<Thengal> I'm in agreement with Diana, right now getting Ari free is the most important matter here

<Saif> and the boots

<Saif> OK, so we're done with magic, right??

* Sane puts Matar in the bag.

<Diana> sure

<Saif> .

<Saif> OK, next item of business - any questions about the briefing you guys were given?

<Kat> what briefing?

<Saif> Have you looked at the map yet? Or did I mention it was up??!!

<Thengal> Nope, looking now

<Amber> I saw a map today. nice

<Amber> printed it out.

<Saif> About the Bubble area. I sent it out via e-mail last night. It is now up on the web page as well under the Resources - Maps area

<Sane> Where are we being teleported to?

<Saif> So, questions about the area or about Sakar itself?

<Saif> You'll be gated into the Fortress of Midnight.

<Sane> Where is our map in relation to this one?

<Sane> Where are we being teleported to?

<Saif> The plan is to then take a bioship across the Sakar

<Sane> ok

<Castinar> Ughhh---- undead........:-(

<Amber> Are we going to get a map of the city or just be teleported to the street we will be needed on?

<Saif> From there you'll hide out in a warehouse owned by the Amirsaqut family

<Sane> Do we know how to get to this place without teleporting?

<Kat> bioship?

<Saif> You'll be taken to where you need to go

<Amber> oh..

<Saif> Half whale, half ship

<Kat> does it speak animal?

<Sane> Who's in control of the ship?

<Sane> Val's friend?

<Saif> Drow pilots, part of the Breeder's Guild

<Amber> Skipper better not be named Jonah

<Saif> Friends with Val, yes

<Castinar> a surface Drow

<Sane> ok

<Saif> Kat - no on speaking

<Thengal> *lol

<Diana> whats the http again?

<Sane> How does this map connect with our other map?

<Sane> In which direction does it lie?

<Sane> Could we get from one to the other without teleporting?

<Saif> Sane - this area is about two hundred to three hundred miles north of the area you are in.

<Sane> ok

<Thengal> What's our plan for withdrawal once Ari is safely away

<Saif> You could, but it would take a lot of exploring, lots of hazards, blah blah blah

<Amber> run like heck for the harbor...

<Sane> So, the kuo-toa in this area are unlikely to have anything to do with the slave trade beneath Haranshirt.

<Saif> You'll pull back to the warehouse (which is next to the docks), load up on a hidden bioship, and then return to the Fortress of Midnight

<Kat> brb

<Saif> Sane - probably not, too far away

* Sane asks Val, "Are we likely to meet up with any kuo-toa or fire giants?

<Saif> Val shrugs. "Kuo-tao are always a risk. They pop up at unexpected times. But the fire giants tend to stay in the Cleft."

<Sane> to Val, "Are these Lords from the Dales also friends of yours?"

<Saif> * Lords from the Dales?

<Sane> "In other words, are we going to be welcome in the Fortress of Midnight?"

<Saif> * ah

<Sane> *whatever they are

<Castinar> map has fire dwarves?

<Castinar> er, lava dwarves

<Sane> *fire giants and lava dwarves

<Saif> "They are long dead. The Fortress is currently under the control of..." he glances at Castinar... "a lich. And yes, that lich is a "friend", or at least an ally"

<Saif> * yes, lava dwarves, not much information about them in the briefing

<Thengal> lava dwarves, me's not heard anyt'in' about who dey really be

<Diana> whats the web address again?

* Castinar nods miseerably --- you told us that once already

<Saif> www.bluearch.net/night

<Diana> thanks

<Saif> go to resources then look for Bubble under the Maps area

<Castinar> http://saif@bluearch.net/night/index.html

<Castinar> ahh -- nm

* Sane nods to Castinar.

<Saif> to Cast and Thengal "They are a secretive group who keep to themselves. The drow hate them, but the dwarves are at peace with the fire giants, so unless a dwarf is caught off of the plateau they aren't bothered."

* Castinar nods

<Thengal> Ahh, me sees

* Castinar mutters to himself "Rather deal with them adn the giants than --- than those abominations"

<Amber> Val, do the undead want to be released? " Amber fingers her holy symbol nervously.

<Saif> to Cast "Those... tortured souls will stay out of sight while we are there. It has already been arranged."

<Thengal> Hmm, if'n dey be friendly wit' Fire Giants, dey probably not too friendly a lot

<Amber> [not the lich of course..<G>]

<Sane> *brb; dog walk

<Thengal> Best ta avoid 'em an' da Giants fer now

<Amber> oh, out of sight, out of mind.

<Saif> to Amber "No. In fact, most already have been. Those that stay do so to protect the Fortress. They swore an oath to do so and refuse to leave. So most of those left there are intelligent and self-willed."

<Castinar> Sure. sure...

* Castinar throws up his hands "I'm not doubting you, Valeran -- I'm just --- nervous"

<Amber> thank you.

<Saif> So, any other questions about the area, the city, or the general plan?

<Castinar> Um --- not right now (sorry) -- been reading/rereading briefing. There were some things that popped out at me when I first read it, but I don't remember what they were

<Saif> * I'll be open to questions between now and next Friday as well.

<Saif> .

<Thengal> Yeh, We should plann exactly how our diversion should go

<Saif> OK, now to the third thing

* Castinar shivers in anticiapation

<Saif> The day finally comes to depart. Laila bids you all farewell and wishes you the best. Valdaeron opens the gate and you step through into the cool air of the Underdark.

<Saif> It is much more humid in here than you are used to.

<Saif> You find yourselves in an ancient but well maintained fortress. It "appears" to be empty

<Saif> Note that 30 Dark Stalkers follow you through the gate. They are armed for bear.

<Castinar> Polar?

<Saif> Once everybody is through Val closes the gate and leads you up through the fortress.

<Saif> * Cave

<Amber> lol

<Thengal> IS there something distinctive about their armor so we don't accidently attack them ?

<Saif> Instead of heading outside you enter a small grotto area. There, at a small dock, is one of the bioships.

<Sane> *Dark Stalkers with Blunderbuses

<Saif> It does look alive, but not like any animal you have ever seen. More like a plant than an animal.

<Sane> *we don't see any of the ghosts?

<Saif> * no, the undead stay out of the way

* Sane looks around for the ghosts.

<Thengal> *Good

<Saif> to Thengal - they'll be fighting in another part of town

<Thengal> ok

<Saif> A portal opens up in the side of the boat and Val hurries everybody inside

<Amber> Amber sniffs the air to see if water is salty like back home. humid like it.

<Saif> It is a little cramped inside, but it is dry and surprisingly warm.

<Saif> * no, fresh water Amber

* Sane looks to see it the ship appears to be alive.

<Saif> You feel a lurch as the boat slips away

* Castinar tries to commune with the plant/whale/ship thingy <G>

<Amber> Touch wall, feel pulse?

* Sane raps his knuckles on the wall.

<Saif> You can sense a strange up and down motion from the back of the boat as it drives foward.

<Saif> The skin of the ship feels more like a tough, rubbery plant than flesh.

<Saif> Cast gets nothing from the ship (however he tries)

<Amber> wipe hand on clothing.

* Sane looks to see the drow captain or crew.

<Kat> *how small is it in this thing?

<Saif> Sane finds that the wall is a little spongy, but it appears to be quite strong and solid

<Saif> The pilot is up in a separate compartment. Passengers are not allowed up there.

<Castinar> *small enough for Shadow to be very uncomforatble --- Cast only slightly less so

<Saif> * Figure about the interior size of a city bus. With all of you guys plus 30 Stalkers it is a little crowded.

<Kat> "How long is the trip?"

<Castinar> *Shadow goes to the second floor of the bus

<Saif> The trip takes about four hours

* Sane uses his innate ability to appear as a drow. He mimicks the appearance of the drow he's seen lately.

<Kat> "Many I should be in cat form. It would free up some space."

<Kat> "and I could easily move around and jump on your heads then."

<Saif> The Stalkers find Sane's changes in appearance somewhat amusing. "You still smell like a bird" one of them quips.

<Castinar> *You sink your claws into this thing to climb the ceiling --- just let me off first <VBG>

<Castinar> *He still tastes like a....eh, never mind <G>

<Saif> "When you're this close, yes"

<Castinar> *Most underdark can smell --- how they fight blind

<Sane> *tastes like chicken

* Sane turns back into a kenku.

<Castinar> *Stop oiling those feathers of yours <G>

<Saif> One other thing that is interesting is there are about half a dozen good sized centipedes wanderinga round all over the interior of the bioship. When one of the Stalkers makes to squish one Val stops him, explaining that they help to keep the boat clean.

<Saif> Anyway, you finally make it to Sakar

<Sane> *See any other boats along the way?

<Saif> You dock inside a warehouse and are quickly whisked into an underground room inside the building. (So you don't get a glimpse of the city at this time.)

<Sane> *I guess there aren't any portholes, eh?

<Saif> Sane - no, you're under water and there are no port holes.

<Saif> The room is a little damp (being so close to the lake) but comfortable.

<Castinar> Unless you want the thing to open it's mouth <G>

<Saif> You end up staying here four days waiting for Ari to be moved.

* Sane thinks to himself, "Val sure has good connections here. I wonder if he really needs us at all."

* Castinar constructs a mock up of the city with rocks/crates to ammuse himself

<Saif> Val only shows up once during that time (which will get to in a second). For the most part three drow of house Amirsaqut take care of your needs.

<Amber> Are the walls of stone or wood? Amber could pass the time carving...

<Thengal> Dis time be best used to setup our plan o' attack when da time comes

<Sane> *Does Val cruise around the city looking like himself?

<Saif> One of them is somewhat interesting. The other two tell you she is one of the Matrons of the house. You find that this House has a very rare power-sharing arrangement.

<Missy> bye all - bed time

<Amber> bye

<Thengal> Night Missy

<Saif> The other two sisters drop in once each. One is dressed in wizard robes, the other as a priestess of Lloth. They seem more curious than anything else.

<Kat> night Missy

* Castinar listens with interest to whatever she has to say --- thinking of the lost elves driven below

<Saif> * you're not sure what Val is up to. We can do some conversations during this time via e-mail during this next week.

* Sane seems curious too.

*** Missy has quit IRC (Leaving)

<Saif> It actually turns out to be quite boring, as others are doing all the work scouting around and forming political and military alliances.

<Saif> That all changes on the evening of the third day.

<Saif> The party is sitting around, each doing whatever they do to pass the time.

<Saif> Without any warning there is a ripple in the air, almost as if a wave of color passes through the room.

<Amber> Seeing the priestess of Lloth..."Fear is the mind killer, fear.." Amber reminds herself spiders can be useful and her breath slows to normal. Gives a weak smile to a sister cleric.

<Saif> the fighters hardly notice it. The clerics notice it but don't give it too much thought.

<Saif> The reaction from Diana and Nikki is quite different.

<Saif> Both stand up and look around, startled.

<Kat> *Saif, do we have a chance to explore the city? Are there any cats in the city?

* Castinar jumps to his feet as well, looking at Diana/Nikki

<Saif> Diana announces that something very strange just happened, but she isn't sure what, but that the whole Weave just surged.

* Castinar looks at Nikki

<Saif> Nikki nods and announces that whatever it was, it felt a lot like a giant magical surge.

<Saif> a wild magic surge

<Amber> Amber looks puzzled at the duo.

<Sane> *Sane doesn't feel this?

* Castinar looks at Nikki harder

<Thengal> "Awright, witch, Wat'd ya jest do here?"

<Saif> Sane does, but not nearly as strong as Diana (who happens to worship a godess of magic) and Nikki (a wild mage sensitve to surges) do

<Amber> Amber too looks at Nikki

<Saif> Diana and Nikki confer, but they are at a loss to explain what just happened.

<Saif> A few hours later Valdaeron walks into the room looking very concerned.

<Saif> He looks around at the party intently then sighs. "It effected you as well" he says.

* Castinar eh? What affected who?

<Kat> "What did?"

<Thengal> "Wat affected us?

* Castinar looks at himself

*** Saif is now known as Val

<Val> "Did any of you feel something strange a few hours ago?"

* Thengal looks around to see if anything is different

<Val> * to your perceptions, nothing has changed

<Diana> "Yes, something very odd."

<Amber> A little something but nothing too extraordinary to me.

<Castinar> I didn't, but Diana and Nikki (looks at them) seemed to notice something...

* Castinar looks at Nikki again

<Amber> Yes, they said someting about a magic surge?

<Val> "something very strange, and very powerful just happened. We're not sure what. A wave of magic washed over Sakar. It... changed people. Some changed a lot, others just a little."

<Thengal> "Ok, wat's da big secret here, me ain't noticin' anyt'in' different

<Val> "Most of the changes were subtle, like a mage not remembering some spells that they used to konw, but now knowing new ones."

<Castinar> Ari? Is she....?

<Castinar> Could this be the work of one of the Houses we're going against?

<Sane> *It felt like slightly unfair, restrictive magic which has hampered my power... <beg>

<Val> "It seemed to effect everybody but the most powerful in magic. I felt it and resisted it. A few others did as well."

* Diana will go through her spell list.

<Amber> Amber begins to take stock of herself and connection with Tymora..."Hey! Some of the prayers I had are gone!" she exclaims.

<Kat> "Did you successed in resisting it?"

<Val> * I don't have the details on this now, but at this point Val walks around and points out things that, from his view point, have changed. For example...

<Sane> *Sane now thinks he knows what it feels like to be castrated.

* Castinar ROFL

<Val> Val walks up to Thengal and points at his axe. "Where did you get that axe?" he asks. * Thengal would insist it is the axe he has always had.

<Thengal> *LOL Sane

<Val> "From my point of view, that is a different axe than the one you came here with. The other had a much longer handle, and was double-bladed."

<Thengal> Heh? me's had dis Axe fer years

* Castinar pulls Finslayer from the sheathe in concern

<Val> * he points out subtle changes like that on several people, mostly equipment changes, but he also questions the spellcasters about their spells and insists that some of them have changed.

<Thengal> Feel's like da axe me's always had

<Val> Val sits down and shakes his head. "We're not sure exactly what happened, but it appears as if reality has been warped somehow. Perhaps there has been a conjunction in two realities and details got mixed up. I'm not sure."

<Val> * none of this really makes any sense to you guys. Everything seems perfectly normal right now.

* Castinar looks at Thengal -- are you really Thengal?

<Val> Val then stands up. "I've got to go see how far reaching the effect was."

<Val> he then quickly departs, leaving you all rather puzzled.

<Val> He returns early the next day.

<Ari> *that is what you get for traveling between worlds all the time. someone forgot to set the clock right

<Sane> *I feel like I'm in a Star Trek episode. Where's Data?

<Thengal> "Eh? o' course me be really Thengal

<Val> "Well, we have a theory" he tells you

<Val> "You are on the trail of kidnappers who are kidnapping spell casters, correct? Well, the drow here have an idea who is behind this, although they refuse to tell me."

<Val> "They also tell me that the effect that passed through here originated in the area where those they suspect of being behind this dwell."

* Sane raises an eyebrow.

* Castinar notches anther mark against the kidnappers

<Thengal> "So what jest heppened den?

<Castinar> What of Ari? Is she all right?

<Val> "They suspect that these unknown entities were performing some kind of complicated magic, very powerful magic, probably powered by the souls of the kidnapped spellcasters. Something apparently went terribly wrong.

<Val> "The weave was ripped, and for a short time raw magic surged outwards. That is the wave you felt. Like I said, one of the effects of the wave seems to have been to alter reality somehow.

<Val> "Fortuantely the phenomenon seems to have been confined mostly to the Underdark, although some strange events have been reported around Tilvertown and the southern Dales."

<Val> "anyway, that's what we know now."

<Val> * now to your questions...

<Castinar> What of Ari? Is she all right?

<Diana> "Isis is going to be concerned about this..."

<Amber> Like the time the gods came to the lands? AMber asks.

<Val> to Sane "Information is power here. They don't give anything away for free."

* Castinar nods thoughtfully

<Val> to Castinar "I have no idea, although I suspect whatever happend to you happened to her as well."

<Kat> "Why didn't it affect you? Or did it?"

<Val> to Amber "Yes, very much like that, but localized, fortunately. Unfortunately, you were caught in the backlash."

<Sane> *because he has a Ring of Force Shield <bg>

<Thengal> "or would ye know if'n it did affect ye

<Diana> "How much time do we have? I would like to commune with my diety."

<Amber> Amber bites her lip..getting worried now.

<Val> to Sane "Information is also the currency of choice here. I doubt if you have any great secrets that would pull this out of them. I was told it was a military matter, being handled in Jaish."

* Castinar agrees with Diana (and Amber, I suspect <G>)

<Amber> Yes, I'd like to do that too."

<Val> to Thengal "It didn't effect me... at least, not that I have detected so far."

<Diana> "Of course, thats flawed logic. None of us feel different either, just your percepetion of us..."

<Sane> *We could tell the drow where a nice plump tribe of gnomes lives, all ripe for the picking. <bg>

<Kat> "Diana, Amber, wouldn't that be a bad idea? Couldn't that draw Lloth's attention? You calling your diety?"

<Thengal> Me thinkin' exactly Diana

<Diana> "So the actual effects could be far reaching and subtle, with no ability to tell what truly happened..."

<Val> to Diana "I don't know. Things are pretty riled up in the city. Most of the matrons were able to resist the effects, and they don't like the changes. Can you imagine, most of the drow seem to have lost their ability to levitate." * you all look at him blankly, since in your memory drown have never been able to levitate.

<Diana> *nod*