Session Start: Fri Dec 22 20:41:24 2000

*** Now talking in #nightbelow

*** Topic is 'Doom and gloom. Death and despair.'

<Diana> hihi

<Saif> Back

<Matar> Front

<Saif> hold for updated grid...

<Thengal> Is Kim gonna make it tonight?

<Kat> here

<Kat> Hi Saif

<Kat> What is going on?

<Thengal> Nothing yet, just getting started

<Kat> Did you rescue the princess yet?

<Kat> Where is the mage and kenku?

<Kat> silly elf and bird, never there when you need them.

<Thengal> They're invisible

<Matar> so anyone got FFIX yet?

<Kat> as aways

<Saif> OK, new grid up yet

<Kat> FFIX?

<Kat> Final Fantasy IX?

<Saif> Not yet on FFIX - I may get that with my Christmas Money

<Saif> Gotta work up a map real quick and print out some of my cheat sheets

<Saif> back in a few (sorry for the delay, but I was <ahem> working on character sheets this afternoon)

<Kat> Matar, you are not as indestructable as you were before. What happened? That was some strange magic.

<Matar> i became hooman

<Kat> Did you try making Matar an eighth level barbarian?

<Matar> nah i wanted the feets

<Matar> and the hands

<Kat> If Matar grows a beard, does he automaticly become a barbarian?

<Kat> Are dwarves really short barbarians?

<Thengal> Nope, He shrinks by 2 feet and becomes a dwarf

<Matar> the dwarven barbs are potent

<Thengal> Yup, We're all just short berserkers

<Matar> Oh Sh$t! Someone else must be outta beer!

<Kat> Is that part of the race? Can go berserker?

<Diana> hehe

<Thengal> I wish

<Kat> One barmaid to another: "Never, I mean, NEVER take away a half eaten turkey leg from a dwarf. He'll go berserk."

<Thengal> He Heh

<Kat> Words not to say to a dwarf, "I'm sorry. I think you've had enough to drink."

<Amber> lol

<Thengal> Isn't that impossible?

<Kat> When a dwarf walks into an elven bar, it's the first words he heards.

<Thengal> That's cos the elves just don't really know how to party

<Kat> Of course, the first thought of the dwarf is, did I step in something, while checking his boots.

<Castinar> huh --- little do you know

<Amber> Alchemist to apprentice: Never mistake hair curling potion for a hair removal lotion when dealing with dwarves!

<Kat> Always mistake...

<Thengal> Not if you wanna keep yer head anyways

<Kat> shave them beards

<Amber> Hey, they need those beards to keep them warm! So little dwarven women around you know..

<Thengal> an' mebbe de-claw dem kats

<Kat> I've had two different characters do it to two different dwarves, and their beard grew back before the end of the next day.

<Diana> "need a good dwarven lass... has a beard, something you grab onto!"

<Saif> Working up an initiative sheet...

<Diana> :)

<Kat> One if the better lines from that movie

<Kat> Of course, the action with the line made it great.

<Diana> yeah

<Diana> i actually cheered when the guy killed that wayans character. :)

<Kat> meanie, you and Saif are just mean.

<Diana> heh

<Kat> I bet you would eat a kitten

<Diana> i liked the female wizard pc, and i liked the dwarf.

<Castinar> wow --- I've got an AC?!?!

<Diana> i also liked jeremy irons when he wasnt overacting

*** Ted has joined #nightbelow

<Diana> and loved the dragons

<Kat> I wish the dragons talked

<Ted> Sorry, Had to reconnect to server

<Saif> He was _always_ overacting

<Castinar> heh --- D&D movie?

<Saif> yes

<Ted> Don't think it'll be out here for a while

<Kat> It's a great movie to add lines to

<Saif> Dragon's were neat, but the graphics weren't what I expected. Looked more like Xena than Jurassic Park level

<Saif> OK, any questions about the Battle Grid?

<Matar> hmm frames suck - when i reload it sends me back to the home page

*** Thengal has quit IRC (Ping timeout)

<Saif> Reload what?

*** Ted is now known as Thengal

<Matar> the grid

<Saif> hum. What browser are you using? Anybody else having that problem?

<Matar> nutscrape

<Thengal> No problem with it

<Kat> I think I got the grid

<Saif> Can you right click in the frame and choose "refresh"?

<Matar> i browsed there didnt put in full addy

<Castinar> shall I make my HPs?

<Castinar> I've got it working in NS6

<Matar> ya reload frame works

<Matar> just not the same tho

<Castinar> Or you wanna just take my word for what I rolled earlier ;-)

<Kat> Matar isn't very wise is he.

<Thengal> Yeah I got NS6 here too

<Matar> lol not in the least

<Saif> Cast - sure

* Castinar prays he gets at least what K'harn has <VBG>

<Castinar> db 2d10

<db> Castinar rolled 2d10: [3] 1 2

<Castinar> db 7d8

<db> Castinar rolled 7d8: [26] 2 4 3 6 7 3 1

<Castinar> LoL

<Castinar> That's not FAIR!!!!!!!

<Diana> doh

<Saif> OK, you get to reroll the two 10s

<Matar> he had a 66 before

<Matar> i saw it

<Saif> and... geez

<Saif> four of the d8s

<Castinar> db 2d10

<db> Castinar rolled 2d10: [13] 9 4

<Diana> better

<Castinar> db 4d8

<db> Castinar rolled 4d8: [22] 6 1 8 7

<Saif> better

<Saif> kinda better

<Castinar> 55?

<Saif> Well, what was your first level? Fighter?

<Castinar> +9

<Castinar> Yep -- R1, D5, R1, S2

<Saif> That's an auto 10, so your second level of fighter will be the 9.

<Castinar> um... let me verify that

<Saif> At what character level did you take the second level of fighter?

<Castinar> checking

<Castinar> hmm... can't find my scratch sheet, but pretty sure it went as above (1 Ranger, 5 Druid, 1 Ranger, then 2 Surv)

<Saif> K, any Con bonus?

<Castinar> +1/lev

<Saif> So I show 69 HP, by level 10/6/4/3/6/7/9/8/7... all with +1 per level

<Castinar> yup

<Saif> OK

<Saif> Any other questions before we get started?

<Thengal> None here

<Matar> no question but a comment: Thengal can't have as many hps as Matar! That just ain't right!

<Diana> lol

<Matar> oh and the new battle grid is fugly

<Diana> i actually like it

<Thengal> Hey, think of it this way, you're teaching me how to be as good a fighter as you are

<Castinar> hehe

<Kat> What happen to Nikki and Sane? Are they just phasing in and out? Stuck in some magic trap?

<Saif> Fugly? Ah, you netscape users, you. That's even saved without all the Office tags in it

<Matar> there's just a lot of left justified stuff that don't look right

<Saif> They will both be non-issues tonight, unfortunately. Their decision.

<Saif> OK

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> Here's how I see a round working now

<Saif> It should be much simpler than with 2e

<Saif> The first round or two (where we have to worry about flat-footed, surprise rounds, partial actions) will be the most complicated.

<Kat> *Kim should be here. You are explaining combat.

<Saif> Once we're past that everybody will be in pretty much the same order throughout the session, unless they do things to change their initiative rank (refocus or ready actions)

<Saif> * I'm going to put this up on the web... eventually.

<Castinar> *Or hold

<Saif> In fact, the break between rounds will be somewhat artifical, just for me to update the grid and map.

<Diana> ahh, yeah its much prettier in IE

<Matar> traitor!

<Diana> :P

<Matar> your soul is no longer your own!

<Saif> What will happen in a round is I'll go to the person with the highest init roll and ask them what they want to do. They then do that action. I then go to the next and so on.

<Saif> So no more big "declarations" up front. We'll be much more "real-time" now.

<Saif> That means it is more important that you pay attention. It also means it should be much easier to know when to pay attention since your action will come up close to the same point in the round each time.

<Saif> When spellcasters pass their spells I want all the details with it, including things like range and DC for each spell. I don't want to have to be going to the character sheets a lot.

<Saif> So, that being said, any other questions before we jump in head-first?

<Diana> * I dont have my PHB here, so tonight i wont be able to do that :(

<Castinar> *I'll help you out with that

<Saif> Diana - can you see your character sheet on the web? That should have most the information on it

<Diana> nod yeah, can see character sheet, but didnt see casting time, duration and so forth

<Castinar> *Just message me what you're going to cast a moment or two in front, I'll pass back parameters

<Amber> *Amber wants to do a spell before they go to the rescue....Magic Vestments, +2 AC for 6hrs

<Diana> just the short descriptions

<Diana> ok

<Saif> * Oh, how I wish the new books were available in electronic form! I got spoiled being able to do a "find" within a word document.

<Thengal> Hmm, IE version looks same as NS6 to me

<Castinar> Yup

* Castinar grins

<Castinar> *that to electronic books

<Castinar> no use having my laptop out anymore

<Diana> what armor are you wearing Amber?

<Matar> ** Just a suggestion - it happens a lot that people all hold and end up at the same init - you make thank yerself for making a chart of tiebreakers at some point

<Amber> leather

<Castinar> should tell Wizards they owe me money for the laptop --- what I used it most for <G>

<Diana> how about I cast Mage armor on you, and you drop the leather, tahts a +4 armor bonus instead of +2

<Saif> Amber - check

<Castinar> *Rembember, when you give a hold action, you've gotta give the conditions, IIRC

<Saif> hold on- sounds like the family is self-destructing up stairs. Sorry, brb

<Matar> not hold - ready

<Matar> you can hold a full action

<Amber> how long does it last Diana?

<Matar> you can only ready a partial

<Matar> and you give the conditions for that

<Diana> heh, dont know, hours

<Diana> Cast?

<Matar> think its h/lvl

<Diana> yeah, so that would be 8 hours

<Matar> yeah it is

<Thengal> It is 1/h per lvl

<Diana> so 8 hours, and I dont need it, so Id be happy to hit you with it every morning as we start to march.

<Amber> okay, lets do that. Feel freeier in clothing anyway. <g> Save my 3rd level spell for later.

<Castinar> keeping page 128 open --- list of action/costs

<Diana> Ok, Kat or Thengal I have a extra cats grace memorized so it will last 16 hours. Would either of you like it?

<Diana> its +1d4+1 Dex

<Kat> sure

<Castinar> concealment table also useful on 133 --- chance of being missed

<Diana> Saif... wann do just average's on these booster spells, or do you want me to do?

<Thengal> Won't matter for me, Armor will negate the benefit

<Diana> er... do you want me to roll :)

<Saif> So do the Mage Armor and Magical Vestments stack?

<Diana> i dont think so

<Diana> magical vestments adds an enhancement bonus to the leather armor

<Diana> although..

<Matar> Di - can you enhance those with the metamagic feat or would that be too much high lvl castings gone? would make them all 1d4+1 * 1.5

<Saif> Diana - that is up to you (if you want to risk it or take the middle road)

<Diana> you know what, you could do it to your clothing...

<Matar> vest is enhance - armor is armor so they would

<Thengal> max dex bonus for my armor type is +1 which I already get

<Diana> i dont have that metamagic yet. but it would be a 4th level spell :P

<Diana> or even 5th

<Castinar> *Shadow and Cast could benefit by those --- neither wearing heavy armor

<Matar> and amber can still wear leather - it will just take the better of the two - so if she loses it or gets dispelled she wouldnt be fully sol

<Thengal> Yeah that'd be a better choice

<Diana> sounds like a plan

<Amber> regular clothing counts as armour according to book.

<Saif> So that gives Amber a total +4 on AC and she isn't wearing armor, right?

<Diana> is or isnt, doesnt actually matter

<Saif> * +4 considering that the leather already added +2, this dumps the +2 and adds +6 of armor protection

<Amber> better wear leather just incase, dispel magic comes along.

<Matar> hmmm well vestment says its enhancement but it cant be more then +5 total bonus weather enhancement or no

<Matar> so the best it can be is +5

<Diana> eh?

<Diana> that doesnt make sense

<Saif> So does Mage Armor work if they are wearing Armor?

<Matar> it should

<Matar> lemme check

<Diana> it works, it just replaces the armor you are wearing

<Matar> ya doesnt say so its just the greater bonus that takes effect

<Amber> no magic vestment spell as Diana's is better. Keep for kid we're rescuing...

<Kat> Diana, Cat's Grace has a duration of 1 hour/level. Does Diana have something that makes it last longer?

<Diana> Amber, your vestment will stack with my armor :)

<Diana> yeah, an amulet of extension

<Saif> OK... I'm reading Mage Armor and I don't see where it says you can't wear armor, or that the bonuses would not stack, just that it gives a +4 to AC

<Kat> great

<Amber> oh! okay. Gotta get used to these new ways..

<Castinar> says check DMG

<Diana> i think its a +4 armor bonus tho

<Castinar> at beginning of magic section before spells

<Diana> so the Armor bonus doesnt stack with another Armor bonus

<Matar> Saif: look at vestment - says no more then +5 there from enhance or other

<Diana> ok, ill be quiet now :)

<Matar> er oh yeah and what di said

<Saif> Matar - check, but that's different from Mage Armor is. Vest requires armor to be cast on, so it obviously stacks. I'm wondering about Mage Armor.

<Castinar> Huh

<Diana> yeah, Mage armor is an armor bonus, so it doesnt stack with mundane armor

<Castinar> According to DMG, 176-7:

<Diana> it just replaces it

<Matar> ya that

<Castinar> Different named bonust ypes all stack, but usually a named bonus does not stack with naother bonus of the same name (except for enhancement bonuses to armor and shields.....)

<Castinar> Mage armor is an armor enhancement, so stacks

<Castinar> Make that ---

<Thengal> or Dodge bonus, which do stack

<Castinar> Mage armor is an armor bonus type --- magic vestment is an enhancement to armor---so magic vestment stacks mage armor doenst

<Castinar> doesnt

<Saif> So, according to the DMG, Magic Vest would stack (since it enhances armor), but Mage Armor would not, since it is the same type. Anybody disagree with that?

<Diana> *nod*

<Diana> thats the way we see it

<Thengal> That's what it looks like

<Saif> Ok

<Matar> it wont stack - but it would take the place of since it is the higher armor value

* Saif wipes his forehead and hopes every question tonight isn't like that

<Castinar> LoL

<Amber> lol

<Diana> Kat, Matar, what you want. the average, or me to roll d4?

<Matar> you can stack any number of spells but only the one with the highest takes effect

<Matar> roll it

<Saif> OK, moving to Diana

<Kat> roll

<Diana> for matar: strength bonus

<Diana> db d4

<db> Diana rolled 1d4: [1]

<Saif> Diana - is this a "tonight only" roll or do you want this to be the defaut every time you roll?

<Diana> lol

<Diana> tonight hehe

<Saif> OK, roll them then tell me the effects and I'll put them on the gird (but not the character sheets for tonight)

<Diana> matar or them might want to use rerolls later

<Diana> +2 str for matar

<Diana> for matar: endurance bonus

<Diana> db d4

<db> Diana rolled 1d4: [4]

<Diana> +5 con for matar

<Diana> for Kat: dexterity bonus

<Diana> db d4

<db> Diana rolled 1d4: [4]

<Diana> +5 dex to kat

<Saif> Matar - figure out the effects of that and let me know

<Saif> Kat - same thing

<Diana> for Diana: dexterity bonus

<Kat> Great

<Diana> db d4

<db> Diana rolled 1d4: [1]

<Saif> Changes to hits, AC, etc.

<Diana> +2 dex for diana

<Kat> That give Kat's dex affected skills a +2

<Saif> Kat - give me a quick run down (like AC, missile attacks, blah blah)

<Kat> Short bow <30 to hit 16/11

<Kat> Short bow >30 to hit 15/10

<Castinar> 16/11??????? Sheeeesssseee

<Castinar> Nice!

<Kat> Base Missile 12/7

<Kat> Reflex +12

<Castinar> Heh --- just realized, Shadow almost as good <G>

<Amber> brb

<Kat> FullAC 27 Touch 18 Flat 27

<Kat> Touch 20

<Kat> oops

<Saif> OK, got 'em... Touch would go up to 20

<Saif> k

<Matar> +16 hps to 108 hps and +8 str bonus (basically +1 to everything) also +2 fort save bonus

<Saif> K, Matar

<Amber> *back

<Kat> Init +9

<Saif> OK, Diana - anything happen for you?

<Diana> yeah one sec

<Diana> Init goes to +2

<Saif> Just tell me the bonus, I've got all the places down from Kat

<Diana> missle base goes to +5

<Saif> * so basically a +1 to all DEX related numbers?

<Diana> reflex save goes to +4

<Diana> yeah

<Diana> :)

<Saif> OK, changing...

* Castinar looks around at everyone bulking up and wonders what he is supposed to do <G>

<Matar> *duck and cover!

<Saif> OK, so I've got temp changes to Kat (dex), Matar (str, con), Diana (dex), and Amber (AC). Anybody else?

<Kat> Castinar should pray that the magic detectors don't detect all this spell casting.

<Castinar> hehe

* Diana pants a little :)

<Thengal> Nope, I'll activate my boots when the time comes

<Castinar> only thing I can do is cast a spell when within an hour of the actual attempt

<Saif> OK, here's a question. Amber effectively has Leather +2 (normal leather, +2 from the Magical Vestment spell) for a +4 to AC. Mage Armor has +4. Would Magic Vestment stack with Mage Armor? I'm thinking no, that it only affects real armor. Thoughts?

<Diana> I would say yes actually

<Castinar> Um, I think so --- different bonus types

<Thengal> Yup

<Matar> vest is enhance - armor is armor so they stack and make +5 because that is the max vest can do

<Saif> But the spell states that the target is "Armor or Shield touched", not "Armor-like force field".

<Diana> right

<Diana> but you wouldnt be enhancing the mage armor, youd enhance the leather, or your clothes

<Diana> and get +2 enhancement bonus out of it

<Saif> Hum... I like Matar's observation, that keeps it from being out of control.

<Diana> but not the base armor bonus

<Diana> i think that +5 limitation is that it provides a Maximum enhancement bonus of +5

<Castinar> Hmmm... there probably is something about enhancing magic armor too

<Diana> so if your leather was +4, it wouldnt go to +6

<Diana> basically, the enhanced leather is acting not unlike a ring of deflection worn by a fighter in plate.

<Matar> no - it vest says enhancment or other source

<Saif> OK, I'm going to say that Mage Armor counts as armor for the purposes of the Magical Vestement spell, but that means the MV only adds +1 due to the +5 limit with the spell.

<Matar> not just enhance

<Diana> thats wierd

<Matar> ya

<Matar> but thats the way it reads

<Diana> so you cant enhance plate?

<Matar> that does seem weird

<Diana> I guess thats actually a realistic limitation

<Matar> should emial tech support on it

<Diana> they do say its 'vestment' not enhance armor

<Castinar> Bonus does not stack with another bonus of same name (Except for enhancement bonuses to armor and shields, ranged weapons and their ammunition) -- matched sets type (armor and shield)

<Diana> so yeah, +5 max, stacks with mage armor

<Diana> makes sense now

<Castinar> NOTE: Consistency and Logic (pg 177) The system of bonus types provides a way to make sense out of what can work together and what can't . At some point, when adding types of protection together, ar easonable player realizes that some portections are just redundatn.......

<Saif> OK, any other enhancents, or shall I repost the Grid now so you guys can double check it?

<Diana> Im done

<Kat> Hey, besides this rules stuff, how did everyone's character's change? Like Katrina does not have Compulsive Honesty any more and never had Tongue-Tied. Any changes in other characters we might like to know?

<Diana> Diana isnt scared of crowds, but still sleeps heavy

<Diana> and she technically not really a wizard anymore, but has wizard spells still

<Castinar> Cast still has comp honesty <VBG>

<Matar> Ah the way it reads is: "A suit of armor cannot have more than +5 in total bonuses (even if some of its bonus is from other thean enahcenment)

<Matar> so plate could

<Diana> see, that makes sense too.

<Castinar> as well as *Severe* phobia for undead

<Matar> but if it was plate +2 (for example) i could only gert another _3

<Matar> er +3

<Thengal> Question, are we planning on teleporting in to where the prisoner is, or does it look like we'll have to search for him for a bit. makes a difference on whether I activate my boots right away or not

<Amber> Amber's pretty much the same, except for no merchantile background or its bonus's.

<Kat> Castinar, what does the compulsive honsety mean to you?

<Kat> Does Castinar get minus to hide and move silently?

<Diana> which would make Amber get +4 effective ac bonus, the mage armor replacing the +2 leather armor bonus, and the enhancement stacking on either

<Castinar> - to hide?

<Amber> *Saif, could you tell me what my AC is now on the grid? or someone who can look for me?

<Castinar> got it, amber

<Saif> OK, Grid is up

<Kat> Well, if you don't like to hide the truth, won't that carry over to hiding/

<Kat> ?

<Castinar> 17 AC amber

<Saif> Amber, Full AC 23 Touch 17 Flat 20

<Castinar> heck no!

<Amber> thanks.

<Castinar> why would it?

<Castinar> *and why would it now when it hasn't yet?

<Kat> Why not? Wouldn't Castinar be thinking, 'Don't look over here, don't look over here' and say out loud, "Don't look here. I'm not here."

<Saif> Thengal - you're going to be escorted in to see the prisoner

<Matar> matar doesnt do herbs anymore and lost a lot of hps but is a bit stronger

<Thengal> OK, I'll wait to activate the boots then

<Saif> "a bit" he says

<Amber> *Saif what is his title if any? Say, Sir, Lord??

<Saif> Of Narlan Silversword?

<Castinar> That's like the stereotypical difference between a LG paladin and a LS paladin

<Amber> yes

<Amber> Since she's met him, might be good to speak to him correctly. <g>

<Saif> He was in the PDs for a while, but hasn't been knighted and isn't the lead of his house yet, so his rank - Captain, would be best.

<Amber> k

<Saif> Ok, so we ready?

<Saif> * two hours later

<Saif> Last chance for tweaks

<Thengal> Sure

<Castinar> Question on private channel

* Matar tweaks Kat's nose!

<Kat> "What Matar."

<Diana> ready

<Saif> OK

<Matar> "Just making sure you're awake!"

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> .

<Saif> I had wanted to type something up explaining what happened, but between <ahem> working on sheets and the party tonight I didn't have time.

<Saif> So here's the quick rundown.

<Saif> I'm more interested in getting to the combat than the story here, so this will only be a rough outline of what you do

<Kat> *Does that mean that Matar doesn't have any potion of infravision or darkvision?

<Saif> Two hours before you are supposed to depart a new drow walks into the room.

<Saif> He is dressed in uniform.

<Saif> He introduces himself as Falan, and explains that he is a friend of Valdaeron.

<Saif> The drow you've been dealing with up until now confirm this.

<Kat> *so that's why we didn't kill him when he walked into the room

<Saif> Falan has a bunch of uniforms that match his. He tells you he is in the equivalent of the City Watch here and that you guys are going to get into the... hold on, looking up names...

<Saif> into the Zimrath Compound in the guise of Watch Members.

<Saif> One of the nice things is that Watch members are supposed to be "above" house politics.

* Diana stifles a giggle at that.

<Saif> As a result all watch members wear masks over their faces

<Kat> "As long as no one has a detect alignment up, we should be fine."

<Castinar> well --- that fits us --- we're not geting involved in the politics anymore <G>

<Kat> "Yes, we are, Castinar."

<Thengal> "Hmm, an'a mask'll make me look like a drow??"

<Saif> Sane helps him out and eveybody has black makeup applied around their eyes (the masks don't cover the eyes) and on your hands. Sane also does some tricks with your eyes to make them look more elven.

* Amber giggles when makeup applied.

<Saif> to Thengal he says "Sometimes the young nobles of houses don't want to serve their time in the Watch, so they send somebody in their stead. It is not unheard of for them to send a slave of another race to fill their position. That's how we'll get you and the little one in, but it would be too suspecious if all of you were non-drow."

* Castinar nods thoughtfully

<Saif> Once everybody is ready Falan tells you that, no matter, what, don't get separated. He also tells you to not speak, even if directly addressed. He'll handle everything.

<Thengal> Ahh, ok. me ken play at bein' a duergar for dis ruse if'n ya need, but me still doesn't like it much

* Castinar shrugs

<Diana> "Dont get seperated, dont speak. Okay."

<Saif> "We have a contact inside Zimrath. I'll turn you over to him at the gates. He is working out a way to get you down to your prisoner. He'll then escort you back to the gates where I'll be waiting. I'll bring you back here. If everything goes as planned you won't even need to draw your weapons."

<Saif> "Any last questions?"

<Amber> "Okay." Amber says and looks at Nikki <can she remain quiet?>

<Matar> "Who in our group understands drow?"

<Diana> "If things go wrong, whats our escape plan?"

<Castinar> I do

<Saif> * now? good question? <g>

<Diana> "Our backout plan if you will."

<Saif> Oh, BTW, K'harn is going with Valdaeron, so she won't be with you

<Thengal> Me ken speak a Underdark language, but no' drow

<Diana> * nope, no drow or underdark. I should probobly learn underdark at some point.

* Amber says "I speak undercommon but not drow."

<Saif> Falan chuckles at Diana's question. "We haven't even really had time to come up with this main plan, let alone a backup. I'd suggest if you get in trouble you head for the water, turn left, and don't stop until you get to that damned fortress."

<Diana> "Okay."

* Amber nods

<Amber> *is it underdark or undercommon?

-> *Diana* So 3 MM total?

<Saif> Undercommon

<Saif> Falan then leads you outside

<Matar> "Is there a map of this place we can refer to if we get lost or separated from the guides?"

<Saif> This is the first glimpse you really get outside, of Sakar or the Bubble itself

<Saif> Rather than trying to relate the dramatic images you see I'll just refer you to the Bubble description on the web page.

<Saif> The city is very strange looking, the Spider Falls just to the north are beautiful, the Mage Tower hanging from the ceiling above a little awe inspiring.

<Kat> *Extra note: Kat speaks Undercommon now

<Castinar> Cool

<Saif> Falan leads you back and forth between the Tabaqs. At times you climb steep stairs. At other times you ride up floating platforms.

<Castinar> Now I'll have to start speaking Terran to call you names <G>

<Saif> It takes you about 20 minutes to get up to the level containing the Zimrath compound, up near the top of the city.

<Saif> Falan motions for you all to stay put and he strides forward and bangs on the gate.

<Saif> Guards pop out above the gate and demand to know what he wants.

<Matar> * kat shoots em!

<Saif> A short conversation ensues where Falan demands entrance to the compound to conduct an inspection and that it has all been arranged.

<Saif> The guard isn't so sure.

<Kat> *Ask Shadow, she is a better shot.

<Thengal> *Nikki fireballs 'em

<Saif> Then the guard looks behind him and disappears for a moment.

<Saif> The gate opens and you are ushered into the compound.

<Saif> An elderly drow dressed in bright crimson robes glowing with faerie fire waits for you.

<Saif> Falan bows to him and says "I have other matters to attend to. These soldiers will conduct the inspection."

<Saif> The old drow bows back but says nothing.

<Saif> Falan turns and nods to you as he walks back out of the compound. The gates swing shut behind him.

<Saif> The old drow bows to you and then gestures for you to follow him.

<Saif> You notice that he doesn't walk, but rather floats above the ground.

<Saif> He leads you into a side door, down a flight of stairs, and through what appears to be a wine cellar.

<Saif> You pass through a secret door, emerging in a somewhat small room.

<Saif> "Quickly now" the old drow says, speaking for the first time. "You must change out of those uniforms and don Zimrath livery."

<Matar> *language?

* Kat quickly changes clothes

* Castinar looks for the new clothing

<Saif> In the corner are several suits of clothing, all bearing the same sigil, which looks somewhat like a large set of shark jaws.

* Castinar shrugs and changes again

* Amber hair stands on end her mind screaming 'Danger!' but does as she is told silently.

<Saif> Sane has to do some quick work to shorten up clothing for Amber and Thengal, and to let out a vest for Matar

<Saif> In only about five minutes you now look like servants of House Zimrath.

<Saif> Sane then uses some illusions to darken the skin of the elves in the party and lighten their hair (Cast, Diana, and Nikki - Shadow doesn't have the ears to pull it off any more).

<Castinar> *has some weaponblack -- could save on spells (not that it really matters I guess <G>)

<Saif> Once Castinar finishes changing the old drow hands him a map. "If we get separated we are here" he points to a spot on the map, "the human is here, and this is the most direct way to get out of the compound. Don't go back through the gate unless I'm with you."

<Saif> * Sane's spell aren't going to be used for anything else tonight, might as well do this

* Castinar looks at the map and memorizes two routes

* Castinar nods

<Castinar> *need the profession cartographer skill could come in handy :-}

<Saif> As you change and everything you get the impression the old drow is a little depressed, or perhaps meloncholy (sp?)

<Thengal> melancholy

* Castinar nods

<Saif> He points to those who don't look like drow "Keep your heads down. You are slaves. You must not meet the eyes of any drow in the house."

<Matar> * the old matar would slip him some viagra but the new one has no idea what that is

* Castinar makes note of it but doesn't ask questions for now

<Saif> To the disguised elves "You are battle slaves, the lowest class of drow here. You can look at other drow, but it may be seen as an insult. Keep your heads down, if possible."

* Amber nods, she was used to doing that as an acolyte

* Diana nods.

<Saif> "Now, follow me, and don't get lost!"

<Saif> You exit back out through the wine cellar and enter another tunnel. You walk for about five minutes, moving deeper into the compound.

* Castinar sighs and lowers his head, peering surrepticiously out the sides of his hood

<Saif> You occasionally pass other drow, but they are all dressed the same way you are, and tend to avoid the old man and his glowing robes.

<Saif> The entire journey you only pass two drow that are not slaves. They look like soldiers. The bow to the old man and move along.

<Saif> You finally get down into what must be the dungeon area.

* Thengal shuffles along looking miserable

<Saif> The drow stops you. "Through this doorway is a hall about 30' long which ends in a guard room. Three drow and about as many hobgoblins are in there, watching over the prisoners. We must take them out. None must escape.

<Saif> Nikki asks how large the room is and how close the cells are.

<Saif> After a few more questions she suggests simply fireballing the room.

<Diana> * not a bad idea :)

<Saif> * any objections?

<Amber> What about the prisoner? amber asks

<Diana> "Seems the logical thing to do."

<Saif> The old drow doesn't think it will endanger the prisoners, nore should there be any backlash.

<Thengal> Will our prisoner get hurt?

<Kat> "How much louder is that than a fight?"

<Kat> "How about a web spell instead."

<Diana> * fireball isnt very load, just a wooshing sound

<Saif> Nikki to Kat "A low "WHOOSH" instead of clank-clang-crash"

<Diana> * but a web spell will let them yelll all they want

<Castinar> what about noise?

<Matar> drop a slience on them first?

<Kat> "And the screams of the victoms it hits."

<Thengal> "We ken try it, but we should be ready ta move in if'n dey resist yer magic Nikki

<Amber> I can silence an area if need be.

<Saif> * you're not very close to anything else. The old drow thinks you could fight down here without attracting attention.

* Castinar eyes the tunnels --- does it look liket hey would stand up to the blast?

<Kat> "What about the prisoners?"

<Saif> cast - yes, easily

<Saif> the prisoners are down another hallway behind solid doors

<Kat> "Is there another way out?"

<Saif> "No"

<Kat> "Blast them."

<Matar> how about a double whammy then? di and nikki both blast em - thengal and i will rush in and clean them up

<Diana> * nuke em from orbit. its the only way to be sure

<Saif> <g>

<Thengal> "Me likes dat idea

<Saif> * no need to waste Diana's spell. This is more just to have Nikki do something during the rescue.

* Castinar watches the man in the glowing robes closely

<Amber> Any secret exits?

<Saif> Nikki steps forward and blasts the room.

<Thengal> Activates boots as they set off the spells

<Saif> You guys run in. Two drow are still alive, but badly injured. They are easily dispatched.

<Saif> * don't worry about it, Thengal

<Thengal> ok

<Saif> With the guards out of the way you run down the hallway, calling out for the Silversword heir.

* Diana will cast Sense Invisibility (CT: 1 action, Duration: 80 minutes)

<Saif> Several reply to your calls.

<Saif> What do you do?

* Kat will look for keys to the cells

<Matar> cast detect truth on them

<Saif> Kat finds keys

<Saif> * you can't see the prisoners, they are all behind locked doors. There are grills to look into the rooms, but the rooms are pitch black.

<Thengal> Is there a way to look into the cells?

* Amber listens for a voice she recognizes and calls out, "T's Lady priestess AMber Captain."

* Kat will ask, "Are there any traps in this area that the guards knew about?"

<Saif> Four of them reply to your calls, but one sounds very orc-like.

* Diana will then cast light on a stone, to shine into the cells

<Saif> Amber - you don't know him that well

<Saif> The old drow shrugs at Kat's questions. "I do not come down here often."

<Amber> WEll, she could recognize his accent I would think.

* Kat will shift to bipel form to see

<Saif> Diana finds that one is an orc, another a half elf. The other two are both human, both sound Cormyrian to Amber's ear.

<Thengal> Can I see using Darkvision?

<Amber> Captain, describe me if you remember.

<Saif> * Amber, he wouldn't.

<Amber> *rats

<Kat> *Does Kat know this guy? Has she seen him before?

<Amber> Well, she will look and see if she recognizes them if someone will lift her up to look in peep holes...

<Amber> them=him

<Saif> No, Amber has seen him before, but can't be sure under all the dirt and long hair which one might be the right guy.

<Kat> *Are they in different cells?

<Saif> Yes, different cells.

<Castinar> Are the cormytes together or differnet cells?

<Kat> *Are they chained to the walls?

<Saif> One prisoner to a cell.

<Thengal> Sane, ken ye detect illusion as well as cast dem? me t'inks mebbe it could help here

<Saif> Not chained.

* Castinar will go to both and whisper to them

<Matar> someone cast prestidgation on them

* Kat will go to one of the cells with the cormytes in them

<Matar> its a cantrip and will clean them up in like 6 rounds

<Saif> Cast - what do you whisper?

* Kat uses the key to open it

<Saif> Kat, just a sec

<Amber> I cant tell guys, Sane are there illusions on these two humans?

* Castinar the King is dead

<Diana> * dont have it prepared

<Saif> One of the men just looks confused. The other turns white as a sheet.

<Castinar> this is our man

<Amber> Thats him AMber thinks.

<Diana> * nice :)

<Amber> Tis true she replies

<Saif> Sane doesn't think there are any illusions at work, but doesn't want to burn a spell on the long shot that there is one.

<Saif> So let that one out?

<Amber> I say yes. Get closer look then just to be sure.

* Castinar suggests that we do ---

* Amber whispers, Thengal be ready just in case..

<Saif> When you open the door the man darts out and grabs Castinar by the shirt. "The King? The Dragon himself?"

<Kat> Look at him and let him out

<Saif> He looks a little wild eyed

<Saif> He also bears the marks of torture

<Matar> "Let's just bring them both - we don't want to be mistaken and there's likely not anything a Cormyrn would ahve to do with drow that enproisioned him"

<Thengal> Watch down the hall incase someone else comes

* Castinar nods sadly -- "I am afraid so --- aand there is no time to explain"

<Saif> The man then stops and looks around. "Who are you?"

<Diana> * is he still hurt?

<Amber> Calm, quietly please Capt. Many more were assasinated too. We have to leave her asap!

* Kat goes to the other cell

<Saif> Diana - no, mostly scars. He might use a CLW or so, but don't waste it now.

<Diana> k

* Kat will use the key on it

* Castinar we are here to rescue you from this place

<Castinar> I am from Cormyr myself

<Saif> to Amber "The King was assassinated! What about Vandy? He would never allow such a thing!"

<Saif> The young man is obviously having a hard time trying to come to grips with what is happening.

<Amber> No, the vand is still with us [or at least he was in the books]

* Castinar shakes his head "We are not sure, but..... well, he was fighting alongside The Dragon...."

<Diana> * The King wasnt assasinated was he? I thought he died fighting a dragon.

<Saif> "Did Mother send you? The drow told me they were going to make her give up the Family Sphere to ransom me. I knew she wouldn't do that!"

<Castinar> "The King, that is --- they fell to a Dragon"

<Saif> * no, he wasn't, but Narlan drew that conclusion from Amber's words

<Saif> to Castinar... " A real dragon? Well, he died in battle, at least."

<Castinar> "I am not sure of this sphere which you mention.... but we will try to prevent the need by getting you out of here.... now, you must come with us"

<Diana> "We are an interested third party on a mission of mercy. We dont have much time, lets go."

<Saif> "Come!" the old drow says. "The longer we stay here the greater the chances we'll be discovered!"

<Amber> No, but we heard you were here and thougth it prudent to get you out before the drow heard of the kings death.

<Castinar> "Aye ... and, there is more.... but I must speak of that later. Now is not the time>"

<Kat> "What about the others?"

<Kat> *Does this guy look like the person we want to get?

<Saif> He pulls out another set of clothing for Narlan. The lad initially resists, refusing to wear anything with the Zimrath crest on it.

*** Castinar is now known as Shadow

<Diana> "Let the half elf and human go? I dont like orcs."

<Saif> But you finally talk him into it

<Amber> We came and got what we needed Kat, we must leave! she hates saysing that though.

* Shadow looks around for some chains or rope ---s oemthting to make it look like the prisoner is bound

<Shadow> ahh -- nm

<Saif> After hearing him speak and getting a good look at him Amber is fairly sure this is the Silversword heir

*** Shadow is now known as Castinar

<Saif> * Anything else before you start heading out?

<Amber> "We must go now and be silent as you can till it is safe. Please sir.

<Kat> "Who are the others?"

<Thengal> Watching for any movement coming from down the hall still

<Amber> "Anyone have a spare weapon so he can defend himself if necesary?

* Castinar says to Kat --- perhaps we can come back --- right now, this man is the reason we are here --- I don't want to risk Ari by having a fuss raised here

* Castinar will hand his crossbow to the Heir --- pointing out how "simple" it is to use

<Kat> "We should take them all. It should be look like we don't know who he is."

<Saif> Kat - the old drow shrugs. "He was the one the Matron was most interested in. Others are captives from other houses, from other cities. I do not know."

<Amber> No! lets go now! And AMber trys to get everyone going by pulling on the Capts arm and joining Thengal.

<Kat> "of course," Kat nods to Diana, "We should leave the orc."

<Saif> the old drow frowns. "If you take many that will create more of a scene. Leave the keys where they can get to them with some work, if you wish, but don't let them out now. They would only bring trouble if they were seen."

* Thengal whispers from down the hall "Wat be takin' ya so long, let's get 'im an' get outta here!"

<Kat> "Ok, let's go."

* Amber whispers back, Trying to get them moving! sheesh!

* Castinar nods

<Saif> to Cast "I'd prefer a sword." He looks around, then walks over and picks one up from a dead drow. He tests it by driving it into the drow's body. "This one will do" he mutters, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

* Kat will leave the keys where they can get to and jam the lock on the cell the Silversword heir was in.

<Matar> "Sane, go invis before we get back in case one of these drow learned how to count"

<Diana> Hey, the internet cafe is closing up, gotta go. see ya all

<Saif> * Sane has been invisible most of the time

<Saif> Sorry, Seth.

<Kat> later

<Matar> bleh

<Saif> We might not get into the combat tonight.

<Amber> ta merry XMas

*** Diana has quit IRC

<Matar> make someone else invis so the same number leave that enter!

<Saif> OK, let's at least get the situation set up. That may give Judd or David time to get their butts in gear and get me something.

<Saif> The old drow doesn't think it will be that important (i.e. the DM isn't going to sweat it <g>)

<Saif> (but it would be a good idea if this was more than a "training" exercise)

<Matar> * i knew it! Drow can't count!

* Kat will search the other drow

<Saif> You guys finally set back out

<Castinar> LoL Matar

<Kat> Anything like notes or something important on them?

<Saif> Kat - these were pretty much lowly guards. Nothing of real interest on them.

<Matar> *good thing ari aint here

<Kat> ok

<Saif> You move back the way you came.

<Saif> Everything goes smoothly... untill you reach a large hall.

<Amber> *naturally

<Saif> As you pass through you hear somebody call from the side passage.

<Saif> "Summ, what are you doing over here?"

<Saif> The old drow starts and looks.

<Saif> You see a young female drow dressed in the robes of Lloth walking towards him.

<Saif> "I was told to escort this detail of slaves up to the gates. I don't see why somebody else couldn't do this!" he mutters, but he looks nervous.

<Saif> The young female's eyes narrow and she glances back at the party. "Matron Hisna is disturbed. She senses danger, here, inside the compound. She sent me to go check on the Human." she jerks her head back down the way you just came.

<Thengal> * I'm assuming this is in Drow so most of us can't understand it

<Saif> She then looks at the party again, this time suspeciously.

<Saif> * yes, this is all in drow

<Saif> From only about 10' away, Summ pulls out a wand, points it at the female, and fires it.

<Saif> A blast of lightning lashes out and knocks the woman off her feet.

<Thengal> OK now would be a good time to activate the boots

<Saif> But, cat-like, she rolls with it and comes up, staggered, but not down.

<Saif> Summ looks back at you. "I'll take care of her. Get him to the gates!"

* Castinar salutes Summ -- recognizing the sacrifice and barks "RUN"

<Saif> Seeing Summ come after her the drow curses, then looks to the far end of the room and grins. She shouts something which sounds more Abyssal than Drow, then turns and runs out of the room, Summ and his wand hot on her heels.

<Saif> The party begins moving forward, into the room.

* Amber not looking at the voice she starts forward slowly picking up speed once out for room...she runs

<Saif> Castinar, in the front, suddenly skids to a halt.

<Saif> The far doorway is flanked by two large marble pillars.

<Amber> *pile up

<Saif> As Castinar, then the rest of the party watches, the pillars suddenly grow arms, then legs, then a head.

<Saif> Two huge humanoid figures about 18' tall break away from the pillars and begin to move slowly towards the party.

<Saif> And that, my friends, is where we'll start the combat.

<Castinar> Golems!

<Castinar> *We were warned about these....

<Saif> You guys want to roll initiative now? That's as far as we'll go tonight.

<Castinar> sure --- see how DB gonna treat me

<Thengal> You want a party init? or individual ones

<Matar> might as well if we're gonan do some of this is in email

<Amber> why not

<Saif> Individual

<Matar> its all individ now

<Saif> You roll a d20, I add your init modifier and put you on the init list

<Kat> db 1d20+9

<db> Kat rolled 1d20+9: [21]

<Saif> So everybody roll whenever they feel like it. One d20

<Matar> db

<db> Matar rolled 1d20: [13]

<Castinar> db