= Cauldron, Part 20 =
8/22/08
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Calico stares blankly for a second as divine inspiration comes over her.
Jiona gives Calico a peculiar glance. "Why would you want to waste oil on the ogre? We have other ways of... handling that. I'm more concerned at the moment about the help those fleeing hobgoblins may be fetching."
Kristof adds "And the path those children might be going under the care of that wretched dwarf."
Jiona wonders, "Are those the only children still here, or are more being fetched?"
Kristof muses, although we can't very well skip over the pit until we disarm the trap.
Calico says, "Tillandor, if you'd follow...", and walks north through the doors, stopping several feet short of the trap holding the ogre.
The boy says, "I doubt he'd have got them without Kazmojen's keys."
Tillandor says, "For myself, I am largely concerned with the children as well. They may be gaining distance on us as we speak, yet we know not even which way they go."
Kristof moves forward behind Calico.
The boy says, "They were still in their cells, I think."
Kristof stops, turns and asks the boy, "Do you remember where those are?"
Tillandor breaths a sigh. "Well I am relieved."
The boy looks a little less completely terrified than he was.
Tillandor asks, "What is it, Calico?"
The boy nods nervously, "Across the bridge."
Calico raises her holy symbol and begins as chant. A light opens up on the ogre, burning as the harsh desert sun.
* Calico rolls 1f20+7: 4,7 = 11.
* The ogre screams, his flesh withering away unnaturally at the blazing light.
* Calico rolls 1d6+4: 1,4 = 5.
* The ogre stiffens, seemingly unconcious.
Kristof glances towards Calico as she performs her chant, then says loud enough for her to hear, "Catch up to us when you are done!" and motions for the boy to indicate the path to the keys across the bridge.
Calico meanwhile a gentle light like a springtime day shines over Tillandor.
Jiona watches Calico wander off with some idle curiosity, and her ears tilt back a short while later at the ogre's screams, but she remains where she is, for a moment.
Tillandor says, "For what did you need my presence, Calico? Surely the children are more important..."
* The ogre is silent.
Kristof looks at Jiona, Ethkin and the boy and says, "Shall we?"
The boy holds on tightly to Kristof's tabard.
Jiona gathers herself with a quick shake of her head, then nods to Kristof. "If we don't have keys, I can make doors."
Kristof smiles.
Ethkin follows.
Calico makes a zigzag path back towards the door, sniffing specifically for children.
Kristof says, "Yes that's true, although keys would certainly be easier."
Jiona shows a grin. "Certainly," she agrees, as she starts following.
* Calico rolls 1f20+4: 3,4 = 7.
Kristof begins moving toward the direction the boy indicated.
Tillandor rejoins Jiona.
Jiona looks over at her friend as Till catches back up, and she asks curiously, "What was that all about?"
Calico rejoins the group as they head across the bridge.
Tillandor says, "I don't know, though the ogre is finished." He then calls out, "Here now, I'm sure I've got the keys right here."
Kristof ehs and turns around to Tillandor. "You have the keys?" he asks.
Tillandor holds up a key ring. "Or so I expect. This one freed the child, the others may well open doors."
Kristof shakes his head in amazement.
Tass slinks along behind, watching nervously for hobgoblins to return.
Kristof asks the boy, "Do you remember where the cells are from here?"
Tass raises an eyebrow and whispers harshly to Ethkin, "You comin'? Those hobs will catch up soon."
Calico points northeast, "Jiona, you want to give the door back there a sniff?"
Ethkin follows.
Tass softly closes the door as Ethkin goes through.
Calico gives another sniff, "no, I'm thinking south from here."
Calico dashes ahead.
Jiona looks in the direction Calico points, but doesn't seem to spot a door. She starts to ask Calico a question, then hears that the clarification is no longer necessary, and watches the cat dash forward with a slight smile.
Kristof looks at the boy waiting for confirmation.
Calico pauses at the door, gives another sniff...
Ethkin scans through the door.
Tass follows the group, trailing behind a little.
Terrem points along the walkway to the south, seeming a little more frightened now.
Kristof puts a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder saying, "Its alright. We will protect you."
Calico quietly opens the door.
Terrem nods, clinging somewhat.
* Moss pallets cover five malachite slabs that protrude from the walls of this rank chamber. A somewhat mistreated wooden table and four chairs stand in the middle of the room. A rack of javelins occupies the northeast corner.
Jiona also notices that the boy has become nervous again, and gives his other shoulder a gentle pat as she begins heading south, only then becoming aware that Calico has gone so far as to open the door already.
Calico waits for the rest of the group to catch up as she looks around the room.
Ethkin gently places a hand on Terrem's shoulder, "It'll be o.k. kid. You've made it this far."
Terrem brightens a bit, seemingly encouraged.
Terrem goes chasing off the rest.
Calico enters the room and sniffs at the west door.
Kristof steps into the room, examining it.
Ethkin chuckles, "I actually feel sorry for you all. You've all had to actually *look* at all these uglies."
Jiona steps into the room as well, looking somewhat distastefully at the slabs, and also sniffs the air a bit.
Ethkin slips into the room...
Calico motions for the blind monk to come closer, "Ethkin, what do you sense this way?"
Jiona sighs a bit, and murmurs quietly, "So much for two birds."
Kristof whispers lightly to Jiona, "The dwarf went the other way I suspect?"
Ethkin scans through the door, spending a couple EP to further his range.
Tess slips in softly and quietly closes the door behind him.
Jiona nods glumly back at Kristof. "He didn't come through here, at any rate."
Kristof nods and adds, "At least we can get the children back safely. That is our primary concern."
Calico asks, "the dwaft went the other way, but what of the children?"
Kristof ponders, "Although I wonder what happened to the rest of the townsfolk?"
Ethkin says, "I think we found them."
Calico asks, "Any guards?"
Jiona says with a bit more determination, "We'll find him. He's not going to easily outrun my and Calico's noses." She stands up a bit straighter at Ethkin's declaration.
Kristof smiles at Jiona's determination.
Ethkin shakes his head, "I don't think so. Everyone in there feels to frightened."
Kristof says, "Tillandor the keys?"
Tillandor steps up, selecting a key from the key ring. "May I?"
Kristof nods and steps aside allowing Tillandor to pass.
Calico shifts to the side.
Ethkin goes to the other side.
Tillandor pushes the key into the keyhole, and twists.
* The heavy door clanks metallically as it unlocks, then squeals a little as it swings open slowly.
* This corridor stretches for nearly a hundred feet, ending at a blank wall. In the east and west walls are several six-foot-tall, two-foot-wide iron doors kept locked by iron bars. The iron doors are typical except for the six-inch-wide, three-inch-tall windows set into them at eye level. You hear whimpering coming from the south end of the corridor.
Jiona hears the whimpering as the door is opened, and immediately steps in, following the sounds.
Calico squeezes in past Tillandor, and peaks along the corridor.
Kristof steps inside examining the area.
Ethkin remains at the doorway.
Tillandor follows in after Calico.
* The corridor is dank and cold, with thin puddles of dirty liquid here and there. It stinks of bad hygiene.
Terrem clings to Kristof, not keen on entering the hall.
Jiona ignores the glum coldness of this area, although she does step around the puddles as she continues heading south.
Calico starts looking through windows systematically, starting from the north end.
Kristof steps back into the previous room with the boy, waiting for the others to complete their inspection.
Ethkin hears the wimpering, smells the puddles, feels their pain, and sinks to the floor with tears in his eyes "Ah, childhood memories," he says with a grimace that's a mockery of his usual affable grin.
Jiona stops at one door, peering through the window with visible concern, then steps back a bit, looking at the door and its surrounding frame with an intent expression.
Jiona's eyes narrow a bit, and she grabs hold of the door, clearly giving it a tremendous yank outwards.
Calico pauses at the cell holding Jiona's interest.
Ethkin quietly makes a Will Check...
* Ethkin rolls 1f20+7: 15,7 = 22.
* Distantly there is a crash of wood against stone, and a few hobgoblinoid shouts.
* The jail cell seems to hold firm against Jiona's determined tug.
Ethkin jumps to his feet, past sorrows forgotten but for some wet streaks on his cheaks.
Calico dashes north back towards Kristof.
Jiona sets herself, and tries once again with another yank, coupled with intent concentration.
Tillandor says, "You might try the key."
Kristof pulls his blades free of their scabbards and gets ready to meet the hobgoblins.
* Jiona's yank is in vain against the excellent dwarven architecture.
Tass vanishes into a dark corner.
Jiona gives the door a halfhearted kick in her mild irritation, then looks over at Tillandor with a chagrined expression when he approaches. "...Oh. I was going to think of that in a moment." She steps away to allow him to try his key.
Tillandor tries first one key, then the other.
Ethkin tries to determine which direction the crash and shouts came from...
* Tillandor manages to unlock the door and it swings freely.
Kristof hides himself against the wall near the entrance, ready to ambush any goblins that walk through, shifting into a combat ready stance.
The man stands up and scratches his head, "Uh... do I know you?"
Calico positions herself for a ranged strike at any intruder.
Tillandor says, "A fine reception for your rescuer."
The man is a very bruised and partly bloody male human, probably a little older than Tillandor. He nurses a bleeding knee.
The man scoffs, "Rescue..." Then he brightens, "Oh, a rescue! I mean... huh."
The man says, "You don't look like a hobgoblin to me... I'll take it."
Tillandor says, "I should say you will."
The man says, "Well, I was worried what with the sounds of them fighting... Hey, I may be a bit underfed, but I can help. Give me something to whack at things, and I can help get us out of here."
Jiona gives the man a slightly uncertain look, then nods with a faint smile. "Bright decision on your part. How did you get in there, and do you know where the other children might be?"
The man shrugs, "I'd wager either in these cells or the other ones."
Ethkin asks aloud, "Uh, which way do we need to go?"
* A scratchy female voice further south says, "Did someone say rescue?"
Ethkin asks, "Guys!?"
You page, "Are there any smells of the children having recently been here? Or currently?" to DM.
Tillandor heads to unlock the cell with the woman.
Calico asks, "Ethkin, any goblins close?"
Jiona sniffs the air a bit, then calls back to Ethkin, "I think there's still another one here!" She heads further south, clearly following her nose.
* Tillandor opens another cell to see a small girl standing by the door, a little dirty, but otherwise in very good health.
* A couple other voices call from other nearby cells, "Hey... don't forget me!" "Over here!" "Quickly, before the troll lord returns!"
Ethkin scans as he says, "More than probably. Do we need to go back that way?" He indicates the way we came.
Tillandor heads to the next cell, muttering "Troll lord..."
The small girl smiles, "Hi. Can I go home now?"
Jiona kneels down to show a bright smile back to the young girl. "We'll be going there as soon as we can," she assures her. "We just have to help everyone else while we're here, too."
The cell contains a lanky man, also not in the best of health, quite distraught. His eyes seem haunted. He pleads to Tillandor, "Did you find Coryston? She was in the cell across from me... but they took her out... maybe a week ago."
Tillandor grimaces sadly. "We haven't come upon her as yet."
Calico listens the the noises from the next room, "sounds like Jiona and Tillandor have found some people", glances at the weapons rack in the corner, "and if they want to help us fight..."
The cell at the end of the hall has a ragged stout pair of fingers stick out through the peephole, "Don't forget me... I can help lead you out!"
Tillandor steps from cell to cell, unlocking each as he comes to it.
The cells contain in all, five people. One little girl, three human males of early twenties to thirties, and a rather old male gnome.
The first man says, "We'll fight our way out. Where's my sword? Anyone see my bag? It's made of green leather, has a hawk feather on it."
The gnome scoffs, "They probably sold the bag and feather at one of their horrid auctions."
Tillandor says, "Arms may be found for those that can wield them. Come this way," and heads back to the guard room.
The second man says, "We have to find Cory. She should still be here."
- Once all the prisoners are freed, Jiona says, "Are there any other cells nearby that you're aware of? We're going to get you out of here, but there will definitely be some fighting along the way. Help is not expected, but would be appreciated." Addressing the first man, she adds, "There are some javelins in a nearby room. I can make the rest of you some rough clubs if we can't find anything better."
The third man nods, "Sure, there's another cellblock at least... I think so anyway. They used to put me there, but for some reason they transferred me over here."
The gnome laughs, "They put the trouble makers over here. So they can torture us more easily." He holds up an arm scarred with burns.
Jiona makes a lead-the-way gesture to the third man. "Let us make haste, then. The longer we are here, the more danger we may find ourselves in. Kazmojen, at least, has been dealt with, but I do not know what other forces they may be able to draw if given sufficient time."
The third man says, "Trouble makers? Lucinda's been nothing but an angel for the last two days she's been here."
Ethkin asks, "So, *are* we going back the way we came?"
The first man says, "You killed Kazmojen? We should have an easy time of our escape, then."
Jiona looks at Ethkin speculatively. "Are you aware of another way out? Making our own tunnel is possible, but would not be very fast."
The gnome grimaces, "If the hobgoblins don't decide to take his death out on us."
Jiona address the gnome, "We've done our best to make it look like he's only missing, but that ruse will surely not last indefinitely."
Calico bares her claws, "let them try."
Ethkin glances more-or-less at Jiona, "No, I was hoping you did. I was gonna seal the door behind us."
The gnome smiles at Calico, "Cute. If we need to clean a fish. These are big nasty hobgoblins."
The first man shrugs, "There's plenty of us." He hefts a javelin, "We could just fight right through them."
Calico grins, knowing what she can do.
Calico says, "we check the other cell block, then get topside."
Jiona looks around, considering Ethkin's comment. "I suppose I could tunnel into other rooms, at the very least, but we'll be taking some chances. Making a tunnel up would require easy access to the ceiling, and still considerable time."
The gnome scowls at the first man, "You're daft. They'll knock us down and stick us right back in those cells. After givin' us all a walk through the torture chamber." He gestures to the southeast door.
Ethkin gri-i-i-ins.
Jiona shows the gnome a slightly malicious smile, although the malice is not directed at him. "Oh, they will not find that task quite so easy. We're a lot more dangerous to them than we may look. It's some of the other help they might summon that preys on my mind."
Calico asks, "is the door clear on the other side?"
Tillandor says, "Your confidence is staggering. Never you fear though, we are not so soft-handed as all that."
Jiona also remembers to ask again, "How far away is that other cell block from here?"
* The stone around the northern door buckles and bends, covering the top and bottom of the door as well as binding the hinges.
Calico asks, "uh, how we getting out?"
Ethkin winks at Jiona...
Tillandor heads toward the southeastern door.
The man who mentioned the cellblock says, "Uhhmmm... well... it was through that door. I think... It's been some time since I've been there."
Calico rushes to beat Tillandor to the door.
Jiona watches the structure around the wall deform with some surprise, then shows a very slight smile back to Ethkin at his wink, understanding, then quickly moves up to Tillandor.
The door appears to be unlocked and slightly ajar.
Calico peeks through.
* Ghastly furnishings decorate this hellishly lit chamber. Glowing-hot coals fill the black belly of a six-foot-diameter iron oven that dominates the room. Three branding irons lie half-immersed in the coals. Two iron cages hang from the ceiling on either side of the oven: one hold an enormous fire beetle, ther other holds a pile of moldering bones and a skull. The latter cage hangs by a narrow window looking into darkness.
* Against the south wall, a haggard woman sits in a tall iron-wrought chair, metal clamps on her wrists, ankles and neck. She does not appear to be conscious.
Calico cautiously enters and makes her way to the woman.
Jiona follows after Calico, her teeth baring a bit at the various unpleasant implements in this room.
* In the distance, another crash and several shouts.
Calico makes an quick examination and applies a little first aid.
* Calico rolls 1f20+6: 2,6 = 8.
* The blue is where the woman is.
Calico debates whether to spend some of what little healing she has left on her.
Calico asks, "Tillandor, a key?"
The second man steps into the room and stops cold, "Cory... what have they done to you?"
The gnome pats him on the back, "She'd probably never make it to the surface."
Tillandor approaches with his all-purpose keyring.
The first man grimaces, "We leave no-one behind."
* You hear a metallic roar nearby, and a heavy slam. A hobgoblin cries out, and you hear heavy footsteps running.
Jiona watches with sympathy, her ears tilted back, but can't think of anything she can do to help in this particular situation.
Calico lays a paw on her chest and begins a chant.
Ethkin gives up on his tunnel and runs into the torture room.
Kristof peeks out the door, trying not to be seen.
Tillandor turns his head toward the noise. "Do you suppose the hobgoblins may have more to concern them than us?"
Jiona grimaces at Tillandor's comment. "I most surely hope not, or I may be tunneling us out after all."
Ethkin scans the woman...
Calico asks, "Who still has their healing potion?"
Jiona shakes her head, no longer having hers... then tilts her head, considering. "How badly hurt is she?"
* Calico rolls 1f20+6: 6,6 = 12.
Kristof holds up his hand and whispers to the group, "Something is chasing the hobgoblins across the bridge towards us."
Calico attempts some more first aid.
Ethkin takes a deeeeep calming breath and places his hands on the woman...
The second man touches Cory's forehead, concerned.
Jiona approaches to see if she can assist Calico, also having a bit of skill in that area.
The woman takes a sudden deep breath, her eyes fluttering open. She looks much better. "Who... who are... Deven! You've come to save me?"
Kristof corrects, "Away from us, not towards."
Coryston looks at Calico, then Jiona, "Who... are these?"
Calico, seeing her patient stable and awake, turns back towards the potential battle.
Jiona watches Calico wander off, and addresses the woman herself, "We're your rescuers. We're still trying to find the rest of the children."
Ethkin looks drained but pleased with himself, then runs out of the room...
Coryston shakes off her shackles, rubbing her wrists. She turns to Deven and embraces him, he seems a little surprised, but then hugs her tight, "I'll get us out of here," he says bravely.
Jiona smiles softly at the display, then goes to the southernmost portion of the room, pressing her hand to the wall and concentrating.
The gnome smiles a little at the reunion of Coryston and Devin, "Well, perhaps we might get out of here with our skins."
The first man watches Ethkin as the wall opens, "That... was amazing."
Ethkin tiredly smiles at the man, "You ain't seen nuthin yet, pal," and enters the room to the North.
Jiona steps back from the wall with a slight sigh, but then her ears twitch a bit. Curious, she wanders northward, leaving this ugly chamber.
Tillandor's eyebrows shoot up. "Professor Drundlesput!"
The gnome nearly leaps out of his skin.
The gnome says, "Uh... Tallanvor?"
Tillandor says, "With your face all over dirt, I didn't even recognize you."
Tillandor grumps. "Tillandor, thank you very much."
Ethkin fumbles about in the new room, "Hey Devin!! Any of this stuff yours?!"
The gnome chuckles nervously, "Ah yes... right. Sorry, still a bit befuddled. Trapped in a cell for 745 hours, 38 minutes, and 29 seconds, you know."
Jiona eventually comes across the room that Ethkin made his own entrance into, and steps inside, looking around curiously.
The gnome says carefully, "Tillandor... I remember you being a rather bright student of mine... you should have graduated, yes? Why are you down here?"
Tillandor says, "Not to worry. I'm quite happy to be almost recognized, I'm sure."
Calico keeps watch on the buckled door in case something should try to come through.
Tillandor says, "I and a few friends took it upon ourselves to solve the problem of the disappearances."
Ethkin senses Jiona enter, "Weren't you making a tunnel too?"
The gnome brightens, "Well, I'm very glad you did."
Jiona shakes her head to Ethkin - forgetting yet again that he can't see the gesture - and answering, "Nothing but solid stone in that particular direction."
Tillandor asks, "Well you should be. Now where did Jiona get off to?"
Tillandor wanders off to find her.
Kristof remains at the door, tensed and ready for action.
The various NPCs follow the wizard.
Tass slinks out of a different set of shadows to follow the gnome.
Calico follows, keeping an eye and ear to her back.
Coryston follows Devin close behind, holding his hand, while he brandishes a spear in his other hand.
* Two stone slabs jutting from the west wall of this room bear a number of common items, from articles of clothing to daggers.
Ethkin asks, "Devin, are any of these yours?"
Tillandor pokes his head through the opening in the wall, waves to Jiona, and enters. Followed by his army.
Kristof makes his way into the other room, pausing to look around.
Jiona backs out of the way to make room for the growing crowd.
Ethkin'looks' around, "Why are there no doors in this room?"
The npcs ooh and ahh, as they pick through the pile, "Oh, here's my cloak." "My bag!... no money, but at least my favorite knife is here." "Ahhh, my journal and pen... much better than stone wall and sharp stone."
Kristof walks to the northern wall, examining it closely.
Jiona continues looking around, then follows after Kristof, murmuring, "There's... another room past this wall." She puts her hand to the wall, concentrating.
Kristof nods, and says, "There is a door here. If I can just figure out how...."
Ethkin asks, "I know that. I'm just wondering why there's no door to this room, other than the one I made?"
Kristof shakes his head and says, "You made a hole right through it."
Ethkin insists, "No I didn't. It was a solid wall. I would have been able to tell otherwize... I think."
Tillandor scratches his chin (which is just showing the fair-colored beginnings of what may one day be a respectable wizard beard), and nods to Kristof.
Kristof reaches down to the ground, and pulls a piece of moulding on the floor.
Ethkin whispers, "Me thinks we should be on our guard for some like us on the 'bad guys' side." to you and DM.
The door swings inward to the east, revealing the next room.
* This hall is strangely shaped. A lever is set in the wall near the doorway, and two corridors head off to the west. A door is set in the north end of the east wall. A mechanical thing menaces the center of the room. It has a hammer on one arm, and a drill on the other. It seems a bit rusty, but turns toward you and charges.
You whisper, "That's a point, although I'm not sure how we could really *prepare* for that... maybe we should practice trying to counter each other, when we have some spare time. Even if it's only to find out whether or not it's even possible." to Ethkin and DM.
Kristof mutters, "So that is what they were running from..."
Calico hears the commotion and rushes to help.
The mechanical thing swings at Kristof, but he deftly avoids the blow.
Kristof readies his swords to parry off the incoming attack.
The says, "Roll initiative."
* Jiona rolls 1f20+3: 12,3 = 15.
* Tillandor rolls 1f20+2: 16,2 = 18.
* Kristof rolls 1f20+9: 12,9 = 21.
* Calico rolls 1f20+5: 13,5 = 18.
* Ethkin rolls 1f20+3: 7,3 = 10.
* DM rolls 1f20+0: 10,0.
The DM says, "Go Kristof"
Kristof steps to his left darting inside of the menacing arms of the machine and whips both blades out in a slashing arc.
* Kristof rolls 1f20+7: 19,7 = 26.
* Kristof rolls 1f20+7: 15,7 = 22.
* Kristof rolls 1f20+7: 14,7 = 21.
* Kristof rolls 2d6+8: 4,6,8 = 18.
* Kristof rolls 1d6+4: 3,4 = 7.
Kristof growls as both blades connect hard.
The machine stumbles a little, but seems to continue working with a limp.
The says, "Go Calico."
Calico raises her holy symbol and makes a sharp exclaimation. A bright light lake a harsh arctic blizzard streams at the construct.
* Calico rolls 1f20+7: 5,7 = 12.
* Calico rolls 1d6+4: 6,4 = 10.
- a feeling like a warm summer morning pours over Kristof.
The construct staggers backwards, then clatters to the floor in many pieces.
The says, "Go Tillandor"
The says, "I AM The."
The alpha and omega
* Tillandor rolls 1f20+5+3: 3,5,3 = 11.
Tillandor, his hand raised threateningly, blinks as the construct falls.
Tillandor coughs slightly, then goes back to looking around the room.
The DM wonders, "Jiona? Ethkin? Doing anything this round?"
Ethkin asks, "Could someone lead me to the mechanism?"
Jiona takes a step back, starting the motion that generally results in another flung bolt of lightning, but like Tillandor she relaxes when the thing is shattered before she can finish hurling the bolt. "Well. That was... a lot easier than I expected."
* Out of the northern wall, another machine charges. It seems to walk right through the wall as if there was nothing there. It swings wildly at Kristof, but he manages to leap out of the way as it screeches to a halt near the wall.
Tillandor says, "Many praises on the mighty thews of Kristof. And Calico."
Kristof says while frantically dodging, "You can sing odes to my heroics when we are out of here!"
The says, "Go Kristof"
The DM again forgets his appelation.
Kristof regains his footing and darts in looking for openings in the machine's defenses, his blades bursting into flame.
* Kristof rolls 1f20+7: 7,7 = 14.
* Kristof rolls 1f20+7: 14,7 = 21.
Ethkin EEPs at Kris's swords' antics.
* Kristof rolls 1d6+1d6+4+3: 2,6,4,3 = 15.
The says, "Go Calico"
Kristof feints with the left sword drawing the machine off balance then thrusts home with the right, searing the machine from the inside.
The machine staggers back, some of its parts now aflame.
Calico repeats her prior gesture and exclaimation, but this time a blast like a hurricane assaults the machine.
* Calico rolls 1f20+7: 15,7 = 22.
* Calico rolls 1d6+4: 5,4 = 9.
The joints of the thing seem to frost over, slowing it slightly, but not stopping it.
The says, "Go Tillandor"
- meanwhile a gentle breeze wafts past Kristof.
* Tillandor rolls 1f20+2+5: 14,2,5 = 21.
Tillandor points toward the machine, and a glowing spot appears amongst its joints. "Heed the mark, and aim true!"
* Tillandor rolls 1d4+5: 3,5 = 8.
The glowing mark burns the machine while glowing brightly, a small plume of smoke coming from its joints
The DM says, "Go Jiona"
Jiona's eyes widen in surprise as another machine just as abruptly shows up, and she makes a slightly harried gesture, the bolt appearing just a few inches in front of her outthrust hand, arcing towards the spot Tillandor has so helpfully indicated.
* Jiona rolls 1f20+9: 17,9 = 26.
* Jiona rolls 1d10+2: 10,2 = 12.
- The brilliant bolt leaps across the intervening distance, striking the construct directly on the spot Tillandor had marked, and just for a moment spearing it like a bug, residual electricity bleeding across its entire frame. Several internal bits burst under the assault with sharp pops and hints of flame, and it clatters to the ground in a smoking pile.
The says, "Go Ethkin."
Ethkin scrutinizes the newest Construct as it charges, with eyes that see deeper than normal ones...
The dm notes we are now off initiative.
Ethkin asks again, "O.K. *Now* could some one lead me over to the constructs."
Kristof stands at the ready, alert and looking to see if any more enemies are coming out of the woodwork.
Tillandor says, "Of course," and offers his arm.
Calico offers and arm and approaches the wreckage, wary of any new constructs.
Kristof moves out of the way from the door and examines the new room.
Jiona cautiously steps into the revealed room, toeing through the wreckage, and trying not to sniff the smoking remains very much.
Ethkin takes Till's arm...
* This hall is strangely shaped. A lever is set in the wall near the doorway, and two corridors head off to the west. A door is set in the north end of the east wall.
You page, "What's with the gray masking?" to DM.
* The remains of two mechanical constructs litter the hallway. There are a few bloodstains by the open door to the east.
Calico asks, "which way to the cells?"
The DM apologizes for the odd grey masking, but assures you it is necessary. Ignore the fact that it does not look like the lovely jpged tile floor elsewhere on the map, though it is the same kind of floor.
The second man grimaces, "I think one of those two halls... I don't remember."
Jiona looks over to Ethkin, and asks him, "Can you pick them up from here?"
Calico approaches the 2 west halls.
Ethkin asks, "Where's that Gnome?"
The gnome hmms?
The gnome walks over to Ethkin, "I'm right here, what are you, blind?"
Calico steps back a bit.
Ethkin says, "Oh. Sorry. How much do you know about these things?"
Ethkin says, "And yes, I am."
Ethkin says, "Mostly."
Kristof examines the wall where the construct came out of.
Jiona gives Calico a curious glance. "What'd you find?" she asks her.
Calico says, "someone down here likes their illusions. There's a false wall right in front of me."
Kristof says, "Yup - I would have to agree. There is an appearance of a wall right here."
Calico resumes sniffing for children.
The gnome shrugs, "Never seen these before."
Jiona looks interested, and tries to find the wall Calico was indicating was illusory.
DM pages, "As soon as you step out of the grey area, a wall appears behind you (in the grey area). You can no longer see your companions. Though you can hear them." to you.
Kristof says, "There is an illusion blocking the area we just came from view."
Calico follows her nose a few feet down the southern corridor.
Ethkin asks, "Tillandor? Do you see anything that might be a power source of some kind?"
Tillandor glances at the remains of the metal beasts.
Jiona looks behind her at the wall that has appeared, and looks slightly baffled. "Hmm. Curious place for an illusion."
Tillandor joins Jiona, and investigates.
Jiona checks the northern wall to see if the effect was mirrored.
* Calico rolls 1f20+6: 10,6 = 16.
Ethkin sighs as he don't seem to be getting any answers, and tries to feel his way along the walls
* Calico leaps out of the corridor... but there is nothing there.
Tillandor looks closely at the northern wall.
Calico pauses and takes in all she can see from where she is.
Tillandor vanishes through the northern wall.
Kristof follows Tillandor through the northern wall.
Jiona watches Tillandor vanish, and moves over to where he stepped through before also crossing the threshold.
Calico says, "careful this direction, looks like a crush trap."
Tillandor yawns. "Well wasn't that an adventure. Shall we choose a corridor to take?"
Calico steps around the corner, avoiding what looks like a pressure plate.
Ethkin follows the cat...
Ethkin asks, "Where Calico?"
* This corridor stretches for nearly a hundred feet before ending at a blank wall. In the east and west walls are several six-foot-tall, two-foot-wide iron doors kept locked by iron bars. The iron doors are typical except for the six-inch-wide, three-inch-tall windows set into them at eye level.
Tillandor follows after Calico.
Calico says, "cells this way, and watch the trigger plate."
Tillandor asks, "Trigger plate?"
* You hear a young voice calling up the hallway faintly, "Is someone there? Help us please!"
Jiona also follows after Tillandor.
Kristof examines the wall to the north, looking for perhaps a similar setup as to the south.
Calico says, "Ethkin, think you can jam the ceiling stone up there?", pointing to the crush plate above.
* Calico rolls 1f20+6: 4,6 = 10.
* Calico leaps backwards, nearly bowling Ethkin over, as a huge slab of stone crushes the floor in front of her.
Tillandor stops short. "What... !"
Calico screams like a cat who's tail has been stepped on.
Jiona's fur stands on end as the ceiling comes crushing down, and she releases a yip of surprise as she reflexively steps back. After a few moments, she puts a hand to her chest, panting as she recovers from her fright.
Kristof moves towards the noise, drawing his blades and expecting trouble.
* The short hall ends abruptly as a solid wall of stone that seems a little out of place.
Calico says, "used to be a passage, and someone south through it to be rescued."
Ethkin sensed the stone falling, and knew he was out if it's range. Still, he winced at the loud noise of it's hitting the floor.
Kristof seeing everyone unharmed, puts his blades back in their sheathes and examines the area.
Ethkin answers Calico's question, "No. Not really. Not now anyway."
Jiona finally gets her breath back, and looks at the dropped stone critically. "Seems ordinary enough. I should be able to get through this pretty easily."
Tass closes the door carefully, then wanders over, "What the heck was that sound? Want to alert the whole hobgoblin horde we're here?"
Calico asks, "there a lever somewhere to release the trap?"
Jiona brightens. "In fact... I have a better idea."
Tass says, "Not that they seem particularly interested in coming over here at this point."
Kristof touches the southern walls, shaking his head. "I was hoping that maybe there was another illusion here, but no dice."
Jiona puts her hands to the southern corner of the wall, and - if all works as it should - starts deforming the corner, slowly making a path around the giant stone block trap.
The first man huhs, "Well, there was a deck of cards in the other room."
Calico runs her hand along the north wall.
Ethkin explores the other hall then, to pass time.
Kristof moves back to where he was casually saying to the group, "I found another hidden door through the other illusion."
DM pulls on the brakes.
CategoryCauldron