The Frontier #20
While invading the Hextor Temple in Whispering Hollow, the Seekers have encountered monstrous guardians and the priests themselves. Thieves in the party take cover in the shadows as the fight begins.
As Validar and Arathron rush down the steps, Cereld casts his Silence spell, centering the effects on the altar itself. The priest's further orders are cut off in mid-sentence.
Finrod, using the extra strength bestowed by Cereld, moves in beside Steph and attacks a creature. He misses with his sword, but manages to scratch the beast with his dagger. It roars its disapproval and claws back, but hits nothing but air. Steph slips in and strikes twice, but both swings fail to miss their mark.
Finrod tries again, but the beast manages to stay out of harms way. However, it moves closer to Steph to avoid Fin's blade and she hits it solidly. It turns and attempts to bite her, but she ducks under the creature.
Meanwhile, Validar rushes toward the altar and slices a cleric in half with his first swing, missing on his second. Arathron is right behind him but the clerics are quicker. One hits him with his scimitar. After a quick exchange of blows, Arathron is hit two more times and falls.
Validar and the clerics exchange a few blows and then the head cleric hits the warrior with his own scimitar. From the balcony above, Arafel fires four arrows into their midst, hitting one twice and killing him.
Up in the corridor, the other creature viciously attacks Flint, grabbing him by the neck. Dalliance and Dar Thaltus attempt to aid their dwarven ally, but are unsuccessful as is Flint's return strike. His next attack wounds the creature but it continues to hold him, blood spurting from his growing wound. The others again fail to help the dwarf.
Just then, from areas near the bottom of each pair of stairs, doors fly open and a number of goblins come rushing out and toward the combatants in the main corridor.
GM Notes:
Now what? Continue to attack or run away?
Party Status:
| Name | Hit Points |
|---|---|
| Validar | 24 of 32 |
| Arathron | -3 of 7 |
| Flint | 9 of 20 |
| Dar Thaltus | 9 of 10 |
Battle Map:
CA
N CB
CC
CD
CE
C
____________
L B D F
GA______stairs_ _stairs_______GB
J E
MA M K MB
G
A I H
A- Araduin
MA- Monster A
MB- Monster B
CA- Head Priest
CB- Priest
CC- Priest
CD- Priest
CE- Priest
GA- Group of 5 Goblins A
GB- Group of 5 Goblins B
This should give you an idea of the battle area. Dantar isn't sure if Goblin Group B has spotted him or not.
Spectrum's Comments: While making these kind of maps up were handy for the players, it was a pain in the rear to make on the C64!
SUBJ: Arathron (R) FROM: RAD DWEEBE 01/01/90 S#: 405360
As I ran to battle the Clerics I was cut short of breath by a blow and wounded badly by another. My last thoughts before it all went black were that the party KILL them and maybe even revive me.
SUBJ: Dantar FROM: Falcon9 01/01/90 S#: 86001
I stay in the shadows and wait for the goblins to come up the stairs and attack from behind.
SUBJ: Cereld FROM: Lanceson 01/01/90 S#: 35407
"Arafel cover me, Validar is good, but he can not take them all on by himself. Raeden see if you cannot help out Arathron. I'll try to keep the clerics busy while you do. But hurry the goblins are coming. Now vile priests feel the might of Heironeous, God of Justice and Order."
With that Cereld will race down the stairs to join Validar in battle. If Raeden can get Arathron out of danger he will try to make his way to Validar's side so they can fight back to back until help arrives.
SUBJ: Stephanie
The scarlet clad warrior is slightly taken aback by her battle with the demon. Nothing has ever given her this much trouble!
'Come on Fin! We can take this beast!
As the fight progress, Steph becomes less and less aware of what is going on around her. She is concentrating solely on the battle she fighting. When the beast does fall, finally, I'll attack the nearest enemy.
SUBJ: Dar Thaltus...... FROM: Kazaroth 01/03/90 S#: 496134
Keeping his hands full with the noisome creature before him Dar continues his pattern of thrusts and withdraws attempting to free Flint in the process. If things get extremely bad for Flint Dar will take out a round to place a CLW upon him...otherwise Dar will not relent in his attacks against the beast until it falls for good.
SUBJ: The Heat of the Moment FROM: FINROD 01/03/90 S#: 495113
As he and Stephanie engage the creature, Finrod cannot help but keep one eye appreciatively on Steph's moves... to him she appears pure poetry in motion. No more than one eye, however, since he knows that unless this Creature of Discord is taken down quickly, it might mar the beauty of the living poem fighting beside him.
When once the creature is dispatched, Finrod will control the elation surging through his veins with the glorious strength that Cereld has infused him with only long enough to cast SLEEP among the largest knot of Goblins he can find (who will most likely be upstairs by that time), then again allow his bloodlust free rein, wading once more into the physical fray.
Mad: I seem to have misplaced one of the two sheets my char was on during the hectic move I went through recently... I don't suppose you know what my equipment is? I would be willing to pay your copying and mailing costs, if you could let me know. I understand that it would probably be too expensive and time-consuming for you to put it in EMAIL or a Post.
--Apologetically yours;
--Jim :)
Spectrum's Comments: I probably E-mailed the info. Fortunately, I'm a pretty fast typist and on Q at this stage time was money!
SUBJ: Validar FROM: Panther13 01/04/90 S#: 429487
Being caught in the silence spell's area of effect, nothing Validar says during the battle can be heard and with a full helmet, can't be seen. (Guess it'll be a quiet post! ;) )
Validar will continue his assault on the cleric, figuring that at hand-to-hand combat, he has the advantage over this cretin. Press the cleric as hard as possible, with all attacks directed at him and him alone.
SUBJ: Araduin FROM: Deslock 01/04/90 S#: 806393
- It would seem now is the time for me to contribute what I can to this fray, lest my companions be overwhelmed. -
I'll move to the top of the stairs, and cast sleep upon goblin group A. This done, I'll ready my quarterstaff should melee becomes necessary.
Spectrum's Comments: There tended to not be a whole lot of role playing going on while locked in combat. To give you an idea just how different MB games are compared to the real thing, this fight may have taken less than an hour to play out for a live group to finish. It took four posts online-- 4 weeks!
The Frontier #21
The battle inside the Temple continues...
Finrod and Stephanie continue their assault on the first creature. Fin stabs the thing with his dagger and Steph follows with a solid hit with her sword. Amazingly, the creature is still up. The beast strikes back, driving claw and fang into Finrod. Steph connects again, driving the beast to the floor. It falls to the floor and a strange change comes over it. Before their eyes, it changes into a dog.
On the other side of the corridor, the other Darkenbeast still has a hold on Flint. Flint manages to drive his sword deep into the monster, but it refuses to let him go. After a Magic Missile from Dalliance and a sword thrust from Dar the beast is on the ropes. It takes another swing from Flint to take it down. Like the other Darkenbeast, this one also changes into a dog when slain.
Cereld and Raeden climb down their rope and enter the fray below.
Both groups of Goblins charge up the stairs. On the right hand stair, the Goblins spot Dantar in the shadows with their infrared sight. One drives its scimitar into Dantar, wounding him. Dantar strikes back, slaying his attacker.
Seeing the goblins advancing on that side, Dalliance casts a Sleep spell, putting the four goblins asleep. However, Dantar is caught in the area of effect and he to goes to sleep.
The other group of goblins ruses up the stairs, two of them assaulting Arafel. Araduin casts his Sleep spell, catching all five of the goblins.
With the combined efforts of the party, the sleeping goblins are slain or captured as the party wishes.
Down below, the battle with the clerics continues in silence. Validar, the Head Priest and two Priests continue their combat. Heavy damage is taken on both sides. Validar slays to two Priests. The Head Priest, while badly wounded, continues to fight Validar.
Cereld and Raeden rush in to help. Raeden cures Arathron's wounds, saving his life. Cereld, battle-axe in hand, enters the battle. He takes heavy damage from the Priest's scimitar, but downs one of them. Arafel embeds several arrows into the other priest. After seeing Dantar be put to sleep, Raeden goes over and helps him regain consciousness.
With then enemy down to only one now, the Head Cleric himself, victory seems well in hand. However...
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a bolt of lightning shoots down from above the battle. It is heading straight for Stephanie. She raised her shield to try and protect herself, but it is not enough. The bolt blasts through the shield, shattering the shield.
Incredibly enough, Steph is still standing after the attack. Twin arcs shoot off of the main stroke, hitting Finius and Finrod. Both go down from the blast.
Looking around, you can see that bolt originated from the second floor of the temple. Most of the ceiling over the altar area is open to the upper floor. A railed walkway surrounds the opening.
Standing on this walkway is a woman. Her hands still crackle slightly with the energy of the lightning bolt.
"You destroyed my Darkenbeasts! Now I shall destroy you!!"
The door at the far end of the temple proper flies open. A large man strides into the area. He is powerfully built, wears plate mail and carries a longsword. In a rumbling voice, he speaks.
"I am Dran, Last Guardian of the Temple. None can stand before me. Surrender immediately. If you are foolish enough to resist, then pray to your false gods. Judgment day is at hand!"
GM Notes:
First off, the mage who threw the Lightning Bolt is NOT Wendy.
The Lightning Bolt destroyed the following items: Stephanie's shield, Finrod's shortsword and longbow, and Finius's shortsword.
Finally, due to the placement of the party, Araduin, Dantar and Dwaladin have not yet been seen by either the mage or the warrior.
Party Status:
| Name | Hit Points |
|---|---|
| Araduin | 4 of 4 |
| Arafel | 2 of 9 |
| Arathron* | 1 of 7 |
| Cereld | 12 of 28 |
| Dalliance | 12 of 12 |
| Dantar | 1 of 6 |
| Dar Thaltus | 9 of 10 |
| Dwaladin | 6 of 6 |
| Finius** | -1 of 7 |
| Finrod** | -2 of 14 |
| Flint | 3 of 20 |
| Raeden | 24 of 24 |
| Stephanie | 23 of 32 |
| Validar | 9 of 32 |
* Not longer in danger of dying, but weak and incapable in aiding in the combat.
**In need of medical attention soon. Once tended to, they are as *.
SUBJ: Dantar FROM: Falcon9 01/07/90 S#: 100614
I will stay where I am and wait for the right moment to help out. But for now I will stay in the shadows.
SUBJ: Cereld FROM: Lanceson 01/07/90 S#: 476858
Seeing the mage in the rafters, Cereld dives for cover (and to get out of the Area of Silence). He shouts off strategies at once while fingering for the stones in his robes.
"Arafel, Dal, Dar quickly fire everything you've got at that mage. Don't let her concentrate on her spells. Flint and Steph, tall dark and ugly is your problem until Validar can help out. Raeden see what you can do for the others."
This done Cereld quickly casts Magic Stones and takes his weapons and throws them at the mage. He is hoping that this will buy the others time to get up there and deal with the she-witch in person.
SUBJ: Arathron (R) FROM: RAD DWEEBE 01/07/90 S#: 850650
While Laughing To Myself About Cereld's Big Tall 'N' Ugly I will Slowly make my way up to Finius And Finrod and try to Bandage them.
I will *quickly* try to hide in the shadows or take cover if I cant get to Finius or Finrod and get away from B T N U. :D
SUBJ: Dar Thaltus..... FROM: Kazaroth 01/07/90 S#: 483626
.... Hesitates only long enough to drop longsword then quickly draws upon his longbow. Putting arrow to string Dar sets his sights on the mage and mouths a silent prayer to Ehlonna to help guide its flight. Not waiting to see the results Dar will follow with a second arrow at the same target continuing to loose arrows at the mage till she drops or the others are too close to her for Dar to get a clear shot.
SUBJ: Stephanie
'Wow....', She mumbles to herself after surviving the bolt of lightning. 'I feel tingly all over....'
She can just image her hair standing on end. Absent-mindedly, she drops her ruined shield. For a moment she stares at her fallen friend, Finrod.
'If you harmed my friend, I shall slay you myself, witch!'
Hearing Cereld's words, I move as fast as I can to intercept Dran. As I rush past Arathron, I mumble take good care of him.
Grasping Lightning, I attack Dran.
'Pray to your own God, villain! It is your day of judgment!'
SUBJ: Gaaaaccckkk!!! FROM: FINROD 01/09/90 S#: 106972
Shut up, Jim, you're takin' a seventeen strength snooze! (Anybody remember that one?) :)
Spectrum's Comments: A reference to a cartoon in Dragon Magazine around this time.
SUBJ: Araduin FROM: Deslock 01/09/90 S#: 504986
- We can't have someone up in the rafters taking pot shots with impunity. Something must be done. -
I'll move as silently as possible toward the mage. Hopefully the incoming missile weapons will help keep her attention from me. Since I'm out of magic for the day, I'll have to move close enough to rush her with Q-staff. I'll bide my time, waiting for a good opening, but if she appears to be preparing another spell, I move in.
SUBJ: Validar FROM: Panther13 01/10/90 S#: 787936
Validar will continue his relentless attack on the cleric. I may be in rotten shape, but he's worse, and he's going down!
Once the cleric falls, I will assist in fighting the newcomer in armor. Looks like they're pulling out the "big guns" now....
The Frontier #22
The battle inside the Temple continues...
The mage on the floor above casts Magic Missile before anyone can react. Four missiles plunge into Raeden's back.
Cereld steps out of the area of silence and casts Magic Stone. He tosses the first stone, bouncing it off of the mage.
The bow brigade, Arafel, Dalliance and Dar shoot at the Mage, with only Dal finding the mark. Unseen by most, Dwaladin begins the treacherous climb to the balcony above.
Validar swings and drives his blade deep into the Head Cleric. His body drops to the floor.
Close by, Stephanie, Flint and the Hextor warrior, Dran meet in flashes of steel. Steph twice sinks Lightning into Dran. Dran's blade neatly slices Flint in half. He turns his attention towards Stephanie, wounding her.
Back upstairs; the mage is momentarily shocked to see Dwaladin climbing towards her. But she recovers quickly and pumps four Magic Missiles into his face. Life quickly flees his dwarvish frame and he drops to the temple below.
The bow brigade fires once more, attempting to avenge their fallen comrade. Arafel scores a pair of hits and Cereld connects with another stone. Badly wounded, the mage flees. A door is heard slamming shortly afterwards.
Having disposed of his opponent, Validar rushes Dran. His swing is wide. Dran strikes Stephanie again and she goes down.
Moving along the back of the room, Dantar quietly moves towards the exposed back of Dran. A short distance behind him, Araduin opens the rear door and enters deeper into the temple.
Cereld grabs his battle-axe and enters the fray with Dran. He misses with his first attack.
The bow brigade takes aim at Dran. Arafel pegs him with a shaft. Dantar comes in from behind, attempting to backstab, but he misses.
Undaunted, Dantar switches to his shortsword. This attempt is successful, further wounding Dran.
As if not noticing, Dran concentrates his attack on his hated foe, the cleric of Heironeous, Cereld. His long swords connect with the cleric.
The bow brigade fires once more, sending half a dozen shafts into the conflict. There is the sickening sound of wood snapping. A startled Arafel finds that her longbow has broken in her hands.
In the rear of the temple, Araduin spots the mage rushing down a flight of stairs. He attacks her with his quarterstaff, but misses. She counters with a Bind spell. The rope railing on the stairs comes to life and entangles Araduin. He can only watch as she flees out the rear of the temple through a secret door.
Back at the main event, Dran pounds Cereld to the floor with a savage blow. Validar sweeps in and lays the villain out.
Everything is now quiet in the temple...
GM Notes: A tremendous fight, but the Seekers have emerged victorious!
A quick search will reveal that there is no else in the temple and that the mage has escaped the grounds.
Everyone wounded can be tended to, and can post.
Party Status:
| Name | Hit Points |
|---|---|
| Araduin | 4 of 4 |
| Arafel | 2 of 9 |
| Arathron* | 1 of 7 |
| Cereld** | -2 of 28 |
| Dalliance | 12 of 12 |
| Dantar | 1 of 6 |
| Dar Thaltus | 9 of 10 |
| Dwaladin | RIP |
| Finius* | 1 of 7 |
| Finrod* | 2 of 14 |
| Flint | RIP |
| Raeden | 10 of 24 |
| Stephanie** | -5 of 32 |
| Validar | 9 of 32 |
* Not longer in danger of dying, but weak and incapable in aiding in the combat.
**In need of medical attention soon. Once tended to, they are as *.
Now what, mighty warriors?
Spectrum's Comments: Wiped out a few more PC's there. Primarily folks who were no longer in the game.
SUBJ: Validar FROM: Panther13 01/13/90 S#: 807432
A moment after the Hextorite warrior falls, Validar thrusts his arms into the air victoriously. He remains like that for a moment, reveling in the thrill and glory of the wondrous battle just fought. A moment passes and the adrenalin begins to fade.
"Twas a glorious battle we did fight, my comrades at arms. Glorious indeed. Not only did we burst into this foul, stench-filled pit of evil, but also we eradicated all trace of the soulless scum that inhabited it! Well done, all."
Validar will take a moment to look around at the destruction and carnage about him.
"Raeden, Dar Thaltus. It appears that some of our comrades are in need of your special skills. Let those of us who are capable, search this evil place. Our search for Tiger-Cat can now go on unhindered. Also, the coffers of this place are open to us, should we locate them. The local populous shall we quite thrilled with our successful venture here, indeed."
Validar will wipe the blood from his blade on the cloak of the fallen Dran and then begin to lead the search for TigerCat and the temples treasure.
SUBJ: Dantar FROM: Falcon9 01/13/90 S#: 811259
Cursing his failed backstab, is ready to get going, after he is healed!
(hint,hint!)
SUBJ: Dar Thaltus..... FROM: Kazaroth 01/13/90 S#: 461418
Looks about grimly at the bloody mess that surrounds him. Not even pausing he quickly drops his bow and chants a short prayer to Ehlonna and places a CLW on Stephanie. Dar then strides over to Cereld does likewise to him. Once the immediate danger of more fatalities passes Dar will circulate among all the wounded using his skills in healing and verbalism to the utmost advantage. The very last person he will tend to is himself all the while giving quiet prayers of thanks to Ehlonna and passing on a blessing to the recently departed members of the group.
Once he has done this Dar will move swiftly to the outside in hopes of finding some signs of the fleeing mage. If a trail can be made out then Dar will urgently call upon the others to aid him in tracking this foul adversary and putting her evil presence to an end once and for all!
SUBJ: Cereld FROM: Lanceson 01/14/90 S#: 519919
Upon being brought back to consciousness by Dar's healing touch, Cereld weakly speaks to Validar, "Validar take those of us who can still fight and go with Dar to try and get that mage. She is weak now and has used up a lot of her spells. Now is the time if we can to get her. But be careful, for I feel that her sting is not completely gone yet. And watch out, there may be more goblins on the loose."
With that Cereld will try to get up and if it is not too taxing will try to cast a CLW on Validar before he leaves.
SUBJ: Arathron FROM: RAD DWEEBE 01/14/90 S#: 510503
Arathron, being healed by Raeden, will quietly make my way to him and thank him for his life.
SUBJ: Stephanie
Grateful the have returned from the blackness that she descended into after taking the business end of the warriors blade, Steph will try to get comfortable as best she can. In spite of the pain in her body, her spirits are high.
'Well fought, my friends. The price was high, but the good we have done this day makes it worthwhile. No longer will the villagers live in fear of this vile place! No longer will their blood be spilled in the name of their evil god! Much good has been done this day.'
After resting for a time, Steph will try to aid the others as much as she can. She will seek out each of her comrades to see if they are well.
'As soon as we are able, we should get to the more pleasant task of finding the treasure chests of this place. Perhaps we can find some clues about the big sacrifice later this summer?'
SUBJ: Araduin FROM: Deslock 01/15/90 S#: 464406
- Damn my incompetence, now that mage is on the loose. -
I'll struggle to free myself from my rope bonds, and then attempt to open the secret door through which the mage fled. When the other seekers reach this area, I shall explain what ocurred here.
Mail From: REM9 Date: Wednesday 17-Jan-90 18:54 EST
Mad I have an idea for Frontier if you don't mind. Instead of killing off Raeden (if that is what you plan on doing with him) why don't you have him remain behind here after we leave? After all, this place now will have no religion, and this is just the kind of place a druid would feel most needed. Just a thought I had.
Spectrum's Comments: That's where Cereld's player asked for Raeden to be spared. His player had either quit the game without telling me or simply left Q. Such characters made nice cannon fodder!