The Frontier #84
Up to date XP:s
| Name | Class/Level | AC/HP's | XP's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armon | B/4* | 8/23 | 6188 |
| Arocken | R/5 | 5/49 | 19377 |
| Bernice | T/6 | 6/38 | 23098 |
| Blod | F/5 | 0/36 | 22020 |
| Claudius | INV/5 | 8/24 | 22582 |
| Finrod | F/5 | 2/35 | 20181 |
| M/6 | 50837 | ||
| T/6 | 21645 | ||
| Mercy | F/1 | 5/13 | 1156 |
| C/2 | 1506 | ||
| Padraig | INV/11 | 10/56 | 392729 |
| Stephanie | F/6 | -2/60 | 42727 |
| Thengor | F/1 | 5/12 | 1280 |
| Thundron | R/2 | 4/18 | 2760 |
| Validar | F/7 | -2/63 | 70965 |
| Vonte | C/3* | 5/25 | 7318 |
| Zynara | CON/5 | 7/19 | 29736 |
* New level gained, send new skills, character adjustments, as necessary, ASAP!
The landshark corpses are quickly stripped of their valuable parts. With two of the three mules destroyed, the remaining supplies are distributed among the party. With usage of the Rod of Security, you are left with 8 days of supplies.
Most of Blod's riding equipment is salvageable and Zynara provides him with a mount.
The rest of the trip passes without incident. Spellcasters can regain spells. Pad renews his Stoneskin.
Due to the delays, the Seekers arrive at the ruins on the 9th day of their journey.
The ruins are deserted. The slaves have departed many weeks ago. The only presence the Seekers can detect is the skeleton of the green dragon they killed here, almost 3 months ago. Scavengers have stripped the body of its flesh. Only bones remain.
The dragon had its lair in a grove of trees in the middle of the forest. A tunnel in the grove led to a large cavern. In the back of this cavern is the mysterious door you seek.
The door is magically held and bears Elder Runes. The gist of the runes state that entering the area beyond the door would be most unhealthy.
GM Notes:
Now what? With regular CLW's by Vonte and Mercy, plus the healing benefits of the Rod, Stephanie is back to max HP's.
Send new Spell lists, spellcasters!
Mail From: GM Shifty Date: Thursday 21-Mar-91 21:17 EST
This is provisional list. As soon as I find out what the others tried before, I may change some of these.
2xMagic Missile, Shield, Comp Languages, Shrink. Web, Mirror Image,
Invisibility, Knock, Levitate.
Lbolt, Clairvoyance, Dispel Magic, Non-detection, Wraithform.
Wall of Ice, Poly Others, Poly Self, Wizard Eye. Cone of Cold, Dismissal,
Wall of Stone, Teleport.
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 03/21/91 S#: 513488
(See, I told you I was a Wizard. ];> )
Eyeing the door, Pad sets down to business. "Anyone care to tell me what you tried before to get around this? I can think of quite a few things to attempt. But, I'd prefer not to fill up my spell list with spells you've already tried."
"Oh yeah, anyone have any idea what these Elders of yours would consider dangerous enough to warrant this kind of warning?"
Padraig then begins examine the door more closely. Is it an airtight fit?
Or are there gaps where it fits into its frame? If there are gaps, how big are they? What are the walls around the door like?
The first spell Pad will attempt is Clairvoyance, throwing the clairvoyance point 3 feet beyond the door.
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Zynara 03/21/91 S#: 825846
I am happy when it becomes apparent that my husband will get to ride the warhorse. It makes him look so powerful.
Zynara continues to get sick in the mornings. During the day she doesn't eat because the trail rations just get her sick also. Luckily she can find something to eat at night in that wonderful world the wand summons. Zynara eats heavily at night to make up for what she missed during the day.
After the 3rd morning of being sick, I take Blod's hand and go looking for our priests and our wise and understanding leader. Once I gather them all together, I ask, "I would like you if you can, ask your gods if I am pregnant. The answer may break my heart or it may become a major concern of the group. But I feel that we need to know the answer. Do you not agree husband?"
***************************************
I wonder what we shall do if my character is? I know I wouldn't want any magic that sped up the aging process to effect me. I don't think I would survive it.
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 03/22/91 S#: 413413
Arocken nervously fidgets with his ring of regeneration. When they arrive at the Giant Skeleton of the Dragon a smile comes across his face, not from reliving the battle but rather the extradition of wealth from the monsters horde and the Chastising he got from Bernice, as she lead the proceedings.
When spells start flying at the door Arocken will prepare himself for the worst, swords drawn.
SUBJ: FINROD FROM: SGT STONEY 03/22/91 S#: 847331
"Well, Paddy, from what I recall, when we encountered the door here we were rather torn up and low on magical energy, so we weren't able to try much on the door... best to start at the beginning, I reckon. Let's work up what is the best coordination of our spells. No doubt with Claudius, Zynara, and myself to add to your considerable range of spells, we can come up with just about the whole kaboodle of 'em."
GM: I still am separated from my char sheet... tentatively I wish to memorize the following spells. Subject first to whether they are in Fin's book, and second to what Paddy has to say about door-bypass spells.
1st: Read Magic, Sleep, Colorspray, Burning Hands
2nd: Strength, Mirror Image, Knock
3rd: Haste, Fireball
The Strength spell will be cast on Stephanie each day when we set out, so that her strength is enhanced for the first six hours of travel. On the day we attempt to bypass the door, the Strength will be cast on her just before we begin our work... if all else fails, perhaps she can get through on main force alone. ::And she can be SO forceful!:: ;)
SUBJ: Spells FROM: Zynara 03/22/91 S#: 834303
When we are ready to enter the door, I will have these spells memorized:
1st: Burning Hands, Chill Touch, Enlarge, Mount
2nd: Melf's Acid Arrow*3
3rd: Flame Arrow, Vampiric Touch
I will trust our new boy wizard to open the door. We may need firepower after we open the door.
SUBJ: Armon Flamehilt FROM: Omni Tuens 03/22/91 S#: 482370
Armon rides along with the others, obviously enjoying himself as he strums his mandolin and whistles a light tune. When they reach the ruins, his eyes widen at the sight of the dead dragon. He quickly dismounts and runs up to the head. "Fascinating...you mean you were the ones who killed this? Impressive. Did it put up much of a fight?"
Hardly waiting for an answer, the bard immediately begins to poke at it, looking for something loose. He simply MUST have a souvenir, preferably in the form of a tooth. (The dragon's, not his own.)
Finally tearing himself away from the skeletal figure, Armon hustles after the others to the door, reading the runes aloud in his interest.
"Yes...there's definitely danger on the other side of this door... well, let's open her up!"
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 03/23/91 S#: 796979
"Hey, Finny, if you're going to use a shortened version of my name, I'd prefer you use Pad, not Paddy."
"Now as to the door, the lowest power and safest method I can think of to get by it would be a Knock. It leaves the door intact to be shut again if needed. After that, a Shrink spell on the door might pop it out of its frame, but that leaves us unable to shut it if needed."
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 03/23/91 S#: 474663
Finrod's Spells: You don't have Colorspray, but you can learn it if you wish. (I already made the learn roll.) However, you have only 1 1st level spell slot left. Color Spray would fill it.
You also don't have Strength, Knock or Mirror Image in your book. Again, you could have learned them earlier. (Again, you made the rolls.) Even with those 3 spells, you would still have slots open for more 2nd level spells.
Since you never did select 3rd level spells before, I'm assuming that Haste and Fireball were your 1st choices. You made those rolls also.
And finally, you can memorize 4,2,2 not the 4,3,2 you listed. ;>
Door Description:
The back wall of the cave is roughly worked natural stone. The work was clearly not done by those with a talent for stone work. The door itself consists of 2 rectangular doors, each being 8' high and 3' wide. (The whole is 8' high and 6' wide.) Apart from the writing, the only other feature is a iron ring set into the middle of the upper have of the door. A combination knocker and handle.
The door is not air tight, but the seams around the door are consistent. The gap is about 1/4 of an inch wide. It is not possible to see through the door with the naked eye.
Pad casts his clairvoyance spell. The area beyond the door is dark. He can only see for a few feet. The only thing Pad makes out is a passage leading away from the door.
And to save time, the Clerics are able to determine that Zynara is indeed with child! Best guess would put her about 5-6 weeks along.
Mail From: Mastiff1 Date: Sunday 24-Mar-91 07:36 EST
After finding out about the pregnancy, Mercy will check the area for herbs to help Zynara with her morning sickness.
SUBJ: Mercy FROM: Mastiff1 03/24/91 S#: 516257
"Congrats Zynara on your child, may he or she be as strong as thy parents who conceived it."
When the subject of the door comes up, Mercy will watch as the Mages do their thing.
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 03/24/91 S#: 442665
The days pass and I feel better and better. A sharp contrast to my friend Zynie.
Upon learning that she is expecting, I give her a big (gentle) hug.
"That's great, Zynie! I'm so happy for you! Blod, you sly dog you!" ;D
Once we arrive at the ruins, I too am in awe upon seeing the dragon's remains. I follow Armon as he explores it.
"Yeah, we did this giant lizard in. It killed many of us and badly wounded the rest."
The image of carrying a greatly protesting Validar towards bed rest surfaces. It brings a smile to my face.
Once we are all down at the door, I draw my sword as the mages go to work on the door. I wonder what nasty thing awaits beyond....
SUBJ: Finrod FROM: SGT STONEY 03/24/91 S#: 839038
"Will do... Pad. Now, everyone stand back, and I'll have a try at a *KNOCK* on the door."
"Congratulations, Blod, Zynara! I hope you get the child of your dreams!"
::Nervous glance at Stephanie:: "I doubt other marriages in the party will be so blessed very soon... We elves are long-lived and healthy folk, but our fertility is, er, somewhat less than human. It perhaps explains the considerably freer attitudes toward sex among our culture."
GM: Glad I was so lucky as to make all the rolls... but I could have sworn I used COLORSPRAY in the past... like against that creature of Wendy's father's, and when we got ambushed coming out of the wand-dimension.
Also... sorry about 4-3-2, was working from memory trying to reconstruct the progression table. :ü
If I only get two spells of 2nd lvl, they will usually be STR and WEB...
the day we assault the door they will be STR and KNOCK. Again, the STR goes on Steph.
--Fin
Mail From: Vonte Date: Sunday 24-Mar-91 16:45 EST
Greetings!!
here is my spell memorization list:(If Ehlonna sees fit?)
Faerie fire, CLW X3, Charm person or mammal, speak with animals. (any suggestions as to better spell choice??)
Thanks!
SUBJ: Vonte 1 FROM: Vonte 03/24/91 S#: 425492
After the long ride, and being a bit tired, seeing the slain dragon and the doorway my energy is replenished and the itch in my sword hand has returned. the memorized spells are swimming around in my head just waiting to be released.
I guess congratulations are in order to the expecting couple!!!
a question to the party? what source of light will we be using? (hopefully one of the many MU's have a Light spell or some sort of light source...
I will wait until the MU'S find a way to open the magically held door, before gaining too much interest.
Mercy who is your patron god?? maybe we should get together and make sure we have all the bases covered in the way of Clerical spells? so we don't get stuck btwn a roc and a hard place...
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 03/25/91 S#: 415652
Standing aside for Fin to try his Knock, Pad hears Vonte asking about light. Fishing a lead vial with a screw top out of his belt pouch, he tosses it to Vonte. "When you want light, just open that vial."
SUBJ: Blod... FROM: Blod 03/25/91 S#: 434830
Shrugging off his wounds from the landshark, Blod continues on the journey, looking proud on his warhorse.
When the party reaches the ruins, Blod looks upon the dragon carcass with mixed emotions. He will join the others at the skeleton and remove a talon for a souvenir.
When the mages start their work on the door, Blod will stand ready with his sword.
**************************************
When Blod hears the good news, he will stand there looking dumbfounded, muttering "I'm gonna be a father..."
When he finally snaps out of it, he will gently take Zynara into his arms and hold her, tears running down his cheeks.
:*:*:*:* for Zynara!
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 03/25/91 S#: 403020
Fin casts Knock on the door. A few moments pass and nothing happens. More time passes and still nothing.
(A Knock-proof door??)
SUBJ: "Let's try this..." FROM: GM Falcon 03/26/91 S#: 490268
Claudius speaks up. He will have hopefully prepared for this encounter, and memorized "Dispel Magic"
"Stand back all."
He then chants the words to that spell, assaulting the door with its power.
"NOW try Knock on it.", he states a bit proudly.
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 03/26/91 S#: 475353
After Claudius tosses the Dispel Magic on the door, Pad first walks up and pulls on the doorknocker. If the door shows no sign of moving, he tosses off a Knock of his own. If this fails to open the door, Pad will go with plan #2 and cast a Shrink on the door.
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 03/26/91 S#: 513055
"Yes definite congratulations are in order to you two... did you see the teeth on that dragon? I still think with a little work I could get one of those out, and then- Oh."
Realizing everyone is still frustrated by the door, the bard simply walks up to it, and knocks on it.
"Hello in there? Hmmm? Company for you! Mind if we come in?"
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Zynara 03/26/91 S#: 788349
I welcome everyone's congratulations with a smile. When Blod starts crying for joy, I just hold him real close and kiss him.
********
I stand ready as the other mages go about their work. When things appear not to work, I smile and let them continue knowing the door will come down eventually.
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 03/26/91 S#: 418401
Upon seeing the remains of the great green dragon, Validar's thoughts return to the incredible battle it waged against the Seekers.
"Yes indeed, Armon, the Wyrm put up quite an incredible fight against the Seekers. We were sorely tested that day, as a horde of orcs and their Hextorite masters inhabited this ruined stronghold as well. Much blood flowed freely on that day, including that of not a few of our fellow Seekers."
Validar thinks back on the battle and the recovery period afterwards. He shakes his head silently thinking on the involved squabble that erupted. It seems that the Seekers have been engaged in one large argument since our beginning. Is it a testament to our character and the leadership ability that has been shown in he past that the Seekers not only remain together, but proficiently powerful, or is it a sign of worse things to come. Either way, it shows no signs of abating.
Once at the door,...
"It is difficult to say for certain just what the Elders consider dangerous. As you have seen, the Elders can be very mysterious in their meaning. Whatever we happen to encounter beyond this portal will be a suitable test to our abilities, you can be certain of that."
"While the mages proceed with their attempt to open this door, the rest of us should remain a good distance away. There is no point for the entire group to be affected by some of our own magicks should they somehow backfire.
Also, we have no idea what may result when that door is actually opened. There may be a guardian or a trap and it would be foolish to submit the entire group to this sort of danger when most of us are of little use in actually opening the portal. Stephanie and Arocken will remain near Claudius, Padraig and Finrod while they continue their efforts to open this door. The rest of us will hang back a fair distance until the portal is actually opened."
Validar will then put the actions at the door aside as he goes over his mental checklist before entering the unknown area beyond.
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 03/26/91 S#: 442606
Backtracking a bit....
Validar is only slightly surprised at the announcement of the coming birth. For some reason, the first thought that entered his mind seeing Zynara's recent sickness was this very thing.
"Congratulations to each of you, Blod and Zynara. I trust your offspring will grow to be a good and decent person judging by the parents."
A mental calculation gives Validar a slight pause. The coming war is scheduled to begin in March and if the clerics are correct in their estimation, Zynara will birth their child sometime near the beginning of May. It is possible that we will be without two of our number in this coming conflict. A worry for another day however.
The Frontier #85
In the ruined city, the Seekers try to open the door...
Fin casts a Knock and nothing happens. Pad walks up to the door and pulls on the handle. The door remains shut.
Claudius hits it with Dispel Magic. Pad tries the door again and it still won't budge. Stephanie gives him a hand, just in case it is stick. Still no results. Pad casts his own Knock with no success. He follows up with another Dispel Magic.
This time Mystra smiles on the Seekers and the magic seal on the door is Dispelled. The doors are slowly pulled open.
Beyond the doors you see a 10' wide passage lead off from the doors. Unexpectedly, a mist begins to form in the door opening. It gathers and solidifies. A chill comes over you. Before your startled eyes, it forms into something hideous and large.
It looks like some kind of insect, except it is 12' tall! Its limbs end in wicked looking claws. Its tail is long and barbed, with large pinchers. Its head bulges with great, multi-faceted eyes. It smells bad too.
Deep-rooted fear overcomes all in front of the door, except Claudius.
Stephanie, Finrod, Pad and Arocken all run for it!
The thing turns to Claudius. It seems to speak to him, but he only hears the voice in his mind.
"You are brave, man-thing. You are also foolish in not heeding the warnings! Now you shall pay the price of your foolishness!"
It moves towards Claudius...
GM Notes:
Welcome to the wonderful world of Fiends! ];>
It will take those not at the door 1 round to reach the bug, unless you have ranged attacks of course. You are currently 75 feet away from the Fiend.
Fear Durations:
Stephanie 2 rnds
Finrod 5 rnds
Pad 6 rnds
Arocken 3 rnds
The player will regain control of his character in the rounds listed. It will take a like amount of rnds to return to HTH range. Magic and ranged attacks, not withstanding.
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 03/28/91 S#: 811813
When Armon approaches and knocks on the door, Pad says in a mild tone, "Do you mind, Armon? We're trying to proceed in a logical, step-by-step manner here."
Should the Shrink spell fail, Pad will turn to the others and warn them, "This next bit is going to be a bit odd, don't get jumpy. It could also be a bit dangerous, so have the clerics stand by."
SUBJ: Blod... FROM: Blod 03/28/91 S#: 415643
As the party tries to open the door, Blod stands there alert, but somewhat bored. When the door finally opens and the fiend appears, Blod stands rooted to the spot, frozen in horror.
"I must overcome this fear! If I cannot, Zynara will die!" With a vision of Zynara and child being slaughtered by this thing, Blod finally snaps out of his paralysis and charges the fiend, 2-handed sword ready.
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 03/28/91 S#: 411612
"What is this hellish beast." Fear comes over Arocken's body and he finds he must run, get away from the beast as fast as he can. "Noooooooo!"
When he regains himself he will draw bow and arrows and begin to move into range, he will fire unless it would endanger friends. when he gets close enough he will draw both swords and get down to business.
"I must redeem myself!!"
SUBJ: FINROD FROM: SGT STONEY 03/28/91 S#: 431858
Well! I reckon 5 rounds should take us past the midweek update... plenty of time for the Fiend to finish the party or the party to finish the Fiend.
Fin runs in fear for his allotted five rounds, and upon regaining control of himself will look back to see what the situation is.
--Finrod the Fearful
--Fleeing the Fiend
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 03/29/91 S#: 461063
Armon is still staring around in distraction when the huge bug appears in the door. He finds himself letting out a whistle of awe. "They grow them big around here, don't they? Well, we'll just have to- HEY!!! Where is everyone going?!?!"
The bard stands looking around in confusion as those near the door are driven into flight. Then, seeing that Claudius is being menaced, he pulls and throws a dagger at the insect in one motion, trying to distract it if nothing else. This done, Armon quickly pulls his sword and charges the...thing to see what he can do to it.
SUBJ: Claudius... FROM: GM Falcon 03/29/91 S#: 393506
Mind numbed with shock and fear, Claudius simply stares in astonishment at the "bug."
"OH?", the mage hisses. He steps back about five paces, and chants the words to a *magic missile* spell.
"I NEED SOME HELP OVER HERE, GUYS!"
*******************
*Now* I'll peacefully go into my vacation. I probably won't be posting for around a month. In combat, Claud will use all his spells as effectively as possible...only allowing a party-member to get into the area of effect if the ends justify the means. (Fire-balling 10 baddies and one party-member for example) He will use his wand as needed, if he/you feel the magic isn't working and the party might lose.
Otherwise, he'll follow da head dude. (Val) ;)
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Zynara 03/29/91 S#: 396438
Seeing the fog rolling in, woman's intuition speaks up that trouble is on the way. Knowing my husband, I cast my Enlarge spell on him. This should give him some extra bulk to do damage with.
When the creature forms and most of the group near it run, the simple thought, 'Melee might not work, let's try spells.' forms.
As the creature advances on Claud, I let loose with an arrow of acid. If spells seem to fail frequently against the creature, I will just move back and do some praying. If most of the spells seem to work, I will go with another arrow of acid if the creature appears to be doing well. If it appears severely wounded, I will watch its finish helping those wounded if needed.
If the creature goes down quickly, I can be heard afterwards saying, "This can't be what was entombed. Wonder what the real threat is and where it is at?"
SUBJ: Vonte 1 FROM: Vonte 03/29/91 S#: 431003
After seeing the door finally open, I will sigh knowing it would have been a long trip for nothing if a little old door had stopped us...
"why is everybody running?? "
then peeking in to see what all the commotion is about. "BUGS!"(icky)Being one of the few not affected too much by the creature I will step up and cast a "Faerie Fire" to outline the creature to hopefully aid in killing the monster.
After the spell, I will draw my longbow and proceed to shoot arrows into it until it looks like a porc-u-pine or until I realize it has no affect (or I run out of arrows) and then move to engage it with melee (L sword) and pray for Ehlonna's aid, yelling things such as "Raid", and "roach motel" and the like. ;)
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 03/30/91 S#: 849020
In a small corner of his mind, the rational side of Pad fights for control, "Oh, come on. This is embarrassing. Falling prey to a bloody fear aura from a stinking baatezu!!! I have spells studied just for this sort of circumstance too."
(Don't you hate when this happens to ME??? ];>
SUBJ: thengor FROM: Firestrike 03/30/91 S#: 825678
Hey why are they running? oh the bug. ok lets kill a bug. i attack with my axe
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 03/31/91 S#: 417073
Upon seeing the arrival of the fiend, Validar will whisk his enchanted blade from his scabbard, taking in the situation and trying to convey a few orders.
"Claudius, use the Wand of Lightning on that foul creature! Blod! Thengor! Place yourself between this evil beast and Claudius! Allow him to cast his spells! And don't anyone bunch up!"
Validar will then slam down the visor on his great helm. Seeing Finrod, Padraig, Arocken and Steph start hightailing it away from the fiend, Validar's brow furrows. He decides that it will be better to spend the energy to combat the creature rather than combat the fiend's fear-inducing state in his friends.
"Some of our most powerful and skillful members," Validar scowls, advancing on the foul denizen of the lower planes.
Validar will allow Zynara and Claudius to strike while he is advancing and delay a moment to allow them a second spell, while trying to approach the fiend from its flank.
(Basically, since I cannot attack on Rnd 1, I will wait until after the mages go on Rnd 2 to attack, unless the fiend is coming after me, then I will not hesitate.)
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 04/01/91 S#: 408900
Upon seeing that hideous thing appear fear swells in the pit of my stomach. The next thing I know, I'm running faster than I ever have before!
Once I'm myself again, I'll turn around and run back to engage that thing.
"I'm prepared this time, bug-eyes! Lightning shall strike you down!!"
I draw my sword and go to work on carving this thing down to a more comfortable size.
SUBJ: Mercy FROM: Mastiff1 04/01/91 S#: 477615
Backtracking:
As the trip progresses, Mercy enters the woods from time to time and comes out with a few herbs. Later on Mercy will offer Zynara a concoction. "This will help you with your sickness in the morning."
*************
At the door, Mercy watches as his friend run by him. "Where are you going?" Upon seeing the fear upon their faces, Mercy will attempt to catch one or more of his friends and speak *Soothing words* to them.
When he can not help anyone else, Mercy will cast *Protection from Evil* spell then engage the monster.
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: The Seekers take on a fiend straight from the Abyss!