Spectrum's Comments: Zynara has just given birth to Ross, while the Seekers plot their next move.
The Frontier #93
The Seekers have returned from the Rod Realm. They find that Pad has returned, proving that the pillar-format is a safe method of travel.
The current plan appears to be that Zynara and a few escorts teleport back to Gateway, while the remainder of the group finishes exploring the tunnels down below.
Mercy casts Cure Light Wounds upon Zynara.
SUBJ: GM Notes FROM: GM Mad 05/21/91 S#: 424653
Right now I need to know who is going with Zynara and who is remaining behind.
Also, how are you going to get out of the tunnels under Gateway?? As you recall, you had to climb down the well last time. This will be very difficult of Zynnie in her present state. Taking your mounts would be even more difficult.
Current Hit Points:
Bernice - 37 of 38
Blod - 24 of 36
Stephanie - 52 of 60
Zynara - 16 of 19
Zyn STR and DEX are still at 2.
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 05/22/91 S#: 819929
"I would wish to stay and explore this area further, I trust mother and Child will be in safe hands"
Arocken begins to clean the New Magical blade he wields
SUBJ: Chess FROM: GM Mad 05/21/91 S#: 419289
Having little better to do, you decide to kill some time playing chess.
Claudius is surprised to see that the bard is very good. Armon wins in 72 moves.
(Hey, it's better than fish!)
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 05/22/91 S#: 417316
"Might I suggest that we hold off on further investigations until we get everyone home? A day or two of a wait isn't going to inconvenience us. If we had disturbed anything down there, it would have been up to see you while you were waiting for my return."
"Let's concentrate on getting everyone who wants to go, back to Gateway. Then, I can bring back either of the two already there, if they wish."
"The horses are going to require some spell power to get out of the sewers once we get them back to Gateway. Dimension Door, Levitate and Shrink spells come to mind as possible means of getting them out. For the humans, we can always get a rope lowered down the well, again."
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 05/22/91 S#: 809754
::Slaps forehead::
"We forgot about the tunnels. Getting the mounts through there is going to be a nightmare! What are we going to do??"
Knowing that Fin is a bright fellow and a jack of all trades, I hope that he can come up with something. While we wait, I'll do what I can to help Zynnie and Ross.
SUBJ: FINROD FROM: SGT STONEY 05/24/91 S#: 455663
Gee, Steph! Such confidence in your hubby! It's nice to be loved. :)
As I see it, there is no need to get any horses out of the sewers. We should send Blod, Steph, Ross, and an escort of two or three back to gateway via the grid. I am willing to zap off a spell or three meself to power the grid. They do not need to take any horses along, and once they reach the well, there are thousands of eager folk ready to haul on a rope for a few coppers. One person climbs up, gathers some strong arms, lowers a pallet or chair at the end of a rope for Zynara, and up she comes!
If Pad wants to go fetch Claude and Armon, that's fine, and I guess we can wait a few hours for him to do that. But as far as I'm concerned, those two took a risk zipping off like that, and it serves them their just desserts if we leave them to sip brews and change diapers in Gateway!
As to getting the horses to Gateway, I for one don't wish to blow spell energy getting them there, and then more spells getting them out of the sewers. We should just ride back to Gateway. We are in no hurry, after all.
Now, making a ramp down to the sewers, or a cargo elevator, or some such, would be a great winter project, along with mapping the terminuses of the pillars in the Gateway Station of the Network. But it is all in the future.
For now, Send 4 back, and press on.
--Finrod Fasthand
--Steph's Hero
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Zynara 05/26/91 S#: 814185
When talk of sending me back comes up, I smile and am grateful. When it is brought up that there is no hurry in anything, "Excuse me. There is winter coming along very quickly. You may find yourself snowed in here or along the way if you take your time. It should take less than a day to return me back to our home and return with everyone but me. Then everyone can spend the night to rest up and then go after the monsters below. Once I am fully recovered, we can return here and see where the rest of these gates go. That should get us all set for the spring campaign.
SUBJ: Bernice FROM: Merri2 05/26/91 S#: 507376
Bernice (for once) has nothing to add to the discussion on how to get Zynara back to Gateway.
She is reluctant to leave the pocket dimension's paradise, but goes along without too much complaint. She'll try to amuse the baby while everyone is planning.
Before Validar makes his decision on who to send back, Bernice puts in her plea, knowing this is the sort of thing she usually gets assigned to do. 'I, well I,...' then the words pour out. 'want to explore the tunnels with you. I just couldn't stand staying behind and worrying about you again. It was just awful waiting and worrying ...and worrying and waiting. I couldn't stand it if anything happened and I wasn't there to help. Remember when you and I took down that giant? So, please don't send me away.'
Not above begging,
Bernice
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 05/26/91 S#: 463704
"I am willing to, and would rather, take volunteers to go back to Gateway with the new family. Due to my noble background, I am used to giving orders without much regard for other's wishes. Again I am attempting to make my leadership of this band of adventurers as diplomatic as possible. Therefore, I have no desire to send anyone who wishes to adventure further back to Gateway, nor to make anyone who does not care to continue on this quest to accompany us."
"Of course, Bernice, you may join us. So far I have myself, Finrod, Bernice, Arocken and Padraig. What say the rest of the Seekers?"
"On a separate, but similar, thought, if we were certain that the portal under Gateway returned to here, we could send Zynara and family back to Gateway through the portal and then ride back ourselves. Then use the portal there to come here and we would not have to worry about our mounts. Unfortunately, that situation has yet to be confirmed. Otherwise, we will have to limit the finalizing of this quest, as it would be foolish to be caught out in the first snowstorm of the season."
"Basically, Finrod's idea is a sound one, however. I have no qualms about following it as presented. Anyone have anything else to add on this subject?"
SUBJ: Blod FROM: Blod 05/29/91 S#: 848721
(Finally he speaks! :D)
"Everyone is assuming that I wish to return to Gateway and stay there. Well, fortunately for me, I do. If all else fails, I could always throw someone up the well. As for worrying about a mount, my became shark bait, so I'm not worried.
"I don't think it is necessary for everyone to come along. All we need is someone to show us through the tele-mathingy and maybe some kind of lifting spell. The rest should be easy."
:* for Zynara!
:* for Ross!
SUBJ: Mercy FROM: Mastiff1 05/29/91 S#: 466289
"I wish to return with mother and child. They may need me." Mercy has nothing else to contribute, since he is not staying.
Mercy will help mother and child prepare for the upcoming trip.
The Frontier #94
It has been decided to use the pillar formation to return Zynara and several volunteers to Gateway.
Finrod powers up the artifact and Blod, Zynara, Ross and Mercy teleport to Gateway. (those who teleport, check out post B below this one. Otherwise continue on.)
Several courses of action have been suggested. These include...
A) Staying here and finish exploring the caves below.
B) Ride the mounts back to gateway now and then return using the artifact.
C) Or anything else you can think of.
SUBJ: GM Notes From: GM Mad 05/30/91 s#: 828057
As I mentioned before, those going back to Gateway right now are in the post below.
I need the rest of the group to decide what they are going to do. See last post for more details on the options suggested.
Spectrum's Comments: As noted above, I split the post into A & B files at this point. Below is what made up the A file.
SUBJ: Padraig From: GM Shifty 05/30/91 s#: 810302
"As I said before, there are spells that will allow us to get the horses out of the sewers if we bring them through the pillar grid. It will be a bit slow, cycling them all through, but it can be done."
"Do you want me to start moving them back? And would you like me to go back and offer Claudius and Armon the chance to come back via my Teleport spell?"
SUBJ: Validar FROM: BL Panther 05/30/91 s#: 412324
"Very well, Padraig. We might as well send the horses back now. It may be easier at this time than later. Besides, that will give Armon and Claudius an opportunity to join us."
SUBJ: Finrod From: Sgt Stoney 05/31/91 s#: 830017
The fair-haired Elven multi-class was beginning to chafe at the bit, desiring to resume exploring this complex, but alas, Val has seen fit to send Paddy back with the horses.
Heaving a sigh, Fin returns to his post on the 'front porch', where he begins to munch on another apple. Then his idle glance passes over his lovely wife, and a thought strikes him. "Steph, how about a little sparring to keep our muscles honed and our senses alert? Nothing like working up a little sweat to pass the afternoon. And afterwards, maybe we could go for a little walk downstream aways and wash off the salt of our exertions?" ;)
--Finrod Fasthand
--looking for a little tussle. ];)
SUBJ: Stephanie From: Schar 05/31/91 s#: 412060
Steph is more then a tad nervous when it is announced that Pad will use the pillars to take the horses home. She'll pester Fin on the subject until her mind is put at ease.
"Are you sure that it won't hurt Thunder?? He's the only mount that I ever had? Are you sure??"
Once the time comes, I try to be calm as I lead him towards the pillars.
"If anything happens to him, Pad, you're dead meat. Understand?"
Later I try to relax with Fin.
"Sure. I could stand to blow off some nervous energy."
We engage in mock sword play for almost half an hour. Our blades lock and feel fall to the ground. One things leads to another and...
Much later we return to the group with smiles on our faces. ;D
SUBJ: Padraig From: GM Shifty 06/01/91 s#: 797522
Just as Steph is launching into her warning, Pad is saying, "is anyone particularly attached to their mount?" He grins as she makes her threat.
"Maybe if I had to deal with your husband as well, Steph, but I doubt that you alone are capable of turning me into anything. But, since you seem particularly fond of your mount, I'll avoid polymorphing him as a way of getting him out of the sewers."
Since Pad was expecting to be doing the ferrying through the pillar grid, he had altered his spell selections while waiting for the party to return from the Rod. Most importantly, he is now carrying 4 Shrink's, 4 Levitates, 2 Polymorph Other's, a Magic Mirror, and a Teleport. He'll be using mostly 3rd list spells to power the grid.
Pad will reach over and tap Steph's horse with a Shrink spell. The horse immediately shrinks to about 5 inches tall, ready to be scooped up and carried along. (That assumes the horse was about 6' at the shoulder to start with.) He will tap 3 more horses with these spells as well.
If Pad's recollections of the well tell him that a full size horse could fit up it, he will be able to take 4 more horses through and levitate them out of the sewers.
Finally, he will polymorph 2 of the horses, including his own, into armadillos for easy transport. if they fail the system shock roll, oh well, no big loss.
After taking care of the horses, Pad will ask Claudius and Armon if they want to return for further explorations of the complex. He'll cast his Magic Mirror, again using Fin as his target. If he happens to catch Fin and Steph in flagrante delicto, he'll just grin and continue through with the teleport sequence.
];>
SUBJ: Finrod FROM: SGT STONEY 06/03/91 S#: 471963
Rest assured, Pad...
Steph NEVER stands alone. Whoever would stand on her bad side surely faces my ire as well.
But I am sure that you did not intend to offend, merely to illustrate that you would go out of your way for the favored Mount of one of our members. Right?
::A smile which does not QUITE reach the eyes::
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 06/03/91 S#: 815618
With humor in his voice, Pad replies, "No, Fin. Actually I was warning your wife about making idle threats. While I wouldn't have any reason to attempt to harm her, I am fairly confident from what I've seen that she doesn't have what it takes to stand alone against a wizard of my caliber. I'm sure you'll agree that it's always wisest for a professional to have a firm grasp of their own limitations. A professional should never let their mouths make promises that their bodies can't cover."
SUBJ: FINROD FROM: SGT STONEY 06/04/91 S#: 470903
"Good point, Pad. And you'll recall that I never make idle threats. Part of what endears me about my lovely wife, though, is her impetuousness. And so, I make it plain that whenever her nature gets her in trouble, I will get her out. And I wouldn't want her to change one bit. After all, wouldn't it be a sadder world if everyone were the same cold and thorough professionals that you and I are?"
"Learn to tolerate the lightheartedness of these around us, Pad. Or I fear you are in for a long, dark life."
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 06/04/91 S#: 502972
"As a matter of fact, Padraig, I would place myself in the category of being 'attached' to my warhorse, Havok. I appreciate it were you to not take any unnecessary risks with him."
Once the final details of returning Blod's family and our mounts to Gateway is finished, then we can return to the depths of this mysterious cavern.
"I, for one, am very curious to know just what, or who, an UNDEAD beholder was guarding. I have a feeling that the Seekers may find their greatest challenge still. And I am just itching to face it."
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 06/05/91 S#: 422314
Arocken tenses as Steph and Pad exchange words, He relaxes a little when Fin speaks up "Now friends, lets us relax a bit, I am sure Pad will take care of the mounts to the best of his abilities. "
Arocken will begin to practice with the new magical blade, first examining it for any particular markings.
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 06/05/91 S#: 826672
"Let us hope for your sake, Pad, that such a confrontation never comes."
Without saying another word, (Not that I could get one in edge wise with Fin and Pad around!) I show Thunder to the pillars. My eyes widen like saucers when I see my mighty steed shrunk!
"Wow!! Can you do that Fin?? That's neat!!"
After that ordeal, and smiling to myself when Validar arrives with Havok, knowing that my conversation with Pad is about to be repeated, I join Fin outside.
-- Stephanie Fasthand
-- Confident Warrior-Woman ;D
Spectrum's Comments: And here's the B file of the post, back in Gateway.
The Frontier #94B
The blue glow fades from the eyes of those who teleported via the pillar formation. You appear in a lighted cavern with guards wearing the uniform of Gateway. They move towards their weapons, but do not draw them.
"That won't be necessary", says a voice in the background. it belongs to a young woman. She steps into the light and you can see that it is one of Sharadin's daughters: Sherry or Terry. You never could tell them apart.
"That's Zynara and her husband Blod. I was at their wedding."
Aided by the guards, you move Zynara towards the cavern with the well shaft in it. When you reach there, you find that a makeshift elevator has been placed over the well. It is a simple 4' square wooden platform supported by ropes. A rope railing has been added for safety. The guards pull you to the surface.
Armon and Claudius are interrupted from their latest chess game when the group arrives. The staff fuses over Ross and places him in a crib. Zynara is shown to her and Blod's quarters.
Later that afternoon, Selinda, the High Priestess of Azrella arrives with Captain Shea. Selinda looks in on Zynara and questions her about what has happened. She then Heals Zynara. Together, the two women examine Ross. Selinda marvels at Ross' rapid growth.
"You are most fortunate, my dear. I would not have believed such a thing possible. Someone was watching over you."
Selinda examines Ross and finds him to be in good health, considering the circumstances of this arrival.
Captain Shea speaks to the rest of you.
"Will Validar be returning soon? The general is most interested in receiving a full report on this Elder Artifact. Its discovery could very well shorten the war against the dreaded Hextorites."
SUBJ: GM Notes From: GM Mad 05/30/91 s#: 797004
Zynara is now back to full STR and DEX
Now what??
SUBJ: Claudius From: GM Falcon 05/31/91 s#: 460862
"Check!", the Mage announces triumphantly.
Then world war (negative five(? ;)) breaks out as Zynara and army rumble in.
He, oddly perhaps, will tend to be with the child, mumbling something about innocence and the need for such in dark days. He will occasionally look in on Zynara, and ask if she's okay.
If told at any time how Finrod feels about Claud's disappearing act, he will proceed to buy some paint of the weirdest colors he can find (fuchsia is nice), and redecorate Fin's room and/or door for him.
For the rest of the time though, he will prepare to return, fully expecting this.
When Captain Shea asks of Validar, Claudius will speak: "Well, Captain, let's make sure it's possible to return first. The pillars downstairs have only one location listed on them. I'd hate to have it be Shadowkeep and have our army meet up with the daemons that are reputed to be there. We have a master wizard (:choke:) with us, he should be able to answer your questions when he returns." he smiles.
SUBJ: Captain Shea From: Gm Mad 05/31/91 s#: 811569
"Of course. A wise precaution. Our master wizard, Sharadin, has examined the elder artifact, but wishes to compare notes with those who have actually used it. Keep us informed of your progress. Good day." with that, Shea departs.
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 06/01/91 s#: 803952
At some point, Pad will appear bearing several horses in various shapes and sizes, as well as portions of our loot. he'll smile to the guards, saying,
"nothing to worry about. just sneaking some of the horses home. So much quicker than riding them cross country."
Once the horses are settled, he'll seek out Armon and Claudius. "Ok. Validar wants to go back down and explore a little more of the complex. If either of you want to join in, you can hitch a ride back with me, as long as you're willing to accept the small risk involved."
SUBJ: Claudius.. From: GM Falcon 06/01/91 s#: 843649
"Small risk?", Claudius echoes.
Once he finds out what this means, he'll nod acceptance. "Okay, count me in. I've had too much chess lately anyhow." he grins.
"By the way, Pad? I think Sharadin or a Captain Shea wants to talk to you about the artifact, determine whether the Cynalonian army can use it come spring."
SUBJ: Armon From: Omni Tuens 06/02/91 s#: 401504
"Small risk?" Armon echoes Claudius' echo. "He's had plenty of risk already... his chess reputation is in tatters. Unless Validar truly needs me, I think I may remain here... the town is so much more exciting than old musty dungeons. besides, someone has to help guard the kid, right?"
Armon will hang in the taverns, and mayhap try and work an invitation to Sharadin's place. "It must be fascinating there..."
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Zynara 06/02/91 S#: 397738
Zynara is grateful for the healing upon her return to the house. When asked what happened she smiles and says, "If you would have asked me a couple of days ago, I could have told you everything. Right now all I can say is a mage in our group caught me on the edge of his haste spell and Ross Blod was born while the blood of the enemy
was still warm. His rapid growth has me a little worried though. Under normal conditions, intellect comes at the same rate of growth. The exception is when
spells are involved. Then the intellect is left behind as the body grows more rapidly without the experiences that normal aging gives oneself."
Later that night when Blod and I are alone, "Blod, we will be out adventuring frequently even though I would like to settle down and raise Ross. During that time, I have no problems with the staff raising Ross. I only worry about his training in defending himself. Your training will be great when you are with him but when we aren't, he will need a steady teacher. Do you agree?"
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: More fun in Gateway and back down the shaft once more!