Spectrum's Comments: The split files continue. The A files covers the main group in their battles against undead in the caves. The B files cover those back in Gateway.
The Frontier #97A
The battle with the zombie forces continues...
Pad casts Hold Monster centering its effects on three Rust Monster zombies. Only one of them stops moving.
Arocken flashes his steel blades once more and chops up another zombie. Finrod strikes the giant with his longsword again. The blade glows brighter as it makes contact. One more hit and the giant goes down.
Stephanie swings her sword, Lightning, and slices two orc zombies neatly in half. Validar advances forward. His own magical sword slices up two more zombies.
Behind the lines, Bernice makes a frantic lunge at the approaching zombie. Her shortsword sinks into the zombie and it drops into true death.
Two regular zombies advance on Finrod. Both fail to hit Fin or his images.
A hill giant zombie and an ogre zombie shamble towards Stephanie. The ogre clumsily swings its club and misses, but the giant lands a solid hit with its huge fist.
Another hill giant/ogre combination approaches Validar. The undead miss the noble warrior.
Arocken is hit once more by a zombie. He keeps hoping that his ring will kick in, but it hasn't yet.
A second zombie arrives to terrify Bernice. It misses the nimble halfling.
Pad fires a cluster of Magic Missiles into the fray. Three strike a rust monster, but it still advances. The remainder is taken by a third hill giant who makes no notice of their impact.
Claudius fires his wand in the same path as Pad's Magic Missiles. Two regular zombies are fried as the lightning bolt passes. The wounded rust monster and the third one both go down. As do two ogres. The giant still advances, although what's left of his hair is now projecting straight out.
The warriors attack once more. Finrod misses the zombies before him. Both Validar and Stephanie swing at the giants attacking them. Both hit solidly twice, and both giants are still shuffling forward.
Arocken downs another zombie. Bernice connects with her sword again and her foe goes down.
Another hill giant attacks Finrod. It reaches over the regular zombies between him and Finrod. Fin losses another image. Validar is struck by his hill giant for minor damage. The rest of the group emerges unscathed for that round.
Pad casts Detect Invisibility on himself. A moment later, his Detect Undead turns off. He notices no invisible foes in this area.
Arocken's Elven swords slays yet another zombie.
Fin drives his own sword through the normal zombie before him.
Validar strikes the giant two more times. Still it stands!
Stephanie also hits once more. Likewise, her giant remains standing.
Fin looses another image as the hill giant attacks once more. There are only 4 Fin's left.
The ogre fighting Steph connects this time. Her wounds are not overly serious yet. The hill giant slaps Validar, knocking the warrior down.
SUBJ: GM Notes FROM: GM Mad 06/20/91 S#: 849168
This covers rounds 4-6.
Hit Points:
Stephanie 31 of 60
Validar 42 of 63
Arocken 25 of 31
You are down to only 5 regular zombies, but there are 9 giants remaining, 8 ogres and one held rust monster.
Now what??
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 06/20/91 S#: 803420
Claudius, having held back for most of the duration, realizes (with nine giant zombies hanging around) that all is not well with the world.
He uses his wand of lightning to maximum effect for the duration of the battle. If the wand calls it a lifetime, then the mage will stand back. If the front line breaches, he'll cast *web* to keep the zombies back. Unless that web is breached, he will save his last spell. (flame sphere)
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 06/21/91 S#: 793703
Getting tired of slaying "mere ex-humans", Arocken will take his blades and attack a giant Zombie!!
SUBJ: Bernice FROM: Merri2 06/21/91 S#: 472726
The little halfling's face is puckered up in a look of disgust. After she kills one zombie, she's more repelled than scared. 'THEY'RE ROTTING, and they SMELL BAD too!' she thinks. When she kills the second one she tries to wipe off her blade, but sees Validar slapped down. 'He needs me!'
Bernice will try to head over to Val. 'We did pretty good fighting something like this together once.' she'll tell him. Then she'll attack the giant with her sword. (OK, logically she knows she's not too good against a giant, but logic in battle isn't her strong suit.)
Bernice
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 06/22/91 S#: 446299
"I grow weary of your smelly face, giant!"
I shout this as I keep hacking at this thing and it refuses to drop. Blood flows from several wounds, but I don't seem to notice them.
I'll keep hacking away with Lightning. Sooner or later it will fall. Hopefully before I do!
"Fin, love, got any magic to help us out? Can ya fry'm again??"
Regardless, I'll keep on the offensive, letting Lightning cleave whatever lies in my path. ::sigh::, there goes this outfit. I bet zombie goo is impossible to wash out!
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 06/22/91 S#: 828784
"This isn't going as fast as it might, is it?" Pad says to Claudius, "Guess I'll have to uncork my last big spell."
Pad steps ups and blasts a Cone of Cold, catching the maximum number of zombies while missing party members.
After that he'll return to putting up a Shield spell and a Mirror Image spell.
When the battle ends, if we aren't immediately jumped by something else, Pad offers a little advice, "I suggest we get the hell out of here, immediately. The only person I ever encountered who had this large an array of undead guarding him was a very bad news lich. I don't think this party is capable of standing toe-to-toe with a lich."
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 06/22/91 S#: 431563
Claudius is too busy watching the front line deteriorate to comment on Pad's wittiness.
Assuming the party does indeed survive, however, he will agree with Pad wholeheartedly: "Val, ever hear the one about discretion and valor?"
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 06/24/91 S#: 459810
Pushing forward into the mass of undead warriors, Validar confronts an undead giant and ogre. After a few moments of furious slashing with his wondrous enchanted blade, Validar is quite impressed with his foes' durability. His magical armor protects him from the stray blows of his opponents, until one direct smash knocks the noble warrior off his feet.
Clearing his head as he struggles back to his feet, Validar sees the minute figure of Bernice rush into the fray and attack the gigantic undead monstrosity. Using the moment that his comrade gives him, Validar is quickly back into the fray, slashing into the giant's side one again with all the determination he can muster. The moment of being disengaged from the battle has allowed the very basics of a plan to form.
Validar will disengage from the slow-moving undead opponents and begin shouting for the other warriors in hand to hand combat to withdraw as well. Once everyone has pulled away from their individual combats, Validar will offer some more orders for the Seekers.
"Padraig, Claudius, use your WEB spells to slow down those hulking monstrosities. They are slow moving to begin with and having to tear through a 20 foot thick web barrier will allow all of our mages to vent the full fury of their magicks. In particular the Wand of Lightning can be used here, especially if the giants do not try to pass the barrier. A flaming sphere on the webs will be quite effective as well."
Once these actions are completed, Validar will lead the warriors back into combat in a fierce rush designed to strike at only a few foes at a time, hoping to eliminate them one at a time, instead of the slower method of facing all of the enemies.
Spectrum's Comments: And now back to the Gateway gang.
Post #97B
Mercy searches the library for information on the Elders. Very little of such information is available. Any texts that he is able to locate are of the type where the stories were handed down for generations before they were put into print. Due to this fact and that the stories tend to be diluted once they reach print, many of what he reads seems preposterous and contradictory.
The majority of the library contains books dealing with the history of the Kingdom of Cynalon. Other non-historical subjects are available.
Mercy also learns that the standard asking price for Identifying a magic item is 1000 gp. (That is for a mage another than Zynara to do the job. Her fee, if any, is up to her.) The money is usually paid up front.
Meanwhile, Armon is involved in a plot of his own. Dressing up in his finest clothes, he heads for the Wizard's Familiar. The club is located in the high-rent district of town. A large and clean sign marks the place. A large muscular man stands before the entrance. He blocks Armon's way as he attempts to enter.
"Are you a member? If not, then you need to prove that you are a mage. Only mages are allowed within."
He waits for Armon's response.
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 06/21/91 S#: 484885
Armon does his best to appear surprised at the man's response, and merely smiles at him. "Need you doubt, my friend?"
He will do his best to bluff his way past the Bouncer, but if this fails... ::sigh:: he will break out his phantasmal force spell and do something amusing.
SUBJ: GM Notes: (R) FROM: GM Mad 06/23/91 S#: 430359
Armon attempts to bluff his way past the bouncer.
"One moment friend. You'll need to pass a test to determine if you are mage our not. Will you come with me?"
The man motions towards a side entrance.
"The process will take a few minutes and is painless. Unless, of course, I'm forced to throw you out."
He smiles at this point and waits for Armon to reply.
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Tora 06/23/91 S#: 813097
Zynara is going to do some spell research. She will be looking for the spell Identify. She will also be attempting to create a new spell. (More in mail)
In the time away from research and creation, she will spend what time she can with Blod and Ross. (Hopefully we won't have to much problem with Sheba.)
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 06/24/91 S#: 810530
"But of course, my friend."
Armon smiles and goes with The Bouncer, all the while cheerful and confident...or at least appearing so.
Spectrum's Comments: Back to the zombie caves!
The Frontier 98A
The battle with the zombie army continues...
Pad moves up and casts a Cone of Cold. Several zombies and giant zombies are hit. None of them are even slowed down. He could almost kick himself when he realizes that most undead, zombies included, are immune to cold.
Claud fires his Wand of Lightning Bolts into the area Bernice vacated. He fries 3 regular zombies, 2 ogres and wounds 1 giant.
Bernice runs across the battlefield to defend the fallen Validar. She fiercely stabs at the giant with her shortsword, but misses. Val is up to help her. He hits the giant two more times. At last it goes down.
Finrod swings his longsword once more. The zombie before him goes down. Stephanie lands two more hits with Lightning. Her giant foe also goes down.
Arocken switches opponents and engages one of the Lightning Bolted zombies. He wounds it further, but it still stands. The entire group is missed in the return attacks.
Validar shouts for the group to withdraw. It is easy to get away from the zombies. Once far enough back, he proposes a plan of attack...
SUBJ: GM Notes FROM: GM Mad 06/27/91 S#: 806459
See last post for Validar's plan. If enough of you post, I can do an update on Sunday. Hit points are the same as last post.
You're down to 1 regular zombie, 7 giants and 6 ogres. Plus 1 held rust monster.
All yours!
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 06/29/91 S#: 820156
"Just a moment!", Claudius bawls once the warriors are safely out of his way.
He proceeds to do what he planned before...*web* the opening, and roll a *flaming sphere* onto it, hoping the web holds for awhile.
"Now, what was it you wanted Validar?", he asks. After listening, he smiles slightly: "Well.. I obviously agree..", he grins.
"To further your idea, how about the warriors stay in THIS room. The zombies have to come through one or two at a time, and you can maul them before they can get any kind of mass against us."
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 06/29/91 S#: 827461
"Aye, as you say Validar", Arocken will pull back, still lashing out with his blades if the need be. When the spellcasters have finished playing. He will wade back into the fray blades singing.
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 06/30/91 S#: 443566
(Oops, silly me. Guess I need to refresh myself on the finer points of basic monsters.)
Pad will stand by with his own Web spell if needed to give the fighters some more breathing room. Pad will follow any other suggestions from Validar unless they are patently ridiculous. Seeing that his own Stoneskin is intact and he has Strength, Mirror Image, and Shield spells running, Pad will even go so far as to step forward and bat at a few of the smaller zombies with his staff.
If the worst happens (a lich shows up or something of that sort) and the situation looks hopeless (most of party already down), Pad will grab the 2 closest people and Teleport back to his room in the mansion.
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 07/01/91 S#: 827736
Steph is slightly surprised when Val gives the call to fall back. We weren't doing that bad! ;D
She'll stand back and let the mages have their fun. Once they are finished, I'll continue the attack.
SUBJ: Validar FROM: Bl Panther 07/01/91 S#: 498997
"I realize that we were not doing poorly, but I would imagine that a few of our more conservative Seekers were getting worried. I have no desire to back out of here again, when we are so close to the menace behind these monstrous undead beings."
"This will conserve our strength, rather than waste it in an all out, hand to hand battle. I have no intention of leaving this place until this unseen enemy is destroyed."
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 07/02/91 S#: 424822
"Knights...", the mage snorts.
"Look, if you wanna get yourself killed that's fine, but consider this first. Pad just said that the only time he saw this many undead was with a lich. Now, I've heard legends of liches...undead spellcasters of enormous power, some say immortal. I do NOT propose we start fighting immortals, Validar."
Spectrum's Comments: And back to Gateway again...
The Frontier 98B
Sheba responds to Zynara's questioning.
*"I am merely curious over my mistress' hatchling. I would never harm him. I was merely protecting him will you slept."*
Sheba then goes off to hunt for dinner.
Long hours pass as Zynara works in Sharadin's lab. Her research on Identify is coming along nicely. At last she thinks she has it. All she as to do know is test the spell she has researched.
Elsewhere, Armon tries to get into the "Mage's Familiar". He is shown into the side door and into a room. A small man is seated at a desk inside. The bouncer explains the situation. The little man responds:
"So, ye wish to join the club?? First we must prove that ye are a wizard. Would not do to have frauds runnin' about. Hold thyself still."
The man casts some spell, but there is no visible effect.
"Now lad, show us some magic. If ye be a spell caster, then cast a spell!"
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 06/27/91 S#: 804974
Now what gang??
Will Armon prove that he can cast spells??
Will Zynara's researched Identify work properly??
Will Sheba stop scaring people?? Nah! ;)
All yours!
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 06/29/91 S#: 851377
Armon, having nothing to lose, does as asked and casts his Friends spell for the man. He then waits for the results of the man's spell, presumably a detect magic or something similar.
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Tora 06/29/91 S#: 416598
With hope on my side, I cast the identify on one of the stones I cast magic mouth on. Hopefully, I won't blow myself up. :)
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 07/01/91 S#: 410951
"Um...sure. When is the 20 due?"
SUBJ: GM Notes: Armon FROM: GM Mad 07/02/91 S#: 455369
"Assumin' that ye were planing to enjoy yerself in the club, I assume that yer purse could handle the fee. Yes, pay now if ye wish to go in."
SUBJ: Zynara FROM: Tora 07/03/91 S#: 511055
While the spell is still active, I check the necklace of adaptation I wear. Then the wand of fear testing it to its fullest.
I then go about locking myself away in a research lab, working very hard on some unknown project. If asked, I smile and say, "I want to build a bridge without anyone's help."
Spectrum's Comments: Hmm, Zynara seems to be responding to a GM note that I don't have a copy of. Presumably, her new spell worked. It's called Colorful Identify. When cast, the magical aura becomes visible and each type of magic is its own color. The darker the color, the more powerful the magic.
SUBJ: Mercy FROM: Mastiff1 07/04/91 S#: 818111
Looking up from the book he is reading, Mercy realizes that he has a lot of time in the library without gaining much info on what he was seeing.
Moving to the librarian "Is there any other place where I can go to gain the info I seek?" If there is he will go to the new place; if not he will check out some of the books he has and read them at the Mansion.
Spectrum's Comments: And back to the caves for the last time.
Post #99A
The Seekers withdraw and Validar suggests an alternate plan of attack. Retreating back to the cave where you fought the beholder, Claudius erects a Web across the other cavern, twenty feet from the opening.
The zombies shuffle into the web, the giants tearing it easily.
Changing to bows, Arocken, Finrod, Stephanie and Bernice with her sling fire upon the approaching undead. Pad casts Shield upon himself.
Before the giants can completely pass the Webbing, Claud rolls a Flaming Sphere in their direction. It ignites the Webbing, burning several giants. More arrows and sling stones are fired. At last an ogre goes down.
Pad erects a second Web. Again, the zombies walk into the Web. The giants start to rip the Webbing once more. Again, Claud rolls his Flaming Sphere further burning the giants.
At last a giant enters the opening into the cave with the Seekers. As Validar had hoped, it is wide enough to allow only one giant at a time. Arocken, Validar, Finrod and Stephanie attack with swords. The first giant through falls to their combined might. A second giant smacks Steph.
In the background Pad casts Mirror Image and there are now 9 Pad's. Seeing that there is only room for the warriors to attack, Pad holds back and watches.
Claudius continues to move his Flaming Sphere. It attacks the giants from the rear.
Once more a giant goes down. The next giant through hits Arocken, wounding him slightly.
Another giant comes to the attack. He goes down before he can strike. Validar finishes off an ogre that followed the giant.
Suddenly, there are no more zombies around. By your count, there should be at least 4 more hill giants and ogres. Pad spots them retreating in the large cavern. No threats can be seen.
SUBJ: GM Notes FROM: GM Mad 07/04/91 S#: 453433
Current Hit Points:
Arocken 18 of 31
Bernice 37 of 38
Stephanie 22 of 60
Validar 43 of 63
Current Spells in memory:
Claud: Color Spray
Fin: Enlarge, Charm Person, Color Spray, Detect Magic, Haste
Pad: Magic Missile, Invisibility, Fly, Dispel Magic, Otto's Resilient Sphere, Polymorph Self, Teleport, Dismissal, Wall of Stone
Now what??
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 07/07/91 S#: 850402
[Geez! Am I the first one brave enough to post?? ;D ]
Weary after the long fight I am thankful to see no more zombies coming. I plop down on a rock and rest.
"Now what, Val?"
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 07/07/91 S#: 816938
"Zombies don't retreat unless ordered to by their master. I think we'll meet him if we don't leave now. I'm in favor of bugging out."
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 07/08/91 S#: 393402
"I concur...", the younger mage chips in, "...my teachings state that zombies are basically mindless, they don't have such niceties as morale to convince them to get out of our way. I'm not sure that this master is on his way, but I am sure that we should go."
He turns to Val: "We barely fought off his minions, I don't think we should tangle with HIM."
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 07/09/91 S#: 800350
"I'm not so certain that I would call our victory one that was BARELY won, friend Claudius. I ordered our withdrawal because I saw that we could defeat our mindless adversaries more easily, not because we were losing the battle."
"It seems to me that since the zombies were retreated, their master feels as though THEY were losing, not US. If he felt he had a chance to win, he would not have retreated. Granted he may be trying the same tactic that I used. However, I don't see a reason to retreat just yet."
"We are not in truly serious danger at this point, and I would presume that there is not much left for this unseen foe of ours to throw at us, or else he would have committed them to the fight already. If one is going to try the straight-ahead approach, he does not hold back power in reserve, except to cover a total collapse. It is my opinion that it is this foe who is at the disadvantage just now, not the Seekers."
"I say we develop a plan to finish off their evil presence right here, right now. I am loathe to allow an opponent the opportunity to better prepare for a second combat, when it can be finished now. What say the rest of you?"
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 07/09/91 S#: 821077
"You're missing a few obvious considerations and possibilities, Validar. The foremost being that we are under NO obligation to deal with whomever is behind this. If the Seekers WISH to take him out, we can do it at OUR leisure."
"Our entire front line is banged up now. One good area spell, and you'll all be down. Whoever controls those zombies may well have decided that we had been softened up enough and didn't want to loose the last of his servants when a few spells from a safe distance could finish the job."
"I would think that your duty to your country in the upcoming war would mean more than a potentially meaningless encounter at this time. We can always return when we have our full number here and are better prepared. Pressing the point now is unnecessary and foolish."
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 07/09/91 S#: 399425
"We are only slightly wounded, Let us finish this now!!"
Arocken is one ready elf. He's got his blades drawn and ready for action.
SUBJ: Claudius... FROM: GM Falcon 07/10/91 S#: 819736
"Look, knight..", the mage snaps.
"I am out of spells that would affect the undead. I doubt Pad and Fin are much better. Elements of our front end are indeed battered up. Now, considering anyone with the power to control undead must be fairly intelligent, tactics like a false retreat or a flanking maneuver is NOT out of the question."
"Now I'm glad you're protected by that shell of armor, SAIR, but most of US aren't. If I'm going to die, then I'd rather it be with my hands around a Keln throat, not off on some meaningless diversion."
He folds his arms coldly.
Spectrum's Comments: And back to Gateway for the last time.
Post #99B
The small man looks at Armon.
"You have to pay to enter the club, so it's really up to you. I trust that if you intended to go into the club that you would have filled your purse. No?"
The librarian on duty looks at Mercy almost in shock at Mercy's question.
"Sharadin's library is the finest collection of tomes within 100 miles! There is simply not much known about the Elders."
The librarian returns to work.
Zynara checks out her Necklace and Wand before her researched spell runs out. The Necklace of Adaption glows Straw Yellow, just as her Magic Mouth rock did. The Wand glows Aquamarine.
She begins work on her new spell. Zynara pays the cost to use the facility for this type of research and goes to work. (They usually like to be paid in groups of weeks, so it would cost you 175 gold per week.)
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 07/06/91 S#: 850677
The bard smiles at his new friend, and gives a little shrug that hints at insecurity. "Don't I at least get a trial run inside before I have to pay to be a full member?"
If this doesn't work, he coughs up the coins.
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 07/07/91 S#: 819717
"Unless you are a guest of a current member", the small man says to Armon, "then being a member will be the only way to get in."
(IE, fork the dough over! ;>)
SUBJ: Armon FROM: Omni Tuens 07/09/91 S#: 823212
The young bard slowly counts out the coins to the man, talking as he forks over the dough.
"So what comes with this? Anything besides access to the interior? And do I get a membership card or something?"
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: The group returns to Gateway.