Spectrum's Comments: With this post we come to the last of the split files. As usual, 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 #100
The undead forces have withdrawn. While resting, the group discusses what to do next.
One moment, you are talking, the next the smaller cave is filled with fire! A fireball donates, covering all in the cave.
Before you can recover, 5 Magic Missiles streak into the cave, strike Pad's Shield and fizzle out.
A moment after that, the opening to the large cave is covered by stone once more.
The group begins to pick themselves up and see what was destroyed by the Fireball...
SUBJ: GM Notes FROM: GM Mad 07/11/91 S#: 495852
Current Hit Points:
Arocken - 0 of 31
Bernice - 25 of 38
Claudius - 12 of 24
Finrod - 11 of 36
Padraig - 43 of 56
Stephanie - 15 of 60
Validar - 18 of 63
The spell casters will be able to note that you were probably dealing with multiple casters. The spell effects came one after the other. Very little pause in between.
Fire Sale! The following items were destroyed...
Arocken - All arrows, Longsword (melted), grappling hook, crampons, backpack, flint/steel, large sack
Bernice - Short Sword +1, Sling, Rope of Climbing, Chest of Security, Thieves Tools, Listening Cone
Claudius - 50' hemp rope, mirror, merchant's scale, signet ring
Stephanie - Dagger, longbow, arrows, belt pouch
That's it!
Spectrum's Comments: The real explaination for what transpired above was that I knew at this point that Validar was going to be leaving. His player was going back to college and wanted to be out of the game while away. So to carry this off, I needed the group to be back in Gateway. Hence the prodding to get them there in the above post. But things would get testy first...
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 07/11/91 S#: 841854
As Validar picks himself up off the ground after the fiery explosion, he smashes his fist against the stone floor.
"Well, I hope everyone is suitably pleased with this! We spend time standing here arguing and look at the result!"
Validar quickly looks about him and sees that no one has been fatally wounded by the burst of flame, although Arocken's wounds are quite serious.
"It appears that you get your wish. We must retreat."
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 07/11/91 S#: 440710
Claudius is the one to stride forward: "I hope YOU are the one who is satisfied, you and your pathetic valor. YOU are the one who nearly killed us all!"
He waves his hand at the assembled party. "Multiple casters, Validar. Not one person we can charge. Two, perhaps MORE, from ambush! And you would recommend attacking?"
He leans forward. "You are an expert at war. No one disputes this. You are good at tactics, and competent at strategy. However, when dealing with areas one does not know about, a good leader listens to his followers. They might just know something. You are not adept at magic, sir knight."
Flaring with obvious anger, he jerks his finger at Padraig: "He is." Then on himself: "I am." Then over to Finrod (wonder what his opinion was) "He is. In your refusal to listen to the laws of common sense, you have nearly crippled us. I hope YOU are the one who is satisfied, SIR."
He then rather coldly stalks from the cave.
SUBJ: Arocken FROM: Wildchilde 07/11/91 S#: 809484
As he prepare to rush headlong into Oblivion, oblivion rushes head long into him. Taking a solid shot from something really warm Arocken goes down in a charred heap. He does not move.
(Now if the rest of them will stop arguing long enough to get us the hell out of here. :>)
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 07/12/91 S#: 787672
"Let's just call that one for experience. Doesn't seem to be any major damage done, (Pad not knowing about the destroyed items) so let's retreat. I doubt those mages are quite done with us, yet. And, since they obviously had the sense to target me as the most powerful mage in the group, I have no particular desire to stay for Round 3. Let's bug out and I'll add a cap of our own to the tunnel to slow them down."
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 07/12/91 S#: 79355
Validar accepts Claudius' challenge of words, meeting the wildly gesticulating wizard's gaze with his own icy stare.
"You accuse me of ignoring the advice of Padraig and yourself? When all that amounted to was "let's get out of here"? What kind of advice is that?! Perhaps if someone had offered some sort of suggestion or option, I may have had a reason to listen. But I am not going to turn tail and run because of a threatened danger! Never!"
"There were plenty of opportunities to follow up with our attack. You carry a wand of lightning bolts. With only the slightest bit of sense we could have responded to this assault before it came. On top of that, how can you call this an ambush?! We were standing here for bloody sake! Lights blazing away! A herd of dragons could have taken us by surprise."
"And then YOU have the audacity to stand there and find fault with me for not running away! If you were so frightened of what could happen, why did you bother to come along? After all this is just a meaningless diversion. I thought that if you were joining me on this adventure that I could count on you to see it through, not withdraw as soon as it becomes dangerous."
"I may indeed be the most aggressive member of the Seekers, but I am no fool and I have never done anything to unnecessarily endanger anyone's lives. This business we engage in is dangerous by definition, but we are powerful and skilled. Even now, we would be a formidable opponent, evidenced by the turtle-like response our opponents have taken, sealing the passage between us. We are certainly not crippled! At least I am not. Perhaps if you had but a little confidence in yourself and your fellows, you would have taken the time to offer a serious comment rather than a suggestion of retreat. If we return at a later time now, we can be assured that we will be faced with ten times the danger. We had a chance to strike on somewhat even terms. That is now lost."
"So don't get on your high horse and spout your righteousness to me, wizard! If you really want the Seekers to be a more effective force, then spend your energy OFFERING your expert knowledge, and quit your complaints and insults."
"Now, let's get out of here...."
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 07/13/91 S#: 843118
Claudius prepares to let it drop, but isn't quite ready yet.
"If you think we can take them, Validar..", he responds coldly, ".. then I'm sure we can find a way around this barrier. OR we can go to our... safe harbor, and recover.. which actually isn't a bad idea, now that I think of it."
"Yes, I do have the wand of lightning. I didn't see our attackers though, Validar. Did you? Despite our 'arguments', I don't think we would have missed a gesticulating wizard from in there."
His voice has calmed considerably, though he is still fairly angry. He faces the knight.
"The choice is yours. If you really want to attack that badly, then let us withdraw to our.. harbor, rebuild, and return. I will fight."
"In any event, I recommend leaving this cave at this moment, for the reasons Pad outlined. We don't know where they are, why stop attacking us while they are ahead?"
With that, he binds Arocken's wounds, and prepares to go.
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 07/13/91 S#: 396632
"Well, I realize I'm the new comer here, Validar, but there are a few things I'd like to say as points of reference. No insult intended, but the Seekers are not 'POWERFUL' even at full strength. I've worked with and fought against groups that packed a much bigger wallop than you do. I'd rate you more in the moderately skilled range."
"Second, I've taken at face value everyone's opinions that you are a good tactician up until now. However, hearing a supposedly skilled tactician rate retreat as a worthless suggestion makes me begin to have doubts. A general on my world once said, 'When you fight a battle that doesn't need to be fought, you've lost no matter what the outcome of the actual fight is.' Think about it."
"Shall we adjourn back to Gateway. We can come back here whenever we like, with the whole group at our backs. I don't think things will get that much worse for us by playing a waiting game."
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 07/13/91 S#: 826025
I carefully pickup myself from the cave floor.
"I hate it when that happens...."
The next thing I know, Validar and the mages have their discussion.
"I don't understand it. He asks for advice and then bites their head off when he gets it. Validar, why are you so obsessed with what is down here. It seems to me that whatever is down here they don't want to be disturbed. We are intruders here. How do we even know that there is evil to fight?"
I'll assist in getting Arocken on his feet and help in getting us up to the surface.
"I for one would not wish this place to become our tomb."
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 07/13/91 S#: 494992
"At this point, there is not much choice but to withdraw. We are forced with such an option. That was not the case a scant few moments ago."
"Padraig, you may believe that what you say is the truth, but allow me to remind you: you are not on your world any longer, you are on ours. I respect your obvious experience and knowledge. However I do not necessarily agree with your philosophies."
"I do INDEED consider retreat to be an unacceptable solution, if there are alternatives. The true measure of one's might and skill do not lie in how much magick and how many swords can be brought to bear in a few brief moments of combat. The true measure of a man is not shown when he enters combat, but when he leaves it. And how he leaves. I do not expect you to understand the concept of honor, so few wizards seem to grasp it."
"I will not willingly quit a task once it is begun. I will not foolishly risk impossible situations, but once I set my hand to something and commit to it, I do not run away because the situation has turned difficult. This is the time when a man or women's true strength is shown for what it truly is. My respect wanes for one who only fights when they have the advantage. On this world, such men are called bullies, and worse. Certainly they are not true heroes. A man who is only willing to face an opponent on equal footing is no better than a Kobold. They roam in packs and run at the first sight of danger."
"I must ask you, as well, if this adventure is so meaningless to you, then why did you bother to join us. If I am to take your reference to your general's quote correctly, this expedition to you is meaningless. I don't argue his words. I do question your interpretation. The question of need was addressed as soon as each of us decided to come here."
"Perhaps in your world a commitment does not hold the strength that it does here. If that is the case, then you do not truly understand what I am trying to express."
"Let just say that I do not believe in impossible situations. I believe that there is always some thing that can be done to realize victory, some action that can turn the tide of battle. I am confident enough to believe that I capable of these things and skilled enough to enact them. And I have my honor, which I shall not relinquish."
"And as far as your comment about the Seekers, you may not think much of our abilities, but moderately skilled adventurers do not slay dragons, or defeat orc strongholds in battle. Moderately skilled adventurers do not slaughter giants and demons. I cannot help but being insulted by your comments."
Upon hearing Stephanie's comments, "Stephanie, the very use of animated dead is an evil act."
"I have learned enough about magick to understand that the art of Necromancy does not necessarily deal with death, but of life as well. Forcing a being to do things against its will from beyond the grave is disgusting, wholly without honor, and woefully evil in nature. If we are to be Champions of that which is good and proper, we are charged with a responsibility to destroy such an abomination. If we were to sit back and allow it to fester, we would be as responsible for the evil as those committing it. That is where the 'need' lies."
"I prefer Claudius suggestion of utilizing the Rod of Security, rather than return to Gateway. We can recover much more quickly that way. What say the rest of you?"
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 07/14/91 S#: 802056
"MORON!", the mage shrieks, barely restraining himself from striking the knight.
He rather grimly grabs Val's arm, and leads him away a distance: "You have just informed your/our enemies that we had a Rod of Security. Why do you think I was dancing around the wording? It was not because I forgot the name."
"You have given our opponents an advantage.", he announces simply. "Now if I was them, I would wait 'til our tracks abruptly disappeared, and have the army of undead, along with a few nice traps, waiting for any who dared step out."
He shrugs then, giving up, and returns to the party.
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 07/14/91 S#: 797160
Pad gives a small strangled sound, half of irritation and half of surprised amusement, as Validar speaks. He turns and starts back to the rope up, as he walks, he speaks, "Sir Validar, I will remind you of what I told the entire party of my life. I spent my days fighting a seemingly hopeless battle against an evil empire, continuing the battle even after my homeland had been annihilated. In fact, when we finally pulled our final desperate 'assassination raid' on the Emperor, there was only 1 small city on the entire continent that hadn't fallen to him. I think that qualifies me of a man of honor."
"The problem here is that you have a rather warped view of what constitutes honor. I see honor as the fortitude to uphold a set of principles no matter the cost. You see it as upholding only those principles that you yourself believe in. I have known a few men that you would probably call evil whom I consider honorable men."
"I might believe in holding till the last man, but only when its necessary. If it isn't necessary to win, you shouldn't doom your men to death by refusing to retreat. 'He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.' When you don't have to win the battle you're fighting, retreat only shows me that you're an intelligent commander, not a coward."
"As to why I came down here, the reason was simple. If you recall, I wasn't in favor of this expedition from the start. I came in the hopes that my presence might save your neck if things were as bad down here as I expected. So far, it's living up to my expectations."
"Validar, a dragon is something to be proud of, it's true. My party slew 7 during the war. 3 were only hatchlings, but one was an undead monstrosity worse than a living dragon. Giants and trolls we killed countless numbers. A village of orcs was something we wouldn't even blink at. We saw more than 1 denizen of the Lower Planes, we regularly fought squads of them. On top of that we fought vampires, packs of lycanthropes, death knights, ghosts, assorted other high powered undead, drow, githyanki, witches, wizards, and liche. It's no insult, just an honest evaluation. You're competent adventurers, but you aren't yet ready to be ranked among the real heavy hitters."
"Oh, and one last point, a zombie is a mindless undead, as such it technically contains no element of the soul or spirit that inhabited the body during life. By the standard you've just proposed, the Animate Dead spell is not an evil act at all."
Having hopefully reached the rope by this point, Pad casts his Poly Self spell and stays waiting for the rest to start up the rope. When the last person is on the rope, he'll change into a bird and fly up.
SUBJ: Stephanie FROM: Schar 07/15/91 S#: 826686
[Say, can anyone else jump in on the Val, Pad and Claud show?? ;D]
"This is silly!"
Seeing that the "discussions" have continued on, I move towards the exit.
"I've had enough of this place and your petty bickering! I'm going home, take a hot bath and cuddle with my husband!!"
I head to the rope and begin the climb, carrying Arocken if it is needed.
"I want to see how Zynnie and Ross are doing. And I want to get some clean clothes on! Someone wanna power this tela-thingie up??"
SUBJ: VALIDAR FROM: Bl Panther 07/15/91 S#: 842453
Upon hearing Claudius' explanation for his grating insult, Validar is quite irritated.
"Just a moment, mage, I think your logic is quite suspect. I did not tell them anything. It is unlikely that they can only hear us, what with a Wall of Stone blocking the only other entrance to this chamber. Therefore, if we are being scryed, then anyone who would know what a Rod of Security is, would recognize the effects when we entered the pocket dimension."
"If you think that simply not stating the name of this item and then having all of us join hands and say a magic word with the Rod in our hands and then disappear will not be recognized as possibly a Rod of Security, then YOU are the moron!"
Validar just shakes his head in disgust and walks a few steps off away from everyone.
When Padraig begins his own tale, Validar is duly impressed, until he makes the reference to saving everyone here.
"I can assure you Padraig that your spells have been more than helpful in this exploration, but do not begin to think that the only reason we succeeded was because you deemed us worthy to grace us with your presence. We have successfully fought foul creatures before you joined the Seekers and we shall continue to do so after you have gone."
"We all contributed to this effort, for what it is worth. And were you not with us at this very moment, the battle would not have gone greatly different. It may have been more difficult and costly, but we would certainly be no worse off than we are now."
"I can tell that it is obvious that there is not one among us that wishes to do anything but return to Gateway. I see no reason why we should not get this sad affair over and done with as soon as possible."
Validar will then stride over to the rope and begin the climb up and out of this pit.
As far as a discussion of philosophy with Padraig goes:
"I do not disagree with you that there are times when it is foolish to continue a battle simply because of being too stubborn to retreat when there is no hope of winning. However, both you and Claudius seem to feel that we were defeated simply because of the presence of this mage and his allies. We are not dead now, and we were struck by a surprise attack from ambush. More than likely we would not be in such a strained condition had we faced them in direct combat and certainly we would have caused some damage to them if not death. All I am saying is that retreat was not the only option at the time, and by my estimation we were not greatly hurting. NOW we are, perhaps. If I believed in no chance of retreat as each of you seem to think, I would not be doing so now."
"Also, I would thank you in the future to not be so damn fatalistic. I do not consider myself defeated until such is the actual case, and even then it is only a temporary setback. Of course, to one who has already returned from beyond the grave, death holds little fear. Not that it ever did before, but it holds even less now."
"It is also quite obvious that our feelings on evil are quite different as well. I suppose you would consider it to be perfectly wonderful if those zombies were the reanimated forms of all your slain comrades. Tell me you would not be the slightest bit riled by a necromancer bringing the forms of your parents to bear on you in combat. Regardless of where ever their souls may be, the callous disrespect for the dead and the use of them, is evil to me. Or at the very least depraved. I challenge you to offer one example of a sweet, kindly wizard who uses his skeletal and zombified followers to pass out candy to small children. The creation of an undead being, to me, is an evil act and I will always treat it as such."
SUBJ: Padraig FROM: GM Shifty 07/15/91 S#: 791422
Pad just sighs as Val rambles on about defeat. "I think the point we were trying to make is that we saw where things were heading and decided we probably couldn't finish it off in a single outing without permanent casualties. We were offering the advice that it was better to fall back in good order immediately, than wait to be routed."
"And, I didn't say I was indispensable, I just said I came along to give you a better chance, ding-dong."
"As far as the dead go, the soul is the only thing that matters. A dead body is just a hunk of organic matter without the soul. Nothing that happens to it would particularly rile me." With a vicious smile, Pad continues, "But, if you'd like to see zombies being used for good deeds, I'd be glad to whip up a few when we get back to Gateway and have them help the servants around the house."
SUBJ: Claudius FROM: GM Falcon 07/15/91 S#: 79960
"The War" rages on-
"Validar, your concept of tactics went out when Cynalon was still trying to break away from Keln..", the mage snaps. "The day has passed when one wordlessly charges into battle, do or die, and involves in a mass melee. I never said I preferred retreat. I don't feel like having our clerics say a few words over a few gravestones, however."
He listens as Pad talks, and pales slightly: "Ohhh, I don't think we'll need zombies to help.", he adds cautiously.
When Validar finally ascends from the pit, Claudius will sigh, and follow. "Now maybe we can conserve our strength for our true enemies, the Keln Empire.", Claud says loudly.
The Frontier #100B
Armon pays his dues and the small man hands him a ring.
"Show this to the bouncer and he will let you in. Welcome to the club!"
Using his pass, Armon now finally enters the club. He sees Terry (or is it Sherry) seated at a table by herself sipping a drink.
Elsewhere, Zynara works in the lab. Mercy does some reading.
SUBJ: Armon (R) FROM: Omni Tuens 07/12/91 S#: 508824
The bard smiles happily as he finally has worked his way inside the tavern, and strolls quietly across the room to stand near the twin's table. Once he reaches it, he puts on his most winning smile and addresses her...
"Excuse me, fair one, but I believe I recognize you as one of the students of the noble Sharadin...may I join you for a drink, and mayhap a tale or two regarding our mutual interests?"
SUBJ: Zynara (R) FROM: Tora 07/13/91 S#: 789486
From the lab, "YES! Now what?" Then she goes back to her research and experiments.
I will take my breaks with my son and husband. (Is he still out there? :)
SUBJ: GM Notes (R) FROM: GM Mad 07/15/91 S#: 396434
As Armon approaches, he scopes out the woman. Her hair is bright blonde and falls on her shoulders. Eyes are blue in color. She wears a simple white dress. A necklace with emeralds is hangs from her neck. A pair of silver wristbands are on each arm.
She is somewhat startled when Armon speaks but recovers quickly.
"In a manner of speaking, I am a student of Sharadin." She flashes a smile as she speaks. "Please, sit down. Are you also a mage? Or rather a student? A would be student??"
SUBJ: Armon (R) FROM: Omni Tuens 07/17/91 S#: 395628
Armon smiles his thanks at the young lady as he takes a seat at the table with her.
"Thank you...and I am a dabbler in the art, of sorts. Not nearly as skilled as one such as you no doubt is, but I am capable with the minor spells I do know, and I am always willing to learn. However, truth be known, my true heart lies in the roaming of this untamed land, whether that should take me on a distant trail, teleporting great lengths to the very bowels of this city, or sitting here in this fine establishment, with a lovely lady. I am Armon Flamehilt, a bard currently serving with the Seekers. Might I ask of you your name, fine sorceress?"
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: The group returns to Gateway. New Seekers join and Validar departs.