Spectrum's Comments: The Company has been attacked by a Hextorite party on the same mission as them: to find the Sword of Doom!
Sword of Doom #63
The Company picks up the pieces after the surprise attack by the mystery mage. The Keep is completely searched and no one or thing out of the ordinary is found.
Argent attempts to scry the mage's location. She concentrates and an image forms within the Crystal Ball.
The mage is seen walking down a busy street in some unknown town/village. (Buildings and passersby can be seen in the background.)
He walks for several minutes and then enters an Inn. A sign reads the Inn of the Dark Delights.
Inside he converses with a man in plate mail. The symbol of Hextor can be plainly seen on his armor.
The two converse for a time and appear to be making plans. (Papers are scattered on the table and are referred to often. It is not possible to read what is on the papers.) The image in the Crystal Ball winks out before the men finish.
The rest of that day and the night pass very slowly and without incident.
SUBJ: Crandor FROM: GM Falcon 10/10/91 S#: 459493
When Argent scries the mage, and determines him to be in another city, Crandor smiles slightly. "Good, maybe he's left.. for a time, anyway."
He frowns then.
(I'm not sure if Claud's info would be overlapping with Crandor's here, Mad, so feel free to tell me that Crand couldn't have come up with this conclusion)
"Omni, maybe we should guard the gateway we found. If it can connect to this Everwinter, maybe it can connect to the city Argent found also."
He will spend this 'slow day-and-a-half' in her company, flirting outrageously, and perhaps "accidentally" touching/rubbing against her from time to time. He betrays no embarrassment from such incidents though, and smiles invitingly.
SUBJ: Eliza FROM: Tora 10/11/91 S#: 813552
When the search turns up nothing and then the news is passed that the mage is in another city already, Tora heads for the courtyard. She will make it a point to locate Omni and Perrel and tell them where she is going. She also suggests to them both that we should quickly get back to the task at hand.
Out in the courtyard, she will place a blind on and draw her broadsword. She will then focus in on her surroundings with her other senses. She will then begin a slow motion practice session with the sword while keeping her senses open to the area. If
she senses any intrusions, she will yank the blind off and jump in the direction of the intrusion. If she doesn't recognize or see the target, she will attack to the best of her abilities. If it is someone with the group, Eliza will ask politely that they leave her to her training at this time.
After the practice she meditates on some nagging questions. 'Why were we attacked? How did the mage know where we were? How did the mage get there without me knowing it?'
SUBJ: Omni FROM: Omni Tuens 10/13/91 S#: 466101
"You have a point, Argent. I was thinking much the same thing...this opposing group must be located, and...negated. Unfortunately, Crandor has a point also. I'll wager they want this keep, not us. To leave it unguarded is to forfeit our goal. The only conceivable option I see... is to split our force. Considering we don't know what we're up against, that could be very risky. But I don't see any other way. What say all of you?"
SUBJ: Schar (R) FROM: Schar 10/13/91 S#: 850929
I let Perrel tend to my wounds when he arrives.
"I'll be alright, Perrel. I'm not hurt that badly."
But I'll let him give me a CLW.
Next day when we have our talk...
"I think that splitting up is a bad idea. We need to stick together. They could pick us off one by one if we split up. I am not much of a fighter, but I feel that we need to prepare the Keep to defend ourselves. If your theories are correct then these villains will be back. We must be ready for them or all the hardship endured on this quest will be lost."
SUBJ: Gathis FROM: RAD DWEEBE 10/13/91 S#: 807707
Gathis spends the slow night studying his new spells and power. He learns a few new spells, and is happy at his progress. He sleeps a little better.
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 10/14/91 S#: 498963
I tend to, and baby, Schar that evening, doing everything I can to make her feel better.
When I pray for my spells, I realize that it would be nice if I could somehow know when Schar is in trouble, so I could rush to her aid, and so I pray for a special spell.
The next morning, I go to her, and tell her that I'd like to cast a spell on her if she'll let me. If she does, I'll cast a Sacred Guardian on her.
"This is so I know when you need my help, or someone else's." I say to Schar. "I love you, and I don't want to lose you."
When Omni talks about splitting the party to go after the mage, I frown for a moment.
"Um, Omni, we don't know for sure that that is the town. If this mage was powerful enough to whip up walls from nowhere, he might be able to teleport long distances."
"Might I suggest sending a scout down to the town first, and if it does turn out to be the town, then we can decide on a course of action."
"I'd just hate to see half the party go down there for nothing, and then have that mage attack here while we're gone."
"The best choices for the scout job are either Crandor or myself."
SUBJ: Mastiff FROM: Mastiff1 10/15/91 S#: 816137
Mastiff will find suitable quarters for himself once Crandor and Argent start getting friendly. He will be in the library. When the group has it's meeting on what to do, and Argent tells what he saw in the crystal ball and that it may be Northending. Mastiff leaves the group and heads to the kitchen. (Mail Mad).
Spectrum's Comments: And here's the mail Mastiff mentioned above.
Mail From: Mastiff1 Date: Tuesday 15-Oct-91 04:57 EDT
Hello Mad. re: Mastiff
Mastiff will take the shortsword found in the lab, if he has enough time he will memorize Identify and use it. If not he will just take, and sneak out and head to Northending to look for the mage. He will leave a note is Crandor's room about were he went.
"I will kill the Mage."
Signed Mastiff and Ashes. I will take Ashes with me.
SUBJ: Argent (R) FROM: Enchantres 10/12/91 S#: 521737
Next morning as I try to study I find my guardian is getting frisky. I wonder how serious he is? Perhaps he's bluffing? Let's find out!
I rise from my study area and walk towards Crandor. 'If you were trying to get my attention, you succeeded.' After that I plant the most sensuous kiss I can muster. 'Now, unless you are interested in continuing this, I've got some studying to do. There are a few things nagging at me. Perhaps my notes on this quest will reveal a possible answer.'
Sometime later I'll corner Omni. 'Omni, I have several theories for your consideration. Perhaps this mage is in the town, believe its Northending, down below the Keep. After all we have never been there yet. That would make sense since I doubt the mage would travel very far away just to make our life miserable. Also, we can safely rule out Gateway after he conversed with that Hextor Priest. We are definitely dealing with the Keln in this matter!'
::pauses for a deep breath:: 'My best theory is that this is the other group that Sharadin warned us about. After all, we were formed in response to the Keln forming a band of adventurers to go after the Sword! They are on the same quest as us! They are our enemies and what better way to cripple us but to remove the spell casters? Probably the only reason we beat them here was because of Ehlonna's gift of teleporting us here. Based on this, this definitely points to our foes being down in the town.'
'They probably reached the Keep a few days ago but found us inhabiting it. The Mage probably invisibility scouted us out for a time before acting. Thus, they went down to the town to plan their attack.'
'Another theory is that this mage wants the Keep for himself. After all the library and spellbooks kept here are extremely valuable to one in his profession.'
'In my opinion we must deal with this threat right now. If we leave to go on the next portion of the quest we would find a really nasty surprise when we returned to the keep!'
'What say you, Omni?' And anyone else who heard?
'I guess ID'ing the magic items will have to wait.'
SUBJ: GM Notes: (R) FROM: GM Mad 10/15/91 S#: 512412
Late that afternoon, Crandor finds a note in his quarters. It reads:
"I will kill the mage."
It's signed Mastiff and Ashes.
A quick search of the keep reveals that Mastiff is gone. The short sword found in the tower is also gone.
It seems he used his turn at guard duty to lower a rope and climb out of the keep.
SUBJ: Argent (R) FROM: Enchantres 10/15/91 S#: 843468
After Crandor finds the note:
'Omni! We must go after him. He is no match for what we are up against. Even less in his current mental state. I'll use the Crystals Ball to check up on the mage every hour so that we can have an idea what is going on that front.'
SUBJ: Crandor.. FROM: GM Falcon 10/15/91 S#: 847435
Crandor does indeed show interest in pursuing the matter in Argent's chambers. He kisses her deeply, crushing her frame to him. Slowly, he shifts his weight forward, finally dumping the two onto the bed. One can guess his intentions at this point ;)
When he finds Mastiff's note, he frowns deeply. "This is bad.", he notes. "I can go to Northending, but I CAN'T read Kelnish. If I were to go after him, I'd need support there."
He glances at Argent, not wanting to leave... but she is right, Mastiff alone can't defeat this mage.
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 10/16/91 S#: 514515
"Oh boy." I say when I hear of Mastiff's departure. "We gotta get after him now, the longer we wait, the more danger he might wind up in."
"Omni, I'd say Crandor and I should go down. You and Eliza could stay here to protect the other spellcasters, and the castle. Crandor and I have the best chances of sneaking in and out unnoticed."
Sword of Doom #64
The Company learns that Mastiff has fled the Keep in order to revenge Ashes death.
Argent renews her scrying on the same mage.
Her first image shows that the mage is still in town.
The next image shows him riding in the company of several others. They are starting up a trail leading into the mountains. Four others are spotted traveling with the mage, including an ogre.
SUBJ: Crandor FROM: GM Falcon 10/17/91 S#: 460897
(Enchantres, you might wanna read my last post on the last game. Posted on 10/16, I believe.)
Crandor listens to the report on the returning hostiles with a frown. Ducky.
"Mountains? That sounds like us. If we do this right, we can prepare a bit of a surprise for our friends using the keep's outer bailey, that's what it was for after all."
"Nothing fancy... just an artillery line..", he points at the walls around the bailey, "..consisting of the mages and bowmen, while the fighters engage on the ground. The only problem here is that mage may be too smart for such conventionalities.."
SUBJ: Schar (R) FROM: Schar 10/17/91 S#: 802061
I am somewhat taken aback by Perrel's guardian spell.
"That's so sweet... And I am not worthy of such a thing. I too have access to the same spell. Did I memorize it to protect you? No!"
It's clear that the current situation is eating away at my insides. I'm starting to babble incoherently.
"How can you care for someone as selfish as I?"
I ask Perrel before breaking out into tears.
After much consoling later and upon learning of Mastiff's quest for vengeance...
"Defense is okay, Crandor, but what of Mastiff? He's on his way down the mountain! The enemy is coming up the mountain! They are sure to encounter each other en route! Someone has to go rescue him from himself. I'll go if no one else wants to."
SUBJ: Crandor FROM: GM Falcon 10/18/91 S#: 519589
"If that damn mage wants to go kill himself..", the ranger barks at Schar. He then stops himself, and frowns.
He turns to Omni: "We can either go DOWN the mountain and have a good ol' fashioned battle about half-way up, or I can take Schar, maybe Eliza, and a mage or two to try and intercept Mastiff."
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 10/18/91 S#: 492690
I am somewhat surprised by Schar's reaction to my asking about casting a spell on her, and as she starts to cry, I quickly hug her, and hold her close.
"You are not being selfish. It just didn't occur to you. With the wide number of spells we have available to us, it's easy to overlook some occasionally. I've done it before." I say soothingly, holding her softly as I do.
"You are the least selfish person I know." I say, while bringing her eyes up to face mine. "That's why I love you."
Then I kiss her, long, gently, and softly.
When Argent mentions them coming back this way, I frown and sigh deeply.
"Okay, we have two problems. One, they're coming back to harass us again, and Two, Mastiff's on his way to face them."
"Obviously, he's going to run into them on the road, and alone, he's no match for them."
"So, we really have no choice, unless we want Mastiff to die, we have to go."
SUBJ: Omni FROM: Omni Tuens 10/19/91 S#: 480859
Omni curses quite audibly when he learns what Mastiff has done, and again when he learns of the approaching group. He quickly realizes, however, there is still a chance to get the upper hand.
"Argent... locate Mastiff. See if you can find out how far down the mountain he is, and if a rescue expedition is feasible. Crandor, Gathis, go up top and let me know as soon as you can see anyone...Mastiff or otherwise. Perrel... you and the
others see what 'surprises' you can prepare for our guests: either something we can throw or they can spring themselves. Eliza, you're with me. Let's see if we can find anything to grease the drawbridge with."
Omni will basically follow this course of action unless Argent finds something out about Mastiff...we'll deal with then.
Spectrum's Comments: Here's a follow up mail from Omni and the enemy mastermind continues to plot...
Mail From: Omni Tuens Date: Saturday 19-Oct-91 01:53 EDT
Re: Sword of Doom
Mad, when I say 'grease the drawbridge' I mean try to find a way to make it slick. The desired effect is a) make someone slide off it, b) make someone slam into the lowered portcullis, or c) make them simply lose footing and fall on their butts. Assume a small, and quickly coverable trail would be left through it if it becomes apparent our boys will have to cross it again.;)
Mail From: GM Elezar Date: Saturday 19-Oct-91 03:54 EDT
Re: This Mastiff problem..
An added bonus.. ::Grin:: IF we do happen to run across him straight on, everyone's gonna be going for incapacitating him.. Well.. Everyone but the ogre.. Jus' hope he doesn't hit the poor mage too hard. :D Start with plain ol' Hold Person spells.. and keep up with 'em til they work. ;)
Two should be plenty.. 'specially when they're being cast on just one target
SUBJ: Argent (R) FROM: Enchantres 10/19/91 S#: 833688
Argent is surprised at Crandor's reaction, but goes along. This is not the way she thought this would turn out.
Much later her own personal feelings are somewhat jumbled. But does her best to perform her duties.
'Excuse me, Omni, Perrel, if I may offer a suggestion. I can cast Fly on Perrel. Considering how the mountain path winds its way to the lower lands, the spell would allow Perrel to take a more direct route. You should catch up to Mast in no time!'
If this is allowed, then I'll explain to Perrel the conditions on the spell. 'It will last for 1 hour for sure, possibly longer, but it's chancy. So I'd stay close to the ground!'
That done, I'll home in on Mastiff in the Crystal Ball.
SUBJ: Schar (R) FROM: Schar 10/19/91 S#: 461136
My face turns red when Crandor shouts at me.
"Life is precious!! No matter who's!! Perhaps if more sword jockies would realize that, then there would not be so much violence in the world!!"
My own personal fears and frustrations seemingly fade away as Perrel tends to me.
"I'll be alright now."
Finally Omni takes over the situation.
"I'll do what I can to help, Omni. I can place an Invisibility Purge on the drawbridge so that no one invisible can sneak in. I also have a Wyvern Watch the can be placed to watch our backs."
Before Perrel leaves to rescue Mastiff, I'll hold him close.
"Be careful. No heroics, got it?"
SUBJ: Crandor FROM: GM Falcon 10/19/91 S#: 814017
CRANDOR glances at Argent, a bit confused by her obvious distress over the situation. He lets it drop, however.
Also, in a spark of diplomacy, he lets Schar get away with calling him a 'sword-jock'.
He nods when Omni starts giving orders, and heads for one of the towers facing the path, or better yet a battlement between them. He'll be looking for any humanoids, and be ready with a bow.
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 10/19/91 S#: 473726
Containers of lard are found in the kitchen pantry. Those would make a good slippery bridge! ;)
SUBJ: Eliza FROM: Tora 10/20/91 S#: 460595
Eliza stands and watches as information is passed back and forth on the mage and Mastiff. When Omni asks me to help get something to grease the bridge, I know where I would start looking but I pause long enough to ask Omni, "If we grease the only way in or out of here on foot, would we not be trapped inside? Would it not be easier to just raise the draw bridge and fire down on them if the don't use magic to enter by? If they use magic, they could appear anyplace within the castle. Or setting a trap at one point would be a waste of time. Now if we set the trap on the road, it would more likely work because they might not expect us to come out to them."
If Omni still wants to grease the bridge then I help. If he chooses to take the fight to the mountains, I smile and grab my equipment.
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 10/21/91 S#: 484592
I appear thoughtful when Argent tells me she can make me fly, and that I can catch up to Mastiff.
"It's not a bad idea, I'd cover a lot more ground a lot quicker." I say to Omni.
"As for traps, Eliza's right. How do we know where he came in last time, and where he'll come in this time?"
"It'd be too dangerous to us to go setting up traps willy-nilly in the hopes of catching him."
"Our only hope is that he can't sneak himself and the others in, and so they'll have to come through the front."
If Omni okays the flying, I'll give Schar a big hug and kiss.
"You take care of yourself here, and I'll be back as soon as possible, hopefully with Mastiff."
"I'll miss you." I say, while holding her.
"Especially your cute behind." I say with a wink, and a soft pinch of the anatomy part discussed. ;)
Then, I ready myself, let Argent hit me with the spell, and then I go flying out the window.
"Up, Up, and Away!" I say as I zip through the air, wondering why I have this strange urge to wear tights. ;)
SUBJ: Mastiff FROM: Mastiff1 10/23/91 S#: 415555
Mastiff trudges on..."I'll carve him into little pieces.. right Ashes? Right! Hack him to bits like Crandor and Eliza do it. I'll....." Mastiff continues his thoughts of death, while he makes his way.
If he hears horses coming to the castle, he will hide. "Maybe he's coming to me to die faster, it beats waiting for me to come and kill him." Through his ranting Mastiff pets Ashes.
Sword of Doom #65
The Company discuss' it's options. A few different ideas are presented, but none are decided upon.
Argent returns to her Crystal Ball and scries for Mastiff. Mast appears in the ball by himself.
Suddenly, he runs for cover up the side of the hill. (Numerous boulders and large rocks dot the hillside.) Mast takes cover behind one of these. A band of riders move past the view in the Crystal Ball. They finally are out of sight and Mastiff comes out of hiding.
He starts to follow them, petting the lifeless form of Ashes as he walks.
****************************************
Well gang, what's it gonna be?
As you can see, the believed attackers have passed Mastiff.
I should also point out that the drawbridge was up when the mage attacked before. There is a secondary entrance to the castle via a different road through the mountains. This second road does not connect with the path currently being used. The second entrance was also secured at the time of the mage attack.
The Keep does have the resources to lay traps if you so desire.
SUBJ: Schar FROM: Schar 10/23/91 S#: 469330
"Poor Mastiff..."
Seeing the AWOL mage in the crystal ball all but brings a tear to my eyes as he walks with purpose petting his late cat.
"Omni, something must be done immediately. Are we to await their arrival or go to meet them?"
SUBJ: Crandor FROM: GM Falcon 10/24/91 S#: 475556
Crandor looks through the crystal at Mastiff, and his eyes soften...THIS was something he could understand.
He turns to Omni: "We wait.", he says firmly. "For one thing, we can lay traps here and ambush them. We can know their plans by following them."
"For another, Mastiff has a blood oath to attempt." He clenches his fist slightly: "We don't have the right to interfere.. even if it is over a CAT."
SUBJ: Argent FROM: Enchantres 10/25/91 S#: 480838
'Boy, Mast's really gone off the deep end. Can't say that I really blame him. Here's a thought for you all. Why not go outside the keep and ambush these bums before they get here? Those boulders we say could hide us effectively. That would put them between us and the cliff. An avalanche would deal with them rather nicely. Then we kill the rest. Sounds like a possible plan to me!'
SUBJ: Gathis FROM: RAD DWEEBE 10/26/91 S#: 486411
Gathis thinks "Well, that mage is in for a beating if Mastiff finds him. I've seen mages lose their familiars before, and if they don't die, they go into a revengeful rage. I sure hope Mastiff catches him by surprise though, He seems like a pretty powerful mage to me. Poor Mastiff! I sure hope he doesn't get himself killed."
Gathis is always present in the scrying sessions, learning what he can.
SUBJ: Omni FROM: Omni Tuens 10/28/91 S#: 496058
"No...leaving the castle has its merits, but at this point it would seem foolish to give up such a superior defensive position. Let's go ahead and get those traps ready...and set them up so that they are more 'inviting'. Outside of that mage, the group before us didn't strike me as intellectual geniuses. Anyone who's decent with a bow, get topside...see if you can't play sniper with our friends."
Omni starts restlessly fiddling with his signet ring, obviously wanting the preparations to end and the fight to begin...but knowing it is best to wait.
SUBJ: Mastiff FROM: Mastiff1 10/29/91 S#: 501174
Mastiff's rantings are interrupted by the sound of horses coming. "He has come to die early Ashes. He could not stand the wait." Mastiff lets the horses go by seeing more than he bargained for. "He has brought help. He is truly scared. Alas, it will do him no good. Right Ashes? Right."
Mastiff follows after the horses, petting the stiff Ashes as he goes. "Soon it will end. Soon you can rest in peace."
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 10/29/91 S#: 505959
I quickly go about setting up traps, when I'm not worrying about Schar's safety in the upcoming battle.
When I have a free moment, I pray to Tymora for Schar's safety, as well as the safety of the rest of the group. I ask her to keep the luck with us upon this day.
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: The Company vs the forces of Hextor in the final posts for Sword of Doom!