Sword of Doom #66
The Company prepares for the return of the mysterious mage and his pals. They quickly set up several traps to greet the enemy.
One hour later, the Company is scattered near the front of the Keep. Outside, you see a gigantic ogre approaching! He is 17 feet tall and decked out in chain mail. He carries an equally huge two-handed sword. It roars menacingly at extreme arrow range.
Stepping out from behind this towering figure is a man wearing the robes of Hextor. It is NOT the man who attacked you earlier.
"Cowards", he shouts. "I challenge your mightiest warrior to meet my champion on the field of battle! Decide quickly. Or if you are too afraid, send out another pussycat!!"
He roars at this remark.
Two men in Plate mail bearing the symbols of Hextor are noted. You can only see the four persons already mentioned.
However, the path winds down the mountains, so it is possible that they are hiding out of your sight further down the path.
SUBJ: GM Notes: (R) FROM: GM Mad 10/30/91 S#: 428300
Couple of things I need to know in this post.
1- Where is your character at. There is the winch house which overlooks the drawbridge. This area is closed in. You can also stand on top of the battlements. This is a 30' wide level area with defendable walls. You could also position yourself in the other towers, but would be out of arrow range for in front of the drawbridge.
2 - I need to know what traps have been laid, such as greasing the drawbridge. The simpler the trap, the shorter is it's set up time. Remember, you had only 1 hour to prepare.
And finally, I need to know what you're going to do next! ;)
SUBJ: Crandor... FROM: GM Falcon 11/01/91 S#: 520769
"ANYONE WHO WOULD ATTACK A CAT..", Crandor roars back from the battlements, "HAS NO HONOR, AND THEREFORE THE RULES ON DUELLING ARE FORFEIT."
He launches an arrow at the ogre, even if he could never hit.
He edges over to Omni: "They're trying to stall us...why?"
Mail From: GM Elezar Date: Saturday 2-Nov-91 12:50 EST
Re: Sword of Doom..
Crandor's set it moving.. :)
Feliscon closes and fireballs 'em..
SUBJ: Argent FROM: Enchantres 11/01/91 S#: 523454
Argent is in the winch room when the giant ogre arrives. 'A diversion' I mutter to myself.
In quick succession I cast Fly, Shield, Mirror Image and Detect Invisibility on myself. I'll immediate start to look for any invisible enemies roaming about. In front of us, behind us, even in mid-air!
If any invisible enemies are spotted, I shout their location to the others and cast Magic Missiles at them. If it is possible, I'll spread the Missiles to hit two invisible targets. Correction, make that Magic Missile them before yelling their location!
If the evil mage is spotted, I'll fire another Lightning Bolt at him, spreading to get any near him. This will be followed up by a Color Spray.
If no invisibles are spotted, I'll concentrate on those in front. A spread Lightning Bolt will go for the Ogre and their speakers. Followed by Magic Missile, Color Spray and Reduce on anyone left. If the spells do not appear to be needed, then I shall hold back on them.
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: Count Kill 11/04/91 S#: 502580
I stand atop the battlements, staring at the ogre and praying to Tymora to give the party as much luck as possible, especially Schar.
Before I went up to the battlements though, I made sure to rig a rope up by where I would be, so that if they broke through, I could swing down in true swashbuckler fashion to fight them. ;)
As for traps, realizing that we only had an hour to prepare, I knew I couldn't get fancy.
I get string, and rig up tripwires in front of a number of doorways, as many as I can.
I tell everyone about them, and to remember to step or jump over them.
"This way maybe our mage friend will fall and break his neck. Plus, it gives us warning, if we see a broken string, we'll know that someone may be behind that door." I say.
As I stand on the battlements, I have my hand crossbow out, and the case of bolts next to me, as I keep it aimed on the priest next to the Ogre.
(I'll let you know what I'm doing with my spells, just as soon as I find my spell list. )
SUBJ: Schar FROM: Schar 11/03/91 S#: 827588
I pace nervously in the winch room waiting for the enemy to arrive. Before hand I cast Invisibility Purge on the drawbridge so that no one can sneak in that way. I also place a Wyvern Watch on the backdoor.
When the expected combat begins, I'll start casting spells. A Dispel Magic will go on the ogre to bring him down to a more comfortable size.
A Silence 15' Radius on any enemy spellcaster. Hold Person for an enemy in range, preferably on a spellcaster. Lastly a Command-- go to sleep-- for the last attack.
I'll aid the other with Cures as needed. :D
SUBJ: Omni FROM: Omni Tuens 11/05/91 S#: 845553
Omni glares thoughtfully down at the ogre, his disdain obvious. He listens as those around him speak, but his eyes don't shift off the scene below. After a moment, the warrior speaks.
"Yes... They're stalling us. I doubt they even expect the duel to be accepted. Which is, of course, why I'm going down there. There's no other way to root out the trap than to spring it. When they hit me, be ready to react."
He then raises his voice, shouting down from the battlements.
"I shall fight your champion. Now stand away from the drawbridge!"
This said, Omni pats his sword hilt and heads below, a dangerous smile on his face.
Sword of Doom #67
The Company is confronted by the enemy party. Crandor and Omni speak with the apparent leader of the other group.
As the conversation passes, Argent casts Fly, Shield, Mirror Image (5 images) and Detect Invisibility.
When Crandor makes his comment about the other group being without honor, the speaker, with a smirk on his face, goes into spell casting!
Perrel tries to hit him with a bolt from his hand crossbow, but the bolt falls short.
The spell casting is complete and fire explodes around Crandor and Omni! They are slightly burned and no damage was done to their equipment.
As the mage went into his spell casting Schar attempted to cast a spell of her own. Unfortunately, the mage finished first. Schar casts her spell, surrounding the mage with Silence.
Argent looks about for Invisible attackers. She spots the mage who fired Ashes and another man hovering invisibly in the sky!
She Magic Missiles the mage and he appears. (The other man was to far away to get both of them.)
Crandor fires arrows at the ogre and one does hit. Selarin also fires but misses.
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 11/06/91 S#: 511361
Hit Points:
Crandor - 41 of 62
Omni - 30 of 51
Here's the situation:
Omni and Crandor are on one battlement, Perrel, Eliza and Selarin on the other. Argent and Schar are in the gatehouse. Mastiff is moved in behind the enemy party.
Approximately 150' away is the fireballing mage and the enlarged ogre. Behind them are two armored me.
The first evil mage is in mid-air, 50-60' straight up. Another, still invisible, enemy is also up there.
The post covered the first round of combat. Omni and Eliza could not have reached a foe during their movement.
Mail From: GM Elezar Date: Wednesday 6-Nov-91 23:46 EST
Re: Sword of Doom
Tyran will move to outside of Silence range and lob in spells from longer range.. He's still flying (and SHOULD still be invisible. ;) He never attacked.. ) Van will cast Hold Person attempting to knock out spellcasters especially Argent, and the Silencing priest. :)
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 11/06/91 S#: 498764
I see Argent fire at something in the sky, and when I see the mage appear, I quickly cast a Silence 15' radius on him.
If that works, I'll open fire on him with my Hand Crossbow, and if it didn't, I'll try to hit him with a Hold Person spell.
"Hey Ugly!" I yell at the mage while I fire at him. "Your mother wore orchish combat boots!"
SUBJ: Crandor FROM: GM Falcon 11/07/91 S#: 517101
"ARGENT!", Crandor bawls, "Now, the enemy fireballer...get him!"
The ranger turns, and begins to open fire on the formerly invisible mage, glad that Perrel seems interested in helping.
SUBJ: Schar FROM: Schar 11/07/91 S#: 812011
My next move will be to cast Command at the ogre. "Flee!" will be the command.
If the flying mage is still active by then, then a Hold Person in his direction is my next action.
In the round after that cast Dispel Magic at a flyer.
SUBJ: Argent FROM: Enchantres 11/09/91 S#: 796276
'Yes, Crandor, I see it!' ::casts Lightning Bolt at the mage who flung the Fireball:: 'That'll give'm a shock!'
I turn and look about trying to determine who to blast next. I'll Color Spray any of the enemy in range while keeping an eye on the other Invisible flyer.
SUBJ: Omni FROM: Omni Tuens 11/12/91 S#: 490085
Omni stands next to Crandor, steaming (literally). He quickly starts shouting commands, pulling his bow as he does so.
"Take down those spellcasters now! The rest can't do much to us from here."
He then aims for the hovering mage, hoping to cut him down. If he falls, he'll turn his sights on the cleric below.
Sword of Doom #68
The fighting continues!
The second invisible, flying attacker shimmers into existence upon completion of casting a spell! In the winch tower, Argent stiffens up, victim of a Hold Person.
One goes for his longbow and sends a volley of shafts at the cat-killing mage. Both hit but seem to harmlessly bounce off of the mage!
The same mage flies higher into the sky and casts a spell of his own. Suddenly, ten stony tentacles "emerge" from the battlements themselves! Three of the tentacles grab onto Omni and start to squeeze. One shatters, but he is held fast by two of the stony tentacles.
Crandor is grabbed by another tentacle and is held fast.
Back in the winch tower, Schar Dispels Argent's paralysis.
Selarin fires a pair of shafts at the other flyer; a man in plate mail with the markings of Hextor. One arrow actually harms the man!
Enraged, the man flies at Selarin and just misses him with his battleaxe.
Omni grabs his great sword and attempts to free himself from the tentacles. One is shattered, but the other continues to squeeze...
Gathis goes into his own spell casting and hits the cat-killer with a Magic Missile.
By now, Eliza has reached the front of the Keep and rushes the ogre. Her katana strikes twice, causing great damage to the ogre!
The ogre swings back, but misses. The silenced fireballer and the two men in armor also go to the attack. Eliza is lucky to go unscathed.
Perrel completes his own spellcasting and sends a Silence 15' Radius towards the cat-killer. He can't tell if it worked or not.
Crandor goes for his own sword and makes short work of the tentacle holding him.
Argent turns and sends her Lightning Bolt at the cat-killer!! (The fireballer was too close to Eliza to risk it.) He is hurt, but survives. He begins to fly off.
Selarin sends a pair of arrows after the fleeing mage. Lady Luck is truly with Selarin this day as both shafts strike true! (Back to back 20's!) Only one does any actual damage and the mage continues to flee.
Schar turns her attention back to the enemy forces outside the Keep. She casts a Hold Person on the enemy forces. Only one of the fighters is affected.
The other flyer casts a spell on Omni, and Omni is paralyzed. The stony tentacle slowly squeezes the live out of him.
Gathis catches the flyer with a Magic Missile as he passes.
Eliza strikes the ogre once more and the extra-huge creature falls with a loud thud and a cloud of dust! The non-Held fighter's morale breaks and he runs for it!
Crandor hacks his way through the other tentacles to rescue Omni. Omni is then dragged to safety.
Perrel joins the "casting Hold Person" club and tags the remaining flyer! The priest of Hextor plummets like a rock to the courtyard below. He does survive the fall.
Argent flies out of the winch tower and towards the spellcaster battling Eliza. Once there, she casts Color Spray, blinding him. Eliza does the rest.
No other enemies are in sight. The cat-killer flew off and one of the men in plate run for it.
Only the Priest that fell to the courtyard is still alive, all others perished. He was Held long enough to be restrained if you wish too.
Omni recovers from his own paralysis.
About half-an-hour after the battle, Mastiff comes walking up. He is bloodied and you wonder how he can still be walking!
"I got him, Ashes", he mutters to the late cat.
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 11/16/91 S#: 463581
Hit Points:
Crandor 38 of 62
Mastiff 1 of 10
Omni 22 of 62
And a special thanks to GM Elezar as the Forces of Evil during the last few months!
Spectrum's Comments: The extra long combat post was a case of having this game come into sync with the Frontier game. With the number of players dropping in each game, I had decided to merge the two. (It was also possible that I wanted to try a different game and wanted to eliminate one of the ones already in progress. Merging two games into one would make that possible. I also made sure that Mastiff got his revenge for poor little Ashes.)
SUBJ: Crandor... FROM: GM Falcon 11/17/91 S#: 503999
(Gee, can I be the bad guy next time? Can I? Huh? ;))
Crandor, after freeing Omni, begins to rush out of the castle to pursue the fleeing fighter. However, circumstances hold him back long enough for Mastiff to arrive.
"Gods, man!", the ranger proclaims, fire-carrying Mastiff into the keep to Schar and Perrel's care, "You're a mage, not a fighter! Got it? Difference there!"
He does, however, look at Mastiff with respect.
He turns to Omni: "It's a bit late to mount a pursuit. What now, boss?"
Spectrum's Comments: Its a bit propehtic there with Falcon wishing to be the Bad Guy next time... It came true!
SUBJ: A special note.. ;) FROM: GM Elezar 11/17/91 S#: 816909
'twas fun! :D Thanks to Mad for allowing me to play around with an "Intelligent" evil force for once. ;)
Oh.. And BTW.. I held back a lil in that final battle.. ;D In other words.. "I Played Nice". ;D
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 11/18/91 S#: 795528
After the priest falls, I quickly grab my conveniently placed rope (see SoD #66), and swing down to the courtyard one-handed, while swinging my rapier with the other.
I try to land directly on top of the priest, but as close as possible is fine.
I quickly tie his hands behind him, and tie a gag across his mouth.
"That should keep you from casting any spells at us while we're busy." I say, before knocking him over so he's laying face down in the dirt.
Then I quickly head towards the front gate, and head outside to give the others a hand, only to find it all over.
"Phooey." I say somewhat disappointedly. "A nice new rapier, and I didn't even get the chance to try it out."
I then look about for Schar, wanting to make sure she's all right.
When I find her, I quickly scoop her into my arms, and plant a big kiss on her.
"You look beautiful when you've been casting spells." I say, while holding her closely.
I then help Schar with the healing, using one CLW on Omni, and the other on Crandor.
I'm somewhat startled when the bloodied Mastiff shows up, and quickly steer him to Schar for healing if she has any spells left, if not, I'll see if Selarin has any left, and steer Mastiff to him.
"I think Ashes would be proud." I say to Mastiff, trying to comfort him some.
"Omni, what are we going to do with him?" I say while indicating the cleric we captured.
"Howsabout target practice?" I say loudly enough for our captive to hear, while pulling out my hand crossbow.
SUBJ: Argent FROM: Enchantres 11/19/91 S#: 804643
Argent has an overwhelming sense of relief when the battle ends. What a mage fight! Spells zipping everywhere.
I make a point to thank Schar for her assistance. 'If not for your spell, I may still be frozen and we may have lost.' ;D
Later, I stand with Perrel as we regard our captive. I smile when he mentions using him for target practice. 'Now that you mention it, I could stand some practice with throwing Lightning Bolts...' ;D
SUBJ: Omni FROM: Omni Tuens 11/20/91 S#: 797163
Omni sits on his rear, breathing labouredly as he tries to ignore that 'roasted, crushed' feeling. Slowly he gets to his feet, and looks around at the aftermath.
"Thanks for the rescue Crandor... I wasn't much good. Not only did I not touch them, I couldn't defend myself! Some leader."
Omni then brushes himself off and waves away the heal spells.
"Not yet, I need time to think. And yes, I don't think pursuit would work... but let's DO interrogate our friend here. He has much to answer for, and maybe can even tell us where his friends went."
The fighter then goes about collecting himself and cooling his temper. He is quickly jolted into action by the sight of Mastiff, and rushes to the man's aid.
"That was a foolish thing you did, friend...but brave."
SUBJ: Schar FROM: Schar 11/20/91 S#: 447151
"Praise Azrella that this senseless battle is over!"
I then go about healing those in need. I raise an eyebrow when Omni requests no healing, but obey his wishes. One CLW is placed on Crandor, another of Mastiff when he returns. The last will go to whoever looks in worse shape.
"No need to thank me, Argent. Just doing what I could. I'm not much on combat spells."
Later, when the talk of what to do with the captive comes around.
"Omni! Surely we are not going to torture him! Regardless of what he has done he is still a human being!"
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 11/25/91 S#: 38507
When I see Schar's aversion to harming the prisoner, I take her aside.
"Um, dear, we're not really going to hurt him. But, if we want to get answers from him, we have to scare him some, that's all."
"It's just an act, nothing more."
"Do you really think I could hurt someone who's bound and helpless?"
"I'm prepared to die for my Goddess anytime, such is the nature of luck, but I'm not the one tied and helpless at the moment, you are!" I say to the priest, while smiling wickedly.
SUBJ: Omni FROM: Omni Tuens 11/25/91 S#: 44782
Omni stands over the enemy cleric, a sneer on his face. He glares down at the man, determined to intimidate him despite the fact he's currently rather battered. He listens to the mans bravado with disgust.
Suddenly, Omni turns to Perrel as if listening to something. He then 'responds':
"Very well. I want you to send him into a mind seizure. Just find out what we need."
He then pauses, as if listening to something, before continuing to talk at Perrel.
"Listen, I don't care how difficult it is for you, or how tired your mind is right now... and I certainly don't care about the lingering agony it would cause him. Just do it."
SUBJ: Perrel... FROM: GM Kill 11/26/91 S#: 8904
I stand there somewhat confused at first, and just stare at Omni thoughtfully, wondering just what he's up to before it suddenly dawns on me.
I sigh deeply when Omni finishes talking, and proceed over by the prisoner.
"I feel it's only fair to give you one last chance to speak up, because as much as I dislike what I'm about to do, someone has given me no choice in the matter." I say while shooting Omni a cold glare.
"To the victim it's just slightly more painful than have your skin ripped off piece by piece with tweezers, and so I don't like to use it on people unless given no choice."
"Besides, it gives me a headache that makes me want to rip my brain from my skull."
"When the pain starts, remember, we gave you a chance to talk." I say,
before sitting on the ground in front of him and staring into his eyes.
SUBJ: Mastiff FROM: Mastiff1 11/26/91 S#: 11761
Mastiff comes wobbling back to the castle with a wicked grin on his face. "I got him, Ashes." he says with a little laugh.
All of a sudden he is lifted off his feet, and ran towards the castle. The sudden movement causes his head to spin and him to pass out.
Mastiff will rest for some time. When anyone looks at him, he has a content smile across his face. What really sticks out is the granite grey eyes that he has instead of the cracked ice blue that was there before.
Sword of Doom #69
SUBJ: Sword of Doom #69 FROM: GM Mad 11/27/91 S#: 33894
The battle is over and the Company is interrogating their captive.
The Hextor priest gives a slightly puzzled look as Omni and Perrel go into their "act". He does not flinch in the slightest when Perrel stares into his eyes.
"You do not serve Hextor without suffering some pain. I do not mind it. Kind of enjoy it actually!"
You attention is suddenly diverted when the door into the Keep itself flies open!
A party of 13 adventurers stride forth, slightly confused. You note a trio of priests among the group. They are of Mystra (magic) and Mortidus (wisdom).
Both groups eye each other waiting for some one to break the ice...
SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 11/27/91 S#: 24099
Well, as I mentioned last post, this is the final post of the Sword of Doom. The group that appeared is the group from The Frontier. Circumstances, offline commitments and declining players have forced me to make this move. Perhaps when things get settled I'll be able to resume Sword and split the groups back up again. We shall see!
As a final note, please post your SOD responses on the Frontier post! It's been fun. :)
Spectrum's Comments: And that was all for Sword of Doom. The game merged with the Frontier and this takes place in post #118. The story of the quest for the Sword of Doom continues there.