Iobaria: The Fallen Empire

Game Master Corerue

A group of Mercenaries set off with their Mercenary company into the dark lands known as Iobaria. Braving the fallen realm and what dark history lies therein to make their mark, make some gold and perhaps become heroes...

Ambushing the Raiders!


301 to 350 of 1,330 << first < prev | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | next > last >>

Shadowy Figure

THe smoke doesn't disperse when fanned and asteh second ball of smoke joins the first it began to coalesce and form something completely different. A voice came soon after the smoke started to reform, it spoke in an old Brevian dialect as the smoke slowly formed a female figure clad in armor and wearing a heavy cloak. Their tone was light but mocking as they chasticed someone who was clearly not yourselves. "This lordly life has made you soft old friend. Your defenses are far too fragile and I have bested you yet again because of it." She raises her hand that had been hidden in the cloak and appeared to be hold a medium size scroll tube. "However, if you want the deed to your fortress than seek me out in the Southern bough's of the blood pines. I will await you in that drafty little village you were so fond of..." The figure smirked, speaking in a playful tone now. "... unless of course you wish to admit defeat and send your raven like a coward. That would be fine, since you are getting old and not in your prime anymore~."

She waved a hand before turning and striding out with a sensous grace before looking back over her shoulder and kissing her hand and waving it back towards the center of the room. "Catch me if you can~" With that teh figure dashes forward and the smoke comes apart and disappears in motes of light.


Tadis gives Rhavenna a nod for her approving smile as he inspected the lever prior to the dual pop of smoke and he regards the shadowy figure with an amused expression. "Interesting..."

He nods as Wallace speaks but shrugs as to what the lever does. "I could always see if it works however I would suggest you all get out of here. At least into the main-hall or at least into the common area in case this is a trap."


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

"Good advice," Rhavenna says Grabbing the cofferes and backing out into the common area. "Be careful."


Livain passes her time studying the hide and bones of the slain dragon. She focused on the texture of the skin along with testing the strength of the bones. She wanted to make sure that the quality of the hide was not compromised due to the poor health before dying. Once she examined the material she planned on utilizing, she began the task of creating sketches. She intricately formed figures on parchment with quill and dark green ink. Each stroke gave life to the designs she planned to create. From the ink emerged images of armor, weapons, boots and even bracers. She carefully calculated the measurements and even the curvature of each piece. Once the muse took hold of her, she was possessed with the spirit of creativity and invention. Her eyes barely blinked and her hands moved wildly as she drew. Becoming immersed in her work, she barely took time away from it. It was something that she could focus on. On occasion while working, her mind wandered. Thoughts of Maiathreen, Bharrog and whether or not she was considered a cannibal for eating dragon meat all rose to the surface of her mind like bubbles in a cauldron. While designing Maiathreen's items, she couldn't help but lovingly linger on his armor sketches by adding countless details to accommodate his wings. She wanted to make him proud.

When asked what she was planning on creating by Wallace she responds with a smile and a glimmer of excitement dances across her eyes. She pulls out her sketches and hands them to him pointing at each diagram to explain. "I am hoping to create a dagger for each member in the group, several bone tipped arrows..." She carefully reaches over and flips the page for him "And I'm thinking some breastplates, greaves and pauldrons. I want to make the best armor I can for everyone." She lets out small laugh, "thankfully I have Bharrog as a teacher. Grouchy fellow but a great teacher nonetheless! Is there any specific request you would like to make? Is there something in particular you would like me to create? A weapon perhaps?"

*_____*_____*_____*_____*_____*_____*_____*_____*_____*

Witnessing the smokey specter, she shook her head as if she had just woke from a dream. The scene was so surreal. There was something haunting and curious about the apparition. She steps a bit closer to Maiathreen and whispers, "what in the world was that about?" She reaches out her hand and takes hold of Maiathreen. She still felt shaken by the horrible dream.


As Wallace tries to discern how to utilize the desk, the image changes. Showing the small vault now, each of his companions and himself were now represented by tokens on the board although Mai and Livains were not quite right. The kept shifting, as if the desk was unable to discern their physical characteristic before finally settling on a pair dragonheaded tokens. It even recalled momentarily the shadow figure, identifying it with a rather unique looking elfin token before it vanished entirely as the apparition did.

The lever is also shown as is Tadis. Tadis was represented by a brutal looking gladiator token, barefisted and helmed in a showy type of helm that appeared to obscure the vision far more than it added protection.

The LEver stands alone as its own token, though it doesn't show much else or discern the possible use.

The desk is shown as a star token that slowly spins when a hand touch the desk itself and stands idle when nothing is in contact.


Pushing on, feel free to add Retcon in your post, but moving forward.

Rhavenna finds that the case that had popped the smoke bomb upon opening appears to be where the figure had taken the scroll tube. You fairly sure that they were the one to disengage the locks as well. Why is still unknown save for their taunting message.

With all the alcoves searched and the desk failing to reveal the secret behind the lever. The group does as Tadis suggests, moving out to the main hallway just in front of the angled stairs leading back to the trapdoor and the common area. With a determined look he grabs hold of the lever and puts his back into shifting it.

The rust makes it a difficult process but the man was fairly strong and again won out over the grinding decay. With each inch the lever moved there was a resounding click in the cramped vault and each click Tadis stopped to look around, clearly wary of something having been missed since you were down there...

The final click came and there was a sudden roar of air, filling the tunnel and vault area with a rush of moisture before a heavy grinding sound echoed from the common area above. The rush of moisture was accompanied by the slopping of water around the hole, spilling around Tadis's feet as he quickly back peddled from the hole and into Alcove two. The sloshing was short lived though and he nimbly made his way out the door.

Stepping out of the vault, no worse for wear he gives a broad smile and bows. "I live to fight another day."

No sooner has he spoke when you all feel a rise in the temperature of the room, it was a heavy and moist heat. It was like you all had stepped to close to a ho spring of sorts, no sooner had you noticed than a commotion began to stir above. Bharrog quickly restores order but the clamoring of armor and weapons is easily heard. "Hold ya jumpy bastards, damage this hide and I'll skin you! Wait til it clears and we move in..."

As everyone emerges you are all exposed to the blast of heat rolling forth from the other secret room. The chamber beyond appears to be massive and filled with bright light, Bharrog stands with his hooked hammer wary and ready to throw down if needed he glares at all of you as he grumbles. "Ya dig in a grave long enough ya gonna find the bones and some times they don't appreciate being prodded."

Tadis spoke little and instead pulled out his brass knuckles and readied himself, hunching over to make his profile smaller and tighter. He was ready for battle as well as the heat slowly dispersed.

From where you all stood the chamber was quite large and long, at the very end you could see burning motes in the air swirling around some sort of massive chair. However the glare from the fire motes obscured what was near them like the heat haze from the rising sun. It made the room hard to make out without allowing it to disperse more or get closer to the opening...


Before lever

After witnessing the smoke bomb twice Maiathreen wraps a piece of cloth around his face being prepared. His eyes widen slightly in surprise as he sees the assorted magic items. He pulls out a dragon skull helm, a mithrial shirt, an extremely oversized gauntlet which he drops with a clang, and a staff of life. "Wallace think this might be for you." He says before handing the staff of to him.
Check my spoiler.

After lever and can I see through the mists and heat distortion?

Maiathreen draws Soul Taker as he gazes into the room hoping his draconic eyes can pierce through the veil of steam and distortion.


Mai:

Your eyes are met by an impressive sight, a middle aged man sits in an apparently stone chair carved out of the rock itself to look like a dragon whose wings are shielding the man on either side. He holds a blade about the size across his lap that is emitting those fiery motes every few seconds. Sitting next to the chair is a massive shield the size of a tower shield. As you pierce the heat haze the man looks you dead in the eye, his eyes burning with a red glowing intensity as he stands and recovers his shield...


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Livain, dragon discussion
"I won't deny that such a trinket would be nice but unless I'm wrong the make of this weapon implies its use in combat. If I have to draw such a weapon in combat we are likely in more trouble than such a weapon can ward. You are welcome to use a bone of lesser quality for mine as it will only serve ornamental purposes for me in nearly all cases. Have you decided who the armor will be for? I've heard tales that bows made from Dragonbone are a very desirable item for those who use such weapons. I would think you could use such a weapon quite well." The human says as he examines the ideas presented.
"I'd appreciate a scarf or some other clothing from its weaker scales, I'm interested to see if I can draw on the dragons natural resistances and make an object to take the bite out of this weather. Might make Maiathreen less irritable."

---------

"Good that you didn't die from that Tadis. Hawk would have a stroke were he to be stuck explaining why you did such a thing and why we let you. Fortunately he isn't here."

The burning room.

Wallace's gaze is locked on the Staff Maiathreen had handed him the journy up the stairs, eyes only moving up to see the room as he notes the flickering of embers down the hall.
"Maiathreen, what do your elf eyes you see?"


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

Rhavenna draws her bow, nocking an arrow into place as she stares into the haze.


"There's a man readying a sword and what appears to be a tower shield. The strange notes of light are coming from his sword." Maiathreen says as he quickly casts a spell layering his body with protective forces and infuses Soul Taker with his arcane powers.

Cast Shield and using arcane pool to add +1 to Soul Taker.


The heat continues to abate and the haze is clearing some, enough to reveal what Mai has explained. A figure, roughly six to seven feet tall, stands at the farthest point in the back of the room near some sort of large chair or throne. They appear to be winged and are arming themselves with obscured items. Most likely the shield Mai spoke of.

Mai:

They too appear to be preparing, doning their shield and appearing to shimmer with an unseen force. From what you can tell he is clad in fine clothes and wears a circlet like a crown upon his brow. Despite the distance you can tell they are fairly muscular by the way he fills out his fine clothes and by how easily they lifted the massive shield.

An outraged bark echoes from the room before you all. "Come forth despoilers! Face justice at my hands!"

"Well they sound happy to see us. Great. Tadis's lord shoulda warned of us..." Tadis narrows his eyes at the dwarf but says nothing. Bharrog cracks his neck and looks anything but pleased, seeing the lockboxes on Rhavenna he chuckles. "Looks like they know we robbed them blind eh? Hopefully it was worth it."


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Walalce's face falls as he glances in the chairs direction.
"I'm going to make the assumption that this creature does not mean us well. He's on fire so you are going to be the best bet to keep him busy Miathreen. We can hope he just wants to talk but I'm assuming that he's going to try and kill us. Rhavenna, Livain, anyone else over there with skill at bow and arrow. Stay back and ready to pelt this thing if it turns hostile. get within comfortable range first though. Maiathreen i'll be behind you to keep you healed."
Wallace then sucks in a breath and shouts down the hall
"Hail old one, do y-?"

One of walalces class abilities is to be heard at greater distances than most people.

EDIT damned ninja.

There is a hanging moment as Wallace looks down the hall, then back to his allies and back down the hall again.
"Ok, lets fill him full of arrows." With that he casts a spell on Maithreen an odd effect of bent perception following him.
Cast Protection from Evil.


Mai:

The figure reacts the moment Wallaces speaks, interposing their shield between themselves and your group. They appear to be slowly advancing towards the doorway...

The hazy figure becomes completely obscured, appearing like a dark mass that was getting more defined as if it was getting closer...

A second figure, much larger than the first comes into view coming to stand behind the first and being obscured by them...

Roll Initiative please!

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

After casting his spell wallace hefts his company banner into place "Alright everyone, creature trying to kill us. Lets make it regret that!"

Really need to get an item of Spectral hand in the near future, being able to make learn-y touch checks at long range would be really useful for situations like this.


Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18


Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Will post more about the dragon bone stuff laters


Initiative
Armored man 24 - Done
Party is up!
Livain 20
Bharrog and Merc's 19
Rhavenna 11
Wallace 18
Mai 6

No map support currently. Google docs is no longer accessible for me at work. >:(

The heat dissipates in a powerful gust of wind...

Everyone take 1 point of non-lethal heat damage, resistance applies.

... you shield your eyes from the heat but what is exposed is burnt as if you had been hit by a burst of steam and the figure is revealed as you uncovered your eyes. A massive tower shield with the symbol of Abadar emblazoned on the front of it stands between you and the figure who's form seems almost like mist. The middle-aged man peers around their shield as they shout through their Abadarian emblazoned helm. "Foul Brigands! Your trespass will not go unpunished and justice will be swift! Surrender and I will be merciful!" The figure moves no farther, leaving a gap of over 60 feet between where you stand and he holds his position...

Perception Check DC 10:

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

The clapping of hooves against stone is easily heard from the chamber beyond however the doorway in isn't very wide, just wide enough to allow you through one at a time and tall enough for Rhavenna to make it through without squeezing.

The doorway in isn't very wide, just wide enough to allow you through one at a time and tall enough for Rhavenna to make it through without squeezing.


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Rhavenna shields her eyes as best she can, the heat, swelteringly uncomfortable.

Her bow readied, Rhavenna cocks her head slightly, listening. "Someone's behind him, either a centaur or horse most likely, I hear hooves on stone."


Round , Init , ' AC 19, HP 17/17 Arcane Pool: 5/5 Spells: color spray, shield, chill touch, gravity bow, read magic, detect magic, ray of frost, light
Full round: Arcane Archery(Chill touch DC:15)
Swift: Arcane Pool

Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 = 22
1d8 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + (4) + 3 = 9

Livain grows cold seeing the man comes great towards them. Her demeanor shifts and once again the dragons become more prominent. Her eyes narrow pupils contracting into thin lines. She could care less what god this man proclaims to follow he threatened her friends and family no one touches a dragons treasure.

She pulls her bow up arrow knocked and ready as she quickly intones a spell. With cold efficiency she releases the arrow feeling the feathers pass through her fingertips not a hint of mercy in her heart.


The man retains his cover behind the tower shield which solidifies just as Livain's arrow slammed against it. Her arrow though shattered and the shield looked unscathed by the attack, its wielder merely peered around it at your group before ducking out of sight again.

Bharrog and the other mercs move into positions around the common area, taking cover for archers and moving into line with Rhavenna as they prepared to stay out of the door opening. Knowing the shielded man didn't stand alone made them wary to rush into the room beyond and there hesitation was met by the man's voice which boomed from behind the tower shield. "So you brought friends! Finally a real challenge!"

However it is Wallace and Mai's turn now~ ;)


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Wallace frowns at the man in the tower shield. "I get the feeling his friend might be a centaur. Rhavenna you spoke of dreaming of one, and this knight seems familiar." The human states as he looks to Rhavenna and Maiathreen.
"We will need to have one or both of you go forward to fight him, he can't hold that shield in position if hes defending from your blades. I've a few vials of concentrated acid we could use on him if he proves too proficient a defender." The human speaks as he passes the indicated acid to the pair.
"Now, are we going to let some old smokestack in an fort we just spent a good day setting up in? I know I'm not, Blades lets kick their ass."

Move action, pass Acid to Maiathreen/Rhavenna. whichever wants it. Standard begin Song of Awesome.


Round 1, Altitude 0' AC 24, HP 25/25 Arcane Pool: 4/5 Spells: fire grip, read magic, detect magic, arcane mark Buffs:shield, inspire couragel

Standard: Burning Grip
Move: engage in melee
Free: attack

Soul Taker: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 = 17

Maiathreen rushes the armored man after casting a quick spell that leaves fiery runes in the air that settle along the edge of Soul Taker. He makes for a quick slash with his blade only for it to clang off of his opponents shield.


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

As Mai begins his attack run, Rhavenna lets fly with her bow immediately stowing it and preparing to draw her lance to charge.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5


Initiative
Armored man and companion 24 - Done
Party is up!
Livain 20
Bharrog and Merc's 19
Rhavenna 11
Wallace 18
Mai 6

Mai's blade glances off the Tower shield, which loses its wispy appearance the moment the blade made contact with it. The moment his blade pulled away the shield became like mist again...

Rhavenna's shot passes straight through the shield...

Attack on Mai - Arrow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Mai dodged an arrow from off to the side of the chamber, his speed throwing off his attacker. His eyes fell on a Centaur armed with a bow and wearing light armor stands off to the side. She had unleashed a quick shot but missed by a fair margin. She says nothing as she quickly nocks another arrow.

The Tower shield turns as the man comes from behind the shield, his sword engulfed in flames as he aims the tip of the blade at Mai...

Attack Mai with Rng touch attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33
Fire Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 5) = 16

Seeing Mai's glowing scales as he resists part of the damage the man narrows his eyes. "Far tougher than you look eh Brigand?" His wispy form swirls like mist as his eyes bore into you. "Ianerus, call for the guard! I'll hold them here myself." The Centauress nods her head as the man wields the tower shield like an extension of his own body. Now that Mai was up close he could see that the blade was the size of a bastard sword but the man wielded it like it was nothing at all. The blade, despite it's wielders form being like mist, was solid and was letting off an intense heat that he could barely withstand...

The man stepped around you, moving to your side and positioning his shield for full cover once more, he still had partial shield cover but appeared to be facing you fully. A wry smile on his face.

Mai:

You are being subjected to continuous fire damage (5) but your resistances are allowing for you to resist it however, other fire attacks are still reduced so the 16 damage above is only 11 despite the continuous damage.

Mai Only:

Standing within the heat wave you are now able to see the entire room, including the chair you had seen in the beginning. You see human bones slumped in the chair still, wrapped in red scaled armor with an old tower shield leaning against them. A large arrow appears trapped in the damaged armor, obviously deeply embedded in the ribs by how little of the arrow was showing. Not to far off to the left of the chair is the fallen bones of an equine creature as well. A dark stain lays beneath the horse bones, long dried by age.

The room seems to be cooling rapidly around you, especially as the underground stream you discovered below appears to be flowing through multiple fonts and well placed openings in the wall that allow the water to flow down into pools inter-spaced along the walls.

The Centaur, Ianerus, pulls out a horn, putting it to her mouth and blowing a mournful cry with the misty horn. It lingers in the air, echoing throughout the ruin, the sound is enough to unnerve some of the mercs and made Bharrog look even more irritated as he somehow looked even frownier.

Will Save DC 12 or become shaken for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds


???:
???: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

The horn cry dies a few seconds after it sounded and for a moment everything throughout the ruin is silent. However nothing appears to answer the horns cry...


1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Maiathreen frowns slightly as he sees the bones resting in the room glancing back at his opponent and the centaur he makes a guess.

"The dreams...you both died to protect this place didn't you?"


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Really???


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Wallace looks to the man in armor seeming to be in thought.
" A shame to harm the defenders of this place when we don't need to." The Human says as he seems to consider something, reaching into his pack and retrieving a scroll.
"Warrior of old, you have no reason to trust us but as a follower of Abadar I assume you know what this spell is." Wallace says as he casts a spell on himself, his appearance taking on that of a being of perfect order, bones and flesh replaced by brass cogs and iron before flashing back to his own appearance.
"As his follower you should know that under this effect I am now required to speak the truth. We are members of the Blades of Death Mercenary company, with the exception of this gentleman who is the Lead Scout of Lord Whitefield. After removing the menace of the Hobgoblins brigands and their dragon who had infested this place our leader met Lord Whitefield. We have been granted rights to all found inside this place by a lord of the land and as such have the blessing of law on our side in this instance. Do you contest this?"

Wallace just cast Abadar's truthtelling Also known as touch of truthtelling on the PFSRD. As a follower of Abadar this guy has probably seen this spell cast one time or another.


Mai words bewildered the misty form man and for a moment he looked as though he were going to refute Mai's strange statement. His centauress companion was silent and before he could get a word in edgewise Wallace stepped forward. The burning blade flared brightly, causing the water that flowed gently within the room to begin to steam as the man turned his gaze to regard the newcomer warily.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

"I know it. But not of a Mercenary company by your name nor this Lord Whitefield or his retainers..." He looks to Tadis before focusing back on Wallace once more. "So I do contest this impetuous noble's claim to my home as it is not his to give! I know not of hobgoblins, nor of a dragon within my abode as we are preparing for this evening dinner with my soldiers. I do not know how you are doing this but..." He appeared to be readying for battle, a confused expression on his face as he was unsure on how to proceed.

"Milord..." Ianerus spoke up, her voice far quieter than one would expect from her fierce appearance. "... the small one speaks the truth." She gestures to Mai and the man shakes his head.

"Nonsense Ianerus, there is more to this than we can see..." His form shifts, the misty shape takes on a darker appearance for a moment. As if a shadow was invading his misty form. "We... were preparing for dinner... We didn't perish... Not here..." His words weren't as strong now as his form wavered. The fire that had surged so brightly began to die down and the blade began to lose the powerful heat it had before...

Bharrog and the mercs move to new position's weapons at the ready, they appear far to nervous as to what Wallace was doing and how this apparition of a man was reacting. Bharrog waves a couple merc's back with a gruff bark. "Save what ya ken and get the hell back." He watches with a grim look on his face as he raises his hammer and appears ready to strike, lining himself up with the towershield wielding man. He starts to speak in old dwarvish, a dialect none of you have heard him speak before. It was deep and powerful, within moments his hooked hammer was glowing faintly...

Remaining members still have actions~


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

Rhavenna lowers her bow stepping forward, locking eyes with Ianerus. ”I dreamt your life. Betrayal and suffering, being broken and beaten down before coming to live here. You took pride in being able to protect your lord. You finally had a home again.” the centauress says quietly. ”And I dreamt your death. The vicious axe wound. Collapsing beside the person you’d do anything to protect, knowing hpw to save him but barely having the strength to lift your head to look at him……I’m sorry.”


Ianerus looked to where Rhavenna emerged in the opening and her words she bowed her head in acknowledgement.

The misty form of the solider twisted with the darkness that crept in, his face was no longer full of confidence, it was replaced by a look of terror...

Haunt...:
The room falls away and you find yourselves standing in the pouring rain, the sound of battle rings out in all directions. It was a night attack and the giants were breaching the walls en mass, overwhelming the defenders before they could rally. Save for one who stood alone, his tower shield and unmovable fortress that he utilized as he rained fire on those that threatened his home. The lord of Manor held multiple giants at bay, deflecting and weathering the multiple blows with increasing difficulty but within a few minutes he stood over a slowly growing mound of enemy bodies. His blades magic was fading as the rain continued to come down heavily on them.

The giants kept there distance now, but continue to hem him in, knowing full well this man was far more than an easy target. They brought in giants wielding spears made from the uprooted bodies of trees and even than he broke through their defenses, slaying several more before he was finally injured. An arrow punched through his armor, between his ribs and it was the beginning of the end. The poison made him stumble, made him fumble with his shield and stole from him his strength to fight at his fullest.

As his fighting strength flagged the enemy focused on the weaker members of his retainers, slaughtering and devouring them while all he could was watch. A heavily armored man grabbed his arm, dragging him towards the inner keep. He pulled him as far as the ramp before shouting into his ear, so that he could be heard over the din of battle. Whatever was said was lost in the noise before the man charged back into the fray with his greatblade in hand.

He struggled ever step to the room where the water flowed, to the inner chamber. The armor looked heavy, the room a blur and it felt like an age had passed before Ianerus appeared, she looked exhausted and when she collapsed he could hardly lift a hand to aid her. His breath came in gasps now, laboring for each breath and even than he clung tenaciously to life. Fighting to live. He forced himself to rise to his feet and made it part way before he fell down he landed hard back in the chair. Where he fell asleep.

Until he was awakened by the sounds of combat...

His home was under attack, his men held the line. Why was he asleep? Why wasn't he preparing for the evening meal?

The door slid open, unknown faces appeared before him. Invaders.

The man's form solidfies, the darkness flees before his returning resolve. A sad look crossed his face as he sheathed the blade, the only solid piece of his form which radiated an immense amount of heat even while sheathed. "By Abadar, how could I have forgotten." He walks past you all as Bharrog appears to be calming down, lowering his glowing hammer as he watched the dead man warily as they looked about the ruin with a growing sense of sadness. "How could we have lost? I failed my men and woman who had faith in me. They brought their families here, we started something here. This was arable land and we had plans to do so... "

He looks to those gathered around them and raises his hand and for a moment appears to be focusing on something. When nothing happens he sighs. "Without the deed you cannot own this, without it the magic here will work chaotically. I can feel the items from the vault are mostly on your person. Save for three. My sword, The deed and the Lyre." He gestures to each of you as he speaks. "Without the last two items this place will never rise from ruin..."


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Ah, so that's why we can't just ignore the 'mine is an evil laugh rogue'

Wallace gives the man an incredulous look "You tied the powers of your keep to an easily stolen object?" The human asks as he looks from the human to the building.
"No, you could not have known. A cloaked female left a pair of smoke bombs in your vault. I know this because on activating they both turned into an image designed for you to see. The female apparently knew you, taunted that lordly life had made you soft. Apparently she had bested your vaults defenses and if you wanted the deed back you were to head to 'the southern boughs of the blood pines' in a 'drafty village' village you were fond of. She seemed dead set on getting you to chase her." The human informs the apparition as much as he does his allies who had not been there.


"Do not assume it is some simple object! We found it deep in the mountains of the Iobaria and barely survived crossing the mountains to return it to Rostland. It is an artifact of staggering potency, it tied itself to this place and to hear that it was stolen tells me why we had no forewarning before the attack occurred. We grew careless... But the words you speak..."

The ghosts eyes appear distant as if he were having difficulty recalling something and finally his eyes snapped into focus. "Finaela... She is... was an elven giant hunter, she never did agree with settling down but unlike her the road was making my bones weary. She was quite versatile with traps and magical cantrips, something born in her blood but the place she speaks of is Lenusya... I had thought of building their first but with the plague that became a least than welcomed option."

He rubs his face roughly. "For some reason she had always fancied me, but she was always so aloof I could never understand her fully. She also enjoyed games and tricks as you have discovered. However you best be warned that Finadar Forest is a dangerous place, the sap in the trees burns well and is sticky like scholars glue. The creatures that lurked their used it to full effect on us... back then. The druids around their are quite mad as well... If they catch you they'll sacrifice you to their cyclopean god. It is not a place for the unwary. I would pursue her but I feel that I am bound to this place now..." He looks around as he speaks, perhaps seeing something that none of you could see.


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

"A plauge ridden village and a flammable forest full of murderous druids? I assume there is some method employed by locals to prevent an interprising person from burning the entire place to the ground?
The human asks with an easy grin.
I doubt it would be that simple, but it is unlikely an artifact burns easily.


"I'm not sure, we never had a chance to use the sap. From what I recall most used it for heating and fuel instead of war but these creatures were not human. More like man-beasts. As for Lenusya I am not sure what has become of the town, it was still populated last I had traveled there."


Ianerus speaks muchmore firmly this time. "That land is an unkind place, not suitable for any. To go there is to dance with death, to invite disaster and pain beyond imagining... Even the tribes do not go unscathed..." She was passionate in the way she spoke and muttered towards the end. "It is a place that will betray you. twisting your dream into nightmares..."

You guys are out of combat, please act as you will.


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Wallace frowns in thought "But in order to find the controls and method to repair this structure we will need to go there. Lovely, well I believe that all there is to be said of things have been. We are going to need time to prepare for such a journey, if we even take it at all. The place you speak of is perilous and while this home is a wonder of magic we have little reason to repair it. There is no work for us here, we would just need to leave it all behind to travel. We will need to discuss this with our leader before anything is settled, heedlessly charging at such a place will only result in our deaths."


The apparition nods. "Understandable. You have yet to reach your journeys end and I wouldn't wish for your adventurers to end so abruptly either. We were quite the rogues in our day..." He smiles fondly at the thought before looking to Rhavenna. "Despite my urges I will allow you to keep the treasures you've found here. As payment for bringing harm to your companion, besides tis better it goes to use the moldering here in the dark."

With that said he returns to his previous spot, sitting where the dusty bones yet lay and settling back down in the exact same way. Looking towards Wallace and Mai he says. "If you need something, here I shall remain." He sets the tower shield where the battered one still sat, it vanished as he released it and he set the sheathed sword down by his other leg. Ianerus was about to settle in next to him when he waved her off. "You don't have to wait on me hand and foot my dear, especially now." He chuckles. "I think it would be dreadfully boring besides, do as you see fit. And that is not an order it is a suggestion." As his voice fades the room is filled with the gurgling and light fall of water as it transitions from pool to pool before exiting through well placed openings in the wall that most likely fed into the waterway below the vault.

Ianerus watched him momentarily before heading out of the room, her hooves gave the lightest of clacks against stone as she traversed the battered halls of the ruins. Much to the discomfort of the Mercs who were also searching the ruins for anything else of value...

Tadis remains quiet throughout the discussion, the pale expression on his face confirming he hadn't expect nor liked what had occurred. Seeing the ghosts were no longer hostile the color in his face slowly returned.

If there is anything you want to do today please note it as a day before post but here we go.

The next day

Hawk had yet to return, but one of his riders arrived mid afternoon. Bharrog recieved them and than gathered the mercenaries around. "Captain Hawk sends word that negotiations on the items we sacked from these hobbies is transitioning well to the markets. The rider is here to see if requests are to be made. If'n ya want something now is the time to make ya order, ya got one hour before they depart." He givings a knowing nod to Livain before slapping a large parchement against the riders chest. Bharrog growled at the man before trundling off back to the dragon hide once more. "Ya lose dis and I break ya legs."

Tadis departs shortly after to scout around the ruins and further along your supposed route at the request of the surly Bharrog. It takes his most of the day to complete his task.

[b][/b]


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Day before

Wallace nods to the ghost human "I would like to examine the room here but I won't have any other direct questions. Not for now at least, I'd love to learn more of this place when you feel up to it."
The human grins and looks to Tadis as the Ex-centaur walks out of the room "It doesn't look like they are going to fight us, a better outcome than most spiritual encounters. The magic of this place kept their minds mostly intact, a fortunate event indeed or this bartering would have never worked. Banishing apparitions permanently is a tricky affair at any time, much less ones as strong at this pair."

"Hey Rhavenna, Livain I imagine the gh- Ianerus's weapon as a bow is not by chance. Perhaps she knows some trick that you don't? Good topic of discussion as any. I'd try but you've already seen my attempts with weapons before."

The Human spends some of the day searching the room he was in trying to understand its function in combination with the lever downstairs, the mechanism opening the previously sealed door in some manner but the mechanics behind the pool proving an interest to the cleric.

On the day winding down Wallace moves back to the haunted room
"I know that neither of you need to eat or drink but I won't object to either of your presence were you to choose to visit my fire." With that he sets up and prepares a warm fire a bit separate from the main one, well aware that speaking with spirits was behavior many would not want to engage in.

The next day

"Well there is more loot to transition and distribute, the building is haunted but fortunately the ghosts are rather well maintained and inclined to listen to reason. They are not precisely pleased with our being here but the former master of the house has given us leave to take what we will. Though I'm going to leave the items in the throne room alone until I've made further assurances. I need arcane and alchemical reagents."
With that he hands the rider another scroll
"I assume Bharrog already mentioned but apparently there is an apparently artifact deed to the castle and a magic lyre stolen from this place and presumably still in a forest of pitch chock full of murder druids. I'd be interested to try and retrieve the items but it is off our intended path, inform Hawk about it and ask him if he feels it worth the risk. Researching in town about Lenusya the village which supposedly holds the lost artifact and the Finadar Forest which we will have to pass through to reach it would be good. The information source I had on both topics is dated unfortunately."
That being said he nods to the buildings. "I ought to be in the labs under the castle for most of the day if hawk wants to send a quick response by bird or spell."


Will getting moving forward here.

In the mean time please level up to lvl 4 please! :D


WIP - No peaking:
=With nothing else the messenger takes the proffered scroll and nods to Wallace. "I will inform him, Master Bharrog has already informed me of the situation here somewhat. Gruffly though it was." He quickly gets back on his mount and returns in the direction whence he came...

Theres almost an

That night Tadis returns, a bit worse for wear and looking completely wore out. He sat wordlessly and dug into the evening meal, despite it being overcooked by now. Bharrog was working with the dragonhide alongside Livain and


With nothing else the messenger takes the proffered scroll and nods to Wallace. "I will inform him, Master Bharrog has already informed me of the situation here somewhat. Gruffly though it was." He quickly gets back on his mount and returns in the direction whence he came...

Prior to Tadis arrival: Survival DC 15:
There's an almost electric feeling in the air, and the moisture seems to be increasing along with a steady cold chill from a slowly rising wind... A storm is coming... Though it seems to be a bit far off and situated in the Icerime mountains yet...

That night Tadis returns, a bit worse for wear and looking completely wore out. He sat wordlessly and dug into the evening meal, despite it being overcooked by now. Bharrog was working with the dragonhide alongside Livain and didn't pay the man mouch mind at all along with the rest of the Mercs. He was very much your problem to deal with at the moment.

As if on cue the wind picks up, bringing with it a cool wet chill that runs across your skin, passes through your clothes where they are thinnest and leaves you with a quick shiver.

Once he had his fill he took some warmed water away from the fire and nodded to Rhavenna. "A storm appears to coming across the passes leading to the Maw of Karth, hopefully it's short lived. The path ahead appears to be fairly sparse of... well anything really. Not a bird nor sign of a living creature for many miles. Its strange really, but not uncommon with the recent Hobgoblin's hunting these parts."

Please choose a watch order for tonight and one I will use in the future unless you guys change it! :D


Livain

Bharrog nods to you as the hide coninues to dry nicely. He has started applying the material that will help it cure, utilizing the cooked brainmatter from Dresskel and applying it evenly across the hide. "If'n your little friends there don't want anything from this hide you could always make a more intricate armor out of it. Quite a bit of hide survived luckily, the black marks appear to be coming out as well as it cures. Appears the bastard suffered from something rotting it from within..."

He shrugs his broad shoulders as he continues to adjust the hide and work with it. Leaving you much to your own thoughts...


Mai Perception check DC 12:

Something tugs on you, a feeling of familiarity and dread for some reason. You can't help but continue looking to the north east and at the peaks of the Icerimes but you can feel deep down that whatever you sense is far far away. However your unable to shake the feeling that its coming closer...

Mai's scales rankled at the cool wind that was beginning to rise, being a creature that much preferred warmer places over colder...

However he wasn't restricted in his ability to see and despite the peculiar weather nothing else seemed amiss. However an uncomfortable feeling had settled avcross his shoulders, making him restless...


Female Centaur Ranger (Skirmisher/Divine tracker) 4

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Rhavenna will take 1st watch

"It's likely the hunded out or scared off anything that would normally populate the area. Hopefully the storm doesn't last too long." the ranger replies looking out into the wild.


Mis-calc, Survival DC 15 My bad :(

Wallace

the tattered journal of the hobgoblin alchemist is filled with interesting observations. Live experimentation and dissection of captives was an ongoing process. Recycling their organs into regeants and other useable materials and feeding the scraps to their hounds. They were quite efficient, aside from being extremely brutal.

Linguistics check DC 15, Automatic pass if goblin is known language.

If successful open this:

The journal contains recent notations on events within Iobaria, nothing major by the looks of it but the Hobgoblins are very aware of which places are inhabited, their possible strength and even some patrol routes are roughly marked out. Several of the forests have great big circles around them or symbols of bear heads, wolf heads and even hooves in other areas. Its apparent that the hobgoblins have had a relatively hard time at whatever it is they are trying to do.

A several legable entries reads as followed...

We cross the plains and avoid the tower where death takes flight. We lost a few that strayed to close last night. Fools. Good riddance, their weakness won't be tolerated. Perhaps some motivation is in order...

We came upon the human village at night, not a one of these half-wits notice our approach until too late. We descended on them before they could call alarm or light their torches. Their sentries were sleeping at their posts, they were weak and craven things. They will be the first to grace my table along with the rest of their wretched kind.

The rest of the weak were gathered like beasts for slaughter, they weeped pitifully and begged but we would give them release when I was through with them. The Master requires us to move swiftly. We need to gather the samples he asked for or suffer the consequences. I think I will start with the children...

Of the two score we collected only three had what we needed. One turned out to be interesting. THey bore the blood of the beastborn and when their sister went screaming to my table their inner nature broke free. Its rage wrecked the cage we had them in and allowed several to escape whilst we were laying him low. Despite it killing near half a score of our warriors he proved little challenge compared to full beastborn. However, his sister was among those that escaped... Pity. I was looking forward to cutting out her eyes for the jars.

We crossed the teeth of Karth and visited with our brethren shortly before the mountain beasts descended. Good riddance to their broken beliefs and when we return we will claim Karth as our prize.[/u]

[i]These lands are warm and the food is plentiful, our hunters gather quickly and we eat until we are fat. Much better than our cold lands. Our scouts report their are small human villages nearby and wish to know how I want to proceed. Start *illegible* children *illegible*.

We've captured many, this lands warriors are weaker than ours! We have plenty to continue our quest...

We are hunted. A Centuar stalks us. A beastly one at that. It tore apart our sentries with blade and bow, but we drove it off...

Again we are attacked, this lone creature stalks not only at night but during the day. It ran our hunters to ground and left us without their skill in this new land. DAMNED WEAKLINGS! We will use their ruins and hide ourselves amongst their fair lands and reap the benefits of their weakness!

This time we've injured the beast! We ambushed it and tore at is flanks! It killed a few but we drove it off again, this time it had a spear in its horses ass for good measure!

Again it returns! DAMNABLE CENTAURS! It killed my servants and destroyed some of our samples. Why does it target us so! What does it want! It doesn't speak, it just attacks like a beast. It broke a warriors back with its bear hands today. Than proceeded to break their neck and beat us back witht he corpse as its shield and weapon. What drives this creature!

We continue to capture many despite its annoying attacks. Our Master gave us longspears to deal with the centaur creature. And deal with it we have, it charged us several times this day and each time it left more wounded than last. We sent scouts to find its resting place and when we do we will capture the creature. For surely it must have prime specimens for examination. The Master will most certainly agree...

It appears the humans have notice us, they sent a bumbling scout into our camp. Too bad for this male, he'll be joining the others on my table soon enough...

Tests continue as planned, resistance is as expected however the scout proves more difficult. There's some fight left in them after all! Good, very good, he will make a fine choice for dissection. However more pressing is the matter that our riders reported seeing a force approaching, many warriors and it appears they humans have chose ton fight us. However with Dresskel we cannot possibly lose!

We've captured several Birdpeople! They are USELESS AND DRESSKEL FEED for all I care DAMNED FOOLS! WE need soft skins not feathered skins! I work with fools! Although their females are still worth a nights amusement. I wonder what color they bleed...

The force is here! So they have come, I mut pack away my things and prepare to leave this place! WE've dealt with these ones before! Deathblades they are. Goldsoldiers one and all! If only I had tim----------------

Ink is spilled across the page, as well as a bloodied handprint. That apparently was his last entry...

Aside from the journal entries there are several pages with all sorts o hobgoblin gibberish, measurements of some sort and a category system that you couldn't quite understand. What were they looking for? Whatever it was they have so far found eleven items of note. Crossing off some sort of list with around 9 items left to go...


perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Maiathreen continues to watch towards the north east in the icerime mountains, unable to shake the feeling he has towards that place. He attempts to look over the journal but can't make out the jibberish text of goblins it being a language Maiathreen had no interest in learning. He instead spends most his time deep within the keep brooding over the feeling of dread the icerime mountains are giving him.


Male Male Human Evangelist cleric 4 HP 40/44 AC:17/13/14 F+7/R+4/W+9 Init+3 Perception+13

Wallace spends much of the day organizing the hobgoblins facilities to his satisfaction, scrubbing the blood off corners and moving the parts of the lab associated with humanoid experimentation off to one side.
The mad human looks at the book with a mild curiosity.
Ling: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
He jots down a few notes glancing to Maiathreen.
"I will write what it says if you would like to read it. I will skip over the monomaniacal parts about experiments."
With that the human opens the book and gestures to the mapped areas.
"It looks as though this... creature traveled here from Ioboria. He references a master, the person who sent him here, the person who broke that dragon to heel and the person who will likely be coming to see what happened here sooner or later."
the human frowns as he glances to the last pages
"I just wish this fool would have written why he was here rather than ranting about things."
It takes only a minute for Wallace to scribe the legible contents on a parchment in common. He passes it to Maiathreen
"Once you have sated your curiosity would you please deliver that to Tadis? I was hoping to have his help in charting these creatures advance and determining where they came from. It would help if they left some icon or object of their homeland here but I see nothing so far. I'm going to ask our ghostly guest about the Centaur who apparently plagued these creatures. I assume it was her."

So Wallace doesn't know but about that Electrum piece you guys found...

With that Wallace walks to the throne room of the ruin giving a polite cough.
"Greetings, I was just parsing over the journal of the Hobgoblin who squatted here. Would I be correct to assume that you were killing some of them?" the human asks gesturing to the Lord's centaur Can't recall her name...

1 to 50 of 1,330 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / Iobaria: The Fallen Empire All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.