Bouncing along on her wagon perch, Ligeia starts to relax even as the wagon breaches the mist and ushers them onto a path of preternatural silence.

15:38, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 9 using 2d6+5.  wisdom check.

12:50, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 13 using 2d6+5.  WIS Check.

The group continues along the road in the misty silence for about another hour..

Stops and holds up his hand for the group to stop as he looks into the mist to the south.


You there!  Who are you what do you want!!?


(Nobody else sees anything)

 Have you gone daft Terran?! looking to Gorn for an explanation.

 I do not see anyone..

 Gorn, are you still with us?!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Sun 09 Aug 2020.

Rubus calls out PLEASE STOP! and gather here. ... He points. I see the ghostly figure of a Messiahan Knight and his horse off the road in the trees to the left ( south).  His countenance is sad, and he seems to be shaking his head  "No" as he points back to the direction we came in. Do we heed this warning, investigate by gong nearer to what I see, or go back and take another direction? We know entering the mist is perilous.

I see it too!

 At least i know I'm not crazy now.

Hmmm.  So if we intending to end this menace I say our path is forward.  The swamp seems much more dangerous than the road and easier to get lost in.

Rubus blinks and rubs his eyes. It's gone! May the soul of this knight, if living being is was, find peace.

I'd prefer our mission to be one among the living, it seems this wood is haunted.

Ligeia conjectures that this forlorn knight, having been one of the many who had failed previously to banish the mist, would be quite justified in issuing its warning.

"To hell with it," she concludes, with a toss of her brown locks. "We can't very well do anything about the mist by avoiding it entirely."

An involuntary shudder coursed through her as they entered the mist, her skin prickling and the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. Blue eyes darted around as that uneasy feeling grew, her singing slowly coming to a halt. The sudden shouts made her visibly jump, throwing her hands in the air before fumbling to catch the reigns. She looked at the others, brows down and lips pursed into a pout. “You gave me a scare," she said in an almost childlike voice as she righted herself, pretending to smooth out some wrinkles in her clothing. "I say we go through the spooky spooky mist...it is where our destination lies...right? I say onward!" she said with a dramatic flourish.

Agreed.. let us smite this evil!

Rubus says It's decided, then. May the power and grace of the Messiah be with us.

The group travels forward with Gorn and Alaric walking quietly giving each other unfriendly glances from time to time.  Jenousie carries Afamrail, Ligeia and Rubus in the wagon.

After about another mile you begin to hear loud footsteps in the distance coming closer. The sound is to the NW and you can feel the ground shake slightly.

All roll initiative and hold actions until the round initiative is determined

Loud Footsteps Round 1

Shhhhhh somethings coming spread out!

He notches his bow ready to shoot anything that can be seen.

15:44, Today: Blackwell GM, on behalf of Ligeia Strand, rolled 13 using 2d6+7.  initiative.

Without hesitation, Ligeia jumps off the wagon and scurries for cover next to one of the mammoth mangroves. She then retrives her sling and loads a stone.

Move: 2386

Sensing the danger Afamrail jumps off the wagon and prepares her staff, focusing herself.

( move to 2087)

With a pouting frown, Jenouise proceeded forward though slowing down the speed in an attempt to draw out whatever was making the loud noise.

---

Going to continue moving, attempting to be a distraction of sorts.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Rubus sits, touching thumb to fingers as if running through prayers that he might find best to utter.

Lumbering into view from out of the mist a large walking tree comes forth. It is about 16' high with vaguely anthropomorphic features. The tree creature seems to have few healthy leaves and bark that seem rotted or  growing fungus in various places.

   It pauses seeing all of you  and speaks in a loud booming voice.


Whoooooooooo daressssss ennnnnnnnnnterrrrrrrr myyyyyyy wooooooodssssssssss!!!!!

 Alaric looking up, and being the closest to the creature grips his axe tightly in his hands.

  Alaric Dunhark, I'm a Dwarf from Khaza Bulnd.. umm we are just passing through actually.

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:34, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

 Gorn lowers his bow, but keeps his hand on it.

We mean no disrespect,  Mr. Tree.. We did not know this was your woods.

Ligeia remains silent but lowers her sling to her slide and waits for Rubus to speak diplomatically.

  Afamrial speaks loudly as she feels her voice must reach the being's towering height.


  Forest guardian, we mean you and this wood no harm.  In fact we are here to try and stop this curse that has befallen these lands.  We come in peace and  no ill will to the trees here.

Pulling on the reigns for the mule to stop, Jenouise looked to the positioning of the others along with where the large, walking/talking tree was. It was definitely not something she had expected to see and piqued her curiosity. Still taking into account where they were, she had a spell ready upon her lips as she waited to see what would happen.

---

Readying a spell but not casting unless an act of violence occurs.

Rubus stands up. We are travelers and on the road. If this is forbidden, we can turn around and leave. To be on the safe side if you bid us leave, please escort us away so you can be sure we are obeying.

  The large tree creature listens, it's eyes slowly blinking and then looks down at the closest party member to it. It's gaze seems to latch on to Alaric's axe.



    Hrmmmmmmmmmm.  If you commmmmmmme in ppppppeace whyyyyy do you brinnnnnng an axe into my woooooooooddddds?

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:32, Tue 18 Aug 2020.

 Alaric looks startled and hides his axe behind his back.
 
 Ohhhhh ummm begging your pardon Mr. Ummm Tree Sir.  You see this isn't for cutting trees.

We Dwarves don't even know anything about trees. I mean that is to say we are mountain and cave folk and have no need for trees.  I mean, oh to harm trees that is.

I have come to fight those who have caused this curse not to harm your woods.


He looks up smiling through his beard.

 ( Unless a fight ensues players can post freely now)

Wiggling her way into view, the priestess chimes in, "A dwarf without his axe would be like a tree without a branch."

Oh, bad choice.

"Or a fur foot without fur on her foot!"

Oh, maybe that was indelicate.

She decides to change the subject, "We're here about the mist and the manor; anything you could share on those topics..."

Hrmmmmmmm bad stonesssssssss in these wooooodssssss...  Blackwelllllllllll turned to the evil that dwellllllllllsssss under the Mannnnnnnnorrrrrrr

Master guardian, would you care to escort us toward this manor? There, we shall see what we might be able to do to combat or eliminate the evil. I ask this in the name of the Messiah.

In reply to Rubus Elann (msg # 39):



Alderleaf must leavvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve nowwwwwww.  The Airrrrrrrr burnnnnnnnnnssssss.

with a sad look the creature looks around at the barren trees.


The roooooooaddddd leadssssss to the Manorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  Follllllowwwwww

With loud footsteps that shake the ground in smaller volume as it disappears  "Alderleaf"  disappears into the mist.

 *huffs..

Really Rubus? How do we get to the Manor House?...

*sighs..

He mentioned something about stones..in these woods.. I wonder...

*hoping back on the cart...

well you don't see walking trees every day

Something I heard. I'm guessing we just follow the road; most roads lead somewhere.

"This one, the tree says, leads to the manor house," Ligeia puts in helpfully. "We should go down it further and enjoy his escort for as along as he provides it."

The party continues for another 1/2 mile or so before a grisly site is discovered.  Scattered about in a small patch of road are a number of skeletal remains bearing well weathered rusted armor and weapons.  The bones indicate these soldiers have been long dead, however their remains are battered and bashed into pieces.

Be on your guard! We cannot assume dead is dead in this evil mist.

She had resumed her soft singing as they moved though it came to a stop as they came upon the scene with the skeletal remains. Looking over to her companions, Jenouise shook her head. "That sounds like a smart idea," she muttered, blue eyes darting around, her guard up though they kept moving forward.

Rubus mulls this over before speaking. Be on our guard; good advice. And it may be wisest to assume dead is not exactly dead in this area.

The dwarf walked delicately as he could through this area trying not to disturb the bones.

 Sorry.. he whispers as they make their way through.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Tue 25 Aug 2020.

As they pass carefully Gorn examines some of the bones.

Hmmm these skeletons are old as you can see by their rusting arms and armor, but the breaks on the bones are not old.. Something or someone came through here and broke these recently. Maybe with the last month or two.

He respectfully returns the bones her examines to where they lay.

Rubus gets off the wagon and walks over by the bones. He makes the sign of the Messiah. Whoever you were, whatever happened, may the Messiah keep you in peace. He makes the sign of the Messiah again. I'll walk awhile.

"Well, let's find out what happened, why don't we?" the priestess of Urogalan announces.

She leans down close to a likely midden of bones and sympathetically asks, "You there. What happened to you, you poor sod? How did you meet your end in this desolate wood?"

21:19, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 12 using 2d6+5.  Speak with the dead.

 There is a faint whsiper and a small stirring of wind near the pile of bones as Ligeia seems to be hearing something

A chill passes over the priestess's face. She leans even closer to catch the words that only she can hear and then speaks again, "You suffer for the sins of Lord Blackwell, don't you? How can we purchase release for your souls?"

Gently, she guided her mule to come to a stop as she watched the proceedings with Ligeia, that look of pure curiosity reflected in her blue eyes. Despite this, she kept herself under control, resigned to just observing for now.

In reply to Ligeia Strand (msg # 53):

Again wind and dust stir near the bones as a faint whisper can barely be heard.


Suddenly you all hear a horrid ghostly voice from beyond that yells...

  Free us allllllllll!!!!!!!!!!
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:19, Fri 28 Aug 2020.

 Make it stop.. this talking to the dead stuff ain't natural!

watching Ligeia with some distain..

  How do we know you aren't just making up some kind of parlor tricks?

Jenouise quirked a brow and looked to Afamrail. “What gain would be had here if it were just a parlor trick?” Now, given her own proclivities, she would absolutely prank the group but at the moment, it just seemed inappropriate given where they were heading and why.

Rubus replies to the air and to his comrades Let us do what good we can.

Ligeia regains her erect posture, rising a stately 4 feet and two inches above ground level.

"The only way to 'make it stop' is to lift the curse," she answers, sounding an oft-sounded note.

She finishes, "And the only way to do that is to reach Blackwell Manor."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Mon 31 Aug 2020.

  Leaving the bones where they lie, the party continues along the road now for a little more than a mile and find themselves at a stone bridge where the water of the marsh broadens.

There seems to be a body on the north side of the bridge at the waters edge.

Due to the Mist it is impossible to see where the bridge goes or how far it goes.

Without hesitation, Ligeia jumps off the wagon and pads over to the body to investigate. What will this cadaver have to say?

Rubus follows, his head swiveling between forest and water. For what good it might do, he's holding his staff at the ready.

Jenouise focused on driving the wagon, seemingly oblivious until Ligeria hopped out of the wagon. Pulling back on the reigns to get her mule to stop, Jenouise stood up and hopped down. "What's this then?" she said to no one in particular.

    Moving forward Rubus, Ligeia, and Gorn investigate the body. (  INT checks all)

The 3 come down a mild incline to what appears to be a broader area of water in the marsh, spanned by this bridge.  There can be seen a large hole in the walkway of the bridge further to the East and the mist engulfs what can be viewed beyond that.

The body appears to be a knight in armor who has suffered some kind of devastating attack.  The plate armor is blackened and one arm and one leg are completely severed from the rest. A blackened long sword is still grasped in his hand.

 While the oters explore the body. Alaric moves forward quietly examining the bridge for stability especially around the hole.

 Gorn examines the body and the terrain around it to see if he can track any clues as to what transpired here.

Looking at Jenousie she exclaims..

Please keep your , umm home.. *she looks at the wagon with an air of distaste, still

* jumps off the wagon and positions herself at the beginning of the bridge overlooking the others to protect them with spells if needed.

17:37, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  int check.

17:01, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 11 using 2d6+3.  INT.

In reply to Ligeia Strand (msg # 69):

Ligeia examines the body

In reply to Rubus Elann (msg # 70):

Rubus examines the body.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:23, Tue 08 Sept 2020.

 Gorn is examining the terrain around the body while the others, examine the body itslef.

Hmmm it appears there was quite the battle here.  At least 4 other tracks  appear here in the fray, all of them booted.  I see one smaller than the others, perhaps a halfling was involved.

  Comes back from the hole in the bridge.

There be a big hole up there.  Probably not a place where the wagon can pass.  It's strange though.  The hole in the bridge isn't natural erosion. It just seems to have been formed recently.  Some kind of magic I think.

There is a ruined gatetower up ahead.

Rubus relates his findings. He picks up the sword to examine it more closely. This didn't save the knight, but it resisted all decay. Somebody should take custody of it.

He takes a look at the bridge and the hole. If we want the wagon to pass, we could take boards from the railings and lay them across. Do that or no, we should consider the ongoing danger to the [animal] puling the wagon.

In reply to Rubus Elann (msg # 75):

Dere ain't no railings, it's all made from stone.

{Alas, so true. However, is the deck made of planks?]

(No it's clearly made of stone. It's a stone bridge.)

Rubus please make a wisdom check. 2d6+ WIS bonus.

[Maybe with -12 for forgetfulness]

11:35, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 9 using 2d6+5.  WIS Check. (2,2)

In reply to Rubus Elann (msg # 80):

( OK nothing happens)

When Gorn speculates that a halfling might have participated in the battle at this bridge, her pulse quickens. She's on the right trail.

She agrees with Alaric that the bridge can't be crossed by the wagon--unless they find something span the hole.

"Let's investigate the ruined gatehouse. Maybe there will be some planks and what not we can use to move the wagon across the hole."

Ok I will take the lead with Alaric.

Good Idea Ligeia.


 * walks over to  Jenouise.

You coming with us?  Maybe you could bring the mule without your home.. I mean wagon.

Rubus goes to retrieve the sword and (one hopes) stows it in the wagon. He then looks all, scanning, before trailing the others if all seems unthreatening.

She seemed really hesitant to leave her home behind but in all truths, what choice did she have? "I suppose I can leave them here," she said with a frown.

Ligeia pokes Gorn.

"Hey, you should try out that enchanted blade. You know how to use them, right? I've seen you in a fight more than once."

 Walks to the wagon and picks up the blade from the fallen knight.

Very well if nobody else wants it I shall put it to good use.

 The party moves on foot across the bridge.

 Gorn and Alaric take the front followed by Ligeia, then Afamrail, Rubus and Jenuoise in the rear.


Crossing the bridge the "unnatural hole" Alaric described is clearly evident.  It appears the bridge just gave way somehow in the center.  The outline of a ruined gate tower is revealed as you move along the bridge.  The Left or Southern Tower seems completely collapsed, but the  North Tower to the right still seems in decent shape.

A smaller 3' high wall runs north and south from the gate tower



This message was last edited by the GM at 23:31, Sat 12 Sept 2020.

Moves forward through the empty gate looking to see if there is an opening in the gate - tower.

Follows Gorn, axe at the ready. Examining the stones of the gate tower to see if there is a danger of collapse.

Rubus sighs in relief when Gorn takes the sword. He goes with the group toward the rear.

Ligeia lets Gorn scout ahead and lingers on the causeway until she hears from him.

  After a few seconds Gorn comes back

There is a door on the West side of the North Tower, and the South tower is destroyed.

This road continues as far as i can see into the mist to the West.

"Ok, man," Ligeia smiles. "Open that door and we'll follow you in."

OK posting map etc... tonight

let me know if you have a specific spot you want to be in when said door is kicked in.

 Walking over to the door of the northern tower  Gorn finds it stuck a bit though worn from age.
  He butts his shoulder intot he door and it cracks and falls inwards in a heap at his strong blow.  As the dust settles, he realizes that it's dark inside.


Does anyone have a light?

 - walking up to the door.

 Gorn, please take out your sword.. ( assuming he does)

She takes her hand touching his sword and casts Light ( normal)

Galad!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

 The sword Gorn took from the fallen knight lights up with a blue glow radiating 30' in every direction.

Looking inside he sees a 15x15' room with a round staircase going up to the next level above.

There are two bodies, presumably humanoid lying on the floor and the stair case has webs all over it.

 

 scratches his beard..

well what's in dere?

Jenouise stayed near the back of the group though hearing Alaric's question, she stepped up onto her toes in an attempt to see (but not moving to the front). "What do you see?"

* steps into the room with his sword lighting the way..

I see a chamber with two bodies on the floor and a staircase in the far croner covered in spider webs..

Ms. Strand slips into the first floor chamber and studies the  webbing for any signs of eight-legged occupants. Then, she pads over to the skeleton in the northeast corner and has a closer look.

Hearing a bout the dead bodies, Rubus moves forward so he can act if necessary.

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

In reply to Ligeia Strand (msg # 103):

Please make an awareness check- 2d6+WIS
Please make a search check 2d6+INT

You will have to specify where you are.

If there's room, at the doorway.

ok

I'm rolling to speed things up

Ligeia makes her way into the room investigating the body in the NE corner.

Nonchalantly, Ligeia returns to Gorn and announces to him and the others that the tower has tenants--oversized eight-legged ones.

"We could try to set the webs ablaze," she begins, as if she were going to enumerate other possibilities. "No, we should just ignite those webs."

I have a tinder box but no torch

Jenouise looked to the others. "Torches? I have some back in my home," she offered.

ugggggghhhh

 Walking off in exasperation, Afamrail goes to the wagon to get 2 torches, then returns she hands them to Gorn to light.

I can keep casting light spells, but it will be a waste of my talents. Let's get on with this, shall we?!

Hearing something about a torch, Rubus goes back outside and looks around for dry dead wood. He succeeds in finding a piece of dried wood from the collapsed tower to the south and fetches it back. Will this help he asks.

"OK, Gorn, set those webs on fire," encourages Ligeia. "Crispy spider legs are on the menu."

Involuntarily, she starts to drool.

That's disgustin that is!

 Looks to Rubus.

  If we had some oil to dip the piece of wood you have in it would suffice, but it's kind of difficult to light a stick with a tinderbox, and even if i could with nothing to burn on it, it would go out in a few minutes.


Gorn light's one of Jenouise's torches, then goes to the work of setting the webs around the stairs on fire.
  The webs do not burn well, but the do disintegrate in the flames.

  Suddenly despite the threat of flame a large spider about the size of a large dog jumps off the stairs in an effort to attack Gorn.  It's body wounded horribly with glowing green eyes. suggests this is no ordinary spider. .. All roll for Initiative.  2d6+AGL bonus



This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

Rubus was about to speak when Gorn acts, so he's left with a staff in on e hand and dead wood in the other

13:31, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 12 using 2d6.  INIT.

Jenouise frowned as Afamrail groaned and walked off, presumably back to the wagon to retrieve said torches. She would have happily gone back herself to get them but no one actually asked her to. With a shrug, she rocked back and forth, heel to toe as she waited, hands resting on her hips.

---

15:02, Today: Jenouise rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Initiative.

                                     Please post in order of your turn in round
Ligeia
Rubus
Afamrail & Spider
Gorn
Alaric
Jenousie



This message was last edited by the GM at 14:53, Sat 26 Sept 2020.

Fearlessly, Ligeia draws her rapier as she advances on the crisped crawler and plunges it into one of its more vulnerable spots.

15:51, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 19 using 2d6+8.  rapier attack. +1 dmg for battle anatomy.

Rubus drops the wood and grasps his staff near the end with both hands. He tries to maneuver so he's out of the way but in a position to whack the spider.

 Amfamrail moves to the door ready to assist with her magic if needed but awaiting to see how the battle transpires.  She think for a minute that maybe it's time to use her bow, but doesn't want to shoot Gorn like Heather did.

 Ligeia successfully skewers the spider with her rapier for  4 points of damage the fine tipped point piercing into it's side with a trickle of black "blood"?


The spider moving much slower than one would expect from such a notorious predator tries to attack Ligeia and is unsuccessful.

 Despite his experience with swordsmanship Gorn misses his strike with his lighted new sword, there is a strange confused expression on his face as it glances the spiders exoskeleton.

 moving up to the door and trying to see past those in front of the door.

What's happenin?!

Jenouise moved up behind Alaric, trying to peer over his head into the building. "Yeah...everything okay in there?"

NO. DEADISH GIANT SPIDER.

UNDEAD SPIDER
 Round 2
    Please post in order of your turn in round
Ligeia
Rubus
Afamrail & Spider ( spider -4)
Gorn
Alaric
Jenousie

Ligeia finds another tender spot for the application of her rapier.

09:43, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 15 using 2d6+8.  rapier attack. +1 dmg.

Ligeia stabs a second time, the creature is wounded again but still stands ( -4)

Rubus finds himself at one of the spider's side and brings down his staff with a solid whack! .

12:19, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 30 using 6d6 (oops).  To Whack or Not What? That is the question. First two dice were 5,6 for 11.

 Rubus hits!  for 3 points damage bring the spider to-7  It is damaged but still moving.

( Rubus you don't have a staff on your character sheet, can you tell me where you picked this one up??  :) )

PM

 Unable to effectively fight the spider Afamrail confidently watches her companions and ready to assist when needed.

 The spider tries to bite Ligeia to no effect.

 Gorn lands a hit this time, taking the spider down to -13.  It seems to lumber on though very badly damaged.

 Gorn still bears a confused expression on his face.

Oh come on.. move aside.. all this sitting about letting other's fight doesn't sit well with me!

"You know...I am okay with them fighting the thing...it's almost dead so..." she pursed her lips and clasped her hands behind her back as she watched, just in case she was wrong.

UNDEAD SPIDER
 Round 3
    Please post in order of your turn in round
Ligeia
Rubus
Afamrail & Spider ( spider -13, bloodied- if you can say anything undead is bloodied)
Gorn
Alaric
Jenousie

If Ligeia had a working knowledge of arachnid anatomy before this encounter, it has only become more advanced as she once again experiments with a new point of insertion.

15:56, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 19 using 2d6+8.  rapier attack. +1 dmg for battle anatomy.

 With Ligeia's rapier thrust the creature is finally destroyed and crumbles into a pile of exoskeleton and black goo.  All seems quiet.

  Alive or dead these things are nasty.  I think we should search the bodies.

Be my guest, your highness.

*smriking at the she elf, Gorn begins burning away the webs around the stairs with the torch.

Ms. Strand sets about on a meticulous search of the two skeletons.

The following items are found by Ligeia

1 appears to be a male gnome. Possibly a monk dressed in simple clothes He carries

a quarterstaff, a small kama, sling with 39 bullets wooden stakes, a clove of garlic, a necklace with some odd purple gemstone, 3 bottles of potion with odd writing on them and 1 vial also with odd writing.


the second is a female half elf in scalemail armor who bears a trident, short bow with 37 arrows, a large shield with the same elven writings on it and 100 elven silver pieces.

Afamrail looks over the bodies and examines the shield of the fallen elf.


She bows... the shield bears the name of her house.. Trarahdim, which is  Protector of the Leaves..

 I guess.. she was here on a similar mission as our own some time ago...

 Sadly her scalemail is of no use to me, as i am not strong enough for such martial equipment.

I will take her arrows and perhaps we should split up the elven silver.

Rubus ruminates. It might be that certain dangers were greater before all this dilapidation and decay. So, as with this spider, some things we shall overcome with relative ease. However, I suspect other dangers will have increased, undead things for example. He pauses. My apologies for stating the obvious.

As Afamrail was looking over the shield, Jenouise finally made her way in, listening to the talking. When Rubus finished his...observations, Jenoise smiled and moved up to him. She reached up and pinched his cheek. "You are adorable." She grinned.

Rubus is startled and then...it's apparent how he received the name of Rubus...he blushes.

Jenouise's grin widened. "Well now...that is rather...fitting," she chuckled.

Rubus reddens further, and he seems to be struck dumb.

Bending down the dwarf picks up the necklace..

hmmm I haven't seen Gnomish craft before. I do not recognize this stone.

Finishing the stairs, Gorn tune to the others.  His sword stops glowing as Afamrail's spell wears out.

   Holding up the torch, Gorn watches the others.

  This sword from the fallen knight Rubus gave me.. seems odd. But, I guess I shall give it another try.  Why would someone being carrying a clove of garlic and wooden stakes?

Rubus recovers his wits and his voice. Lore has it that these help with vampires. The garlic helps ward them off; stakes through their hearts kills them. Folklore, perhaps superstition; but in this area, who knows?

* gathers the arrows... and looks at Gorn.

If you run out of pilin, eh arrows.. I will be sure to give you some... a slight squinmt in her eye..

She picks up the elvish coins and counts out 20 to each..

 She reads the coin out loud -King Halafarin Dorhorn, Aelfan Year 20348. Hmm around 19 years ago.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

Impervious to the chatter around her, Ligeia scrutinizes the two potions with spiritual script. She thinks Rubus could probably do better were he not so busy flirting.

14:23, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  check #2.
14:23, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  potion check 1.

Ligeia hands a potion of healing to Gorn, Alaric, and Afamrail. To Jenoiuse, she bestows the antidote. Then, she heads up the stairs, motioning for the others to follow.

Characters please make sure you add items to your PC sheets. If they are not on there you dropped them.

Ligeia heads up the stairs to see a square room with faint light penetrating in from arrow slots on the second floor of the tower.  There is an obnject in the middle of the room with another object on the floor next to it.  In the far corner there seems to be another object on the ground.  In the dim light that is all she can make out.

 Ligeia roll for initiative.


Meanwhile on the first floor the skeletal bodies once entombed in a cocoon of spider webs animate and move at the party menacingly.

 All roll for Initiative.

12:10, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 8 using 2d6.  INIT.

  Round 1  waiting for Jenousie Ligeia and Afamrail to roll initiative.

thus far Gorn

         Something upstairs with Ligeia
         Rubus

         Alaric

         Skeletons

21:57, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 15 using 2d6+7.  init.

06:08, Today: Jenouise rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Initiative.

   

 Gorn attacks the smaller skeleton to the South, he hits with the knight's sword, but it only does 1/2 damage

it suffers 3 points.


Look out!

Even though there are only two of them, the priestess immediately calls upon her deity.

21:11, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 12 using 2d6+5.  Turn Undead.

She nearly jumped when the skeletons suddenly came to life, her mouth dropping open as if offended by the reanimation. Shaking her head, she quickly began to cast.

---

Casting Spiritual Weapon.

Rubus gapes with in awe at Jenoise's action.

You are currently upstairs.. do you wish to cast this down the stairs or on this level?

On this level.

A Giant spider comes out of the darkness and attacks Ligeia.    Apparently not the undead variety it scores a bite through her leather armor on the arm.

Ligeia you suffer 2 points damage and please roll 2d6+CON

(Waiting for some rolls from Jenouise)

18:48, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 3 using 2d6.  endurance roll.

19:57, Today: Jenouise rolled 9 using 2d6+5.  Spiritual Weapon casting (how well).
19:58, Today: Jenouise rolled 6 using 1d6.  Duration.


19:57, Today: Jenouise rolled 14 using 2d6+5.  Attack: Spiritual Weapon.

In reply to Jenouise (msg # 176):

Ok Jenousie which one are you attacking

In reply to Ligeia Strand (msg # 175):

Ligeia slumps to the floor as a toxin enters her bloodstream rending her paralyzed. Though Conscious.

A large, almost comical looking mallet appeared with the word ‘WHACK’ written on the head in bright yellow lettering with a red outline. “Oooh! It’s hammer time!” she called out as she jumped up with an arm upraised. “Yeah!” She swung her arm down as she landed, the mallet following the motion onto the skeleton.

 The clown-like hammer comes crashing down on the skeleton indicated. It crumbles into a pile of bones, apparently destroyed.

Rubus recovers hsi senses and pokes at the unded with his staff. It does indeed make contact.

14:58, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 10 using 2d6.  Poke.

Rubus's staff hits the remaining skeleton with a thud, but it does not fully destroy it.

Rushes past Afamrail..

Get out of me way!!!

He connects with his Dwarvish Urgosh with the maximum strength of his sturdy frame behind it.

The weapon crashes down right through the skull and torso of the skeleton bashing it into dust.

It moves no more.

 

 Gorn rushes up the stairs and see Ligeia on the floor and a giant spider about the size of a large dog having just bitten her.

 Ligeia!!!!

Get back you big bug!

He takes a swing at the creature with is sword and it seems about to hit when at the last second veers off course.

 Ligeia remains still

Those on the fist floor have limited visibility. You can see light from Gorn's torch and certainly hear what is occurring upstairs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:23, Mon 26 Oct 2020.

18:11, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 10 using 2d6.  con check.

 You are still paralyzed but retain consciousness, you are aware of Gorn fighting the spider.

The spider attempts to attack Gorn but misses.

Gorn's torch illuminates the room.

Unsure on what is happening upstairs, Jenouise made her way up with the comical hammer following suit. Upon seeing the spider, her face screws up into a look of disgust. "Ewwww! Squish it!" She motioned to the spider, the hammer following her demand.

---

19:12, Today: Jenouise rolled 15 using 2d6+5.  Attack: Spiritual Weapon.

Rubus, after making sure the undead are inert, follows Jenoise and hastens to stand between the spider and Ligeia, if possible.

In reply to Jenouise (msg # 190):

Jenouise's clown hammer indeed smashes the "bug" for 9 points of damage. It is bloodied, but not dead.

 Alaric rushes up the stairs and wastes no time but plenty of energy as his mighty Urgosh misses the spider and hits the floor with a loud heavy BANG!!!

   DOUBLE TROUBLE

Again Gorn attempts to use his sword against the spider and misses.

blast!

Whether brave or desperate from being backed into a corner, the large spider jumps on Alaric biting.  It has trouble penetrating his Dwarvan armor, but does manage to inject some venom into the Dwarfs bloodstream. Which due to his incredibly tough nature seems to only incite Alaric to fight harder.

Coming up the stairs, Afamrail assesses the situation.

Well, it looks like you all have this under control.  I don't want to waste a spell on what clearly looks like a simple task.  If my mind serves me right, we may have to kill this thing a second time. I could shoot an arrow, but well, I'm kind of new at that.

"Squishy squishy goes the bug," she said in a singsong voice as she made a downward motion with her hand. The hammer tips back before slamming down again upon the spider.

---

07:36, Today: Jenouise rolled 9 using 2d6.  Attack: Spiritual Weapon.

Rubus pokes at the spider, partly to fend off, partly in hopes of sticking it.

09:50, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 8 using 2d6.  To Hit.

It's 2d6 +5 so that's a hit.

the clowny hammer bonks the spider and knocks it off Alaric with a Bang. It flies across the room hitting the wall. It falls the the floor presumably dead.

Rubus pokes at eh body of the spider not knowing f it is alive. After a hard hit with his staff it is clearly dead.


All is quiet.

Ligeia does not move.

Rubus kneels to check whether Ligeia has a  pulse and is breathing.

"Itsy Bitsy wasn't so itsy..." she muttered as she dismissed her hammer with a grin, raking her fingers through her short/somewhat shaggy pink hair.

Ligeia has a pulse and she is breathing very very slowly..

 Gorn goes about burning back the webs in the room as they explore so nobody gets stuck as they explore.

  I'm going to cut that spider up so it can't come back and attack us.

  Good idea Gorn.

  Coes anybody know about these creatures and how long Ligeia will be out.?
Can anyone cure poison?

"I have this here...antidote," Jenouise offered, seemingly producing the vial out of nowhere though it was really just a slight of hand.

 You had better give the sherekir the san, err an ti. dote.  We do not know how long she will be in this pathetic state.

With a shrug, Jenouise handed the vial over to Rubus. "There ya go sweetheart," she winked.

Rubus solemnly takes the vial but hesitates. I do not know how to administer this. How about if I cradle Ligeia, holding her head, so you administer it?

"Um...I think you just make her drink it but...what the hell...your cute. I'll do it for you," she said with a grin and took the vial back. When Rubus moved to hold Ligeia's head, Jenouise bent down and opened the woman's mouth before slowly draining the vial's contents down her throat.

Ligeia tastes the horrid substance, and within a minute begins to feel her limbs begin to tingle.  It's a bit painful like your whole body is waking up from having an limb fallen asleep.

Her recovery is complete. Though she is still down 2 Endurance points.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:13, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

While still cradling Ligeia's head with one hand, Rubus says Please rest easy for a bit, and second my prayer if you care to.

Beloved Messiah, please restore this brave companion, and please watch over us as we strive to overcome this blight and thwart of destroy any evil we find within its boundaries.


11:59, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 6 using 1d6+5.  Healing Effect.

11:58, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 13 using 2d6+5.  Healing Prayer Request.

Ligeia is restored to full END.

"You have my eternal gratitude," Ligeia offers, once restored. It kind of sounds like a threat but only time will tell.

Undeterred, she looks around the second floor of the tower, now with the benefit of illumination.

Rubus releases his contact with Ligeia, picks up his staff, and stands.

There is a ladder in the center of the tower chamber going to a trapdoor above, presumably the roof.

In the NW corner is another body wrapped in webs.  Gorn has chopped the dead spider into many pieces.

She looked around, lips pursed into an o shape, her gaze stopping at the body wrapped in webs. "I...um...hmm..." she gave it a mistrustful look. If her hammer was still around, she would hit the body just to ensure that it stayed dead.

Bustling past Jenouise, Ligeia searches yet another corpse--she's lost track of how many so far today.

This corpse is bound in webbing.  What do you use to undo it or cut it?

Alaric comes to the side of the corpse.

 This thing so much as flinches and it will get a good bashing.

In reply to Blackwell GM (msg # 220):

Dagger (cutting not hacking or stabbing)

Ligeia cuts away the webs revealing the desiccated body of what appears to have been a young  monk. His tall lean body and yellow hair now gaunt and dry, he wears the brown robes typical of monks in this region.

 He possesses a javelin, a dagger, a club and a pack. The pack contains rotten food, 4 bottles of potion, and a strange round glittering stone about the size of an apple.

( my bad also - 76 messiah gold pieces)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:42, Wed 11 Nov 2020.

After shooing Alaric away to search for engineering supplies, Ligeia settles down to have a tête-à-tête with the young monk who grew no older. She has a few lines of inquiry she would like to pursue, namely the nature of his potions and his glittering stone and the tale of his unfortunate demise in this tower.


19:27, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 12 using 2d6+5.  Speak with dead monk.

In reply to Ligeia Strand (msg # 224):

As Ligeia attempts to speak with the dead monk there is a breeze through one of the arrow slits in the towers blowing some of the stray webbing about.  It's probably a coincidence.

Suddenly the skeletal remains sit upright attempting to attack Ligeia!


 All roll initiative

 Round 1
 Alaric
 Ligeia

all roll after that.

18:06, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 11 using 2d6+7.  init.

22:00, Today: Jenouise rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Initiative.

This message was deleted by the player at 05:00, Sat 14 Nov 2020.

23:30, Today: Rubus Elann rolled 7 using 2d6.  Initiative.

 Despite his readiness Alaric musters up so much might he misses the dead monk entirely.

<b>Blast the furnace!</b>

Ligeia can't quite muster up the conviction to turn this revenant; she still wants to talk to him, you see.

13:55, Today: Ligeia Strand rolled 7 using 2d6+5.  Turn Undead.

Afamrail points her staff at the undead creature and blasts it with a magic arrow...

  Faer Elandi!

  Afamrail's magic blast destroys the skeleton monk head on.. there is a slight puff of pale blue smoke in the aftermath.  Fortunately none of the gear was destroyed.. this time.

"Well...how anti-climatic," she almost pouted, putting her hands on her hips.

 Let's take what we can salvage and move on, there appears to be no further clues here.

Rubus Utters a prayer. Dear Messiah, may the souls who've perished here find peace.

 Nice to see you swinging that staff of yours, Rubus.

 Shall we be going then? Someone should take the gold pieces.

"He was yet one more who fell before he was able to remove the curse," Ligeia announces, aware, before she has even finished speaking, that the others must have already come to the same conclusion.

After scooping the gold coins and the rest, she asks, "So have we found anything with which to fashion a ramp for the wagon to cross the fissure in the bridge?"

OOC Anybody want potions of talk to animals, blur, increase intelligence, and water breathing?

Rubus looks embarrassed until he decides simply to say Thank you.

I will take the san of Intelligence, Ligeia. It might come in handy. Though  I think others could use it.

  Those materials do not seem to be around here, alas!

Agreeably, Ligeia gives the potion of brilliance to Afamrail.

She then gives the potion of blur to Alaric -- "the better to not get hit."

Standing next to the dwarf, she agrees that they haven't found anything suitable for planking the fissure.

"There is nothing to do but pack your bags and hoof it," she declares and then waits for the others to start hoofing it along with her.

Jenouise stood there, rocking back and forth from heel to toe, toe to heel, her hands clasped behind her back. She waited for the others to head off and once they did, she bounced along behind, a smile on her painted lips.

Rubus kneels by the corpse and prays. He stands and is ready, he hopes, to proceed.