PBA 038

[9/19/2014 4:33:36 PM] Canto: When last we left! You guys were stalking toward the Grey Manse, Andarville's multiverse-famous haunted house to confront the architect of whatever nightmare had overtaken Andaria.

[9/19/2014 4:34:33 PM] Canto: You had met a kobold named Beek, who was wanting away from the plane when you left.

[9/19/2014 4:34:37 PM] Canto: Wynn is hearing voices.

[9/19/2014 4:34:45 PM] Wynn: (again)

[9/19/2014 4:35:37 PM] Kalor: So where is this guy most likely to be? Probably at the very heart of the haunted house.

[9/19/2014 4:35:57 PM] Kalor: I bet he's even set up a throne. He seems that kind of villain.

[9/19/2014 4:36:38 PM] Wynn: Likely.

[9/19/2014 4:37:09 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: There /were/ a lot of artifacts he stole... maybe he built a dragon-hoard out of them. And is sleeping on them.

[9/19/2014 4:37:20 PM] Wynn: He only stole the one set of robes.

[9/19/2014 4:37:32 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...blankets?

[9/19/2014 4:37:58 PM] Wynn: Blankets?

[9/19/2014 4:38:12 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: He could use them as blankets. On his hoard-bed.

[9/19/2014 4:38:12 PM] Kalor: So why don't we go back and see what we can find? I'm sure there's something in the collection that can set fire to undead...

[9/19/2014 4:38:50 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Wynn, didn't you say that was a bad idea? Something about activating security protocols of a long-dead epic wizard?

[9/19/2014 4:39:08 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: That being said it doesn't seem to have done anything to this guy.

[9/19/2014 4:39:17 PM] Wynn: So you'd rather go back, break open the wards, fight the guardians, identify all the equipment, THEN go fight the Crow?

[9/19/2014 4:39:28 PM] Kalor: Yes?

[9/19/2014 4:40:34 PM] Kalor: But seeing as we're already here I guess we might as well fight him anyway.

[9/19/2014 4:41:01 PM] Wynn: Hopefully we won't have to fight him.

[9/19/2014 4:41:08 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: That's on you two, then. I'm about as good in a fight as the robes he stole.

[9/19/2014 4:41:17 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: If you want to talk him down, I'm all for it.

[9/19/2014 4:41:30 PM] Kalor: He's a power mad guy that's stolen some evil robes and are using them to make undead mascot-things...

[9/19/2014 4:41:31 PM] Wynn: There are five of us, you know.

[9/19/2014 4:41:48 PM] Kalor: I'm pretty sure we have to fight him

[9/19/2014 4:42:28 PM] Wynn: It's not a foregone conclusion. I'll give him the opportunity to surrender.

[9/19/2014 4:42:54 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: If you just yell "Surrender!" at him, he'll respond with "Never!" If you want him to actually consider it, we have to offer him something.

[9/19/2014 4:43:19 PM] Kalor: I thought you loathed the undead. This guy is making um... Mostly innocent people? Anyway... Into those things.

[9/19/2014 4:43:46 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Maybe on his home plane that's his version of proseltyzing. I mean, he /is/ giving them immortality. ...technically.

[9/19/2014 4:43:47 PM] Kalor: He should be smote down with extreme prejudice!

[9/19/2014 4:43:57 PM] Wynn: I'm going to offer him a way off this plane. As long as he agrees to abide by the rules and surrender the robes.

[9/19/2014 4:44:22 PM] Kalor: Mostly because I'm not allowed to even command undead stuff without being glared at.

[9/19/2014 4:45:03 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I guess that's as fair as anything else

[9/19/2014 4:45:22 PM] Wynn: I don't know what he's actually doing.

[9/19/2014 4:45:35 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Surrender the robes to whom? If we take them, we're just thieves by proxy. If he puts them back, someone else will just take them - he broke that security system up pretty good.

[9/19/2014 4:45:57 PM] Kalor: Using the evil powers invested in that robe to animate dead tissue by infusion with negative energy.

[9/19/2014 4:46:11 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: And I don't know about you all, but the protocols on that system were way beyond my ken. It'd take me... years, to fix them. Most of those years spent reverse-engineering.

[9/19/2014 4:46:21 PM] Wynn: The answer in this case is to do what we can to destroy the evil. It is not thievery if it is for a higher purpose.

[9/19/2014 4:46:23 PM] Kalor: If he wasn't, my spell would have done nothing to that thing.

[9/19/2014 4:47:42 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: There's a lot of holy wars justified with that kind of talk, Wynn. This doesn't feel right.

[9/19/2014 4:48:01 PM] Kalor: I'm still voting for dumping those robes in a vat of concrete and sinking the thing to the bottom of an ocean somewhere...

[9/19/2014 4:48:13 PM] Wynn: "Doesn't feel right?" What *does* feel right?

[9/19/2014 4:48:37 PM] Wynn: Maybe Nation can put them in his tanks or scuttle them in the void.

[9/19/2014 4:48:49 PM] Kalor: That is an excellent idea!

[9/19/2014 4:48:51 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I vote the former.

[9/19/2014 4:49:10 PM] Wynn: Either way, first we need to find the haunted house and get *to* him.

[9/19/2014 4:49:15 PM] Kalor: Just drop them off on the positive energy plane.

[9/19/2014 4:49:35 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I like that idea more actually. Then we don't have to be anywhere nearby when positive energy and negative energy meet in a titanic explosion.

[9/19/2014 4:50:05 PM] Wynn: You two go ahead and figure out how to destroy them. I'll figure out how to *get* them.

[9/19/2014 4:50:11 PM] Wynn: Wynn continues following the lights!

[9/19/2014 4:50:14 PM] Kalor: If that does not utterly burn out whatever evil magic is contained within them, it will serve an inpenetrable barrier to any undead creature desiring them for his own use.

[9/19/2014 4:50:38 PM] Kalor: And, you know, most living beings as well.

[9/19/2014 4:51:16 PM] Kalor: You do not want to go tot he positive energy plane unless you are nearly dead, and even then, you want to get out of there VERY fast.

[9/19/2014 4:52:03 PM] Kalor: Positive energy tends to build up within living tissues and well... It's not pretty when they blow.

[9/19/2014 4:54:56 PM] Wynn: That could likely be said about most things.

[9/19/2014 4:58:16 PM] Canto: You guys walk past Countess Varia's House of Delights. Which appears to be a brothel.

[9/19/2014 5:01:05 PM] Kalor: Haunted house should be close...

[9/19/2014 5:01:31 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari continues following, ignoring the brothel

[9/19/2014 5:03:05 PM] Canto: You also walk past the Gallery of Animals That Wear Clothes.

[9/19/2014 5:03:49 PM | Edited 5:03:53 PM] Wynn: Wynn is mostly just following the lights and looking for the haunted house. She'd sprain her eyes rolling them so hard if she looked at all the "attractions."

[9/19/2014 5:04:36 PM] Kalor: I wonder if they have an eel with trousers

[9/19/2014 5:04:37 PM] Canto: There are quite a few theaters, restaraunts, and shops. A few old and pillaged food carts litter the road as well.

[9/19/2014 5:07:58 PM] Kalor: Looks like the evacuation of this place didn't go peacefully.

[9/19/2014 5:09:21 PM] Wynn: From what it sounded like to me, the park closed... it's just that a few people stuck around and then thieves came and ransacked it. No reason to think "innocents" were left behind.

[9/19/2014 5:09:44 PM] Wynn: I *would* still like an explanation for what we found upstairs, though.

[9/19/2014 5:10:14 PM] Kalor: Someone not wanting the bodies to be used for necromancy?

[9/19/2014 5:10:33 PM] Wynn: Perhaps, but they should have laid the remnants to rest in that case.

[9/19/2014 5:11:01 PM] Kalor: That means the crow can't actually make skeletal undead. That's one weakness.

[9/19/2014 5:11:24 PM] Kalor: Otherwise he could have still raised the burned remains

[9/19/2014 5:13:29 PM] Wynn: Are skeletons harder than others?

[9/19/2014 5:13:30 PM] Canto: You find the Grey Manse, a desolate black and grey brick edifice on the edge of Andarville.

[9/19/2014 5:14:30 PM] Wynn: Wynn pulls her shield down to her arm and whispers a quick prayer of protection and strength.

[9/19/2014 5:14:47 PM] Nilani: Nilani seems a bit warier than usual.

[9/19/2014 5:16:14 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari walks at the back of the group, not wanting to be the first in combat

[9/19/2014 5:16:46 PM] Kalor: Kalor walks up and knocks on the door

[9/19/2014 5:17:09 PM] Kalor: Nobody here but us crows...

[9/19/2014 5:17:46 PM] Wynn: Just remember to keep your eyes open and alert the others if you see anything suspicious... or hear voices.

[9/19/2014 5:18:18 PM] Canto: There's a big, heavy, wood and ironwrought door. A bit overwrought, really. The entire place is a bit over the top in gothic imagery, which makes sense.

[9/19/2014 5:19:37 PM] Wynn: Wynn opens the door.

[9/19/2014 5:19:53 PM] Kalor: It will close behind us.

[9/19/2014 5:19:54 PM] Canto: It Creeeeeeeeeeaks.

[9/19/2014 5:20:02 PM] Kalor: Just saying.

[9/19/2014 5:20:06 PM] Wynn: Probably. You have a light source?

[9/19/2014 5:20:13 PM] Nilani: Nilani cringes at the creaking.

[9/19/2014 5:20:17 PM] Wynn: You can put it on my shield if you like.

[9/19/2014 5:20:40 PM] Kalor: I am out of light spells, but I can summon dancing lights

[9/19/2014 5:20:49 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Half of me wants to wait outside, and the rest of me realizes that guarantees I die first.

[9/19/2014 5:21:08 PM] Wynn: Just stick close to me, Aziz. There's nothing to be afraid of.

[9/19/2014 5:22:10 PM] Canto: So! Wynn goes first, I assume.

[9/19/2014 5:22:33 PM] Wynn: Yes.

[9/19/2014 5:22:36 PM] Kalor: Aziz, can you enchant Wynn's shield to shed light?

[9/19/2014 5:22:47 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...I actually can do that, yes.

[9/19/2014 5:22:52 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Here, gimme.

[9/19/2014 5:23:03 PM] Wynn: Wynn holds her arm out to him.

[9/19/2014 5:23:33 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari presses his hand to the shield and scribes a few brief symbols in chalk; a few seconds later, the shield sheds light in all directions like a torch.

[9/19/2014 5:23:59 PM] Wynn: ...that'll wash off, right?

[9/19/2014 5:24:04 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I can turn it off, yes.

[9/19/2014 5:24:10 PM] Wynn: I mean the writing.

[9/19/2014 5:24:14 PM] Kalor: The only light spell I have remaining is unfortunately short lived, it is very effective for what it does however.

[9/19/2014 5:24:17 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Oh, that? Yeah, it burns off as the spell is consumed.

[9/19/2014 5:24:25 PM] Wynn: Wynn nods and steps inside.

[9/19/2014 5:24:28 PM] Wynn: Stay together.

[9/19/2014 5:25:03 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari finds that the easiest order to follow since he got on the damn ship

[9/19/2014 5:27:05 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...hey, that actually gives me an idea. Can you give me, like, a minute and a half?

[9/19/2014 5:27:12 PM] Canto: It's very dark in the entryway, and it smells musty in here. Something drops down in front of Wynn!

[9/19/2014 5:27:16 PM] Wynn: ...for what?

[9/19/2014 5:27:19 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I guess not!

[9/19/2014 5:27:20 PM] Wynn: Wynn shines the light at it!

[9/19/2014 5:27:48 PM] Canto: It's a body! Hanging from a noose. It smells very authentic, a half-moldering corpse.

[9/19/2014 5:28:47 PM] Wynn: Wynn reaches out a hand to touch it to gauge whether it is a good fake or real.

[9/19/2014 5:29:04 PM] Canto: Roll a heal check.

[9/19/2014 5:29:35 PM] Wynn: (14.)

[9/19/2014 5:32:30 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Anyway, while we're waiting. If you can give me a minute and a half, there's a lot more infusions I can do... and they do a lot more than make light.

[9/19/2014 5:32:51 PM] Wynn: ....sure. I'm going to dismantle this. Anyone have a knife?

[9/19/2014 5:32:55 PM] Kalor: Ah, I see he's replaced the fake dead with the genuine article. More of this dumb necromancy fetish of his.

[9/19/2014 5:33:09 PM] Nilani: Nilani hands Wynn a dagger.

[9/19/2014 5:33:22 PM] Nilani: You can usually assume I have one.

[9/19/2014 5:33:24 PM] Wynn: Wynn takes it and will attempt to cut it down.

[9/19/2014 5:35:55 PM | Edited 5:36:15 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz, meanwhile takes a minute and a half to cast a few infusions. They're slow going - and take a decent amount of chalk.

[9/19/2014 5:36:27 PM] Canto: You cut down the real/fake body!

[9/19/2014 5:37:27 PM] Canto: Andar's image appears. "Vandalism is a crime, little .  Don't ruin the fun for everyone else by giving in to your destructive instincts!"

[9/19/2014 5:38:18 PM] Kalor: Andar's image really is ubiqutous, there's no escape anywhere...

[9/19/2014 5:39:17 PM] Wynn: Wynn takes the body and lays it on the porch just outside the door to be dealt with when we leave.

[9/19/2014 5:39:25 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Hopefully that helps.

[9/19/2014 5:39:41 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari finishes up the last sigil with a flourish, lighting them all off with a touch and a word of power

[9/19/2014 5:40:58 PM] Wynn: ....wow.

[9/19/2014 5:41:03 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Just... this should be a non-issue, but the spells are all in your armor, not on you. Make sure you don't take the armor off.

[9/19/2014 5:41:34 PM] Wynn: Wynn lets a little chuckle out. "Yeah. I'll make sure not to do that."

[9/19/2014 5:45:12 PM] Wynn: Ready to continue?

[9/19/2014 5:47:32 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Only if you go first.

[9/19/2014 5:47:53 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari is feeling a little drained on energy, having exhausted most of his spells

[9/19/2014 5:48:06 PM] Wynn: That was a given.

[9/19/2014 5:48:12 PM] Wynn: Wynn continues!

[9/19/2014 5:48:36 PM] Canto: Andar stays there, looking stern! The image seems to be frozen.

[9/19/2014 5:49:42 PM] Kalor: Yes yes... You managed to override the pre programmed directions, you're such a genius...

[9/19/2014 5:50:06 PM] Kalor: Kalor waves his hand through the image and walks through it as he follows Wynn

[9/19/2014 5:51:32 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari also follows Wynn

[9/19/2014 5:52:31 PM] Canto: You go down the hall.

[9/19/2014 5:52:34 PM] Canto: ((brb a sec.))

[9/19/2014 5:52:38 PM | Edited 5:52:52 PM] Nilani: Nilani slinks along after the group.

[9/19/2014 5:57:08 PM] Canto: Roll notice.

[9/19/2014 5:57:55 PM | Edited 5:58:02 PM] Wynn: (unnat 20!)

[9/19/2014 5:58:14 PM] Kalor: ((19))

[9/19/2014 5:58:44 PM] Nilani: ((17))

[9/19/2014 5:58:50 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [18]

[9/19/2014 6:00:41 PM] Wynn: Wynn has since handed the dagger back to Nilani, though Aziz might like something to hold onto just in case. ;)

[9/19/2014 6:01:05 PM] Canto: There are paintings lining the walls, a bunch of portraits.

[9/19/2014 6:02:43 PM] Canto: You all notice that the portraits are of you guys! Like, there's Wynn in a stately gown.

[9/19/2014 6:02:50 PM] Canto: There's nilani in hunting garb.

[9/19/2014 6:02:59 PM] Canto: There's Aziz, also in a stately gown.

[9/19/2014 6:03:33 PM] Nilani: ...

[9/19/2014 6:03:45 PM] Canto: (not really, Aziz is standing in front of a stately fireplace.)

[9/19/2014 6:03:54 PM] Canto: Dressed in a very nice, old-fashioned suit.

[9/19/2014 6:05:18 PM] Wynn: Wynn ignores them and continues.

[9/19/2014 6:05:50 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...huh. Not a bad suit.

[9/19/2014 6:06:01 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari continues following, not wanting to get caught alone

[9/19/2014 6:06:45 PM] Kalor: Kalor walks up to his portrait and pokes it. So did you do the logical thing and cast an illusion or were you actually stupid enough to fabricate these? (Attempts to disbelieve it using the knowledge he has of illusion magic.)

[9/19/2014 6:06:51 PM] Canto: The light from Wynn's shield flickers and goes out. When it comes back on, all of the people in the paintings, that look just like you guys, are all dead. Disemboweled, beheaded.

[9/19/2014 6:07:20 PM] Wynn: ...lovely.

[9/19/2014 6:09:27 PM] Nilani: Welp.

[9/19/2014 6:09:32 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Awk...ward.

[9/19/2014 6:09:39 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: The suit looked a lot better in grey.

[9/19/2014 6:09:43 PM] Canto: Not just you guys, either. All of the crew.

[9/19/2014 6:09:58 PM] Canto: Isk has been run through with a dueling sword.

[9/19/2014 6:10:10 PM] Canto: Quint has been beheaded.

[9/19/2014 6:10:12 PM] Wynn: Wynn frowns.

[9/19/2014 6:10:55 PM] Wynn: Can either of you explain how these show people who aren't here?

[9/19/2014 6:11:24 PM] Nilani: Maybe it's pulling images from our memories?

[9/19/2014 6:11:28 PM] Kalor: Because the knowledge of those people are in our minds.

[9/19/2014 6:11:59 PM] Kalor: In that case this hallway is probably enchanted with a more permeating phantasm.

[9/19/2014 6:12:00 PM] Wynn: They'd be better off staying *out* of my memories.

[9/19/2014 6:12:32 PM] Canto: Roll notice!

[9/19/2014 6:12:48 PM] Wynn: (15.)

[9/19/2014 6:12:51 PM] Kalor: No, I think it is merely providing a blank slate for our own minds to project their fears onto.

[9/19/2014 6:12:54 PM] Kalor: (3)

[9/19/2014 6:12:59 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [Unnatural 20]

[9/19/2014 6:13:22 PM] Kalor: This might be part of the original attraction, more of Andar's magic.

[9/19/2014 6:13:23 PM] Nilani: ((17))

[9/19/2014 6:13:33 PM] Wynn: Perhaps.

[6:37:46 PM] Canto: When last we left, you guys had just enterd the Grey Manse, Andaria's haunted house. A perhaps prop body dropped from the rafters, dangling from a noose, and you guys got to be the subjects of a serious of gruesome portraits lining the entryway.

[6:41:03 PM] Canto: There was a potrait of Wynn in a *gown*. The unreality is palpable.

[6:42:15 PM] Wynn: Wynn continues down the hall.

[6:44:23 PM] Valerian: Weird.

[6:45:11 PM] Valerian: I thought the dress was nice.

[6:45:16 PM] Valerian: ... if impractical.

[6:45:21 PM] Canto: The hallway winds around a bit, ending at what must have been where people lined up for their turn through the attraction, as there are velvet ropes lined up in little alleyways. Roll notice.

[6:45:43 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: It had a lovely make... the material was exquisite.

...at least, until it was all saturated in blood.

[6:45:52 PM] Wynn: ((woo! 19!))

[6:46:03 PM] Valerian: ((13))

[6:46:06 PM] Nilani: ((21))

[6:46:15 PM] Valerian: Adds realism.

[6:46:39 PM] Wynn: Don't expect to see that in real life any time soon.

[6:46:40 PM] Kalor: ((5))

[6:46:50 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [9, woo.]

[6:47:15 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Oh? I could easily craft something like that, for you. Consider it a gift for all the times you've protected us all.

[6:47:15 PM] Valerian: No. Not very practical for our lifestyle.

[6:47:34 PM] Valerian: I'm not sure when she'd wear it, though.

[6:47:56 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: You have a point, sadly. Though perhaps an occasion could be made for it.

[6:48:42 PM] Wynn: With our luck, halfway through whatever occasion you come up with, we'd be attacked by more infiltrators.

[6:49:01 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Then I will be certain it coordinates well with a sword-scabbard.

[6:49:05 PM | Edited 6:49:13 PM] Wynn: ...and you might just have to duel me to get me in something like that in the first place.

[6:49:15 PM] Valerian: No one's going to do that.

[6:49:21 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Least of all me.

[6:49:47 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: My combat capabilities pale in comparison to those of a squirrel.

[6:49:50 PM | Edited 6:50:37 PM] Wynn: Wynn points her shield light past the velvet ropes to see where we need to go next.

[6:50:13 PM] Wynn: When we return to Nation, I can teach you some self-defense. Just in case.

[6:50:55 PM] Nilani: ...Hm.

[6:51:18 PM] Nilani: Nilani looks at the rope fence.

[6:52:13 PM] Nilani: Is there any reason why this would be as pristine as it is, as opposed to being as rotted as the carpet we're standing on?

[6:52:13 PM] Valerian: Squirrels can do a lot of damage.

[6:52:46 PM] Wynn: Wynn looks at what Nilani pointed out and frowns. "I don't know."

[6:53:47 PM] Kalor: Magic probably.

[6:54:04 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...but why limit the magic to rope? I'd expect the magic to be over the entire place.

[6:54:08 PM] Valerian: Deliberate efforts to keep it up?

[6:54:16 PM] Valerian: Or it could be an illusion.

[6:54:40 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Or this rope was brought here from somewhere else, by someone else.

[6:55:04 PM] Wynn: The ropes are evil. Don't touch them.

[6:55:17 PM] Kalor: Take your sword and cut it. Whoever it is will probably be annoyed. And at least we get another visit from our charming host.

[6:56:03 PM] Valerian: The ropes are *evil*? Does that even make sense?

[6:57:23 PM] Wynn: No. No, it doesn't.

[6:57:45 PM] Kalor: Exactly, which is why I say we should cut them.

[6:58:05 PM] Valerian: Valerian inspects them.

[6:58:21 PM] Valerian: ((Search of 20.))

[7:00:48 PM] Kalor: I would touch them just out of spite you see, it's just that I know rather a lot about curses...

[7:01:19 PM] Wynn: Wynn looks around for another way past/around them without needing to go through/over/under them.

[7:02:17 PM] Valerian: We could cut them.

[7:02:28 PM] Kalor: I agree.

[7:02:53 PM] Kalor: For some reason I find myself compelled to inflict damage on these ropes.

[7:03:13 PM] Wynn: ..I should do it, but all I have is my mace.

[7:03:23 PM] Canto: Roll notice.

[7:03:32 PM] Valerian: ((18.))

[7:03:38 PM] Nilani: ((23))

[7:03:40 PM] Wynn: ((13.))

[7:03:56 PM] Kalor: (music)

[7:04:01 PM] Kalor: (music)

[7:05:29 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [woo 8, rolling like a champ]

[7:06:36 PM] Canto: Nilani and Val's spider senses kick in, the rest of you are flatfooted for the first round when the ropes come to life and start attacking. INITIATIVE.

[7:06:58 PM] Valerian: Woah!

[7:07:14 PM] Valerian: ((5.))

[7:07:31 PM] Wynn: (10)

[7:07:47 PM] Kalor: (7)

[7:08:03 PM] Nilani: ((6. Do nat 1s in initiative do anything?))

[7:08:20 PM] Valerian: ((No.))

[7:08:29 PM] Canto: ((Nope, like skills.__

[7:08:37 PM] Valerian: ((Natural 1s and 20s matter only in attack rolls and in saves.))

[7:08:53 PM] Nilani: ((Ah. Thanks for clearing that up.))

[7:09:50 PM] Canto: ((Aziz?))

[7:10:16 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [oop sorry, got distracted, rolling now]

[7:11:00 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [...Jesus the tap-dancing Christ, Live on Broadway. 4, with a nat 1 on the die.]

[7:11:51 PM] Canto: *Round 1:  Velvet Ropes, Wynn, Kalor, Nilani, Val, Aziz.*

[7:11:54 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [The digi-dice hate us tonight.]

[7:13:25 PM] Canto: There are two ropes strung along sets of brass stands. The ends come to life and whip at you, so each has two attacks. The first attacks Wynn! What's your flatfooted AC, Wynn? I don't imagine it's much different than your normal AC.

[7:13:51 PM] Wynn: (HAHAHAH no. It's the same, which right now is 24)

[7:14:59 PM] Canto: One of the strikes hits you in the midsection. It stings pretty bad, like a whip, and there's a discharge of blackish purple energy when it hits. 7 pts of damage.

[7:15:42 PM] Canto: The other rope strikes at Nilani, who gave them away in the first place. Nilani is not flatfooted. What your AC?

[7:16:05 PM] Nilani: ((17))

[7:16:55 PM] Canto: Nilani gets hit in the upper leg with a crack and another discharge of energy, for 5 hp. The other hit goes wide.

[7:17:02 PM] Canto: *Wynn*

[7:17:15 PM] Wynn: Wynn draws her mace and fights back!

[7:18:02 PM] Wynn: ((22 to hit))

[7:18:31 PM] Canto: You hit the mostly stationary velvet rope.

[7:18:42 PM] Wynn: (10 dmg)

[7:18:53 PM] Canto: Okay!

[7:19:01 PM] Canto: *Kalor*

[7:20:09 PM] Canto: *Kalor*

[7:21:29 PM] Kalor: I WASTE it with my crossbow, let me just get this thing out here...

[7:25:15 PM] Kalor: (I'm going to have to draw and load the crossbow so that's my turn I guess)

[7:32:54 PM] Canto: *Nilani*

[7:34:29 PM] Nilani: Nilani moves into a flaking position, (even if it won't do much good) pulling out her rapier on the way there. She tries to stab the thing!

[7:34:40 PM] Canto: Roll to hit

[7:39:34 PM] Nilani: ((5 damage total, 2 of it fire damage))

[7:39:58 PM] Canto: Nilani stabs the rope! Which is pretty impressive.

[7:40:00 PM] Canto: *Valerian*

[7:40:02 PM] Valerian: Valerian draws a dagger and tries to slash at one of the ropes! ((11))

[7:40:09 PM] Canto: ((hit))

[7:40:12 PM] Valerian: ((3 damage.))

[7:40:23 PM] Canto: ((Which rope are you guys hitting?))

[7:40:34 PM] Valerian: Valerian aimed at the same one Nilani has hit, for focused fire!

[7:41:16 PM] Canto: ((Did Nilani hit the one that attacked her?))

[7:41:46 PM] Nilani: ((yep))

[7:41:55 PM] Canto: *Aziz*

[7:44:14 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz takes a five-foot step back away from the ropes, and keeps his eyes open for any other threats. As an afterthought he draws the dagger Nilani gave him awhile ago. (end turn)

[7:45:06 PM] Canto: *Round 2:  Ropes, Wynn, Kalor, Nilani, Val, Aziz*

[7:46:18 PM] Canto: The ropes strike at Wynn again, two glancing hits that don't do anything to Wynn with her armor. The other rope strikes at Nilani and Val, one end htting Nilani for 6 hp, the other hitting Val for 8.

[7:46:21 PM] Canto: *Wynn*

[7:47:16 PM] Wynn: Wynn punches at the one that's attacking me with the shield and follows with the mace! (26, 18)

[7:47:27 PM] Canto: ((Two hits.))

[7:47:53 PM] Wynn: (18 dmg)

[7:48:36 PM] Canto: The rope withers under Wynn's onslaught! it goes limp and starts to disintegrate.

[7:48:43 PM] Canto: *Kalor*

[7:49:45 PM] Kalor: Chill out! (Casts ray of frost at the rope Wynn attacked)

[7:49:57 PM] Kalor: ((11, ranged touch))

[7:50:16 PM] Canto: ((Hit.))

[7:51:07 PM] Kalor: ((3 frost damage))

[7:51:29 PM] Canto: *Nilani*

[7:51:55 PM] Nilani: Nilani continues trying to stab the thing!

[7:52:36 PM] Nilani: ((nat 1))

[7:55:49 PM] Canto: The rope is a slippery bastard for a mostly stationary object! Nilani misses and is thrown off balance, landing on her butt!

[7:55:53 PM] Canto: *Val*

[7:55:59 PM] Valerian: Valerian slashes at it again!

[7:56:05 PM] Valerian: ((22, 2 damage!))

[7:56:14 PM] Valerian: ((I AM POWERFUL.))

[7:56:26 PM] Valerian: ((Fear the bard you guys!))

[7:57:44 PM] Canto: The rope stops wiggling, and also starts disintegrating!

[7:57:53 PM] Canto: *Combat ends*

[7:58:01 PM] Wynn: Who's hurt?

[7:58:07 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Not I.

[7:58:17 PM] Wynn: Wynn sheathes her mace and holds a hand out for Nilani.

[7:58:36 PM] Nilani: Nilani accepts the hand.

[7:58:43 PM] Valerian: Right. Let's keep going.

[7:59:22 PM] Wynn: Nobody got hit but me?

[7:59:39 PM] Kalor: It would appear so

[8:00:33 PM] Nilani: Actually, it got Val.

[8:00:35 PM] Valerian: I did, but not much.

[8:01:35 PM] Wynn: Wynn frowns and takes his hand to heal him. (8, right?)

[8:03:23 PM] Valerian: ((Right.))

[8:03:41 PM] Nilani: Nilani winces a lil' bit, but doesn't say anything.

[8:04:07 PM] Wynn: Nilani?

[8:05:03 PM] Nilani: Yes?

[8:05:12 PM] Wynn: Do you need healing?

[8:05:24 PM] Nilani: ...Probably.

[8:05:26 PM] Wynn: Rather are you hurt?

[8:05:37 PM] Nilani: Yes.

[8:05:50 PM] Wynn: Wynn puts a hand on her shoulder. (11? or did you have extra from before?)

[8:06:00 PM] Valerian: Thanks.

[8:06:38 PM] Nilani: ((that's about right.))

[8:06:51 PM] Canto: AT the end of the winding hallway, there's a large double door, overly ornate,t hat seems to be the entrance to the actual attraction.

[8:07:27 PM] Valerian: Right. Onward.

[8:07:38 PM] Wynn: Wynn nods and leads the way to the door!

[8:08:35 PM | Edited 8:08:46 PM] Nilani: Nilani follows, looking about for more suspicious "objects".

[8:09:01 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari follows at the back

[8:09:18 PM] Kalor: Animated objects, maybe shadow magic?

[8:10:37 PM] Canto: Andar appears! This time he's wearing orante wizard robes and wielding a staff -- he looks like he's ready for battle. "The original Grey Manse was the haven of one of my most deadly enemies, the Black Crow King.  When we were young, we were the best of friends, and he was a young man named Valerian.  Very charming fellow, always ready with a smile.  He wanted to be a bard -- but for some reason he fell into the practice of Necromancy, and like many who follow that path, he was corrupted by it."

[8:11:22 PM] Wynn: Wynn narrows her eyes.

[8:11:25 PM] Valerian: ... well *that's* not creepy at all.

[8:11:55 PM] Kalor: Heh heh heh... I guess we found a reality where you choose a different profession.

[8:12:31 PM] Nilani: According to one of the suggestion box notes, apparently Andar's image sometimes says things to get you to kill your friends.

[8:12:44 PM] Nilani: This may be an example of that.

[8:12:46 PM] Valerian: I'd rather not be killed, thanks.

[8:13:11 PM] Canto: "The truth is, I didn't know it was my friend until our third battle.  He always went masked, or shape-changed.  You see, and at that point, I hadn't seen him in years.  My failure to save him is one of the great shames of my life."

[8:13:12 PM] Nilani: I don't plan on doing so.

[8:13:51 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Murder is not my forte, either.

[8:14:14 PM] Canto: "You might think this a rather gaudy and tasteless memorial to my former friend -- but trust me, the Val I remember would have loved this."

[8:14:25 PM] Wynn: Wynn looks at Val. "Humor me?"

[8:14:35 PM] Kalor: You would look good in a mask...

[8:14:45 PM] Valerian: Humor you in what?

[8:14:52 PM] Valerian: I'm not wearing a mask, that's so cliched.

[8:15:08 PM] Valerian: ... and my magic isn't strong enough for any kind of proper necromancy anyway.

[8:15:15 PM] Wynn: No. I mean tell me it's a trick or a different Valerian.

[8:15:22 PM] Kalor: well, then you have to wait until I learn some better shape changing spells.

[8:15:34 PM] Valerian: I'm pretty sure it *must* be a trick or a different Valerian.

[8:15:40 PM] Kalor: Kalor snickers.

[8:16:13 PM] Valerian: ... although it *could* be my future, I suppose. There's an outside chance of that. But I'm not really interested in necromancy.

[8:16:28 PM] Wynn: Wynn nods.

[8:16:49 PM] Wynn: Nilani, can you check the door?

[8:16:49 PM] Kalor: It's such a transparent ploy that I can't help but be amused. Either that or we really have travelled to an alternate universe where you did turn evil.

[8:17:09 PM] Canto: Andar's image fades!

[8:17:09 PM] Nilani: Sure.

[8:17:18 PM] Kalor: Hey, do you think maybe the Crow turns out to be your alternate self?

[8:17:33 PM] Valerian: If he does I'll be happy to help beat him up.

[8:17:54 PM] Kalor: And maybe he would try to switch places with you? Quick, tell me something that only the real you would know!

[8:18:06 PM] Kalor: Kalor laughs

[8:18:09 PM | Edited 8:19:36 PM] Nilani: Nilani goes over to the doors, checking for traps. She stops about halfway and shivers before continuing.

[8:18:35 PM] Valerian: ... normally I'm not in favor of violence but it would be really hard not to take that personally.

[8:19:43 PM] Kalor: What? Even I have read dozens of stories that use that plot element. As a bard I'd think you would find it even more amusing.

[8:19:49 PM] Nilani: No traps.

[8:19:56 PM] Nilani: No lock either.

[8:20:04 PM] Wynn: ...back up a step.

[8:20:27 PM] Nilani: Nilani backs away from the door and flattens herself against the wall.

[8:20:44 PM] Valerian: Besides, that's not what I'd be like if I were evil anyway.

[8:21:00 PM] Valerian: I'd've killed my parents for the title and played kingmaker in St. Benedict.

[8:21:07 PM] Wynn: Wynn opens the door.

[8:21:30 PM] Kalor: Actually I find it odd that none of these images have tried to say anything to subvert me yet. I don't know if I'm supposed to be flattered or insulted.

[8:22:10 PM] Wynn: They seem to be targeting me. Or all of you through me.

[8:22:11 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I've been ignored as well.

[8:22:14 PM] Canto: The door creaks pretty loudly!

[8:22:23 PM] Nilani: I got one.

[8:23:02 PM] Valerian: I'd rather not get one, honestly. This is bad enough.

[8:24:33 PM] Wynn: Wynn shines the light beyond the door and steps in.

[8:24:51 PM] Valerian: It's probably just because I wear black.

[8:24:51 PM] Canto: The room is large! There don't appear to be walls. It's a cemetary.

[8:24:52 PM] Valerian: Valerian follows.

[8:25:22 PM] Nilani: Nilani edges in after them.

[8:25:29 PM] Valerian: Stereotypically so do necromancers. And he *is* called the Crow, so...

[8:25:33 PM] Valerian: Valerian has lowered his voice a lot.

[8:25:49 PM] Canto: As you walk in, it comes to 'life*... dim moonlight shines through the largely grey and overcast night sky. A lonely wolf howls.

[8:26:08 PM] Kalor: In the pale moonlight...

[8:26:15 PM] Canto: Notice checks!

[8:26:34 PM] Kalor: (music)

[8:26:39 PM] Wynn: (3. Wynn is preoccupied by thoughts.)

[8:26:39 PM] Nilani: ((16))

[8:27:12 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [14, finally not a crapsack roll!]

[8:27:26 PM] Valerian: ((6.))

[8:28:35 PM] Valerian: ... if this is me in the future I've lost my understanding of what "cliche" means and need to be put down.

[8:28:52 PM | Edited 8:29:18 PM] Nilani: Nilani points out something to the right. It looks like someone digging a grave, way out at the edge of the light spell.

[8:29:53 PM] Wynn: Wynn will keep an eye on it, but continue moving straight ahead.

[8:30:16 PM] Canto: There is a path through the cemetary, old cobblestones that lead into the darkness.

[8:30:49 PM] Wynn: Wynn follows the path!

[8:31:00 PM] Kalor: Follow the cobblestone path I guess.

[8:31:22 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari follows at the back of the party. "I was never a fan of jump-scares and ominous music, truth be told."

[8:31:53 PM] Valerian: Valerian goes behind Aziz, in case something comes upon us from behind.

[8:32:10 PM] Nilani: Nilani cautiously slinks along the path.

[8:33:27 PM] Canto: Give me another notice check!

[8:33:41 PM] Kalor: Follow the cobblestone path. Follow the cobblestone path. Fololol fololol fololol fololol follow the cobblestone path... Weeee're off to see the necro... (music)

[8:33:44 PM] Wynn: (6.)

[8:33:45 PM] Nilani: ((29))

[8:34:16 PM] Kalor: (Natural 1)

[8:34:26 PM] Valerian: ((17. And naturals don't matter with skillchecks.))

[8:35:53 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [10]

[8:36:57 PM] Nilani: Nilani slowly approaches one of the tombstones

[8:37:18 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Try not to get eaten by cartoony zombies, now.

[8:37:18 PM] Valerian: Well, that's... actually quite effectively creepy.

[8:37:36 PM] Wynn: The graveyard? Not particularly.

[8:38:08 PM] Kalor: It wouldn't be cliché enough if it didn't have graves with our names on them.

[8:38:26 PM] Kalor: What does the inscription on mine say?

[8:38:28 PM] Wynn: Hmm?

[8:38:38 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Anyone have a shovel? I wonder if I'm in there.

[8:38:52 PM] Valerian: I don't want to find out.

[8:39:45 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: We should keep moving. The faster we find our mark, the sooner we can go home.

[8:39:48 PM] Wynn: Just don't pay attention to it.

[8:39:52 PM] Wynn: Wynn is still moving.

[8:40:22 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari takes his own advice and keeps moving, following Wynn

[8:40:43 PM] Nilani: Nilani also follows

[8:41:03 PM] Canto: The path leads into a mausoleum.

[8:41:32 PM] Kalor: Kalor follows Wynn

[8:41:38 PM] Wynn: Wynn opens the door!

[8:42:14 PM] Canto: There's a very narrow stone passage that leads underground, it seems. It's lined with tasteful tapestries.

[8:42:22 PM] Valerian: Valerian follows.

[8:42:31 PM] Valerian: Pretty.

[8:42:39 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...hey, Nilani. Lend me your rapier for a second.

[8:42:48 PM] Kalor: Check the tapestries for evil.

[8:42:54 PM] Wynn: Wynn does so.

[8:43:23 PM] Nilani: Nilani hands Aziz her rapier, looking at him questioningly.

[8:44:02 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Your usual modus-operandi is flanky-stabby, which doesn't work so good on the undead, correct? I've got two spells left... and one of them, I think, will be helpful to you.

[8:45:19 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari spends the next half-a-minute infusing her weapon with the remnants of his magical essence... and chalk. Lots of chalk. The end result causes the rapier to glow with a bit of hard-edged green light.

[8:45:28 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari passes it back to Nilani

[8:45:47 PM] Nilani: Nilani takes it back, examining it curiously.

[8:46:12 PM] Kalor: That is a rather serious enchantment... How is it bound to the weapon?

[8:46:46 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: The chalk... which is also why it falls off so quickly. I could do it on a more permanent basis if I had my supplies, and more time.

[8:48:02 PM] Wynn: Ready then?

[8:48:10 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: As I'm going to be.

[8:48:25 PM] Kalor: Well, I can turn someone invisible...

[8:48:43 PM] Kalor: It does not last all that long however

[8:48:47 PM] Valerian: Right, let's go.

[8:48:48 PM] Wynn: Wynn continues down the stairs.

[8:49:00 PM] Wynn: Wynn stops suddenly.

[8:49:22 PM] Wynn: Tapestries *are* evil. Almost missed it.

[8:49:43 PM] Canto: The lights go out! Including the light on Wynn's shield.

[8:49:50 PM] Kalor: Well, time to get smothered I guess...

[8:49:55 PM] Nilani: eep.

[8:49:56 PM | Edited 8:50:04 PM] Wynn: Wynn draws her mace!

[8:50:47 PM] Valerian: Anyone have a torch?

[8:51:30 PM] Canto: The light spell comes back on. Where before the scenes on the tapestry were pretty normal -- one depicted a battle of some sort, a clash between two armies, and the other some kind of hunting party, now they both show you guys. Tapestry versinos of you guys. In the exact same order you entered the mausoleum in. Also, the door is closed behind you.

[8:51:54 PM] Wynn: I'm getting really tired of this place.

[8:51:54 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Andar is nothing if not thorough.

[8:52:13 PM] Wynn: Wynn continues, mace in hand, eyeing the tapestries.

[8:52:32 PM] Valerian: It's a pretty neat effect.

[8:52:38 PM] Valerian: But I'm sure it'll be put to unpleasant uses.

[8:53:01 PM] Canto: The light flickers again. The tapestry on the left now shows Wynn, visor down, chasing the rest of you guys with a bloody Mace. She's already killed Aziz! In the Tapestry, that is.

[8:53:18 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Oh, good. I always knew you'd be the death of me.

[8:53:59 PM] Wynn: Well we all know how that would end. You'd just outrun me.

[8:54:06 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari rolls his eyes and starts etching chalk-runes into his dagger.

[8:54:42 PM] Valerian: ... let's press on.

[8:54:47 PM] Wynn: Indeed.

[8:54:51 PM] Wynn: Wynn has not stopped.

[8:55:22 PM] Nilani: Nilani inches forward. Her eyes dart about, scanning the area.

[8:56:13 PM] Canto: The tapestry on the right, though, shows all of you guys, standing triumphant over a man in black robes. Weird thing, though, is that Wynn isn't wearing her armor in this picture. She's there, with a shield and a mace in hand.

[8:57:04 PM] Valerian: ... also odd.

[8:57:05 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Apparently someone's going to try and steal your clothes, Wynn. Make sure your belt is tight.

[8:57:30 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari finishes the inscription on his dagger, which begins to glow with a weaker version of the same hard green light.

[8:58:27 PM] Canto: So, you make your way through the narrow tunnel, which opens up into a larger stone chamber. Still seems to be a tomb, but a kingly tomb, the sort where royalty are laid to rest. There are stone caskets with carved images of their occupants on the lids.

[9:00:42 PM] Valerian: Maybe he'll be willing to talk.

[9:00:56 PM] Wynn: Hopefully.

[9:01:32 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Are any of these "ours"?

[9:01:45 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I'm expecting at least one labeled "Valerian".

[9:02:08 PM] Canto: Nope! you don't recognize any of the names.

[9:03:39 PM] Canto: There's a wooden door at the end of the room, though.

[9:03:56 PM] Wynn: Wynn goes to it!

[9:04:30 PM] Canto: There's a scraping noise from one of caskets.

[9:04:55 PM] Wynn: Wynn faces it, mace still in hand.

[9:05:35 PM] Canto: The top of the casket slooooowly slides off, falling to the floor with a heavy crash and shattering.

[9:05:57 PM] Wynn: Wynn steps up between the group and the casket.

[9:06:02 PM] Kalor: Now see what you did! I'm not cleaning that up.

[9:06:25 PM] Canto: Roll a reflex save.

[9:06:43 PM] Wynn: (Who? Me?)

[9:06:50 PM] Canto: EVeryone.

[9:07:05 PM] Kalor: (Natural 1)

[9:07:07 PM] Valerian: ((21.))

[9:07:10 PM] Wynn: (nat 20!)

[9:07:16 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [14]

[9:07:20 PM] Nilani: (15)

[9:07:42 PM] Canto: Kalor takes 6 pts of damage from the stone shrapnel.

[9:08:24 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...I'm surprised, Andar hasn't appeared to yell at us for vandalism yet. I can't imagine he intended a portion of his attraction to cause actual harm.

[9:08:51 PM] Valerian: It's probably not Andar.

[9:08:55 PM] Canto: A skeleton slowly, slowly sits up in the casket.

[9:09:05 PM] Canto: Far too slow to be a threat.

[9:09:36 PM] Wynn: It's a fake.

[9:09:56 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Ignore it, or let Andar keep telling the story?

[9:10:25 PM] Canto: It looks at Wynn. "He's in your...."

[9:10:37 PM] Wynn: (also, just for the record since the tapestry had Wynn with mask down, her visor is up.)

[9:10:53 PM] Kalor: Well the stone trap is real enough. HELLFIRE, it hurts!

[9:11:41 PM] Canto: The skeleton king turns into dust!

[9:11:58 PM] Wynn: Wynn raises an eyebrow at the skeleton, vaguely curious what the end of the sentence was going to be, but sheathes her mace and turns to Kalor apologetically placing a hand on his shoulder. (only 1 hp healed)

[9:12:00 PM] Valerian: In her what?

[9:12:08 PM] Wynn: I'm sorry, Kalor. That's all I have left.

[9:12:12 PM] Valerian: ... can you detect evil on yourself?

[9:12:33 PM] Wynn: Wynn frowns at him. "I am not evil."

[9:12:40 PM] Kalor: Still something, thank you sir knight.

[9:12:45 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Can you detect evil on your armor?

[9:13:08 PM] Wynn: Wynn sighs heavily and does it to humor them.

[9:14:12 PM] Wynn: ....well that isn't good.

[9:14:27 PM] Valerian: .... what is it?

[9:14:43 PM] Valerian: Obviously you're not evil, we're talking about.... hitchhikers or something, I think.

[9:14:51 PM] Kalor: Fleas.

[9:15:05 PM] Wynn: My armor and my clothes.

[9:15:41 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...I'll refrain from crude humor at this juncture.

[9:15:42 PM] Wynn: ....and all your clothes.

[9:16:35 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Remind me again why we are tracking down this Crow person?

[9:16:51 PM] Valerian: *Our* clothes?

[9:16:56 PM] Valerian: Everyone's?

[9:17:00 PM] Wynn: Yes.

[9:17:06 PM] Kalor: To reclaim the evil artifact of doom that he's stolen and destroy it

[9:17:17 PM] Wynn: And rescue him, if he needs it.

[9:17:22 PM] Kalor: Now look, we all have evil artifacts.

[9:17:25 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: This is beginning to feel like a prodigious waste of time, precious sanity, and our safety.

[9:17:40 PM] Wynn: Wynn narrows her eyes at Aziz.

[9:18:12 PM] Kalor: Kalor speaks to his robes "You wouldn't REALLY try to kill us, right?"

[9:18:42 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari gestures to Kalor indicatively. "As I was saying."

[9:19:21 PM] Valerian: ... wait a minute.

[9:19:29 PM] Valerian: Wait a minute, I remember reading something about this.

[9:19:40 PM] Valerian: A mage was working on some sort of magic that targeted people's clothes.

[9:20:09 PM] Valerian: So you'd cast a spelll and hold them in place by turning the *clothes* to stone, that sort of thing.

[9:20:23 PM] Valerian: It could be something like that, couldn't it?

[9:20:39 PM] Wynn: ...I'd say clothes aren't likely to be able to do anything to us, but I'm not sure I can say the same for my armor.

[9:20:42 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Conceivably. That's... actually fairly novel.

[9:20:51 PM] Kalor: You mean like the static cling spell? I always thought that was a myth.

[9:21:09 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Magic can create reinforcement in otherwise fragile materials. There are several Animate Object spells that can make a candelabra able to stand up to magical weaponry.

[9:21:12 PM] Valerian: Aziz, what should we do, if that's how it works?

[9:21:29 PM] Wynn: Is there some spell that causes things to become evil?

[9:22:18 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: If the clothes are imbued with a spell of the evil subtype, they could conceivably read as "evil" to your paladinous senses. As for what to do... let me think on it for a moment.

[9:23:05 PM] Kalor: There are also spells that exist for no reason other than to make objects or creatures register as one alignment.

[9:23:15 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [Yay for rolling like a peasant, 15 Know(arcana) check]

[9:24:23 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I'd normally say "try to dispel it," but I've burned all of my immediate-access magic. I could try and make a scroll to do it, but that would take several minutes. Does anyone else have any aptitude for dispelling?

[9:24:37 PM] Valerian: Valerian shakes his head.

[9:24:44 PM] Kalor: No

[9:24:55 PM] Canto: Everyone roll notice.

[9:25:06 PM] Valerian: ((4.))

[9:25:12 PM] Valerian: As long as the answer isn't "take all the clothes off."

[9:25:15 PM] Nilani: ((16))

[9:25:17 PM] Wynn: (19.)

[9:25:18 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [My God, why do these dice hate me? 7]

[9:25:22 PM] Kalor: (9)

[9:25:58 PM] Wynn: As I said.... clothes shouldn't be able to do much. My armor might. Aziz might get to see his golem after all.

[9:26:43 PM] Wynn: Wynn steps in front of the group.

[9:26:57 PM] Kalor: That is assuming this is not a really obvious trick. Those tapestries read as evil after all.

[9:27:17 PM] Wynn: Yes, but would it be able to use my own god-given sight against me?

[9:27:28 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Clothes could move -us-, though. Cloth is surprisingly strong, when used in large amounts. A cloth stretcher can carry hundreds of pounds without tearing.

[9:27:32 PM] Wynn: Wynn also draws her mace and looks at the other side of the room.

[9:27:38 PM] Kalor: With a pinch of magic, yes it would.

[9:28:13 PM] Valerian: Valerian frowns.

[9:28:19 PM] Valerian: ... remember that mascot costume?

[9:28:24 PM] Kalor: Undead

[9:28:36 PM] Valerian: Or was the costume undead....

[9:28:41 PM] Kalor: And he's the crow, not the magpie

[9:28:41 PM] Wynn: Quiet a moment.

[9:29:11 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari keeps his newly-enchanted dagger at the ready, just in case.

[9:30:55 PM] Valerian: Valerian hushes.

[9:31:28 PM] Canto: Andar's image appears! "Hmm.  I'm terribly sorry, my friends, it appears that the special effects in this room are out of order.  If you would just keep on moving forward, I'll get some of my best people on fixing the problem as soon as possible!"

[9:32:05 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Andar, what's your policy on refunds?

[9:32:37 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: On a serious note though, we should probably move on. If we've not got the means to dispel this nonsense, we should at least try to do something productive.

[9:33:12 PM] Valerian: I don't really like the idea of my clothes strangling me.

[9:33:23 PM] Wynn: Wynn ignores Andar (and Aziz) and moves forward slowly.

[9:33:31 PM] Valerian: Valerian follows Wynn.

[9:34:49 PM] Wynn: .....two things.

[9:34:59 PM] Wynn: One, there's someone in here with us.

[9:35:15 PM] Wynn: Two, Valerian, I may need your help getting this armor off.

[9:35:37 PM] Kalor: Kalor readies his crossbow

[9:35:45 PM] Valerian: Valerian nods.

[9:35:49 PM] Valerian: Right.

[9:35:53 PM] Valerian: Say the word.

[9:35:55 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I knew I should have put the spells on your socks. Nobody thinks of socks.

[9:36:24 PM] Wynn: Better safe than sorry, and I can feel it resisting my movement.

[9:36:35 PM] Valerian: Valerian starts taking it off her.

[9:36:51 PM] Wynn: Wynn does too!

[9:37:23 PM] Valerian: Used to help my parents with this kind of thing.

[9:37:40 PM] Canto: There's a knock on the door!

[9:37:48 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Thankfully you have a mace. I can't imagine a sword would do much to animated plate mail.

[9:38:09 PM] Canto: YOu manage to get Wynn's armor off.

[9:38:46 PM] Wynn: Wynn sets it to the side, wishing the lid to that coffin was still whole.

[9:39:08 PM] Wynn: Wynn then goes to the door, shield on arm, mace in hand.

[9:39:09 PM] Canto: Everyone roll Fort or Will, whatever's higher for you.

[9:39:16 PM] Valerian: I'm just glad there's plenty of padding under there.

[9:39:30 PM] Wynn: (OH NOES! Nat 1!)

[9:39:39 PM] Valerian: ((9. Not good.))

[9:39:44 PM] Kalor: (14)

[9:39:55 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [My only good roll of the night. 23.]

[9:39:58 PM] Nilani: ((8. Oh dear.))

[9:40:06 PM] Wynn: ((lol nat 1 and still got higher than val and nilani, and 1 less than kalor.))

[9:41:24 PM] Canto: 10 or above, you can feel your clothes freezing up, like they're super starchy.

[9:42:34 PM] Canto: Wynn is frozen. Or, her clothes are frozen. Val and Nilani can move, but but not for much longer.

[9:43:14 PM] Valerian: Valerian tries to get his shirt off. This is probably not going to work.

[9:43:20 PM] Kalor: Kalor throws off his robes

[9:43:21 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...great, my biggest nightmare. I am the only remaining combatant, I've exhausted my magic, and my only defense is a tiny dagger.

[9:43:40 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari may or may not be beginning to hyperventilate

[9:43:43 PM] Nilani: Nilani attempts to get her armor and cloak off.

[9:44:14 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari notices Valerian and Nilani still able to move, and scrambles to help whichever is closer out of their restraints

[9:44:17 PM] Canto: Gimme ref saves, Val and Nilani. That fits, I think.

[9:44:56 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [Which one would be closer?]

[9:45:08 PM] Valerian: ((Natural 20.))

[9:45:18 PM] Nilani: ((28))

[9:45:28 PM] Canto: Val is super good at getting his clothes off. So is Nilani.

[9:45:33 PM] Valerian: ((NO COMMENT.))

[9:45:40 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...we shall never speak of this again.

[9:45:54 PM | Edited 9:46:06 PM] Nilani: Nope.

[9:46:12 PM] Valerian: Valerian is pretty much what you might expect under there. Slight half-elfy-looking.

[9:46:21 PM] Wynn: ....can't move. How about using that dagger over here?

[9:46:26 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Good idea.

[9:46:45 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari moves to help Wynn out of her restraints, keeping his eyes averted from... well, everyone.

[9:47:00 PM] Valerian: This is not my best day ever.

[9:47:23 PM] Kalor: Kalor flexes his fins in frustration and aims his crossbow at the door

[9:47:24 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: This has gone from a nightmare to an inverse nightmare. I thought I was the one supposed to be naked in front of my colleagues while I flounder around.

[9:47:32 PM] Valerian: Valerian is blushing a little bit.

[9:48:52 PM] Valerian: It's not a big deal.

[9:48:57 PM] Wynn: Wynn is not as scarred as Tarak and Allys, of course... but her arms and torso certainly have a few! And one icky looking one on her lower leg.

[9:49:09 PM] Nilani: Nilani shivers a bit, unused to being this exposed for any length of time.

[9:49:43 PM] Valerian: Is it even safe to pick *up* our clothes?

[9:50:03 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I will make new ones when we are safely out of this place, if it comes to that.

[9:50:03 PM] Wynn: Wynn kicks hers over to where her armor is sitting.

[9:50:15 PM] Canto: The door swings open. There stands... well, they look like a set of black wizard robes. But there's no one in them.

[9:50:27 PM] Kalor: Kalor fires

[9:50:50 PM] Kalor: (16)

[9:51:03 PM] Wynn: Wynn looks incredulous and exasperated at the same time!

[9:53:02 PM] Canto: The bolt flies true! It punctures the robes at the chest, and flies through, as there's no one in there, apparently.

[9:54:07 PM] Kalor: I guess silver does nothing to this thing. That complicates matters.

[9:54:13 PM] Valerian: Those are pretty old.

[9:54:23 PM] Valerian: I think that's what we're looking for, in any case.

[9:54:31 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: This... may be the only time I can actually do this.

[9:55:08 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari walks forward and attempts to strike at a threadbare section on the back of the outfit with his dagger.

[9:55:15 PM] Canto: Roll!

[9:55:33 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [15? xD]

[9:55:46 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: [Are the garments undead, should I roll the 2d6?]

[9:56:13 PM] Canto: The robes aren't really looking at you-- any of you. it's... 'looking' at your piles of clothes.

[9:56:43 PM] Valerian: Great, it wants a mate.

[9:56:46 PM] Canto: Aziz walks up and tears the old, rotting garment at a spot at its neck.

[9:56:49 PM] Kalor: So the Crow is a magpie after all.

[9:56:51 PM] Wynn: ...you are *not* getting my armor.

[9:57:04 PM] Canto: The robes kind of.... collapse.

[9:57:15 PM] Wynn: ....uh-oh.

[9:57:18 PM] Valerian: ... now what?

[9:57:25 PM] Wynn: Wynn rushes over and scatters her armor across the floor!

[9:57:33 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: It feels a sin to do that. This outfit was magnificent, once.

[9:57:51 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari tries not to feel bad for the clothesgolem that may or may not have wanted to kill us all.

[9:58:35 PM] Wynn: Wynn raises her shield and readies her mace.

[9:58:38 PM] Wynn: This isn't over.

[9:58:42 PM] Kalor: I was all ready to blast it with positive energy too...

[9:58:46 PM] Valerian: How do you know?

[9:59:05 PM] Wynn: (lol because I didn't let Canto finish his typing.)

[9:59:05 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Because if it were this easy, adventurers would bring tailors into every dungeon.

[9:59:17 PM] Wynn: Wynn lowers her shield and mace.

[9:59:21 PM] Wynn: ....maybe it is.

[9:59:48 PM] Kalor: Aaaugh!

[9:59:58 PM] Kalor: Kalor claps his hands over his ears

[10:00:09 PM] Kalor: Blast, that was loud...

[10:00:22 PM] Wynn: ...what was?

[10:00:29 PM] Valerian: ... I don't hear anything.

[10:00:41 PM] Wynn: The clothes don't appear to be evil anymore.

[10:01:01 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: You all should probably get dressed, so we can go back to never speaking of this again.

[10:01:04 PM] Wynn: I didn't think Aziz's plan worked. Thought it was simply choosing a new home.

[10:01:07 PM] Kalor: A whole lot of magic just went up like booze on a bonfire

[10:01:27 PM] Wynn: Wynn lifts her clothes, now shredded.

[10:01:43 PM] Kalor: I'd say he ripped the main skein out of the enchantment that kept this thing animated.

[10:01:43 PM] Wynn: ....I suppose there's at least the padding in my armor.

[10:02:21 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I was trying to do that to the outfit. I didn't intend to do the same for the spell.

[10:02:26 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari chuckles nervously

[10:02:36 PM] Valerian: Valerian starts getting dressed again.

[10:02:49 PM] Nilani: Nilani pulls her leathers back on and re-dons her cloak.

[10:03:18 PM] Kalor: Kalor puts his robes back on

[10:03:19 PM] Wynn: Wynn carefully puts her padding and armor back on without the clothes. No pinching!

[10:04:30 PM] Valerian: Elves aren't known for being incredibly muscular.

[10:04:55 PM] Wynn: ....I'm not sure why you felt the need to say that.

[10:05:27 PM] Valerian: Neither am I.

[10:05:49 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Please, I believe the agreement was "never speak of this again". Can we get out of here?

[10:06:23 PM] Wynn: I suppose so.

[10:06:32 PM] Kalor: So did these clothes break themselves out of jail or is there an actual Crow?

[10:06:49 PM] Wynn: There was blood.

[10:06:52 PM] Kalor: We should probably check through the door

[10:06:59 PM] Wynn: Yes.

[10:07:14 PM] Wynn: Wynn finishes tightening the straps and heads through the door.

[10:07:19 PM] Valerian: Valerian follows her.

[10:07:21 PM] Kalor: Maybe we'll find his dessicated corpse, that would be better than many of the alternatives...

[10:07:38 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari follows at the back, comfortably back in the "non-combatant" chair

[10:09:10 PM] Canto: Andar's Image appears! "I'm afraid, my friends, that I'm going to have to ask you to leave.  It seems that the systems that control Andaria haven't been updated in quite some time!  I've sent a message to the real Archmage Andar, and hopefully he'll be around soon to make sure that everything is under control."

[10:09:33 PM] Canto: "But for the time being, I cannot guarantee your safety in this park."

[10:09:49 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: ...oh, gods. I just... I just realized something. Wynn..?

[10:10:03 PM] Kalor: That would have been great to know... You know, DAYS before now?

[10:10:06 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Remember that mascot from before, with the body inside it?

[10:10:09 PM] Valerian: Andar's coming?

[10:10:21 PM] Wynn: Yes. I have some bruises to remind me.

[10:10:34 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Before we started fighting it, I could hear the person inside it screaming. If this robe controlled outfits...

[10:10:56 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Do you think we may have killed a thief that tried on a mascot suit as a hiding-place..?

[10:11:14 PM] Kalor: Well, I took control of that... Thing, and I neutralized it without daamging it.

[10:11:18 PM] Valerian: ... that's disturbing.

[10:11:22 PM] Kalor: It rotted

[10:11:29 PM] Kalor: Into a pile of dust

[10:11:33 PM] Wynn: His death is on the person... or thing... that animated the suit.

[10:12:26 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari starts to say something, then thinks better of it and stays silent.

[10:12:36 PM] Kalor: I even specifically ordered it to release anyone it may have held captive. Believe me, whatver was in there was dead when I got to it.

[10:12:46 PM] Canto: You move further into the haunted house, and do indeed find a pile of bones and human remains.

[10:13:31 PM] Wynn: Wynn puts the remnants of her shirt on the floor and places the bones within it as a sort of make-shift sack.

[10:14:08 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Can we bury them in the demi-forest? Is that a thing Talas allows?

[10:14:28 PM] Wynn: Why not here?

[10:14:30 PM] Valerian: We could ask her.

[10:14:48 PM] Valerian: ... we have a *lot* of work to do if we do it here.

[10:14:51 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: It'd be better for their essences and materials to return to a food-chain than to be tied up here, in this fake world.

[10:15:16 PM] Wynn: Fair point.

[10:15:40 PM] Kalor: We don't exactly bury our dead, so unless we can find a large reef of saltwater coral to unify them with, I defer to your funeral rites.

[10:17:28 PM] Wynn: Wynn carries the bones out to the entrance of the mansion then places them on the body that she can't tell if it's fake or not and carries them all back to the main courtyard.

[10:17:51 PM] Valerian: Valerian hellps.

[10:19:05 PM] Wynn: Wynn also heads back to the mansion, collects Beek, and places the bodies in sheets from the beds to carry them back to Nation as well.

[10:19:59 PM] Valerian: Valerian helps with that too.

[10:21:51 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: After we bury these people, I'm probably going to lock myself in the crafting labs for the next few days. This trip... has been eye-opening for me, in quite a few ways. I'd welcome anyone who wants to visit me - these projects will take awhile.

[10:22:25 PM] Valerian: In the labs on the ship, right?

[10:22:29 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Of course.

[10:22:36 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I'm not staying here an instant longer than I have to.

[10:22:44 PM] Valerian: ... good.

[10:22:55 PM] Wynn: ...I'd be glad to teach you a thing or two in the training room if you'd like.

[10:23:15 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I'd also relish some challenges, if anyone has requests for me. Enchantments, armaments, even a simple outfit or two. It'd be nice to feel useful.

[10:23:29 PM] Valerian: Training *would* probably be a good idea, Aziz.

[10:23:35 PM] Valerian: ... I could use some practice too.

[10:24:28 PM] Wynn: Teaching is a form of training in itself. It forces you to think about different ways to see what you are doing to better explain it to another.

[10:25:12 PM] Kalor: You can scribe scrolls, correct?

[10:28:48 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I can, yes.

[10:29:22 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: I can also do permanent enchantments on weapons, armor... outfits, as well. Just nothing made from wood. I'm terrible with the stuff.

[10:29:32 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari makes a face. "Too many splinters."

[10:29:39 PM] Kalor: If you could scribe me a scroll of dispel magic, we could avoid problems like that in the future.

[10:30:13 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: How about a wand? Why one use when I can give you fifty?

[10:30:45 PM] Kalor: Because I can copy it into my spellbook and cast it at any time?

[10:34:53 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: You... make an excellent point.

[10:35:32 PM] Wynn: I... need to go get changed into something more suitable for digging.

[10:35:37 PM] Wynn: Wynn heads off to her room.

[10:35:54 PM] Valerian: Valerian goes to help with the armor part.

[10:39:09 PM] Aziz al-Awlari: Aziz al-Awlari hits the crafting bench in Nation's forge room. Fifteen minutes later a scroll of Dispel Magic is done.