Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

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Fidrikon's picture
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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

OOC: well, since half-elves have the same sleep immunity as elves, I'd assume that they have the same method of rest. Not long after the wine wears off, Ian will wake up and spend the next four hours resting in meditation.

After that, he will spend his time checking over his equipment, polishing his blade, making minor repairs to his armor and equipment, and more or less wait for someone else to wake up.

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

[OOC: Ian will dream another six hours after the vision ended, then meditate four hours. Blackthornes will simply sleep for a full ten hours. When they both wake up fully rested, Saath will be awake for a few minutes. Naruk will be awake, too, as will be the Masked Gnoll. Azure will probably be the one who's awake for the longest time. He'll have seen Naruk wake up, study his spellbook for about an hour, and then wait for the rest of the group to wake.

Anything or anyone I forgot? I assume Sejanus/Dialexis hasn't returned yet... :-/

If everyone's fine with that, I'd say we simply skip to the point where everybody's awake again. Nothing spectacular happens in the mean-time.]

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

OOC: I'm okay with it. I'll just wait a few hours to see if anyone has any objections, and then I'll get the ball rolling.

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Ian munches on some dried meat trail rations, dons his cloak, and walks to the center of the room.

"All right everybody, time for another meeting. Naruk, that wine probably just saved us, because..." Ian trails off. He is staring, mouth agape, at the Masked Gnolls wings. He shakes his head once to clear it. "Did I miss something?"

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

"Missed? No, thou seemst to have noticed as readily as everyone else, Ian. Such are the dangers of this place of raw chaos. None leave Demonholme unmarked." At this, Azure has a grave look indeed, the look of a soldier who counts himself already amoung the dead.

Then he undergoes a sea change. Suddenly his eyes light up ans he looks at his happenstance companions with a fierce grin. "Marred or whole, I'm ready to do some marking myself! To mine eyes, yon toothy beast is just that much more the worse for our enemies. May we all find such hidden strengths."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

There is a pause. "Right..."
Ian turns to Naruk. " Naruk, Blackthornes, I need to speak to you two... privately." Ian takes a few few steps off to the side, and waits for them to start towards him before he actually moves to one of the corners of the room.

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

*blackthornes looks up from his face-down position at the mention of his name.*
"I swear it wasn't me captain, it was that damned pit fiend...."
*Blackthornes looks up*
"Oh? nevermind that. Alright. I'll go."
*Blackthornes heads towards Ian*

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

"YAAAAARRRRNNNNN!!!"

MG yarns and steaches out his massive flind body as far is at can go. He slowly works his way to his feet and tries to flutters his newly obtained wings to see how they feel while opening his bag and talking down inside.

"Let's see what we have to eat this day Ms. Daisy!.... Portable Ram, no good.....Climbing gear and rope, can't eat that......Where is my packed lunch?.....Oh no."

Tears swell up behide a dirty ivory mask as MG dumps the contents of his bag on the ground revealing all his meager possesions: a Badger, a portable ram, and some climbers gear complete with rope. Fightining back sniffles he asks....

"Does anyone have food Ms. Daisy and I may eat?"

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Naruk grabs into one of his pouches, and pulls out two bags. He walks over to MG, and gives him the bags. "Bread in the left one, dried cow's meat in the right one."

He gives MG a nod, then walks over to Ian. "I have a theory," he whispers, "but it's no more than a theory. MG's wings could be a result of his behaviour... his very child-like behaviour. He always reminded me of a faery, you know, and faeries have wings... and the room's voice said he was of Faeraan descent, which might be something related to Faeries, at least the name makes one think of that. So, my theory is that the gnoll's body has adapted to his mind, meaning the planes have changed him into... a fairy gnoll."

He takes a breath, then adds, "On the other hand, the wings could mean there's some horrible Abyssal Parasite growing in his inside, or something."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

"We'll have to play the Gnoll thing by ear, but thats not what I wanted to talk about."

"I learned a lot of potentially useful information during my vision, and I'll tell the group most of it, but I wanted your opinion on something first. It would seem that Time travel is not the extent of Xanarox's powers. He also is a master of subtle manipulation, which I'm told can only be countered by a lack of self-deception on any level."

"Now, I had some... insightful visions last night that have helped me in that regard, and I'm assuming that Blackthornes did too. You saw past your own mask when we cleared you of those abyssal parasites. The three of us are, on some level or another, resistant to his manipulations."
"As for the others, I'm not so sure. Theres a chance that the Masked Gnoll is exactly what he appears to be, and free of risk. But the others are almost certainly fair game for Xanarox."

"My question is this: what would be more harmful to the group? Not knowing that they could be manipulated, or having them second guessing their decisions because Xanarox might be manipulating them, even if he's not doing it?"

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Naruk frowns, then replies, "One thing I learned in my Guvner-time: Knowledge is power. If you want the group to be a powerful enemy for Xanarox, give the group as a whole as much knowledge as possible. That's my opinion, at least."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Ian nods. "Very well, then."

He walks back toward the group. "So! Everyone gather round, then. We have much to discuss."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

*Blackthornes interupts*
"Yes, I have something to tell you all, regarding our little mission......"
*Blackthornes looks at Ian*
"Sorry about the intrution shadowknife, but, what I have to say I think may help us more than anything you found following the chronomancer."
*Blackthornes clears his throat, and speaks like a commander.*
"Now, as you all know, Ian and I went on our little vision quests last night to find what we could see. When we got into the establishment, I headed for the nearest door to inspect its contents and found something rather strange. The house itself seems to be a living thing, and, it spoke to me. I tried to strike a deal with it. Anywho, it says that by getting rid of Xanarox, we will also be helping it because it wants to be rid of Xanarox itself. The house said that if we entered, we would be taken to the heart and that we would rid him of his "Xanarox-disease". I think he means that he is going to let us to the portal and kill Xanarox. After all, that was the bargain I gave him. Any questions?"

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Ian looks a bit miffed as Blackthornes interrupts, but raises an eyebrow as he mentions his bargain. "You made a bargain with a building? Odd."

"I'm a bit wary of trusting such a bargain made in a vision, but assuming it holds true Blackthornes just solved a rather large problem for us. There are two things about the tower that would make it particularly difficult to navigate it. The first is that the tower itself shifts its hallways, I assume it is by this method that the Tower will move us to the time portal."
"Second, is the fact that Xanarox and his liches have placed arcane traps all over the tower. The vision allowed me to see a few of them in action, and even one of them could easily end our little adventure."

"Also, a question: in my vision, Xanarox and the liches seemed to be on the move around the tower. If I understand the nature of the deal, the tower will take us to Xanarox. This may not actually take us to the time portal, it will probably just take us to where Xanarox is. So, what leads you to believe that it is, in fact, the time portal that we will be led to?"

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

"well, the tower said he would take us to his heart. Unless that is were Xanarox is, I assumed that by heart he meant the most important place in the structure. In other words, the room holding the portal."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

"Well, the time portal is certainly the most important room to us, but that hardly means its the heart of the structure."

"From what I overheard, Charrd's information about the Time portal being in the lowest room seems to be fairly accurate. They seemed intent on preventing us from reaching the cellars."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Naruk jumps in on the conversation. "If the tower said to Blackthornes it'll take us to its heart, and that will help us - and it - to get rid of Xanarox in some way, it'll certainly be a good choice to follow that path first. And at least there's a chance that this heart is really the time portal, or at least something close to it. If we end up somewhere else, we still have the choice of trying our own way down to the cellars. Blackthornes, was there any other hint that the heart and the time portal are the same, or at least related? Trust your intuition there... that's how the wine works."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

OOC: Blackthornes? You kinda need to say something before we can continue the conversation.

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

[OOC: Now I hope Blackthornes hasn't disappeared like all the other players in this campaign did. Maybe he's only gone for a time. In any case, if he doesn't post tomorrow, I'll take over his character until he returns. I hate doing this though :-/ ]

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

OOC: Sorry about that. My computer has been down for the last three-four days. Im at a library for now, so, I wont be able to check the forums as periodically as before. I'll try to get on everyday though.
*Blackthornes looks down at his feet.*
"Well, He didn't say anything that directly meant the heart is the portal, but, his answer to my proposal and my gut feeling is saying that that is were we will find what we are looking for. I think the tower will present us with the clearest, simplest path to its heart. We need not worry about anything that the chronomancer throws at us I think."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Naruk nods. "Knowing the effects of the wine, I think we can trust that. Perfectly done, Blackthornes. Now, Ian, what about your visions?"

[OOC: Okay, good to know. And good you're still around Smiling ]

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

"Vision or no, I think its worth mentioning that ignoring the existence of the traps is a bad idea. But moving on..."

Ian takes a deep breath.
"Important note the first: Xanarox is more than a time traveler, he's a manipulator. I have reason to believe that this ability to control others without them realizing it is, in fact, at least as dangerous to us as his ability to erase us from time. Now, for our own separate reasons, Blackthornes, Naruk and myself have at least some resistance to this manipulation. The rest of you are probably fair game though."

Ian pauses and looks around the group, and obvious sign for them to feel free to speak.

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

"I didn't mean ignoring the traps, of course," Naruk agrees with Ian. "I just meant chances are good we don't even encounter them. As for Xanarox, any idea how this... manipulation works? I mean, if he tries talking us into something, it could be easier to resist him than if he has means of manipulation we don't even notice. Also, if there's anything - and I really mean anything - else you can tell about Xanarox and his lich companions, I'd be more than willing to listen."

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"I have much more to tell, I simply thought that this need to be addressed separately."

"As for the how, apparently he has the ability to see the parts of you that you don't even want to acknowledge. Now, if he is able to read us as thoroughly as that, than I would highly recommend that you don't listen to any of the words that come out of his mouth. There is also a good chance he might know what you are going to do before you do. So, don't expect the element of surprise."
"I can't imagine exactly how this ability can be used against us, but it will be. So be on your guard, everyone."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Manipulation?....Like in mind control?.......

MG looks up from his hand feeding of the pudgey Ms. Daisy, his muscular body shivering from head to toe. There is an evident look of fear in his eyes that even his mask can't hide. With a Squeaky wimper, he asks...

"You don't mean mind conrol, do you?"

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"Hmph. I detest being manipulated. I detest malicious manipulators even more, though. If this Xanarox is able to see and influence time itself, I would like to avoid him entirely. If I never meet him, perhaps he will not know of me, but if I ever do..." Azure shakes his head, "Fie! Such paradox arise! On the positive, however, I have no fear of the undead, and am fairly astute and able to spot and disarm traps readily, even magical ones."

He turns to Blackthornes. "Well done indeed, my friend, if your vision-truce holds and we can count the tower itself as an ally!"

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"I don't think it will be quite like that, Gnoll. He won't be able to actively control our minds, but he will probably be able to trick us with ease."

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Naruk nods to Azure. "That's good to know, but considering our enemy, we should use that ability as a last way out. I can very well imagine Xanarox is capable of setting up traps that simply can't be disarmed - or detected. Just imagine he's using time magic, like, the trap only appears in the moment you activate it..."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

[OOC: Um... hello?]

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OOC: Oh, whoops! My bad.

"Even if the tower takes us to the time portal, directly, with no contact with Xanarox, we still have to use the hallways to be shifted. Traps are likely, and I would be very surprised if the portal itself isn't the heaviest trapped room of them all."

"Anyway. I overheard alot about Xanarox in my vision. Xanarox seems to be a bit divided. He was talking to himself, to some voice I couldn't hear that he repeatedly referred to as his father. He also mentioned that he seems to have two souls, one fiendish, one mortal. It was implied that this has something to do with divinity."
"Xanarox also mentioned that he would be less easily controlled if it weren't for the larvaeworms, whatever they are. He then took a small worm from a container on his belt, eat it, and seemed to be strengthened by it. After he eat the worm he stopped argueing with himself."

Ian looks around, giving the group another chance to interject.

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"Larvaeworms??" Naruk shouts out. "I... I heard of them, but I thought it was just a myth. They're basically normal larvae, but their soul energies are... compressed, and twisted to be useful for one single purpose only. There are many theories about how that could be done, but the problems that arise are... most Guvners considered it impossible to really finish the task. If he eats them... he's a consumer of souls. Very much like a lich, really. The question is, what's the single purpose that those larvaeworms were twisted for?"

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*Blackthornes is lost in the long train of larveaworms and fiendish powers. He looks over to the gnoll, then walks over and sits by him."
"Don't worry MG. Im sure that we'll be alright. That tower wants Xanarox gone as much as we do."

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Naruk nods to Blackthornes' comment. We've got the best chances to succeed, after all you two found out in your visions. Good work, once again." He turns to Ian. "Anything else?"

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

[OOC: And once again... hello??]

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"I'm not exactly sure what it means, but there is one other detail. When I attempted to search Xanarox to determine what equipment he had at his disposal, I found myself unable to remember anything on his person that wasn't his armor. I would simply forget what I saw and what I was doing."

"I'm not sure what strategic value this has, I just find it odd."

Ian pases and looks around. "And thats it, I think."

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Naruk's eyes go wide as Ian tells of the effect. "Now... this IS an important information. It's possible this is a hint at how Xanarox... manipulates. It's just a guess, of course, but if it's true, that means Xanarox manipulates not through words, but by influencing the way we perceive things. It's entirely possible he's capable of showing us a reality different from... umm... the 'real' reality. Or at the very least to let us forget about important parts. Like, our companions."

He takes a deep breath, then adds, "On the other hand, I might just be traumatized by meeting Phchik Magefodder. He was capable of making you not see any item or person of his choice anymore. I lost two friends the day I killed him."

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Naruk's eyes go empty for a moment. Then he suddenly shakes his head as if to wipe away the memories, and says, "So, anything else anyone has to add? If not, I'd say we're ready to continue our mission."

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*Blackthornes pats the gnoll on the back, carefully avoiding his wings and gets up*
"Im ready when you guys are."

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Ian stands up. "Very well then. Everyone, gather your things. Given the circumstances, we will all depart for the tower, but the part where Blackthornes, Azure and I go in first to investigate remains unchanged, although it is now for slightly different reasons."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Naruk nods. "I'm fine with it, though I'd like to know the reasons."

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Ian smiles. "I assure you, they're benign. Blackthornes and I saw the tower itself, but not how to get there. Azure has seen the tower, but not up close, and is our guide to this layer. In addition, the three of us have skill at finding and disarming traps. I don't want anyone going within 30 feet of anything unless the three of us have given it a stamp of approval."

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Naruk nods again. "Reasonable. So, we get going?"

Without waiting for an answer, Naruk gathers his belongings.

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Azure hefts his backpack and fastens it securely. "Well then..." He nods to the Masked Gnoll and gestures toward the door.

When MG opes the door he will notch an arrow and go through first, scanning the fog for any figures.

0 Bonus for spot to do
I rolled 1d20+0, the result is 20.
0 Bonus for listen to do
I rolled 1d20+0, the result is 2.
0 Bonus for hide to do
I rolled 1d20+0, the result is 19.
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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

MG finishes his morning munchings, then repacks his equipment. He then makes his way to the door. Once he is there, MG waits untill everybody is in place.

"Is everybody ready? What am I doing again?"

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"We need you to open the door, gnoll." Ian says, bringing out his rapier and rotating his wrist. "Unless there is some reason not to, that has not been said?"

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"I know that part, but what am I s'posed to do after that?'

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"You protect the rest of the group while Azure, Blackthornes and myself clear traps out of the way. If Xanarox or the liches show up, do what you deem necessary, but be on guard for trickery and magic."

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Enlightenment fills The Masked Gnoll's eyes as he draws out his trusty flindbars....

"Ah, this plan makes alot more sense now! I just open the door then do what I allways door, solve the problem by breaking it! O.K.! On the count of three......one.....two.....THREE!"

with the shout of three MG opens the door.

occ: 11+14=25 listen, 18 +14=32 spot, and 10+16=26 hide for after the door is open

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The door opens, and thick mist awaits the group. The grass on the ground is wet, as if it had rained while the group was resting. It's impossible to look farther than three yards under the best circumstances, so noone spots anything exceptional.

The only sounds come from the direction where the wall should be - distant screams and growls, as could be heard in the nearby city all the time.

Except of cowering on the ground, there are little chances to hide yourself here - no more than the mist hides everyone, anyway.

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Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Ian steps out into the mist. "Azure and I'll take point. Blackthornes hang back a few steps, the rest of you, stay in sight of Blackthornes. If we run into something, this way we wont all be caught off guard at once."

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