S3: The Scythe of Seto (Bront Judging)[Completed]

[rln]

Ogrin makes no move to stop Razh, but watches curiously as the mirror falls down the pit. The curtain glides off, and for an instant, Ogrin can spy himself, running towards the glass of the mirror, blades in hand. Then the mirror falls out of view, is struck my the lightning storm and shatters. Through the sound of breaking glass, one can almost make out a high-pitched wail of agony for a short instant...

He shudders and turns to Razh. "Aye. I'm with the fathers pack on this, old friend. No good would ever come from that thing, I think."

"Did Itchy and Scratchy over there expire? By the way, Ra-- Ehm, I mean, Torvin, how did you and your... friends... get in? None of you seem the chess-playing type."

"Now, if you'll excuse me..." says Ogrin, nodding towards the curtain, "...I have to see an imp about his gaming problem.

[Manzanita]

The mirror of opposition is dropped in after the scythe, and makes a similar exit.

Torvin scowls at Ogrin. "I know nothing of any chess games. We entered here days ago, it seems, and faced a variety of strange creatures. Large, white, puffy things that were strangely...tasty...once destroyed. And we had to negotiate some sort of maze of ladders and chutes, some of which were filled with white powder. " He gestures at the fallen assassin, Lothar, who is still covered with white powder. "I don't suggest you sniff it."

The group moves back through the curtain. The imp says nothing at first. It is too busy frowning at Razh. Once it determines he no longer has the mirror, he smiles. "Welcome back. You are at the gambling center of the world! Anyone care for cards? Or perhaps you'd like to see what's behind the big curtain? Just show me your currency and let's get started!"

[SlagMortar]

As Rasereit decides to destroy the mirror, a flicker of greed and ambition deep in Beamer's mind tries to leap to the surface, but is quickly snuffed out. Beamer stays silent.

After passing through the curtain, Beamer hangs in the back, still embarrassed at having succumb to the scythe's seduction.

[Manzanita]

Anyone want to gamble? We're almost ready to wrap this up...

[Boddynock]

OOC: Nope, Eusebius just wouldn't do it.

[rln]

Ogrin cocks his head and looks at the Imp. "From what the wizard told us, you sometimes stand at the entrance. It was you who was dressed up in those plumes, wasn't it?

How long have you been here, doing this, anyway?"

[Patlin]

Banion prefers not to gamble.

[SlagMortar]

Beamer already gambled once and got away with it. He will not tempt fate.

[Manzanita]

Originally Posted by rln

Ogrin cocks his head and looks at the Imp. "From what the wizard told us, you sometimes stand at the entrance. It was you who was dressed up in those plumes, wasn't it?

How long have you been here, doing this, anyway?"

.

The imp stares at Ogrin with a blank face. "You wouldn't understand how long, mortal. But if you think I'm a parot, you're wrong."

[Manzanita]

Well, we should probably assume no one wants to gamble.

The party avoids further enticement from the imp, and manages to find their way out of the strange temple. The forest beyond seems peaceful, and sense of forboding that gnawed at many of their hearts is gone. With Torvin bound and in toe, the party moves on to Trimble's cottage, where they find the wizard at work in his garden.

He's happy to put up the party for the night & is curious to hear any and every detail of their adventure in the strange temple of Jareth.

In the morning, the group is able to set out again, back to civilization.

Anyone who wants to at this point can head back to the RDI. I'll get some XPs thrown up here soon, as well as DM commentary and an adventure summary. Eusebius, and whomever wants to accompany him, still has Torvin to manage. What is the plan with the fallen were-rat paladin?

[Boddynock]

OOC: Eusebius will take Torvin back to Orussus, to the high priest at the temple there. He'll ask Trimble if he has anything which would help restrain the wererat for the journey. If the worst come to the worst, perhaps Trimble can make some sovereign glue which Eusebius will then use to glue Torvin's hands to something large and heavy ... or something like that. I'll think of the details later.

[Manzanita]

Sorry, guys,I'm having a tough time getting posts in here. I' haven't forgotten about you though.

The group manages to get back to Orussus without incidence. The high priest is very sad to hear of Torvin's state, but is pleased with Eusebius' role.

"I don't know what to do with him now. We have no cure for his disease. But we will continue our search. Thanks for your help, Father."

[Boddynock]

Eusebius bows to the high priest before saying, "In my travels, I came across a shrine where one of my companions was healed of his lycanthropy. He had only been recently afflicted ... but there may still be hope for Torvin. Perhaps he could be taken there."

OOC: Blood of the Werewolf & ditto

[Patlin]

"Would he need to return to a state of grace or something first? Mystic shrined might not work as well, given the evil acts he has performed."

[Manzanita]

I'd assumed you'd take him to that shrine. But at this point, I need to just wrap this one up, so I'm not going to DM it. Patlin may know more about that shrine than he actually posted in our werewolf adventure. I was assuming it would cure Torvin. It's relevent in that it will affect Torvin's future NPC status whether or not he's cured.

[Manzanita]

Final XP award part 1.

03/01/08 to 11/11/08 Time spent:
6th level characters (Ogrin, Beamer, Banion, Razh & Eusebius): 2550 XPs

This should put everyone up to 7th. Then I'll award encounter XPs, which will put at least one of you to 8th.

[Manzanita]

Final XP award part 2:

Beamer:
Soapbubble riddle: 200 XPs
Chess strategy: 500 XPs
individual combat vs injured gargoyle: 300 XPs
defeating Lothar, Sangster & Torvin (whole fight): 2000 XPs
Destroying Scythe (all 3 modules): 1500 XPs

Beamer Total: 4500 XPs

Banion:
Passing Black Knight: 1800 XPs
defeating Lothar, Sangster & Torvin (partial fight): 1000 XPs
Destroying Scythe (all 3 modules): 1500 XPs

Banion Total: 4300 XPs

Eusebius:
Defeating Black Queen : 1800 XPs
defeating Lothar, Sangster & Torvin (whole fight): 2000 XPs
Destroying Scythe (all 3 modules): 1500 XPs

Eusebius Total: 5300 XPs

Ogrin
Chess Strategy bonus: 200 XPs
Defeating gnoll skeleton pawn: 450 XPs
Defeating/bypassing 2 ogres: 1200 XPs
traps: failed to detect/deactivate
defeating Lothar, Sangster & Torvin (partial fight): 1000 XPs
Destroying Scythe (2 modules): 1000 XPs

Ogrin Total: 3850 XPs

Razh
Chess Strategy bonus: 500 XPs
Individual combat vs: wounded minotaur knight, 3 gnoll skeleton pawns, gargoyle bishop, minotaur knight, scorpion rook, wounded King (chain devil), mirror Razh: 7500 XPs
defeating Lothar, Sangster & Torvin (partial fight): 1000 XPs
Destroying Scythe (2 modules): 1000 XPs

Razh total: 10,000 XP (levels to 8th)

Congratulations on your new levels! Thanks for playing! I hope LEW survives long enough to let you use your new-found powers!

[Manzanita]

Not a lot of treasure in this one. But let's assume you searched the bodies of the fallen, and that the coins paid for the 'identification'

From Sangter: +1 small metal shield
+1 throwing axe

From Lothar: MW heavy crossbow (formerly Nurlan's)
Adamantine dwarven war axe.

[Boddynock]

Originally Posted by Manzanita

Not a lot of treasure in this one. But let's assume you searched the bodies of the fallen, and that the coins paid for the 'identification'

From Sangter: +1 small metal shield
+1 throwing axe

From Lothar: MW heavy crossbow (formerly Nurlan's)
Adamantine dwarven war axe.

Eusebius is happy for his comrades to share the loot between themselves.

[Patlin]

Banion has no need of a magic weapon. If someone will use one, he suggests they take it. Any left over can be sold.