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Zerubbabel Jangle's Journal (as of 25 April)
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<blockquote data-quote="Mark Chance" data-source="post: 2117351" data-attributes="member: 2795"><p><strong>An Ill-Gotten Victory</strong></p><p></p><p>Well, my diary, it seems as if the party has finally listened to the voice of reason - that voice belonging, of course, to me. By Garl's good graces, the in-fighting should cease. I remain convinced the bony hand of Nerull moves against us, disturbing the darkest waters of our souls. Still, we have agreed that Merak Moonbrook is to be our field leader. In a couple of hours, we're heading back to the ruin. Both Daemas and Shadra agree that there may be a way to return Dairy - correction: Dari (I really must do a better job with Elven) - to her former, fleshy self.</p><p></p><p>Some time ago, I bought Zara and me matching platinum rings. I'm certain today they'll finally be used for something other than as a symbol of my love. I have entered the first ranks of the Divine Tricksters of Garl, and have been rewarded with greater divine magic. I can now call upon Garl to help shield Zara from damage, but at the expense of my own bodily health. Should we encounter any undead in the ruin's depths, my divine dance against the dead will undoubtedly also prove beneficial.</p><p></p><p>I cannot escape the feeling that with my new status as a Divine Trickster also, perhaps ironically, comes a call toward a more responsible course of life. So, today when we again boldly venture toward unknown dangers, I make two resolutions: I'll do everything in my power to help restore Dari to life, and I'll guard Zara's life with my own. May Garl preserve us.</p><p></p><p>Upon returning to the fort, we were met by a group of kobolds that insisted upon parley. Zara and Moonface went forward, were gone some few minutes, and then returned shortly before a small, yapping dog ran out of the fort past us. According to the kobolds, they had been hired by the medusa and her "husband" to guard the fort. They wanted to establish "rules of engagement" for the oncoming confrontation. This all seemed very silly since we're certainly not about to intimidated by kobolds. Also, according to the kobolds, the medusa's "husband" had two bodyguards. Given that the kobolds requested "no fire," it seems as if these guards might be trolls.</p><p></p><p>Instead of negotiating, we just charged the fort. Merak made it into the gatehouse before a lightning bolt from the heavens struck Shadra, lighting her ancient form up. This made me think that being invisible would be a really good idea, and so I cast invisibility on myself while the most of the rest of the group advanced. Merak rushed around the keep's eastern wall. An area of darkness engulfed the gatehouse, swallowing Moonfish and Zara. Daemas and Grimshanks moved into the darkness about the same time a troll was seen rushing along the top of the wall toward the gatehouse. Daemas cast some sort of daylight spell that disrupted the darkness.</p><p></p><p>Moonpie and Zara were swarmed by monstrous centipedes, and Zara was bitten several times, suffering spasms from the venom. Another lightning bolt from the heavens dropped Shadra, but fortunately she was close to me. Zara retreated deeper into the ruin away from the centipedes. Another darkness spell hit the area about this same time. Moonshine followed Zara. I learned later that Zara and Moonshine quickly found themselves surrounded by an orc barbarian halberdier, an orc monk (!), and a kobold rogue.</p><p></p><p>While the fight raged in the fort, I cast invisibility and then a curative spell on Shadra, bringing her back to consciousness. We moved away from our position just in case another lightning bolt from the heavens dropped toward us. Shadra moved away invisibly. Inside the ruin, Merak was dropped by a spectral hand from some unseen caster. Fortunately, Grimshanks leapt into the combat about this time so that Zara would not be facing all three foes alone. On the southern wall of the ruin, Ebon moved up to engage the kobold guards there. He caught one with a leaping, spinning heel kick to the head that sent the kobold flying into the courtyard below.</p><p></p><p>Under cover of invisibility, I rushed toward the ruin. Grimshanks and Zara were doing their best against the kobold rogue, orc monk, and the orc barbarian, plus the recently arrived centipede swarm. Daemas levitated up to be able to see the ruin's defenders on the wall. Daemas cleared several of the defenders with a fireball, but the troll was only injured and the cleric up there was unharmed by the blast. Frank, who had been affected by a ray of exhaustion from the kobold sorcerer on the wall not too far from Ebon, still managed to lay into the orc halberdier for an effective sword thrust. Speaking of Ebon, he killed another kobold defender and then charged the sorcerer and its two guards.</p><p></p><p>On the other part of the wall near the cleric, Shadra had managed to move into position and then killed the cleric with a psionc power. Another lightning bolt from the heavens came down, this time hitting Daemas who was still levitating near the northern wall. On the other wall, Ebon snatched a shortsword from one of the guards using his sais. The sorcerer actually took to the air and went flying toward Shadra. The centipede swarm rushed toward Moonfish shortly after I moved through the raging combat to get to our downed leader. Unfortunately, Zara caught an attack from both the kobold rogue and the halberdier, and my love fell to the bloody dirt. I channeled as much healing energy as I could into Moonray and then dragged him away from the centipedes. I then moved to Zara and bound her wounds. A quick search of her person didn't turn up any healing potions, but I did find four gems, which would later prove beneficial.</p><p></p><p>The flying sorcerer hit Shadra with a strength-sapping ray. Meanwhile, the halberdier, rogue, and monk went after our most seriously injured people. The monk rendered Moonphase unconscious again. The halberdier tried to split Zara's skull, but Garl intervened and Zara was missed. Another lightning bolt his Daemas. I went after the halberdier, stabbing him viciously, but not injuring him enough to prevent him from slaying Zara! The rogue dropped its pick, whipped alchemist's fire, and splashed it all over Moonray's unconscious form!</p><p></p><p>The orc monk charged at me, but I ducked its unarmed attack. The halberdier backed up and laid his weapon across by shoulder. Grimshanks moved to engage the halberdier again, but missed. As I tumbled in toward the halberdier, he struck me again. By this time, I was seriously injured, but I would avenge my beloved Zara. The halberdier caught my rapier again, this time in the meat of the thigh. Almost immediately after, a flame strike came roaring down and hit Daemas, who had flown himself and Shadra into the courtyard. As we discovered at this point in time, the little yapping dog was actually a form-changed spellcaster!</p><p></p><p>I slid my blade into another part the halberdier and marveled at the amount of punishment he could take. Daemas sent magic missiles into the evil "dog." The wicked canine in turn caused hail to fall brutally upon Shandra and Daemas. Ebon killed the monk with a mighty chop and then attempted to disarm the kobold rogue, but failed in the latter attack. Shadra destroyed the halberdier with a blast of cold energy. The kobold rogue raced up the nearby stairs into the tower. Grimshanks and Ebon gave chase. I again moved to save Mooncrater, reviving him with another cure spell. At this point in time, things got even worse.</p><p></p><p>Zara was dead. Shadra unconscious. Moonface and Daemas seriously injured. I used disguise self to appears as a kobold hoping to avoid being targeted by the spell-casting dog. A swarm of bats appeared, nipping and tearing at Moonface and Shadra. Grimshanks came back to the courtyard. Ebon moved to try to get to the dog, but it was capable of flying, and evaded Ebon's grapple. The dog subjected Moonfish and Shadra to chill metal, which would ultimately kill Shadra!</p><p></p><p>We finished our second foray into the temple with two new dead. We recovered a few magic items, including a magical rapier and suit of magical leather armor from the kobold rogue. These items are now in my possession. Limping and beaten, we slunk back to Safeton. Intense negotiation with the local priest of Ulwaa (if I'm spelling that correctly) led to one break enchantment for Dari and two raise deads for Zara and Shadra. We were short on funds for Zara, so I hocked three of her gems to make up the difference and pocketed the remaining gold from that transaction. I'll have to buy Zara something nice with that money.</p><p></p><p>All in all, the return to the ruins was very nearly pointless. We suffered heavy losses, even if divine magic was able to make good on those losses later. For a time, I was very nearly convinced I'd have to abandon the others in the ruin in order to save my own skin. Perhaps I'm not cut out to be a hero.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mark Chance, post: 2117351, member: 2795"] [b]An Ill-Gotten Victory[/b] Well, my diary, it seems as if the party has finally listened to the voice of reason - that voice belonging, of course, to me. By Garl's good graces, the in-fighting should cease. I remain convinced the bony hand of Nerull moves against us, disturbing the darkest waters of our souls. Still, we have agreed that Merak Moonbrook is to be our field leader. In a couple of hours, we're heading back to the ruin. Both Daemas and Shadra agree that there may be a way to return Dairy - correction: Dari (I really must do a better job with Elven) - to her former, fleshy self. Some time ago, I bought Zara and me matching platinum rings. I'm certain today they'll finally be used for something other than as a symbol of my love. I have entered the first ranks of the Divine Tricksters of Garl, and have been rewarded with greater divine magic. I can now call upon Garl to help shield Zara from damage, but at the expense of my own bodily health. Should we encounter any undead in the ruin's depths, my divine dance against the dead will undoubtedly also prove beneficial. I cannot escape the feeling that with my new status as a Divine Trickster also, perhaps ironically, comes a call toward a more responsible course of life. So, today when we again boldly venture toward unknown dangers, I make two resolutions: I'll do everything in my power to help restore Dari to life, and I'll guard Zara's life with my own. May Garl preserve us. Upon returning to the fort, we were met by a group of kobolds that insisted upon parley. Zara and Moonface went forward, were gone some few minutes, and then returned shortly before a small, yapping dog ran out of the fort past us. According to the kobolds, they had been hired by the medusa and her "husband" to guard the fort. They wanted to establish "rules of engagement" for the oncoming confrontation. This all seemed very silly since we're certainly not about to intimidated by kobolds. Also, according to the kobolds, the medusa's "husband" had two bodyguards. Given that the kobolds requested "no fire," it seems as if these guards might be trolls. Instead of negotiating, we just charged the fort. Merak made it into the gatehouse before a lightning bolt from the heavens struck Shadra, lighting her ancient form up. This made me think that being invisible would be a really good idea, and so I cast invisibility on myself while the most of the rest of the group advanced. Merak rushed around the keep's eastern wall. An area of darkness engulfed the gatehouse, swallowing Moonfish and Zara. Daemas and Grimshanks moved into the darkness about the same time a troll was seen rushing along the top of the wall toward the gatehouse. Daemas cast some sort of daylight spell that disrupted the darkness. Moonpie and Zara were swarmed by monstrous centipedes, and Zara was bitten several times, suffering spasms from the venom. Another lightning bolt from the heavens dropped Shadra, but fortunately she was close to me. Zara retreated deeper into the ruin away from the centipedes. Another darkness spell hit the area about this same time. Moonshine followed Zara. I learned later that Zara and Moonshine quickly found themselves surrounded by an orc barbarian halberdier, an orc monk (!), and a kobold rogue. While the fight raged in the fort, I cast invisibility and then a curative spell on Shadra, bringing her back to consciousness. We moved away from our position just in case another lightning bolt from the heavens dropped toward us. Shadra moved away invisibly. Inside the ruin, Merak was dropped by a spectral hand from some unseen caster. Fortunately, Grimshanks leapt into the combat about this time so that Zara would not be facing all three foes alone. On the southern wall of the ruin, Ebon moved up to engage the kobold guards there. He caught one with a leaping, spinning heel kick to the head that sent the kobold flying into the courtyard below. Under cover of invisibility, I rushed toward the ruin. Grimshanks and Zara were doing their best against the kobold rogue, orc monk, and the orc barbarian, plus the recently arrived centipede swarm. Daemas levitated up to be able to see the ruin's defenders on the wall. Daemas cleared several of the defenders with a fireball, but the troll was only injured and the cleric up there was unharmed by the blast. Frank, who had been affected by a ray of exhaustion from the kobold sorcerer on the wall not too far from Ebon, still managed to lay into the orc halberdier for an effective sword thrust. Speaking of Ebon, he killed another kobold defender and then charged the sorcerer and its two guards. On the other part of the wall near the cleric, Shadra had managed to move into position and then killed the cleric with a psionc power. Another lightning bolt from the heavens came down, this time hitting Daemas who was still levitating near the northern wall. On the other wall, Ebon snatched a shortsword from one of the guards using his sais. The sorcerer actually took to the air and went flying toward Shadra. The centipede swarm rushed toward Moonfish shortly after I moved through the raging combat to get to our downed leader. Unfortunately, Zara caught an attack from both the kobold rogue and the halberdier, and my love fell to the bloody dirt. I channeled as much healing energy as I could into Moonray and then dragged him away from the centipedes. I then moved to Zara and bound her wounds. A quick search of her person didn't turn up any healing potions, but I did find four gems, which would later prove beneficial. The flying sorcerer hit Shadra with a strength-sapping ray. Meanwhile, the halberdier, rogue, and monk went after our most seriously injured people. The monk rendered Moonphase unconscious again. The halberdier tried to split Zara's skull, but Garl intervened and Zara was missed. Another lightning bolt his Daemas. I went after the halberdier, stabbing him viciously, but not injuring him enough to prevent him from slaying Zara! The rogue dropped its pick, whipped alchemist's fire, and splashed it all over Moonray's unconscious form! The orc monk charged at me, but I ducked its unarmed attack. The halberdier backed up and laid his weapon across by shoulder. Grimshanks moved to engage the halberdier again, but missed. As I tumbled in toward the halberdier, he struck me again. By this time, I was seriously injured, but I would avenge my beloved Zara. The halberdier caught my rapier again, this time in the meat of the thigh. Almost immediately after, a flame strike came roaring down and hit Daemas, who had flown himself and Shadra into the courtyard. As we discovered at this point in time, the little yapping dog was actually a form-changed spellcaster! I slid my blade into another part the halberdier and marveled at the amount of punishment he could take. Daemas sent magic missiles into the evil "dog." The wicked canine in turn caused hail to fall brutally upon Shandra and Daemas. Ebon killed the monk with a mighty chop and then attempted to disarm the kobold rogue, but failed in the latter attack. Shadra destroyed the halberdier with a blast of cold energy. The kobold rogue raced up the nearby stairs into the tower. Grimshanks and Ebon gave chase. I again moved to save Mooncrater, reviving him with another cure spell. At this point in time, things got even worse. Zara was dead. Shadra unconscious. Moonface and Daemas seriously injured. I used disguise self to appears as a kobold hoping to avoid being targeted by the spell-casting dog. A swarm of bats appeared, nipping and tearing at Moonface and Shadra. Grimshanks came back to the courtyard. Ebon moved to try to get to the dog, but it was capable of flying, and evaded Ebon's grapple. The dog subjected Moonfish and Shadra to chill metal, which would ultimately kill Shadra! We finished our second foray into the temple with two new dead. We recovered a few magic items, including a magical rapier and suit of magical leather armor from the kobold rogue. These items are now in my possession. Limping and beaten, we slunk back to Safeton. Intense negotiation with the local priest of Ulwaa (if I'm spelling that correctly) led to one break enchantment for Dari and two raise deads for Zara and Shadra. We were short on funds for Zara, so I hocked three of her gems to make up the difference and pocketed the remaining gold from that transaction. I'll have to buy Zara something nice with that money. All in all, the return to the ruins was very nearly pointless. We suffered heavy losses, even if divine magic was able to make good on those losses later. For a time, I was very nearly convinced I'd have to abandon the others in the ruin in order to save my own skin. Perhaps I'm not cut out to be a hero. [/QUOTE]
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