(Adventure) The Island of Varras'zul (Manzanita Judging) (Concluded)

[nimisgod]

Mona had a moment of hesitation, but she spared a look toward the fallen Ogrin who took risks for her. Only after she wiped the tears from her eyes did she offer the bloodstained book to Nezrak.

"Be careful, Duskstar. There is a spell of confusion on its pages, hence the need for safe quarters during deep reading. I barely kept my wits about me when I opened its covers." She looked about her, to the jungle and the night. "I am uncertain that these are considered safe, but it is your choice"

With the party's decision, she went around making the half-orc cleric-warrior and the halfling warrior-rogue comfortable. She would tend to their injuries while the night passed, though she was very weary and not at all rested.

 

[Xael]

"Oh dear...", Nezrak mumbles as Mona offers the book to him. He piles his weapons somewhere to the ground and takes a few steps away from them. "Rasereit, Rillian, would you please be ready to restrain me, should something unexpected happen.", Nezrak says. He then waits for Rasereit and Rillian to get ready, sits down on the ground, and opens the book.

 

[RillianPA]

"Of course"

Rillian moves to a position behind Nezrak.

 

[Brain]

Scun occasionally makes groaning noises.

 

[nimisgod]

oog: Still waiting for Razh

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

OOC: Er... waiting. Right, I just assumed Razh would do whatever he was asked. Like Rillian. My bad.

Razh does what Nezrak asks him to do.

 

[nimisgod]

oog: Since nobody mentioned any other special precautions... I'm just assuming that Rillian and Razh attempt to avert their eyes from the book.

"Wait! You're going to open-"

No sooner than a few seconds after Nezrak opened the book's covers, the grey elf began to shudder and shake as if possessed. With a crazed look in his eyes, he peered at his friends and a look of rage came over his features.

He began to wrestle with his former allies, attempting to hurt them because of their proximity. The book fell to the ground, open to all wandering eyes.

oog2: You are all considered to be in a grapple.

Mona screamed as the madness took her as well.

round 1
14 Razh [22/24]
11 Rillian [13/13, 5 non-lethal damage, fatigued] 
08 Mona
04 Nezrak [5/9, 2 dex damage, 3 non-lethal damage, fatigued]

Rolls:
[sblock]
Nezrak's save vs. confusion: 3 +5 =8
Rillian averting eyes: 98 *success*
Razh averting eyes: 83 *success*
[/sblock]

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Seeing the madness over come Nezrak, Razh immediately closes his eyes to avoid reading the book. Then he proceeds to use his bulk and strength to restrain Nezrak and keep him as still as possible while whispering gruffly in his ear, "Calm down, mate, calm down now, nothin's the matter, be still, ye bloody worm..."

 

[RillianPA]

Rillian helps Rahz restrain Nezrak, closes his eyes, and attempts to flip the book closed with his toe.

 

[nimisgod]

oog: I find it a little odd that being blind gives no penalties with grapple checks, but since there are no penalties listed in the SRD, I might as well not give any penalties as well. That is, beyond the normal disadvantages of blindness.

As it is though, Rillian won't be able to coordinate with Razh and so, he can't aid another.

Razh tried to pin Nezrak down with his eyes closed. It was not an easy task, despite his bulk and strength. Somehow, the grey elf slipped through his fingers and escaped the pin.

Rillian was not sure what his companion was doing, but he tried to do his own pin on Nezrak. He succeeded where the dwarf failed. Nezrak was pinned for the moment. Unfortunately, the act of subduing Nezrak required focus. He could not spare the leg to tip the book cover, because he needed it to balance himself over the grey elf.

Mona's screaming grew louder, indicating that her approach.

Rillian felt a sharp pain pierce his back. So sudden and so intense was the shock that he fell unconscious.

The elf that Razh grasped with his hands tried to punch him in the face. The blow was weak, however, and did no harm to the stout dwarf.

Rolls: [sblock]
Razh vs Nezrak (Pin): 8 vs. 22
Rillian vs. Nezrak (Pin): 20 vs. 20 *Pin successful*
Rillian takes 9 damage. His non-lethal damage exceeds his current hp so he falls unconscious.
Nezrak's Save vs. Confusion: 7+5=12 *failed*
[/sblock]

Combat Summary:

Closing their eyes to ward themselves against the book's curse, Rasereit and Rillian tried to subdue the accursed grey elf, Nezrak. Rillian succeeded where Razh failed, but the act of protecting his sanity made him vulnerable.

Mona, caught in the book's curse, stabbed Rillian and felled him. Nezrak, freed of Rillian's hold, tried to knock Rasereit out but was unsuccessful.

T'was ironic that the dwarf, who easily given to maddened frenzies, was the only one amongst the party who was still able and sane.

round 2
14 Razh [22/24]
11 Rillian [4/13, 5 non-lethal damage, fatigued, unconscious] 
08 Mona
04 Nezrak [5/9, 2 dex damage, 3 non-lethal damage, fatigued]