"Beast of Burden" & "Into the Fire"

[Silver Moon]

You have Cassie-Andra listed as...9Wiz/7Clr = 16th level? Or am I missing something?

Oops, you're right. I was just thinking single class when I wrote that response. As you can see from reading the story, Cassie may be a tad more powerful than the others but not to the point of unbalancing the game. In terms of actual gameplay Kriskraft's 11th level druid Serita usually comes across as having more raw power than her Cassie character.

Thanks for the comments, keep them coming, I'm enjoying the dialogue. Now on to the next chapter (another with the gnoll Rizah):


Chapter 21, “Continuing the Gnoll’s Eye View” September 13th, 1019, 2:45 P.M.

Lieutenant Rizah had taken command of the three other gnolls in the crow’s nest of the Head Howdah. His first hour of the assignment went well, with the troops all taking orders from him while standing at alert. From this location he and his troops have an excellent view of the heretic’s execution and expulsion from the Kadtanach. Things calmed down after that, with the command being sounded to stand down from alert.

The calm breaks a short while later when the Kadtanach pilot, still seated in his chair, was expelled through the front wall from over on the Yoke Howdah. Alarms signaling Full Alert then sound again. A pair of elves soon appears in the Yoke Howdah’s crow’s nest, fighting the gnolls stationed there. Rizah orders his archers fire at these elves, but they disappeared back inside the howdah once the gnoll sentries were dispatched.

A few minutes later one of Rizah’s sentries spot one of the elves, now making its way out of the hole where the pilot was ejected. This lone elf begins to carefully walk across the Kadtanach’s neck towards the Head Howdah. Rizah orders his archers to fire at the elf, also getting support from the Elite Troops under the command of Sub-chief Drog-Jeru, who have now climbed down from the catapult platform to the Yoke Howdah crow’s nest.

Rizah notices that arrows falling behind the elf appear to be deflecting off of something, and concludes that the elf is probably magically protected from arrows and is acting as a decoy. Rizah orders his archers to fire behind the elf, assuming that the elf’s companions are following him while invisible. Rizah also decides that it is time for him to retrieve some items from his backpack, and steps away from his archers to the far side of the crow’s nest.

Most of the gnoll troops wear small packs, in which they carry food, beverages and whatever valuables they possess. Rizah, however, long ago decided that they only thing important enough to always have with him on the Kadtanach was the means to escape. The contents of his pack consist of three ropes, of 50, 75, and 100-foot lengths, each with a grappling hook on one end and a metal ring on the other, to link the ropes together if necessary. The only other contents are a pair of heavy leather high-topped boots and a pair of sturdy gloves, which he now decides to put on. Gnolls normally do not wear such attire, since it prevents the full use of claws, but Rizah wants the added protection to allow for a quick descent on the rope without inflicting rope burns. He takes out his shortest rope and secures its grappling hook to the crow’s nest rail, leaving the rest of the rope coiled beside it. He then returns to check the progress of his archers.

By this point in time the elf has made it to the Howdah and proceeds to the door at its base. Rizah has his troops change weapons from bows to swords in anticipation of the elf climbing to the crow’s nest. He moves over to where he secured his rope. They do not have to wait long, with the trapdoor soon swinging open and the elf climbing up. The gnolls swing their swords, one successful hitting. The elf retaliates, skewering the gnoll that struck him. Another elf materializes beside him, stabbing another gnoll to death. Rizah kicks the rope off the crow’s nest and prepares to leap over the rail. By this point in time both elves have charged his remaining subordinate and throw the gnoll off from the crow’s nest. Rizah dives over the rail and slides down the rope.

Rizah then runs towards the nearest ear basket, diving through its open window, and hoping that he hadn’t been seen by the elves. This basket contains a giant spider and a pair of gnoll handlers. Rizah takes command, ordering them to protect the entrance to this basket, and makes his way around the spider. He is thankful to be inside when the Kadtanach begins shaking violently for an extended period of time.

Nearly two hours then pass, during which time no enemies approach this basket. This gives Rizah ample time to cut out a door near the bottom of the basket, and to firmly secure the grapple to his longest rope. Krethhan, one of the elite gnoll guards assigned to Subchief Drog-Jeru, then yells into the basket from outside and orders him and his gnoll companions to come out. The three gnolls exit, seeing Krethan with two other Elite Guards and three other gnolls soldiers. The Elite Guards outrank Rizah (the equivalent of a military Captain) and Krethan orders the three to join his forces for an assault on the Head Howdah. Rizah and the two others fall in line behind these six gnoll fighters.

Krethan and his warriors break down the door and charge inside at the elf leader. Two other elves join their leader and the gnolls begin to drop. When only one of the first six still stands Rizah orders his two companions back to the ear basket, charging ahead of them. Rizah is the only one to make it there, diving through the window as the other two are stopped by the elves. The Lieutenant slips around the spider, leaving it to delay the elves, and slides down to the door he made at the bottom. He kicks open the door and unfurls the rope, seeing that it reaches all the way to the ground. A fire then erupts in the mass of webs above him and he quickly hurries through the opening.

Rizah slides down the rope. When he is about thirty feet below the ear basket he gets struck in the side of his face from a hammer thrown by one of the elves. The hammer manages to hit him in such a way that it rips a gash in the side of his face before then striking his chest. Rizah is in extreme pain from this, but has the presence of mind to continue to hold tight to the rope, since releasing it would result in falling to his death. No further attacks come from above, and he soon reaches the ground. Shortly thereafter the rope that he slid down falls, having burnt off from the now flaming ear basket.

Rizah is then startled by the sight of six gnolls tied together and falling through the trees towards him. They land dead in a messy heap a mere fifteen feet away from him. He recognizes two of the bodies as belonging to the remaining Elite Troops. He then hears the sound of hoof beats, and a sense of dread crosses his mind. Chief Ujjain had warned him: “If you ever abandon troops assigned to you again I will personally kill you for cowardice.” Rizah had just done exactly that three times in a row, and the gnoll cavalry will be upon him momentarily.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 22, “Rizah’s Quick Thinking” September 13th, 1019, 5:45 P.M.

Just as Rizah was trying to think of a way out of his present predicament two massive explosions fill the air above. One is inside the Head Howdah with flames erupting out of the open windows of the structure. The other more massive ball of flame is at the Yoke Howdah. He watches as the remains of the catapult deck and catapult rain onto the forest, with the flaming debris starting a few small fires.

Rizah realizes that the approaching cavalry troops will be temporarily distracted by the explosions and falling debris, delaying their arrival by a couple of minutes. That is all the time that he needs. He removes his last rope from his pack, tossing the grappling hook up into the nearest tree. He then lies down on the ground, arranging the end of the rope on top of him, and lying so that his wounds are prominently displayed. Rizah then closes his eyes and spends the next few minutes lying still and thinking up a good story to tell. He speculates that he is probably the only gnoll that has survived who witnessed what had transpired at the Head Howdah, so nobody else would be able to contradict whatever story he comes up with.

A pair of horses rides up, and Rizah hears a gnoll dismount and first approach the pile of bodies near him. This gnoll approach him, check his body, and states “This one’s still alive. It’s a Lieutenant.” “Grab him and let’s go. The Kadtanach is starting to move again,” a voice states. Rizah recognizes the second voice as that of Lieutenant Renjarr, leader of the ground forces. Rizah continues to feign unconsciousness as he is thrown over the flank of a horse. The rider then has the horse quickly ride out of the way of the Kadtanach’s massive feet, narrowly missing being stomped upon.

They ride through the forest and then off to the side, stopping at a point a few hundred feet behind the creature and joining up with the two wagons. The wagons have been following in the forest path created by the Kadtanach’s dragging tail. He hears the voice of his former supervisor Gogol say “His name is Rizah. He served as my Kegyai. The Chief must have given him my old job.”

A shaman apprentice is apparently in this particular wagon, and casts a Cure spell onto Rizah, healing over the recent wound. Rizah now opens his eyes and looks up at Renjarr, feigning confusion and surprise. “Report Lieutenant Rizah”, the officer states.

Rizah sits up and tells them of the tribe coming under attack above by a large group of elves from this world, and that the gnoll heretic druids brought these elves onboard. He then explains that he had been assigned to the Head Howdah, where he helped the Elite Forces fight the elves. He tells how several of these gnolls were knocked overboard while still tied together and tethered to the Howdah. Rizah then explains how he bravely attempted to rescue them, lowering himself down towards them with rescue ropes. He says that the last thing he remembers is falling through the air, as one of the elves must of detached his own rope. He speculates that his line must have snagged in the trees and partially broken his fall, resulting in him being injured rather than killed. Both Renjarr and Gogol both appear to believe the story.

Two gnoll cavalry troops soon ride up and join them. These gnolls report that the second air basket has been severed from the creature and that smoke is now pouring out of the Head Howdah. The bell alarms have now all ceased. Renjarr is unsure what to make of these developments. They notice new movement by the wyverns up above on the rear deck of the creature, and decide to just continue following the Kadtanach.

Around ten minutes later the pair of wyverns fly down towards them. Each wyvern has two gnolls riding on it. Three of these four gnolls are trained lizard-riders and the other is Chief Ujjain’s son, Lieutenant Kajjan. The wyverns land before then and the horses and wagons come to a stop. Kajjan dismounts and approaches the ground force leader. He reports, “The situation is dire. Subchief Drog-Jeru and Yeenoghu’s human guardian have both been killed. The Kadtanach pilot was also slain and Yeenoghu has now granted my father the honor of piloting the Kadtanach. I need to bring Drog-Jeru’s senior apprentice Jart-Krin and also the strongest of your group back to protect our Chief.”

Rizah takes all this in, concluding to himself that if Chief Ujjain was foolish enough to put on the helm he is as good as dead himself. Rizah suggests, “I am still injured, but Lieutenant Renjarr is at full strength. Take him with you and I will manage things down here.” Kajjan nods agreement and Renjarr also goes along with this suggestion. The gnolls mount up and the wyverns take to the air again. Watching them go Rizah smiles softly to himself, watching as the remaining members of the tribe that outrank fly him away. Rizah thinks to himself that only death now awaits those above, and is thankful to now be on the ground.

He climbs up onto Renjarr’s warhorse, which he now considers his own, and looks around at the two-dozen gnoll troops which now report to him. Realizing that his former commander is the most powerful fighter in this group, Rizah says to Gogol, “I am sorry for what the Chief did to you. I will do whatever I can to help in getting your proper rank restored. I know that only the Chief can assign rank, however I plan to treat you as a Kegyai and also have the gnolls under my command treat you as such.” Gogol is elated to hear this, and swears newfound loyalty to Rizah.

Rizah asks Gogol for the name of the senior members and is told that the Archer Kegyai is named Wergul and the Cavalry Kegyai is named Drej-Kron. Rizah is further reassured at hearing the hyphenated name, since it means that the Cavalry Kegyai is also an apprentice shaman, so his group is not without healing. He calls both of these Kegyai over to himself and Gogol.

Rizah says, “I will need to rely upon the three of you. I fear that the elves of this world are supported by their own deities and may actually have the power to take the Kadtanach away fromYeenoghu. We must continue to following, observe and do what we can to support our god. We had better plan for quick mobility. Distribute all of the food, water and additional quivers of arrows from the wagons among the cavalry troops. Rearrange the draft ropes so that horses pulling each wagon can be quickly detached, in the event that it becomes necessary to abandon the wagons. Each archer should be assigned to ride either one of those horses or to double up with a cavalryman. Do this quickly, as we must resume traveling soon.”

The gnolls all respond immediately as ordered, confirming Rizah’s thoughts that these soldiers will now follow him blindly. The momentarily delay will also help to create more of a distance between them and the Kadtanach. Rizah decides to proceed cautiously, and have his group get no closer than a quarter-mile to the creature.

 

[Silver Moon]

Game #7 - 11/23/03

Chapter 23, “Chamber of the Wizardess”, September 13th, 1019, 6:30 P.M.

Cassie, Mark, Mojo and Narg had been sitting inside of the Bag of Holding for around half-an-hour. Mojo’s special armor had vanished once they entered the bag, but his wound looked to be fully healed. Narg is getting impatient and complains, “This is taking way too long. Why did we send Alton in the first place?” Mojo replies, “It’s was not so much a case of us sending him as telling him to get away from us.” Mark comments, “Well, maybe that was a mistake. He wasn’t with us when were in that group of buildings before, so doesn’t know his way around.”

The bag then opens up, and Alton chimpanzee voice says, “They’ve got everything buttoned up tight.” “What are you talking about?” Cassie asks. Alton replies, “The building on the yoke was deserted. I’ve moved further back and right now I'm before the first three buildings, but the doors and windows are all shut.” I went inside the middle one, a furnace building with the fires still running, but nobody is around. “Anyone in any of the crow’s nests?” Narg asks. Alton replies, “A gargoyle is still on the roof of the building to my right. Can they see through invisibility?” Narg replies, “I don’t remember, but why don’t you go to the one on your left instead.”

The bag closes up. A few minutes later it opens again. Alton says, “No good. It has no doors, and the windows higher up were only illusionary, with solid walls behind them.” Mark comments, “That makes no sense. How does anyone get inside of it?” Narg replies, “Teleportation. We saw those Gith creatures doing that.” Mojo says, “Hold on. If it was solid wall behind where you saw windows then maybe there are windows behind where you saw solid wall. Let me out, I’ll take a look.”

Mojo activates his Ring of Invisibility and climbs out. He notices that they are now around a mile or two closer to the town of Gheldaylin. The fire in the second floor of the Head Howdah is now burning rather speedily. He looks up at the building beside him and manages to see through the illusions, confirming that his suspicions about the windows were correct. He climbs back inside, instructing Alton to climb up and find a real window.

A short while later they are dumped out of the Bag and onto the floor of a twenty-foot diameter room. The room appears to be a bedchamber for a single individual, with mahogany walls and matching mahogany furniture, including dresses and an armoire. The room also contains a collection of embroidered pillows.

Cassie unfastens the hammock from the wall and begins to roll it up. “What are you doing?” Narg asks. She replies, “This is fine silk. I’m keeping it,” and she then puts in and pillows into a Bag of Holding. Mojo says, “Why bother? You don’t actually expect Arrow-Boy to fit in that thing with you? (A reference to her elvan archer boyfriend Aradyn). She replies, “Sure, we’ll put it under the trapeze.” Mojo laughs and says, “Yeah, right. If only he would be that daring. I’d be willing to bet that Aradyn sleeps on a wooden slab on the floor and that he wears pajamas to bed.” Narg comments, “Heck, I’ll even bet that he wears wooden pajamas.” [DM’s note: I always get a kick out of Narg insulting Aradyn, as both characters belong to the same player.]

Purge is let out of the first Bag of Holding to check the wooden armoire in the room for traps. He does not find any, and it does not appear to be locked. It is opened to reveal very nice women’s clothing, much of which is silk with silver, gold and platinum embroidery on it. Cassie decides she will take all of it, and starts to remove the garments from the wooden and bone hangers. Mojo picks one up and asks, “What is this strange thing the clothes are on?” Cassie replies, “Just hangers, they don’t appear to be magical.” “Hangers? I don’t understand?” he comments. “Something to put clothes on!” She replies. “What’s wrong with the floor?” is his response.

Cassie is determined to find the Wizardess’s magic book, and she begins to check everything in the room where it might be. She orders the others to look too. She examines a large mirror fastened to a desk, and contemplates taking it with except it is too big to fit in the Bag of Holding. Mojo says, “We should take it with us as a gnoll distraction. They will run up to at and start barking at the other gnolls that they see.”

Everyone continues to look around the room more carefully. Mojo notices for the first time that there is actually a trapdoor concealed by a illusion on the floor. He finds the edge of it and starts to pry it up, as a rank mangy aroma smelling like unwashed gnolls penetrates. “What is it?” Mark asks. Mojo answers, “Based on the smell, I’d say there is a puppy mill down there.”

They look below to see a room below is filled with several bunk beds and other crude bedding including blankets and sleeping mats. Mojo asks, “Why would she want a whole bunch of smelly gnolls sleeping in the room below here.” Cassie suggests, “They were probably there to help protect her.” “Or maybe she was a prisoner,” Narg suggests. A now frustrated Cassie says, “Well, I sure don't see any books down there. It has to be around here somewhere.” “Maybe she had it with her,” Mark suggests. Cassie retorts, “I sure hope not, because I fried her.”

Alton decides to investigate the room below, and climbs down the ladder. Feeling around, he discovers that the bunks don’t actually exist, even though he still sees them. He closes his eyes and relies on his chimpanzee sense of smell, with the gnoll scent now disappearing and being replaced by the smell of beeswax. He tells this to the others, and Cassie says “It’s her study!" Cassie enthusiastically climbs down the ladder. Feeling around the room, Alton and Cassie soon find a desk. They yell for Purge to climb down and check for traps.

Meanwhile, Mojo takes a much closer look into the room, now seeing it to be a study with a smooth mahogany desk, along side a large amethyst-encrusted pedestal holding a leather-bound tome. The pedestal itself has been sculpted into the shape of a purple worm with its mouth agape, its hinged jaws securing the book in place. He tells this to the others and they believe him but are still unable to see through the illusion of the gnoll bunkhouse. Mojo directs Purge over in the direction of the Pedestal. As he nears it a female voice calls out “Ah, ah, ah! If you touch my book it is the innocent who will suffer.” Mojo comments, “The innocent? Well, none of us have anything to worry about then.” Purge moves back and Cassie then sends Alton forward, which repeats the message. “Just a Magic Mouth spell,” she concludes.

Narg starts to lose his patience, and tells Cassie, “This is taking too long. Just take the book and let’s go.” “It may be trapped,” Alton suggests. Narg replies, “Fine, then leave it, and we’ll come back here later.” “Like that’s really going to happen,” Mojo adds sarcastically. Cassie grabs the book. Cassie’s desire to read the volume causes her to now see through the illusion, and she opens it up to confirm that it is indeed a spell book. She then shuts the book and then hears some screaming.

She tells the others, but nobody else can hear it. She then begins sees miniature people running around inside of her eyes. These little people begin to pound on her cornea, and their screams are begging her to release them. Their screams intensify, and Cassie begins to tell her allies about what is happening. “Sounds like the book was cursed,” Purge comments. Narg suggests to Cassie “Put the book back and maybe it will stop.” She does so, but the people inside of her eyes just yell louder, pleading for her to stop torturing them. Cassie’s head begins to ache. Cassie screams out “Damned Cursed Book!” “And they call me stupid,” Mojo says. “Because you are!” Cassie yells at him. “Yeah, right. You didn’t see me trying to read a cursed book,” is his response.

Narg orders everyone out of the lower room. Cassie goes to grab the book again, and Purge asks “Are you sure that is wise.” She yells at him, “It’s already done its damage.” Mojo states “It hurt her, so she feels she must possess it.” Cassie continues to get increasingly annoyed at the incessant whines she is hearing inside her head and cannot think straight. Fortunately for her, Mojo reminds her that she also is wearing a medallion from Finder Wyvernspur, that can activate a special suit of armor for her. She hits her medallion and the armor springs into place, the voices in her head then stopping.

Since this holy armor does not hinder spell casting she decides to retain it, fearing that deactivating it will bring the curse back. She also notices something that Mojo hadn’t, namely the armor’s visor bestows upon the wearer True Sight. Mark says, “Yeah, don’t you remember. Finder added in that power when the evil Overlord in the Abyss tried to trick us into walking through a magical doorway into a pool of lava.” They all head back upstairs.

The true sight permits Cassie to look through the illusionary windows. Mojo can also see through them, and the two describe for the others what they see. The sun has just set over the horizon they are moving towards and the light is beginning to fade. The fire atop the Kadtanach’s head is now a roaring inferno. Flying alongside the head are both wyverns, each with two gnolls, a pilot and an archer, the archers aiming at the door of the Head Howdah. Cassie comments, “They must think we are still inside, and are waiting to shoot us when we run out.” Lights can be seen from the buildings of the crossroad community of Gheldaylin, now less than a mile away. She then sees two unknown objects rise up into the air from that town and head in their direction.

 

[Blasphemonkey]

Ahh, interesting...

I had wanted to play that "people trapped inside your cornea" trick, but the PC made his saving throw. Immediately following that, the female wizard (who was hovering invisible above them) started out by casting Eyebite on the Tiefling PC, who also made his saving throw. What a letdown, they spoiled all my fun.

- Blasphemonkey

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 24, “I’ve never liked amusement park rides”, September 13th, 1019, 7:30 P.M.

The two flying creatures from the town move towards them as the Kadtanach moves closer to the town, closing the distance between them. The Kadtanach has now left the outer edge of the forested lands and is trampling through the fields of outlying farms of the town. The two flying objects pick up speed and near the front of the Kadtanach. “It’s the Dragon Stalkers!” Cassie exclaims.

Cassie describes what he sees to the others, “General Teakas is using her winged boots to fly. She’s carrying the ranger Kela, whose broken arm appears to have been healed. That team’s leader Gellyath is carrying a lance and riding atop a dragonne (a winged creature that resembles a cross between a lion and a brass dragon). “Where in hell did they find one of those?” Narg asks. Purge interjects, “They said Gheldaylin was his home town. Maybe it is a family pet.”

The two mounted wyverns fly forward to meet them. Gellyath flies directly at one, using his lance to try to dismount one of the gnolls. The gnoll pilot veers sharply to the right, the lance then scraping against the wyvern’s hide. Teakas and Kela take on the other wyvern, with Kela firing off a series of arrows. She initially targets the gnoll archer, without much success due to the Wyvern’s maneuverability. The wyvern flies closer and she then attempts to fire at the animal’s eyes, with an arrow narrowly missing an eye and striking the side of the creature’s head. Mojo’s player comments “This is like a cross between Godzilla and Midway.”

Narg yells, “People, we’re wasting valuable time. They are providing us with a distraction, let’s use it!” Mojo says, “He’s right. It’s time to get unbelievably violent on this thing. Cassie, did you take a Locate Object spell today?” “Yes,” she replies. Mojo yells “Then use it. You saw what that helmet looked like.” She casts the spell, which points in the direction of the creature’s left flank. The building immediately in that direction is the one that they first entered. “That’s where they are. Let’s Go!” Narg yells. Cassie says, “Should we get in the bag of holding?” Narg says, “Have Mark get in there until we need him.” Mojo comments “There’s no way we can keep him in there that long.” Mark gets into the bag.

Mojo directs Narg to where the front window and he starts to climb out. Below and to the left is a wooden bridge connecting that howdah to the one in front of it, and Narg lets fly his Rope of Climbing. The rope secures itself around the bridge as Narg loops on the other end and hands it to Purge. The half-elf then dive out the window and slides down the rope. His sudden movement catches the attention of the gargoyle atop the other front tower, which flies off of the tower and begins a dive downward.

Narg reaches the bridge, jumping up onto it. He sees the gargoyle making a beeline towards him and grips the Nargblade back with both hands. He holds it up over his shoulder as one would hold a baseball bat, and softly says to him, “Just like Babe Ruth.” Narg waits on his swing until the monster is nearly upon him and then lets loose with all of the strength that he can muster and then some. He is barely in time, with one of the gargoyle’s horns actually starting to poke against his face before the creature is then forced away from him. The monster is propelled away into the open air in front of the towers, with blood flowing from a very deep gash in its side. “Damn, I fouled it out,” Narg states.

Mojo has now slid down to join him, and Narg helps him up onto the bridge. The propelled gargoyle manages to eventually regain control of its wings, and starts to hover then flies away from them. Mojo gets one hammer toss at it, but misses. The gargoyle then flies off behind the buildings. By this point both Purge and Cassie have also slid down the rope to join them. It is getting darker out, and Cassie’s armor is comprised of very bright light, so she is shining like a beacon. “Geez, can you tone that down?” Narg asks. Alton has remained behind, and is now busy pouring vials of oil in the wizardesses's chamber and lighting them. He mutters a complaint to himself about Cassie having taken all of the best combustibles in the room.

The Kadtanach stops move with the center of town just a third of a mile ahead. The party sees that the Dragon Stalkers are still busy fighting the mounted wyverns. Kela is now sitting atop Teakas’s shoulders, still firing her bow, while Teakas is now using her crossbow as well. One of the gnoll archers having been knocked from the sky and the other three gnolls all appear to be wounded. The Dragon Stalkers are showing no visible wounds, although the dragonne has a few of the gnoll’s arrows sticking into it.

The Kadtanach then begins to sway from side to side and everyone grabs onto the side of the bridge to keep from falling off. Cassie sees that the creature is now frantically shaking its head and she exclaims, “Uh oh, the fire’s burned down to its scalp.” “Let’s get into this building, quick!” Narg states, grabbing his rope again. Purge attempts to pick the lock on the door, but with the creature’s constant movements is unable to. “Here, let me use my lock pick,” Mojo states, as he takes his hammer to smashes the lock with such force that metal lock breaks completely off from the wood holding it, destroying that whole section of the door. The door is then pulled open and they run inside.

They find themselves back in the room with the prison cell. “I think we’ve been here before,” Mojo comments. “Yeah, around nine hours ago,” Cassie comments. Alton scurries into the room and says, “Another fire’s now burning in that tower we just left.” The floor then tilts very sharply forward at a forty-five degree angle, with everyone falling back in the direction of the door. Narg’s immediate reaction is to throw his rope ahead of him, having it tie to the iron bars of the prison cell. Alton and Cassie both grab the rope to keep from falling out the door.

Purge and Mojo both fall against the front wall beside the doorway, which is now becoming the floor of the room. All of the kegs and chests that were inside the room on the side wall slide towards them. The door cannot be shut due to the broken lock, so Mojo and Purge act quickly to avoid being hit by the approaching objects while also pushing and pulling the largest chests over to partially block the doorway.

The room now begins to also tilt sharply to one side. “What’s going on?” Cassie yells. Purge looks out the doorway and states “The Kadtanach is kneeling forward to the ground, and is now trying to scrape the burning building off of its head against a grove of trees.” Mojo exclaims, “Well I hope that it stops soon. I’ve never liked amusement park rides.” “We need to find that leader now, while this is keeping him preoccupied.” “Like we’re not preoccupied ourselves?” Mojo retorts.

Cassie mentions that she had seen a trapdoor in the floor the last time they were in this room. “That must be where they are,” Narg yells. Mojo pulls himself up the rope and locates the edges of this door. He uses his dagger to pry it open and looks inside. Narg yells “Is the leader down there?” “No, just money,” Mojo replies, seeing a room filled with chests where several have now broken open, spilling coins all over the lower room. Also in the room are various jewels and other valuables.

The room then tilts again, with the floor going back to where it belongs. The party again has to dodge several boxes and kegs that now roll back in their direction. They look out the doorway and see that the Kadtanach is now standing again. The Head Howdah is gone, with only a few burning embers and smoke coming from where it had been. It is now dark outside and the wyverns and Dragon Stalkers are no longer in the air. “Where did they go?” Alton asks. “Who cares, we have gnolls to kill,” Narg replies.

“Come on, they must be in the room above. Let’s go,” Narg yells and scurries up the ladder, the others following. They arrive in the archer’s loft above and find it deserted. Narg climbs up further, sticking his head into the crow’s nest, which is also deserted. The area outside is now beginning to light up from the fire Alton started in the adjacent tower.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 25, “Hit the Deck”, September 13th, 1019, 8:00 P.M.

Not seeing anyone out of the front windows of the archer’s loft the party looks out the back windows. The group of buildings consists of deck, approximately 50-feet square, with another howdah on each side of it. The part of the deck below where they are has an upper deck, approximately 10 by 30 feet in size. Backlit by the fire left in the wizardess’s tower, they can see that both of the wyverns are on the back deck, with a pair of gnoll troops now climbing onto each. Two gargoyles are also present, one atop the tower by the left flank and another guarding the door to the tower. Narg recognizes the door guard as the same one he recently wounded.

The group gathers around the windows. “What do you think?” Narg asks. Cassie replies “I thinking that this building wasn’t where the “Locate Object” spell was directing me but that one was,” pointing to the building with the gargoyles around it. “Looks like the wyverns are about to take to the air again,” Alton comments. “Better deal with them now instead,” Mojo offers. “Fireball coming up,” Cassie states.

She has already used both of the more powerful fireballs from her Crown of Might, so has to toss one from a studied spell. The spell is very successful, with the fireball doing considerable damage. She had centered the spell directly on the wyvern closest to the building where they assessed the leader to now be. The outer edge of the fireball hits the wounded gargoyle, the impact of the blast knocking it off of the deck, and possibly to its death. As the massive ball of flame emerges she comments that the hide of the beast must have been oiled given how quickly the wyvern is engulfed in the flame.

The flaming wyvern lets out a massive bellow, before collapsing dead onto the deck, its body still burning brightly. Both gnolls seated on it are reduced to charred husks. The second wyvern was just outside of the blast range and takes to the air. Mojo lobs his hammer at it, but misses.

A frustrated Alton now draws one of his possessions that he had taken from his pack before changing to chimp form and had been carrying around attached to a rope belt. The item is a souvenir from the 20th Century world that he originated from, a 45-calibur handgun. He takes his first shot at the wyvern, the invisibility dispelling from him. Alton’s first shot wasn’t even close and his second shot barely misses the rapidly departing beast. His third shot is on the mark, hitting the creature in the side. The wounded wyvern continues to fly away.

”Now what?” Mojo asks. Narg answers, “We hit the deck, literally.” “That’s a long way down,” Cassie comments. Narg fastens his magical rope between two of the windows and starts to lower it to the upper deck below. The Kadtanach starts to shake again, the burning wyvern falling off the deck. “Be careful not to fall,” Purge comments. Narg answers “What? You think I want to fall 100 feet to my death?” Mojo interjects, “Well, if you do I’ll laugh my ass off.” Cassie says, “Oh no Narg, you’re not getting out of raising a kid that easily.” “Yeah, then I’d have to,” Mojo states. Narg answers, “Oh no you don’t. If there is any person less qualified to raise a kid than me it’s you.”

Narg gestures to the gargoyle atop the tower and tells Mojo “Cover me” and then climbs out of the window and slides down. The gargoyle sees him, but does not move from its perch. “Fine, it’s staying put,” Mojo says, and fastens the hammer back on his belt. Mojo climbs out the window and and starts to slide down the rope after Narg.

As soon as Narg’s feet land on the upper deck a dozen jet black, bony-ridged tentacles erupt from the deck floor. A high-pitched scream begins to resonate as Narg gets lashed by some of the tentacles and entangled by others. Mojo immediately grips the rope tight to stop his descent. Up above Cassie says, “Ah, I know that spell. Evard’s Black Tentacles.” “Do something,” Alton yells. She casts a Dispel Magic down onto Narg and the area around him. The tentacles vanish and the alarm ceases. Mojo slides the rest of the way down the rope.

Narg charges along the deck in the direction of the building where they have determined the helmet to be in, with Mojo following. As soon as he runs out of the area that had been affected by Cassie’s spell another group of tentacles spring up in his direction. His reflex actions are to jump back and also swing the Nargblade at the objects heading towards him. He is successful with both actions, propelling himself backwards with a reverse broad jump while delivering a perfect swing with the sword of sharpness, severing the first two tentacles coming at him.

Mojo catches Narg in mid-air, and then turns to run back towards the rope. The remaining tentacles begin growing and moving at them. Narg says “No good, they’ll get us when we stop to grab the rope.” “Okay Sundance, then we go for Plan B,” Mojo comments and runs to the right towards the edge of the upper deck, diving off of it. The two of them fly through the air, Mojo releasing Narg, and both manage to land on their feet on the flower deck fifteen feet below with minimum impact damage. The Gargoyle atop the tower now dives down in their direction.

The tentacles do not pursue them off of the upper deck, but continue to swirl around down below where they had been. Alton complains, “Great, they left those behind. How do we get down without being grabbed?” “I’ll show you,” Cassie comments, pulling up the magical rope and then using the Wand of Force. She creates a Wall of Force, covering over the entire upper deck just above the swirling tentacles. They lower the rope down and she and Purge then slide to the deck as Alton climbs down the wall. The tentacles continue to swirl around under their feet beneath the invisible wall. “Just like an ant farm,” Alton comments.

Narg sees the gargoyle coming at him out of the corner of his eye, and pivots around with the Nargblade. He gets in a perfect severing attack, the first striking the creature’s arm and wing, causing it to crash onto the deck and setting Narg up for the follow through on its neck, decapitating the monster. Meanwhile, Mojo has spotted a pair of gnolls manning ballistae in the rear corners of the lower deck. He tosses his hammer at the one furthest away, yelling to Narg about the other one. Narg charges in that direction and Mojo lets the hammer sail a second time, killing the gnoll. He yells to Narg “I’ve done my job, why don’t you?” “What? Did you miss the gargoyle?” Narg exclaims as he reaches the other gnoll and makes very short work of it.

Narg then gestures toward the glowing Cassie on the upper deck and says in a British accent “She shines out like a shaft of gold when all else is dark.” He then gestures to the door and with the same accent says to Mojo “Shall we?” Mojo gestures as well and in the same accent replies, “After you old chum.” “Oh no, I insist,” Narg replies. “Oh rather,” is Narg’s response. “Very well,” Mojo answers, and they head towards the door.

 

[Silver Moon]

Game #8 - 11/30/03

Chapter 26, “I guess he knows we’re here,” September 13th, 1019, 8:15 P.M.

Narg reaches the door, opening it out a crack to glace inside. Two gnoll fighters were waiting just on the other side of the door for them. One pushes the door open wider as his partner successfully jabs a spear into Narg. Mojo had taken a Button of Blasting out of his pocket before, and says to Narg “Get out of the way,” as he tosses the button into the room. The button hits the floor between the two gnolls, setting off a 15-point explosion that knocks both of the gnolls down. It also blasts the door off of its hinges and knocks Narg back for some damage. “Give me more warning next time,” Narg complains.

They look through the doorway back into the 20-foot diameter room. The room is barren except for the two gnolls and a now damaged ladder in the center of the room (in fact, the explosion destroyed the bottom foot of the 50-foot high ladder, its entire weight now being held up by a pair of clamps at the very top). They are surprised when the two gnolls stand up, having been only wounded by the blast.

The gnolls charge forward, chanting “Death to the elves,” in gnollish. Narg replies in the gnoll language, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ve heard that before.” Narg meets the first one in the doorway, skewering him with the Nargblade, as Mojo tosses his hammer full force into the room at the other one. The hammer misses, but strikes the ladder hard, swinging it back into the far wall (as the DM rolls a “1” for the ladder’s saving thrown). The ladder splits, with one side coming apart from the rungs. It also breaks loose from the clamps up above, and comes crashing down into the room below in sections. The remaining gnoll falls under the cascade of lumber falling on top of him. Mojo enters the room and bludgeons the gnoll with the hammer to ensure his demise.

The shaft goes up for forty feet before reaching an opening in the room at the top and another opening to the crow’s nest ten feet about that. There are ledges fifteen and twenty feet above them, but no way of reaching them. Narg complains, “Oh great, you just had to take out the ladder didn’t you?” Narg takes out his rope of climbing and looks for something to have it attach to. He spots a metal clamp at the crow’s nest level that had previously been used to secure the ladder. He has the magical rope levitate up to that point and attach to the clamp.

Meanwhile, Purge has now helped lower Cassie down to the lower deck, while Alton headed straight over to the tower and has been climbing up the outside. The druid in the form of an invisible chimpanzee has no difficulty scaling the 25 feet from the upper deck to the room at the top. He reaches one of eight windows on this upper room and looks inside.

There are five creatures in the room. Three are gnolls, one dressed as a shaman, one dressed as a fighter, and the third wearing a fancy uniform and cloak while sitting in a chair. The seated gnoll is wearing the bone helmet. The other two individuals are the head gargoyle and the creature claiming to be the gnoll god Yeenoghu. The DM asks Alton’s player if he is going inside. The player replies “You expect me to go up against all of them by myself? Alton may be brain dead but he’s not insane. I’ll climb up higher.” As Alton reaches the crow’s nest he sees the end of the rope of climbing as it attaches to the metal clamp.

Alton glances down into the room below, and mutters to himself “If only I had a dog whistle.” He then looks back over the railing to see what has become of Purge and Cassie, seeing them on the lower deck, checking something between the two decks. In the room below, the creature claiming to be Yeenoghu notices the magical rope shoot up through the room and then go taut. He looks down the opening, seeing Narg and Mojo climbing the rope. He gestures to the gargoyle to take out its magical sword, and waits until the elf and half-elf are thirty feet up before signaling the gargoyle to act. The powerful monster swings his magical blade with full force, hitting with enough power to sever the rope before him.

As soon as the rope is cut the two brave fighters fall. Narg is able to grab the corner of the ledge at the twenty-foot height, and Mojo is able to grab onto Narg’s legs. They climb up onto the ledge. Narg tests his rope, finding that in addition to being cut along the final five feet it is no longer magical. He curses about what could have done that. Mojo has a hunch, and strikes his magical Medallion, with the shining holy platemail now magically appearing again over his other armor. Narg does the same, his armor also appearing. Mojo comments, “Uh oh, it would have only done that if there is unmistakable evil around, besides you and me.”

They find out soon enough, as the Yeenoghu creature appears in the opening above, holding some type of crossbow. A screaming crossbow bolt flies towards them, bouncing off of Narg’s holy armor. Mojo mutters, “I guess he knows we’re here,” as he tosses up his hammer, which strikes the creature for no effect before returning to Mojo. It’s second screaming bolt bounces off of Mojo’s armor. Alton concludes that his friends are in trouble, and casts a heat metal spell down into the room, which the enemies do not hear due to the echoes from the screaming bolts. The Yeenoghu creature then fires again at Narg, this bolt actually penetrating the armor, but not deep enough to cause Narg damage. Mojo tosses his hammer again, and is very surprised when the Yeenoghu creature reaches out and catches it.

The sound of the screaming bolts has drawn Cassie and Purge over to the doorway and into the chamber. At the sight of the two gnoll bodies and destroyed ladder Cassie mutters “Fighters, can’t do anything right.” She and purge move forward and look up, seeing the major bad guy forty-five feet above them and holding onto Mojo’s hammer. It lifts up the hammer, and tosses it downward with full force directly towards Cassie.

As it sails past the ledge Mojo mutters “He missed us”, not realizing the intended target. Below, Cassie’s hands had been at her side, and she scoops up the Bag of Holding tucked into her belt, opening up the bag before her. The hammer sails into the bag, which she immediately shuts to prevent it from returning to the monster. Inside the bag, Mark had just been standing around waiting to be let out when he sees it open above him, with Mojo’s hammer then sailing in at his head. Mark leans back as it sails past him, barely missing his nose, chin, belly and other parts. It strikes the floor hard, but thankfully not hard enough to rip the bag, which then closes up above him. Mark is totally bewildered as to what has just happened, wondering why Mojo just tried to hurt him.

On the ledge above, the bolts now cease, but the two fighters then see the gargoyle dropping through the opening above them. The monster spreads its wings as it enters the shaft, hovering at the top, and gives them an evil grin. It then lowers its head so that its rather sharp horns are extended towards them and then dives directly at the unarmed Mojo.

 

[Blasphemonkey]

Inside the bag, Mark had just been standing around waiting to be let out when he sees it open above him, with Mojo’s hammer then sailing in at his head. Mark leans back as it sails past him, barely missing his nose, chin, belly and other parts. It strikes the floor hard, but thankfully not hard enough to rip the bag, which then closes up above him. Mark is totally bewildered as to what has just happened, wondering why Mojo just tried to hurt him.

See what happens when you don't show up for a game? "Hey, guys, don't let anything happen to my character..." That was simply hilarious, and just really unique.

- Blasphemonkey

 

[Silver Moon]

See what happens when you don't show up for a game? "Hey, guys, don't let anything happen to my character..."

And the funniest thing is that Mark's player trusts Cassie's player (his sister-in-law) the most! Thanks for the comments...now for the next chapter:

Chapter 27, “A Chimp with a Gun”, September 13th, 1019, 8:30 P.M.

Alton’s Heat Metal spell had been in effect for a few minutes now. Most of the metal in the room began to get hot to the touch, including all of he held weapons, which the creatures then dropped. The gnoll shaman had the least amount of metal on him, which he immediately stripped off and then pulled the shirt and metal breastplate beneath from the seated gnoll. The other gnoll was preoccupied with stripping off his own armor. Yeenoghu’s studded leather armor appeared to be unaffected, although he did drop both his crossbow and spiked whip, both of which are now glowing white-hot. The gargoyle also dropped his heated sword prior to dropping down through the opening.

Alton decides that the bare-chested gnoll sitting in the seat is way too good a target to ignore. He takes out his 45-calibur handgun and reloads it. The DM comments “There’s nothing more dangerous than a chimp with a gun.” Mojo’s player exclaims, “Chimp with a Gun! Coming Saturday nights this fall on U.P.N.” The comment is then made, “That would probably do better than the programs they’re currently broadcasting.”

Back down below, at the sight of the Gargoyle entering the room Cassie took out the Wand of Force. She then casts a Wall of Force up at he diving monster, shaping the wall to curve out and back, bisecting the creature. The wall does not physical harm him, but it does manage to stops the gargoyle in one place. The wall is invisible so Mojo and Narg have no idea what just occurred, just that the creature is now frozen in place half way between the opening and them. Mojo’s player exclaims “Since when do they have Keanu moves?” Narg pulls the bolt out of his armor and tosses it in front of him, with it bouncing off of the invisible wall. “It’s a wall of force,” Narg states. Still looking up at the monster, Mojo replies, “No, it’s a gargoyle.” Cassie and Purge step out to where Narg and Mojo can now see them and she yells up “No you idiot, I created a Wall of Force to stop it. Take care of it.”

“I can’t, my hammer’s gone,” Mojo yells down. “Use your bows” she yells up. Mojo looks to Narg and says, “I didn’t bring mine on this mission. Did you bring yours?” He replies, “Sure I brought it along. It’s in one of the Bags of Holding with all of the other stuff I don’t normally use.” Mojo yells down, “We forgot them.” Cassie yells up, “Narg, you’re married to an archer. How can you not have a bow?” He says, “I brought it. You have it in one of the bags.” “By the way, do you see my hammer down there?” Mojo asks.

Cassie dumps out the Bag of Holding, with both the hammer and Mark spilling onto the floor. As Mark stands up Purge comments “Well, at least he brought his bow.” Cassie points up and says Mark, “Fine, use your bow and do something about that thing.” Mark fires his first two arrows, both missing. Cassie comments “That’s it. When we get back to the island I’m sending all of you guys down to the school for archery practice.” Purge picks up Mojo’s hammer and begins scaling the walls.

The sound of a gunshot up above echoes throughout the chamber. “What is Monkey Boy up to now,” Mojo exclaims. Narg says “Sounds like he’s using that futuristic weapon on them, and I don’t mean his bong.” Up above, the aforementioned chimp is still standing on the crow’s nest, holding the gun with both hands, having just made a very large hole in the chest of the gnoll pilot. The gnoll fighter rushes over to the seated gnoll while the shaman looks up at Alton and then casts a spell. Alton successfully saves from the spell. He then shifts his aim to target the shaman and plugs the gnoll with a shot right between the eyes.

The second shot resonates through the shaft below and Narg says ”We need to get up there real soon.” “Not with him in the way,” Mojo states, pointing to the suspended gargoyle that is attempting to break himself out of the Wall of Force. Cassie tosses some Magic Missile spells up into the monster as Mark manages to get two of his next four arrows into it. Purge now reaches the ledge, and Mojo yells, “Give me that” as he rips the hammer out of Purge’s belt. The hammer is thrown into the gargoyle, bouncing off the creature for minimum damage.

The gnoll fighter is still busy trying to help the mortally wounded gnoll pilot in the chair. The Yeenoghu creature moves over behind the chair and removes the helmet from the pilot. Up until now Alton had been careful to avoid firing at the helm in hopes of maybe using it later. That strategy changes since he is afraid that Yeenoghu will teleport away with it again. The gun fires again (the player rolling a natural “20”) as the bullet strikes the bone helmet, splitting it right down the middle. Yeenoghu yells out “NOOOOOO!” and looks up at the chimp.

The creature then points his hands towards Alton and flames shoot out and arc up through the opening to the crow’s nest. The chimpanzee reflexes save him, with Alton flipping backwards and off of the crow’s nest. He grabs onto the railing as he starts to fall. The streams of flames continue to pour through the opening and start to catch the crow’s nest area on fire. Alton decides to move hand-over-hand around the crow’s nest railing to the opposite side.

Back in the lower room below, they have heard the gunshots and monster’s yell and now see a river of flames filling the room above. Cassie tells Mark, “Oh no, Alton’s in trouble Will you guys please stop playing around with that gargoyle?” “We’re doing the best we can,” Mojo stay, tossing his hammer and missing the gargoyle, the hammer bouncing off of the invisible wall. “Just kill it!” she yells.

Above and outside, Alton climbs down to the window immediately behind the Yeenoghu creature. The monster has his back to the druid, continuing to send flames up into the crow’s nest from its outstretched arms. Alton casually raises the gun up to a few inches from the back of the creature’s head and then fires point blank. The creature lets out an even louder scream and then collapses to the floor.

Alton climbs into the room. By this time the gnoll fighter had pulled the pilot out the chair and is cradling him in his arms, totally ignoring the chimp. Alton had assumed that his shot into the Yeenoghu killed it, but the creature now begins to move. Alton starts to question if this creature might indeed be immortal. The gnoll deity then begins to transform. The DM announces “It becomes something that Mojo has seen before.” Mojo’s player states “Yikes. It’s become an oriental hooker!” The DM says, “No, one of these,” and points to a picture of a Spectral Hound (Dungeon Magazine #100, Polyhedron page 37) identical to the one that had bitten Mojo earlier. Alton decides he is in over his head and jumps out the window.

Down below, Mark gets two more arrows into the gargoyle. Mojo then gets in a killing blow with the hammer and yells down “It’s dead Jim.” Cassie yells up “It’s about time. Alton may be dead by now.” “No I’m not,” a voice behind then states. They turn around to see the chimp standing in the doorway. “What’s going on up there?” Narg yells down. Alton replies “That’s where the bad guy is. He’s in the form of one of those creepy wolves that made Mojo start to fade away.”

“Come on, let’s go” Narg states, suddenly getting the idea to use the suspended gargoyle body as a platform up. Narg hoists Purge up onto the Gargoyle. Mojo then lifts Narg, who Purge pulls up to it. Narg then lifts Purge up through the opening in the ceiling and Purge then pulls Narg up behind him. There is no sign of the spectral hound, the only occupant of the room being a hysterical gnoll crying in anguish and holding the dead body of another gnoll.

As Narg stands up the gnoll notices them. The gnoll carefully lowers the body of its leader to the floor and the stands up. He walks towards Narg, contorting its claws as though preparing to rake at him and says in gnollish “My name is Lieutenant Kajjan. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

 

[Blasphemonkey]

“My name is Lieutenant Kajjan. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

LOL! (And I was really LOL'ing when I read that.) You know what that is? It's...
inconceivable!

By the way, what is the attack roll on that pistol? How do they come across additional ammunition?

- Blasphemonkey