Enemy Among Us (DM: Stringbean2142, Judge: TwoHeadsBarking)

[CaBaNa]

"Song of Triumph, by Cloud Stride."

Bell listens intently to Martelai's words then take's her time choosing her own. I must not tip them off to our plan.

"Oh I certainly believe that Mr. Veruzak is in fact Eladrin. Obviously, he has been influenced by Shadar-kai culture greatly. In the same vein I am certainly at least part fey, but culturally have been influenced primarily by humans. I don't, however, see sufficient evidence that I am Shadar-kai in race. There are many kinds of fey and many who manage thee ability to teleport."

[sblock=ooc]I have no problem with Martelai's observations. One of the Joy's of Bell is high Intelligence, low experience and wisdom. Also, due to her age and idealism, she lies to herself a wee bit.[/sblock]


[sblock=actions]Spend my last healing surge, gain 9 hp.[/sblock]

[sblock=Bell]
Bell Jabson: Shadar-Kai Bard 1 ()
Initiative: +2; Speed: 6; Passive Perception: 14; Passive Insight: 10
AC: 18; FRW:13/17/15
HP: 24/25; Surges: 0/8; Surge Value: 6; AP: 0
Languages: Common (Allarian), Imperia
Skills: Arcana +9, Streetwise +8, Perception +4, History +9, Bluff +8, Thievery +6
Str:10 Dex:15 Wis:9 Con:13 Int:18 Cha:16

Powers
Misdirecting Mark, Cutting Word
Focused Sound, Shadow Jaunt, Words of Friendship, Second Wind, Majestic Word 2/2, Sneak Attack
Malevolent Mischief

Full Sheet[/sblock]

Veruzak listens intently, not so much as glancing around his shoulder as he looks for booty. *So I'm not the only one to have noticed!* He celebrates quietly.

It would appear that the Sea Crows had been using this cave as storage for some time now. In the side cavern, nestled among several more "water balloons" are several chests and crates containing a number of valuables, including gems, spices (mercifully, in sealed containers), and other items of high worth. In addition, the dead mage's robes carry a minor enchantment, although they could also stand a good cleaning and mending.

[sblock=Valuables]The various gewgaws can be sold for a total of 750 gp. The robe is a Robe of Eyes +1. Other items of note are a Rod of Blasting +1 and a suit of Shared Suffering chainmail +1.[/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]Can everyone tell me how many surges they have left? I want to balance the upcoming boss fight nah, I'm just curious.[/sblock]

*YES!* cries Veruzak within his mind, he hurries over to the mage, and begins disrobing him. Finally wresting the mages enchanted robes off, the remorseless wizard threw the dirty garments over his shoulder.

Atlas whom has been completely caught up in his work with the victim finally reaches an conclusion " There is something left then... but how do I bring them out of their comatose condition " he mutters to himself.

He turns to Veruzak " Wizard, do you have items to collect samples of what remains of the beast " and he points at the broodlord sludge " it may prove vital for the recovery of these softlings' "

[sblock=OOC]
Ok thanks for the clarification, really hoped the natural 20 would get me something more.

Perhaps the herbalist in town knows what to do [/sblock]

At the mention of the herbalist Veruzak perks up, and finally breaks his long silence. We'll certainly pay the herbalist a visit, every locale has a specialty you know. the wizard pulls a flask from his robe.

As for the sample container, of course I have one, what kind of wizard doesn't bring at least one sample container. A poorly prepared wizard, that's what kind, and another thing why is the other human dead? Who authorized killing them, they are valuable, everyone one. Veruzak is scooping maggot sludge into his flask, trying to avoid getting the goo on his fingers, This fat bug was the worst thing I've fought yet, it's a nasty putrescent gob of brain sucker. I'm going to officially enter it into the records. What moniker does this putrid heap deserve?

Veruzak uses the moment of conversation and drops the goo covered appendage he'd been using to spoon maggot slime into the flask. One handed he takes his pipe out. Casting another prestidigitation further cleansing himself, the eladrin took out the pouch of herbs and picked a few choice selections.

Moments later he stood holding out the flask toward Atlas, surrounded by a pink haze. There is no cure Atlas, the minds of these unfortunate victims have been blanked, their will over-powered by the beast. I'll get release agreements for the animated corpses as no family member cares to kill their zombified loved ones.

Taking a rather long draw after the tirade, Veruzak continues on, pink words floating from his mouth, Bell, it doesn't matter what your opinion is on the matter, the truth has been laid bare. Thank you for noticing Martelai, I'd thought it hopeless to find a way to prove it to her. Every prodigy has difficulty accepting who they are, and their destiny, you'll understand someday Bell.


[sblock=OOC]

Woo, I'm back, and it is a great night!

Said I'd post before bed, so here she is.

Veruzak is tickled pink the organ donors are still brain dead.

[/sblock]

 

[ScorpiusRisk]

Sample containers? Oh. I can't believe I forgot to bring sample containers. He's absolutely right, that's basic. So stupid! Bell completely misses when Veruzak asks for naming suggestions, so focussed was she on his first post. She drops her head, and lets her mouth hang open slighty, more interested in examining the ground before her suddenly, than anything else.

Bell does begin to open her mouth to protest when Veruzak exclaims once again that the victims can't be saved. He followed up however with a statement that her opinions don't matter. Don't matter? Ooooo he's so not my mentor. Killing people, zombying people, talking so stupid. She held her tongue though, not wanting to let Atlas down. She knew he would protest against the wizard. Instead she started moving for the passage.

"I'm going to make sure we found the final chamber."

She dipped around a corner and kept to the shadows.What does he know anyway? I'm an expert too. Just because he's all pale, and pointy-eared, and doesn't wear proper armor.

[sblock=actions]
23 for Stealth
8 for Perception[/sblock]


[sblock=Bell]
Bell Jabson: Shadar-Kai Bard 1 ()
Initiative: +2; Speed: 6; Passive Perception: 14; Passive Insight: 10
AC: 18; FRW:13/17/15
HP: 24/25; Surges: 0/8; Surge Value: 6; AP: 0
Languages: Common (Allarian), Imperia
Skills: Arcana +9, Streetwise +8, Perception +4, History +9, Bluff +8, Thievery +6
Str:10 Dex:15 Wis:9 Con:13 Int:18 Cha:16

Powers
Misdirecting Mark, Cutting Word
Focused Sound, Shadow Jaunt, Words of Friendship, Second Wind, Majestic Word 2/2, Sneak Attack
Malevolent Mischief

Full Sheet[/sblock]
[/QUOTE]

 

[TwoHeadsBarking]

[sblock=Bell]It certainly appears that this is the last chamber[/sblock]

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

-''All right so... That's that? The spongy mess over there was the root of all evil or do we have to kill more stuff before our contract is complete?'' Kendricks asks.

 

[Neurotic]

Martelai looks at Bell impassivelly for few moments before shrugging and turning back toward the beast only to find it dissolved into smudge. He approaches the body of broodguard next, following same procedure and then to fallen human 'husk'.

"It seems we're done here. Let's head back toward the cabin, there are few alive creatures and I would like to see what effect death of the worm had on it's minions. I hope humans don't die like those archers in the village."

Martelai sounds both eager and worried like he cannot decide whether exploration of the new or worry over human victims should be priority.

Reviewing items found, he takes the rod. "If nobody minds I'd take this as a reward for the trouble we went through."

 

[CaBaNa]

Yes, Yes, Veruzak runs out of patience, and tosses the flask toward Atlas, Think fast. then continues speaking, the spongy mess was the static's source. It's dead, so the static has ceased.

Veruzak continues to peruse the booty. Ooo, some new spices, and beautiful gemstones! I'm not leaving until these are satisfactorily distributed between us. So if you don't want the spoils of war, please make your exit, and those whom are left shall reap the rewards. Veruzak doesn't so much as look up, while he cherry picks the spices.

Martelai's question of rod ownership just gets a short guffa from Veruzak, .f nobod. ...nds meh meh mocks the eladrin, with a high pitched squeaking voice, and fanning his eyes to avoid faux-tears.

His robes expand as the wizard puffs up his cheast, and then in a booming voice, Claim your reward boy! If you walk around asking permission, someone is bound to relieve you the burden of ownership. this was said as another vial of red granulate disappeared into the robes, Did the Psychiggot ask before taking those victims minds, of course not! Psychiggot, good name for the nasty mind-eradicator.

 

[Neurotic]

"The spoils can be distributed on the way. Why would you linger here longer then you have to? Be content you found them and get first pick out of it.

Is there any oil there? I'd like to burn those pirates outside since they cannot be given to the sea. Not now, but after we check on the cabin of course."

Martelai takes one of chitinous legs and wraps it up into some cloak after cleaning it of the goo.
"I'll take this too, maybe someone can determine something more about the creature. Veruzak, you seem awfully uninterested compared to what you displayed before. What has changed?"

 

[CaBaNa]

I've no intention of studying one of these things alive, worst experience I've ever had. Did you not hear me over the static when I screamed, "Kill it, I don't give a gorgon's about studying it!" Veruzak stands apparently satisfied with his pick of the spices.
No oil, but if everyone takes the worthwhile bits from these wooden crates, you'll have kindling for your funeral pyre.

A heavy wheeze accompanies each breath Veruzak takes, Maybe I should have waited to smoke until we were out of the cave... My apologize, didn't realize the air would be so stagnant. the pink haze is visible via the glowing insect-like appendage still laying where Veruzak had dropped it, shafts of light piercing the slow rolling fog.

 

[Atriden]

OOC: Sorry, I have been pretty busy these last days. I have a lot I want to write but won't be able to do so before tomorrow. Reason: I just moved into a huge apartment that needed to be painted and fixed before christmas.

 

[ScorpiusRisk]

Bell come's back a few minutes later looking to be in a slightly better mood after her time by herself. She moves back over to the 'loot' now that others have been able to look through. She grabs a crate and makes for the exit.


"Caves clear, gentlemen. Ready to go I hope."