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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Greyhawk" data-source="post: 3348623" data-attributes="member: 40355">The Zhentarim LordThe ogres call to each other "Hah!  Your face is Red now!" laughs Deadbiter, while Redface responds with "Shut up an Bash em", which passes for a whitty response.Feng dances in a barbaric display, swinging his Greataxe in an extravagant challenge"Ooh" exclaims Deadbiter "A half orc.  They normally take more bashing than puny humans"Feng is angry at this dismissal of his prowess "FIGHT FENG! MIGHTY FENG KILLS! MORE ZHENTS HAVE FALLEN TO FENG'S AXE THAN GRAINS OF SAND IN THE HOWLING WASTES!"Redface shrugs "Get to it.  I want that little runt of a kobold""I'LL TAKE YER BOTH WITHOUT LETTIN' GO OF ME <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />!" snarls Feng and spits a green lunger at the nearest Ogre.Elinor moves smoothly up the stairs and across the floor of the ruins.  She hefts her sword and readies for battle.  "Let's see what Ugly Mugley has to offer" she mutters.  Her eyes flick across to where Legend stands, then back to the ogres that are lumbering towards the party."OK Bel, you team with Feng as you are nearest" calls Limara, organising the party in response to the ogre threat "Elinor, I'll keep you standing.. You chop 'em down to size" she moves into place " ...they were gonna steal our horses.. Justice is in order ... And we are just The Order to do it..""They killed my Horsie." comes a wail from The Wizard."Condolences Nos, it really isn't fair..." Limara responds without too much sympathy in her voice.The ogre Three eyes moves forward grinning - He intends to wallop the shouting half orc.  The zhentarim Lord advances toward he party too, he carries a wicked looking axe...Beltain sheathes his sword and casts a spiritual weapon spell, then takes a step back towards Feng and Rizzit, the blade of force misses the Zhenterim…"How many of these stupid Zhents do I need to kill before they leave us alone" moans Rizzit. "It looks as if they have sent one of their Zhentish Lords to do what the minions failed to achieve," replies Beltain "As he leads the ogres maybe he will be more of a challenge for you?"The injured Ogre Redface moves to attack Feng, he swings his massive club but the blow does not connect. "Mr Nosnibor" says Rizzit in a genteel tone, "I am going to deal with these three on the right, can you get the one to the left please?"Feng taunts the Injured Ogre "That the best ya can do? Blind as well a stoopid, yes?  I'll take the two to my front. It should not take too long.  I AM FENG!""I say." interject Nosnibor "I do apologise chaps, I did not mean to become so wrathful. I am so ashamed of myself. Now" he says turning to Three Eyes "I used to be a werewolf but he's alright NOWooooooooH!", his best joke, accompanied by some arcane gestures.  The ogre pauses and thinks for a long moment and then collapses in helpless laughter.Rizzit plans a more direct assault and launches a fireball at two of the ogres and the Zhenterim Lord.  Rizzits Fireball explodes - The ogre Redface is burnt to a crisp.. Three Eyes and the Zhentarim human are also burnt, but they do not die.Deadbiter moves forward and attacks Elinor but misses the paladin."Sweet balls of fire!" exclaims Beltain, face reddened by the blast of heat "An impressive spell Master Sorcerer""Now that's what I call a spell, ahh my first ever fireball" sighs the Kobold happily"Marvellous, Rizzit" agrees Feng "Now lets see what steel may do!" hitting the burnt ogre with a massive blow "Lay down, Ugly!" he screams "That should make him take me a bit more seriously." he tells his companions."Good solid hit there bud," says the kobold "When will the Zhents send a challenge to face us, this is like swatting bugs"Beltain nods "A mighty blow indeed, I think that the ogre may not survive such massive damage"And the ogre topples over, Feng's mighty strike has rendered the Ogre unconscious.Feng grins at the human fighter over the bodies of his prone henchmen "Come to FENG! Zhents thought to take Feng prisoner in the past, now you will pay for your stupidity. FENG KILLS!""I say" pipes up Nosnibor "That fellow is a Lord, and he's using those poor ogres as his witless Henchmen. Perhaps he is in a position to give valuable information to our employer, should we capture him alive?"Feng snorts "A self-styled lord, no doubt. There is no nobility in the zhentarim.  A few know how to die well, however. Perhaps he will be one of those.""Nos..." agrees Limara, her hair shining in the early morning sunlight "That's a good idea... If we took him alive he may give us information... or we might get a bonus for him if we drop him off with the purple knights."Elinor continues to concentrate on the ogre in front of her, she moves forward ducking under a badly timed blow and swings her sword and is rewarded by a solid hit. "Ole" she cries with a grin.Beltain looks across to Elinor and smiles "A nice hit M'lady" he notes "So far these brutes have not been able to land a single blow!""What a fantastic hit Elinor," Rizzit waxes lyrical "Much more elegant than Feng's axe strike. And a masterful dodge under the brutes hammer.  I do hope they brought some reinforcements, six again four such weak opponents seems hardly fair" he yells out to taunt the enemy some more.  Someone stupid enough to call themselves Lord is bound to have some money or magic items on them, aim for the neck Feng we don't want to break anything valuable"Beltain fixes Lord Gargdol with steely stare "Come Zhent and meet your fate, your hours are numbered, perhaps if you throw yourself on our mercy you may survive to pine away long years in jail.  But know this your days of evil doing are at an end and the axe of the Mighty Feng, and maybe my sword too, will soon taste your blood!""P'raps Elinor will take on the Zhent herself?" muses Feng "I'd hate to offend anyone's eyes with a lack of finesse. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> a brick, what do yas expect from a greataxe? Wafer thin slices? Everyone's a feckin' critic.  Someone draw me a beer and hand me a snack while we wait for Miss Elegant to finish off the ogre, then she can get busy with big-bad over yonder."  Feng appears even more surley than usual"Take a break Belt," he continues "I don't think you'll measure up to Rizzit's standard of swordplay either - let the lass kill the lord. If she can?"Pleased with the reaction, Rizzit chuckles.Beltain laughs too, "Oh well Feng, I think its down to you to finish the Zhent and then, perhaps rescue the girl, or we could make it a race to see who finished off their foe first?""Come on Limara" calls Elinor seemingly amused "Looks like we're being challenged to demonstrate some girl-on-ogre action.  Then we can watch the lads deal with that small man over there....""I don't think we should do the question of the Lord" The Wizard Nosnibor says thoughtfully "I think we should hand him over to our employers. Our question/answer quotient is sadly low. I believe we have about 3 real time deaths per useful answer at our last count. So we are statistically unlikely to get any useful information ourselves. However, if we hand him to our employer they may have more tried and tested, not to mention civilised, methods of interrogation.  Perhaps ones that don't involve gouging?"  The Wizard shivers melodramatically "It's not even a word I like to say. 'GOUGING'. It's horrible.  Pustule - I don't like that word either."  muses The Wizard Nosnibor rather inanely."What about "Prick"?" suggests Feng in a mutter."Next time let me question them I have more skill than the rest of you in this area" says Rizzit with an evil smile.Limara mutters a spell and moves forward poking the ogre on the arm. At her touch a chilling pain shoots into her victim...  "Death by ladies... will your god ever let you into your heaven fat one?" and giggles.  "I think that the giggling has just got to piss off the ogre even more..." she says to the others as an aside. Deadbiter staggers and is close to death."Looks like the girls are turning Deadbiter into a Dead Biter by easy stages, friend Nosni" says Neltain to the elf, "Seems like your joke has started a trend"The zhentarim human advances on Feng, clearly angered by the treatment of his cohorts.  He swings his battleaxe at the barbarian and the blade bites into Feng's flesh wounding him.  At the same time an electric charge pulses into Feng's body."Nice one Feng," says Rizzit unconcerned "No point fighting battles if you can't pick up some scars"Belatin's spiritual weapon hits the Zhent and he moves rapidly to flank the enemy leader.  He swings his sword at the Lord but the blow misses."Hum," says Beltain to Feng "I think this Zhent Lord has brought you a new Shocking Axe as a present!  What a nice man""Well I think you managed to tickle him there Beltain" says Rizzit with a sly smile and then turns to the elf,  "Mr  Nosnibor can you hurt the Lord?  I can easily finish the Ogre and do some more damage to the Lord too""Hey Nosni" calls Beltain "This here Lord is the one who split poor Robinson's head in two.  Have you any words or deeds for him?""Well as loath as I am to initiate a painful and damaging assault upon a chap of obviously noble bearing," starts the Wizard Nosnibor "I do question his choice of employees and thus his good intentions. Upon this occasion Learned Rizzit I will cast a spell of an evocational college.  Even as I cast this ball of flame upon him I forgive his violent ways. He is to be pitied." and so saying a ball of flame springs from the wizards fingers and bounces over to the Zhenterim Lord and follows him around. "He sure is to be pitied" agrees Beltain grinning  "Where he's going the sun don't shine and he'll be stoking the furnaces of hell for all eternity.  Boy do I hate Zhent raiders""So we'll not be taking him prisoner then?" asks Nosnibor disappointedly."If we do" says Beltain considering "I think that it will only postpone the inevitable conclusion.  In this I'll go with the party decision, as long as the bastard gets what's due to him - um - justice""I doubt" says Nosnibor sadly "That Cormyr has particularly forgiving laws regarding the raising of Ogre armies and the following of the Zhentish cult. In time I am almost certain that he would face a death penalty if we were to hand him over to the authorities. But as he is obviously in a position of authority he may be able to hand over information that could save the lives of innocents. ""A shocking axe? How novel!  I don't think I've used a weapon that small in anger since I was seven winters old. A small axe - party trick combo seems too frivolous for a real warrior." he winks at Lord Gargdol, "That stung a bit - lets see if you can take a bit of Feng's reply."  Feng raises his voice a little "I apologise in advance if the strength of Feng's arm deprives you of a prisoner. Sometimes, I love my work! And a greataxe is not a breadknife.  FENG KILLS!"The Wizard Nosnibor shrugs "It was just a suggestion Mister Feng. Please don't get upset about it. I didn't mean that you couldn't kill him if you wanted to" says the Wizard Nosnibor hastily before adding. "Don't eat me."Rizzit moves forward and unleashes three magical missiles which arc forward and converge on the Zhent Lord.Beltain smiles and givs the 'thumbs up' to Rizzit as three magic missiles thump heavily into the Zhent lord for the maximum damage , but although the missiles impact upon their enemy, they seem to do no damage however."Mmm" observes Elinor as the missiles steak past "Now my hair do is parted three ways. I'm getting a little weary of party members sending pointy things whizzing past my ears.  I might just wear a hat all the time".  In the fight with the Zhenterim, Beltain hears Elinor's remark and blushes as he remembers his terrible aim in the previous battle.Limara smiles and addresses the ogre facing her "You don't look well Mr. Deadbiter...  Would you like to sit down?" she asks the ogre in mock concern, "Is justice starting to weigh heavy on your shoulders, or the fact that human girlies are better than you that makes you look so sick..  Bet you wish you hadn't killed the horsie now.." she adds, glancing back at Nos to see how he is holding up."Try not to get that flaming sphere to close to Feng," Rizzit tells Nosnibor "I think I already topped up his tan"The Zhentarim's reflexas are not quick enough to avoid The Wizard Nosnibor's flaming sphere he suffers some buring.Feng swings his massive axe but misses the Zhent while Elinor's swing at Deadbiter also fails to connect and in moving forward she exposes herself to an attack by the last ogre.  Its blow finds its mark and she is badly wounded."Damn. How can I miss something that big?" she exclaims, ignoring the pain.Limara draws her sword and steps forward to attack the retarded creature and hits it with one massive blow.  She turns to the Zhenterim  "You're all alone now Zhent... surrender or face the wrath of The Order of the Initiative." she calls and watches the ogre topples to the ground in front of her.Lord Gargdol steps back from Feng, spins round and launches an attack on Beltain...Beltain is badly wounded by the axe-stroke and the electrical damage and he reluctantly withdraws for the fight with the Zhent Lord but his spiritual weapon sill strikes out, but misses…The Wizard Nosnibor concentrates and the Burning sphere follows Lord Gargdol burning him some more, but the Zhent dodges it easily. "I says. I think he's fire proof" says the Wizard sadly."Face Feng, ya mincing pimp!" yells FengRizzit again conjuers two rays fiery rays which shoot toward the zhent - the zhent dodges the first, but the second hits him..Feng swings but misses again and spits in embarrassment. "Dances well, don't he?" he quips.Elinorto misses the Lord "How evasive can one small man be?" she asks.."Depends on the amount of trouble he thinks he's in" replies Feng with a laugh."This guy seems difficult for you all to hit" agrees Rizzit with a complacent smile."Surrender Lord Gargdol. You will be treated fairly" shouts The Wizard Nosnibor "I think.""Up to you to save our bacon Princess" says Beltain with a grim smile to Limara "Doesn't seem that the barbarian or the Paladin have lady luck on their side today, at least as far as the Zhenterim is concerned...  But be careful, this foe does a mean amount of damage" he winces.Limara now casts the Doom spell and Lord Gargdol is filled with a feeling of horrible dread "...Your doom awaits you.." she shouts at the Zhentarim warriorLord Gargdol steps back out of the flames of the burning sphere.  He swings his axe with as much strength as he can muster at Elinor twice but misses with each stroke.Beltain drops his longsword and takes a step to the side drawing his sling.  He takes careful aim and releases the bullet, it misses as does his Spiritual hammer "Bugger" he mutters almost inaudibly as both attacks fail and the Spiritual Weapon winks out of existence."What exactly is it you do Beltain?" asks Rizzit innocentlyThe Wizard Nosnibor continues to concentrate and the flaming sphere continues to follow Lord Gargdol and he follows up with an Acid Arrow.  Both the arrow and the ball of flame hit and further damage the Zhenterim Lord bringing him close to death. "Nice shooting Nosni" Beltain says appreciatively"Leave him, Rizz" orders Feng "I got a potion o' healing here for the brave axeman"Rizzit hurls a globule of acid at their foe but it misses its mark.  "Never mind, don't be too downhearted" Beltain tells Rizzit, still smarting from the 'What do you do' remark, "It's easy to miss him, he must have a good armour class"Rizzit looks puzzled "What's an armour class?" he asks innocently.Beltain smiles at the kobold "An amour class?  Why it is an abbreviation for an 'Armour of Class' or classy armour, which looks beautiful and protects people too.  You have very shiny scales which are classy, in their own way, while us humans rely on metallic protection.""Well I must have a most impressive armour class then" he says puffing out his chestFeng suprises the party by reaching behind him and offers a small bottle to Lord Gargdol with this left hand "Feng salutes the brave warrior - take some healing, then we can continue"Beltain's face clouds with puzzlement and then clears "Isn't Feng a sly one" he says in a low tone, so that only Nosnibor can hear him, "If the Zhent Lord wants to take the potion bottle, he'll have to either drop his axe or his shield.  Feng is trying to trick him as he is proving very hard to hit at the moment""You talk to much" hisses the Zhent through his teeth, he is clearly in pain from his burns.  He does not take the vial held out to him by Feng.."Perhaps it is the TRUE Feng shining through? " says The Wizard Nosnibor hopefully "An honourable and noble deed should be praised and welcomed. Especially if it comes from a less likely source. Indeed the more I think upon his act it makes my heart swell. Surely Feng is turning over a new leaf? Surely this shows the true goodness in his heart?""I can't work out if he is turning soft or adopting the tricky ways of the rogue" says Beltain with a shrug of his shoulders "In either event this is a very different Feng from the fighting barbarian that we know"Elinor takes another swing at the Zhentarim but her blow goes wild "Good grief, Feng. What are you playing at?""Feng owes no explaination to anyone" responds Feng, who is none-the-less embarrassed by the zhent Lord's casual dismissal of his offer of healing "Feng does what Feng does. I AM FENG!""And I am confused!" adds Elinor with a smile."Time for serious smiting" says Feng changing the subject "This twat has offended Feng!""Don't hide from your goodness Mister Feng. Embrace it"  says the Wizard Nosnibor before hastily adding, "Please don't eat me."Limara picks up her sword and moves round behind the zhent in a flanking manoeuvre, carefully avoiding getting too close as she passes."No, no!", Beltain whispers urgently to Nosnibor, "Don't you remember what I said?  I told you that it's a trick to get the zhent to drop either the axe or the shield.  Feng is a follower of Gruumsh and, from what I've heard, Gruumsh would not smile on traits such as nobility or chivalry in his followers.  If you want to find such virtues you have to look no further than the part for followers of the Red Knight have them in abundance!"Lord Gargdol yet again moves out of the flames of Nosnibor's flaming sphere, he swings round and attacks Limara, who has closed in to flank him.  He hits her hard, the battleaxe adding shock damage to the beautiful cleric's wound.Incensed by the brutal attack on Limara, Beltain rushes forward to engage the zhent.  Drawing his longsword he strikes out and strikes the smirking Zhentarim.  Finally, the Zhentarim Lord falls, cut down by an enraged Beltain..."Are you all right, Princess?" Beltain calls out anxiously, then adds to the others "I think the credit for winning this battle should go to the magic-wielders, Rizzit and Nosnibor did stirring work, in this fight against the forces of darkness" says Beltain (rather carried away with his own eloquence)."Quick. Limara Stabilise him before he dies" The Wizard asks the cleric of the Red Knight "We still have time to bring him back to Lord Thingy-mah-jib and his Purple Knights.""Good idea" agrees" Beltain and before Limara can intervene he attempts to stabalise the ZhentBeltain removes the zhent's axe and shield and starts to search the body "Anyone got a detect magic?" he asks, "We should check the zhent and the ogres and we need to search them for valuables too" he adds."Shall we bind him & gag him?" asks Elinor "Then I can bring him back to consciousness, ready to take back to the Purple Knights" and she goes to search the bodies of the two nearby ogresLimara blows Beltain a kiss, "Thanks my sweet, yes I'm fine... just a flesh wound" she takes a pair of manacles from her backpack and binds the zhent's hands behind his back. "Well done all... I think we all worked well together there... teamwork no less..." she adds pleased that the party are working together. She sheathes her longsword and calls for her dog, "Gypsy.. here girl, come here"Beltain blushes with pleasure at Limara's response, and his prompt attention ensures the unconscious Zhentarim does not bleed to death.  Elinor searches the three ogres corpses whilst Lord gargollso stripped of his possetions.  Limara manacles him and the party check out the loot they have obtained..The make a pile of the items gathered Lord Gargdol: Banded Mail, Wooden Shield, Battle axe, Longbow, Arrows x46. Ring,  Goggles,  Brooch,  Three Eyes the ogre: Greatclub;  Redface the Ogre Greatclub,  Bottle  Deadbiter the Ogre: Greatclub,  HornRizzit gets all the treasure together and casts detect magic, concentrating long enough to get all the info he can. "Good fight everyone, nice to see we stayed together for once" he says innocently to the others.  He will then double check the bodies in case the party missed anything.Not wanting to attract unwanted attention to the area from scavengers and such, Beltain starts to haul the bodies or orcs, ogres and humans to a convenient spot and starts construct a rough cairn, covering them with rocks."So what's it to be?" asks Beltain, "Should we investigate further now or later, or is our priority to get Lord Gorgdol back to the Purple Knights who may be able to extract information that will save lives, if acted upon immediately...?" he pauses "We are fairly badly mauled in that fight and curing up will take close to all the healing that we have, I think""Look here," complains Rizzit "I have slept and slept and bloody slept, I am not going to try and get back to sleep just because we spent a minute in a fight, you are a cleric, heal or wounds and we can get on with the mission we were sent here to carry out, we are not being paid to sleep""I am willing to proceed," agrees Feng "I am only lightly wounded." and muses aloud "The Zhent was cleverer than I thought - It would have been funny to see him chug a vial of acid and then spit out his tongue." and returns the acid flask to his potion belt.  "Good hit, Beltain" he tells Beltain "We must make sure Limara is wounded in every fight - we'll make a bare-sark of you yet." and grins widely.Beltain frowns at first then sees the joke and grins back at Feng.  He then turns back to his work and continues moving bodies to where they will be out of the way of scavengers...Rizzit detects faint magic on the objects obtained.  From the corpse of Lord Gargdol, everything detects as magical except his bow.  From the Ogres, Three Eyes Club, plus the Horn and Bottle detect as magical.  Rizzit determines all the items are of Transmutation type magic.  The Axe and shield appear to have two auras.  "How are we going to divide this?" insists Rizzit "I would like to wear the brooch until we split it all up if that's ok?""The party method is to agree who has what, but I don't have any objection" says Beltain wearily "I assume you believe that its a 'Brooch of Shielding' as he managed to avoid your magic missiles?" he adds, remembering what he learnt on the Create Wondrous Items course."I am not claiming it, we should use this stuff even if we don't split it yet" clarifies the kobold."Well, seeing as there is nothing else in the pile I want use" says Limara "I wouldnt mind carrying it either. I'll roll dice with you for it Rizz... any one else want to wear it? If so get out your dice and roll it "As he works Beltain remarks to Feng "A good trick you planned for that Zhent, pity he didn't fall for it.  Still I'm sure Gruumsh would be proud of your devious thinking!""Devious thinking? It would have been what he deserved If he had been so stupid as to trust an enemy. I praise his axe-skill, but still hate him for a zhent.""You use it then Limara if you want to" says Rizzit generously, "Maybe I will try on the ring instead" and he puts on the ring"I think we were trying to get away from the free-for-all in grabbing at treasure, and that was why we agreed on a party decision" says Beltain "We need to agree as to where the items would be most usefully employed, and at the moment we just don't know what each ietm does.  I would mind using the shield but I think that Feng, Elinor and Limara  might also use it to good effect.  It may take longer to make a joint decision but, in the long run, it may yield a better result - who knows?""Beltain maybe the shield would help you" says Rizzit trying to buy-off the verbose cleric."I want nothing  for now, perhaps the axe horn or club for later" muses Feng "We Goin'?""We have to decide what to do.  Nobody has suggested going to sleep again (despite what Rizzit feels) but we do have to choose between returning Lord G to the Knights or exploring the Nexus further.  If we can be sure of keeping him safe then I think we should continue for the moment...""Let's go get a portal open, better bring smiler there along with us""We can try but before that I need some healing..." agrees BeltainOnce again Rizzit will attempt to lead beaker down and once again he fails.Beltain hands a scroll of Mage Armour to Rizzit "You may need this later" he says"Right," says Elinor "I'm ready to proceed as soon as you're all willing and agreed. I would prefer to take the Zhent back to the purple knights, but if the party's opinion is to investigate another portal first then so be it.  Just a thought, does anyone have trackng skills?  It might be worth identifying where the ogres and the Zhentarim came from. Perhaps there is a Zhent outpost nearby?"The Wizard Nosnibor watches the proceedings carefully. He looks at Feng with a barely concealed look of shock upon his face before muttering to himself. "Acid? That's just horrible." Then he thinks for a second and suddenly seems to cheer up. "We took a prisoner. That's so wonderful. We can hand him in to face ... " The Wizard Nosnibor face begins to fall into a frown once more.".. Draconian Cormyrian justice. Oh. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea after all." "Dead is dead" Feng tells the wizard philosophically "Don't worry too much about it. He lost, so he loses control of his own fate. It's just the way of the world, Wizard."Elinor will move the pile of non-magical, unwanted loot over to where the horses stand. "There's no point in taking this with us if no-one intends to use any of the pieces in our upcoming encounters" she tells the others"I can track, kinda." says Feng, pleased to use the skill "I'd rather hunt down Zhents than any other group around. We wanna give that option a go?""Dont leave anything that detected as magical behind" Rizzit tells the others. "Can someone help me drag an ogre over to Beaker so he wont get hungry.  OK Feng, see if you can find the trail then""Look!" says Beltain, a hint of exasperation in his voice "You lot wanted the party to decide on the apportionment of the magic items we found and now look at us.  It's the old free-for-all yet again.  Unless we can come to some decision then it will be like this every time we find something and the quickest at taking stuff will be those that benefit.  At least people are selecting items they will use at the moment as these are only party allocations but it certainly isn't being done for the best of the party.  I'm confused to just who has what at the moment".He waits for a moment and then continues "Elinor, you have chosen to follow the high moral path in life, not all of us believe in that way but all respect your integrity.  Perhaps you could propose an allocation of the items for the best good of the party, rather than personal preference.  We can comment on and modify it if necessary.  As we just don't know fully what items do what I think we should assume that firstly they aren't cursed and second that they are probably the most minor and inexpensive of their kind.  Only two things we ask of the temporary custodians of the items, first that they try and use the devices and second that they return them to the party pool if they are unable to use them.  We will make errors, but at least we will have an equitable method of division.  If we cannot agree at this stage what chance do we have when we come to the actual division of items?""I agree with Rizzit that no magical gear must be left behind, so let's assign it immediately to its appropriate custodians.  Then we can attempt to track the zhent and ogres, it shouldn't be too difficult, I hope, as the ogres are not known for subtly or for being light-footed.  After that deliver the zhent to the authorities, who hopefully can extract information on zhent activities in this area.  Finally we can return and investigate the nexus more thoroughly""How is it a free-for-all Beltain," Rizzit tells Beltain "I asked if I could use the brooch for now, Limara expressed an interested so I was fine with her using it, I tried the ring on, nothing has been split, there is a difference between using party treasure to aid the group and taking items as owned.  I wouldn't care if treasure always stayed as owned by the party, then if a person left they would give back any items they were using, also where nobody has a use for an item it could be sold and the proceeds divided.  This would discourage freeloaders hoping to join us to make a quick profit and then leave""Put that way it does sound reasonable" Beltain agrees "If people are prepared to pass things round where necessary"Beltain picks up the shield and hefts it.  He notes the balance and workmanship...  After examining the shield Beltain picks up the goggles and puts them on.  He looks around to see if his long-distance or short-range sight seems keener.  If he doesn't notice any difference he will carefully descend the steps to see if his low-light vision is improved.  Lastly he takes the horn from the pile of magic items and examines it.  Then he moves away from the horses, as he doesn't want to spook them, and blows it gently."I can't see who will want to use the banded mail" says Beltain "But the Shocking axe and huge club, could be wielded by the fighters if they want to?" and he looks at Feng and Elinor to see if there is any interest."As Beltain appears to have a good grasp of the finer points of treasure distribution I think he should allocate it. If he knows what everyone has taken he can know who can benefit from what. And if someone wants something specifically they can ask him. How does that sound?" he pauses for breath "I have a short bow which I like to use by the way Beltain. It's my fall back weapon once I run out of spells. Which is about.. er.. Now."Beltain picks up the shield and it feels good, he thinks it has a +1 enchantment on it.  When he blows on the horn, the device makes a deep, foghornlike noise and a cloud of heavy fog emits from the horn.  Next Beltain puts on the goggles, they grant infravision.  Beltain offers the goggles to Elinor. "As you are normally in the front rank with Feng, it will be useful to you to be able to see clearly" he tells her.  She takes the proffered goggles and puts them on her forehead, ready for use.Then he addresses Feng, Elinor and Limara "I think that you all either have magical shield or scorn their use, would it be OK it I continued to use it, for the time being?  Don't be shy if you'd like to use it, it probably has another power apart from the magic bonus as Rizzit detected two auras..."When Rizzit puts on the Ring, nothing happens, ce certainly doesn't feel more protected, 'Not a Ring of Protection then' he thinks to himself.Limara picks up the Brooch.."Keep hold of the Shield, Beltain" says Feng "If it keeps you in the fight longer, that's fine by me.  What about the banded mail too - the bugger was certainly difficult to hit - and chainmail is only a collection of holes joined by metal rings, Beltain."Then the barbarian turns to look at the wepaons "The axe is a little wee for me - I'll carry it if no-one else wants it, likewise I'll carry the greatclub." He picks up the club and battleaxe and whirls the club around to test its balance"I like the idea of a party pool of treasure" says Elinor after some deliberation "Let's use items as required, then return them to the pool if we leave, if we die, or if we have no further use for something. And I think Nosnibor should carry the horn just in case his head ever comes out of the clouds". Realising what she said she looks around, hoping Nos isn't upset by her comment. Beltain hands the Horn of Fog to Nosnibor with a smile "This could be a lifesaver, in the right circumstances, take care of it and I know you'll use it wisely"The Wizard Nosnibor accepts the Horn and takes 20 of the arrows. "I'll use some of these. I'll look after the horn for you too."  He approaches his dead horse, "Oh Robinson whatever am I going to do with you? You really can't keep getting yourself killed like this you know.""If there's any going, I'll take some healing - otherwise lets hoss it" says Feng looking pointedly at the clerics and then starts looking for the start of the tracks. "C'mon, lets kill some Zhents." he says cheerfully."OK, I'm ready" Elinor mounts Legend and joins Feng."Giddiyap" echoes FengBeltain picks up the bottle and puts it in his backpack.  "Were the arrows magical?" he asks Rizzit "If so they need to be distributed to those who can use them"Rizzit mounts Beaker and follows Feng as he tracks, offering advice where needed (or not needed) "Lead on Feng, in your own time, no rush old chap" he says impatiently.Beltain takes off his chain shirt and dons the banded mail from the zent.   "It may be better armour plus it may act as a disguise if and when we find the Zhentarim encampment" he tells the others. He sheathes his longsword, equips the zhent shield on his arm, and mounts up, ready for the off.Feng finds some tracks quite easily, the ogres are not know for being light footed.... they head North."Lets go find if this lot had any friends," says Rizzit with satisfaction "We seem to stumble across far too much Zhent activity.  They were on foot and have no supplies so can't have come that far".Feng presses on, the grudge pulling him as Iron filings to a magnet.Beltain sighs and dismounts again "Guess it's down to me if nobody else will carry him" he says and slings the unconscious body of the Zhentarim in front of the saddle, "Sorry Nosni" he adds "One of the others will have to give you a ride, you do seem remarkably unlucky or rather your mounts do…".  He then mounts up again and urges Salix forward, following Feng."Do any of you clerics have animate dead for Mr Nosnibors horse?" Rizzit asks with an innocent smile."Blimey" says Elinor "These goggles are great- I didn't even realise it was night time.  Come on up Nosnibor, there's room on my horse for two" Elinor rides Legend over to Nos, leans over, grasps him firmly by the arm, and tries to swing him up behind her. "Come on Nos, put a bit of a spring into it.  Did you think I would leave you crying? Climb aboard Nos, we'll soon be flying, I can go just as fast with two".And before the paladin can put a tune to the words the party set off following the ogre trail Northwards.</blockquote>

Verification