WM/Treks/Log 2-5

Narrator: The delvers start on the northern shore of a great lake, 4 days out from Polisberg. They are debating what to do next.
Marik: ((The western shore is... swamp? The eastern shore is...?))
GM: For what it's worth, it's the Holy Day of Nature and Chaos. The sun is bright, there are no clouds, and the winds died down last night so it is hot and dry.
Beltarne: ((Forest?))
Marik: ((Marik will try and figure out how the giant black box snuck up around them.))
Wolfgang: the tower is SW?
GM: Due west is a large swamp. Due south, large lake. Due north, the thickets you've been traipsing through: brambles and clusters of trees on relatively grassy ground.
GM: Tower is SSW., yes.
GM: There is a great big forest a few miles to the east, over an inlet and a river.
GM: Err, past.
GM: It's just after 8:30 am.
Marik: "Right. So. We want to be on the western shore, more or less, and we don't terribly want to cross that river, so I think we're stuck slogging through the swamp."
Beltarne: ((I vote for east.))
Beltarne: ((Yuk))
Beltarne: ((Okay.))
Marik: ((I'd love East, but that river's a hell of an obstacle.))
Wolfgang: "Bah, I'd rather cross a river than a swamp"
** Thasos nods. **
Marik: "Would you rather cross a river, then go all the way around the bloody lake, then cross some swamp, or would you rather cross some swamp?"
Narrator: As the delvers are discussing, a bunch of shocker lizards climb out of the underbrush and move toward the water's edge. As they spot the delvers, they begin sparking and hissing.
** Thasos thinks about it. **
Marik: ((Mark, please jump in if 'What Marik is saying' is entirely incorrect with regards to 'what Marik can see'.))
Beltarne: ((Beltarne readies his crossbow))
Wolfgang: "Not more of them!"
GM: You're not sure how far the swamp or the lake extends to the west. It looks like it may get wider at some point.
Beltarne: ((once crossbow is readied, attempt to back away, moving Clyde with him))
GM: Clyde is happy to move away from the fearsome predators.
Shelley: Shocker lizards I think trump the geographic questions. Shelley will take her cue from Beltarne, drawing her Rod and shewing the stooges in an awayward direction. "What the heck are those?"
Shock Lizard: "Hiss! Hiss!" (menace menace)
** Marik draws an arrow and knocks it, taking aim at the front lizard. "Shocker lizards. I'm surprised they'd bother us, but they've proven to be tenacious pests." **
Beltarne: "Damn lightning lizards. Shoot you if they can, and they're more powerful when grouped together. And they're all over the damn place."
Marik: ((Seriously, I've changed the alias three times now, wtf))
Ghazeb: "Ghazeb can take them. They might make a good snack."
Marik: ((THERE we go.))
** Thasos points away from the lizards, into the swamp. **
Beltarne: "I'd rather just they go away."
Wolfgang: hmm, what the intimidation def again...
Shelley: "Uhuh. What do they do when startled?"
Marik: ((Can't really use Intimidation on animals without Animal Empathy.))
Beltarne: "Shoot lightning at you."
GM: I think you can use Intimidation on animals without Animal Empathy. Just not Diplomacy or Fast-Talk.
Marik: "Shelley, can you get the minions to the front? I'd expect bone to suffer a bit less than flesh from the lightning, really."
Beltarne: ((Not according to Kromm))
Shelley: (( official word is "Not really, because you can't intimidate animals into helping you." ))
Shock Lizard: Move forward slightly, hissing.
** Wolfgang Wolfgang will spread his wings and roar at the little lizards **
Beltarne: Oh, they want to chase? I start aiming at the lead one.
** Shelley sends the goon squad up front to be menacing and boney and not full of scorchable flesh. **
GM: Wolfgang, roll Intimidate.
Wolfgang: will -5 +2 for BWL?
GM: Sure!
Wolfgang: Will (10) [3d6.skill(10,-5+2)] => [4,2,6] = 12 vs (7) or less Failure! by 5 
Marik: ((Plus your appearance penalty as a bonus.))
Marik: ((I don't think you're that hideous.))
Wolfgang: ((only -2 appearance))
Shelley: (( what's the Mana level, Mark? and does Terror work on animals? ))
GM: That's... not going to cut it.
Marik: ((So I have Acc 3. Six seconds of Aiming is a total of +9?))
GM: Terror is Mind Control, doesn't work on things with IQ5 or less.
Marik: ((Er, 3 seconds.))
GM: Marik, yes.
GM: [3d6] => [4,4,5] = (13)
Marik: Right!
** Wolfgang shrugs, gets a hatchet out **
Marik: Loose an arrow at Lizard 4.
GM: Well, hold on there.
GM: Lots of things going off at once.
Marik: Indeed there are!
GM: Wolfgang just growled, then the fight starts as the lizards respond angrily.
GM: It's Twisted Mana, BTW.
Marik: ((Are Lightning Lizards mana-sensitive, by any chance?))
Marik: ((They really ought to be.))
Narrator: The lizards respond to Wolfgang's challenge with lightning.
GM: No, they're natural if Dire animals, not faeries.
Beltarne: ((heh, *roar*, *zap!*))
1) YOUR TURN NOW:: [29] Ghazeb
(on deck: [28] Thasos)
Ghazeb: "We fight! Charge!" Moves forward!
2) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Thasos
(on deck: [28] Marik)
** Thasos scowls before charging after the foolish Ghazeb. **
3) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Marik
(on deck: [28] Skeletal Automata)
Marik: Sink an arrow into Lizard 4's face. -6 for range, -5 location, +9 acc/aim, -1 size?
GM: Right!
Marik: Bow: Predictive -4/2 [3d6.skill(20,+9-6-5-1-4)] => 3d6.skill(20,+9-6-5-1-4)
Marik: Bow: Predictive -4/2 [3d6.skill(20,+9-6-5-1-4)] => 3d6.skill(20,+9-6-5-1-4)
GM: ?
Marik: Bow: Predictive -4/2 [3d6.skill(20,+9-6-5-1-4)] => [5,6,5] = 16 vs (13) or less Failure! by 3 
Shelley: Wrong dieroller.
Marik: ((the /dieroller command is case-sensitive))
Marik: Also, Luck!
Shelley: it is!
Marik: Bow: Predictive -4/2 [3d6.skill(20,+9-6-5-1-4)] => [2,1,6] = 9 vs (13) or less Success! by 4 
Marik: Bow: Predictive -4/2 [3d6.skill(20,+9-6-5-1-4)] => [5,4,5] = 14 vs (13) or less Failure! by 1 
Marik: I like success by 4!
Shock Lizard: lizard #4 dodges [3d6.skill(10,-2)] => [2,5,4] = 11 vs (8) or less Failure! by 3 
Marik: Damage is [1d6+3] => [2,3] = (5) imp to the face.
Shock Lizard: Snarls in pain and starts to run for cover.
4) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Skeletal Automata
(on deck: [25] Beltarne)
** Shelley gesticulates wildly with her Rod at the Stooges. "Get out there and protect those two idiots!" **
Shelley: Stooges take a collective Move action.
5) YOUR TURN NOW:: [25] Beltarne
(on deck: [24] Wolfgang)
Beltarne: Step south, aim moar.
Beltarne: ###
6) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Wolfgang
(on deck: [24] Shelley)
Wolfgang: move up
GM: okay.
7) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Shelley
(on deck: [22] Shock Lizards)
Wolfgang: "Get Clyde out!"
Shelley: "Why are the least wounded skeletons in the back? Great. Alpha, Epsilon, guard the horses!"
** Shelley runs after the Wonder Twins :D **
Shelley: ****
8) YOUR TURN NOW:: [22] Shock Lizards
(on deck: [29] Ghazeb)
Shock Lizard: Lizard 4 scuttles into the woods.
Shock Lizard: targeted Delta, Gamma, Ghazeb, and Marik [1d4] => [2] = (2)[1d4] => [1] = (1)[1d4] => [2] = (2)[1d4] => [2] = (2)[1d4] => [1] = (1)[1d4] => [3] = (3)[1d4] => [1] = (1)[1d4] => [4] = (4)
Shelley: ... skeletons explode?
Shock Lizard: 1 lizards shoots Lightning at Marik! [3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [1,2,4] = 7 vs (11) or less Success! by 4 
Shock Lizard: 1 lizards shoots Lightning at Ghazeb! [3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [6,3,1] = 10 vs (12) or less Success! by 2 
Marik: Acrobatics: [3d6.skill(14,0)] => [5,1,2] = 8 vs (14) or less Success! by 6 
Shock Lizard: 3 lizards shoot lighting at Delta [3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [6,6,5] = 17 vs (11) or less Critical Failure! by 6 [B556]
[3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [5,5,5] = 15 vs (11) or less Failure! by 4 
[3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [5,1,4] = 10 vs (11) or less Success! by 1 
Shock Lizard: 3 lizards shoot lighting at Gamma [3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [6,3,4] = 13 vs (11) or less Failure! by 2 
[3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [1,1,4] = 6 vs (11) or less Success! by 5 
[3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [2,1,4] = 7 vs (11) or less Success! by 4 
Marik: Feverish Dodge: [3d6.skill(10,+2+2)] => [4,6,3] = 13 vs (14) or less Success! by 1 
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [2,2,5] = 9 vs (13) or less Success! by 4 
Shock Lizard: Lizard [1d9] => [8] = (8) fails to discharge at all!
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [5,1,3] = 9 vs (13) or less Success! by 4 
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,-99+2 )] => [5,1,4] = 10 vs (-86) or less Critical Failure! by 96 [B556]
Skeleton: that's a canceled roll, second defense for Gamma should be a dodge.
Skeleton: Effective dodge is 10!
GM: okay.
Skeleton: Have I mentioned that I despise the modal dice windows?
Skeleton: I despise them.
Ghazeb: Block! [3d6.skill(12,2)] => [6,2,3] = 11 vs (14) or less Success! by 3 
Narrator: Powerful lightning flares, heating up the delver's shields.
GM: Thasos is in line of effect for the bolt that Gamma dodged [3d6.skill(8)] => [4,2,5] = 11 vs (8) or less Failure! by 3 
GM: But it just goes on and blows up a tree.
GM: Missed shots from Delta to Wolfgang? [3d6.skill(4)] => [4,4,1] = 9 vs (4) or less Failure! by 5 
[3d6.skill(4)] => [3,5,3] = 11 vs (4) or less Failure! by 7 
GM: Missed shots from Gamma to Thasos? [3d6.skill(4)] => [3,6,4] = 13 vs (4) or less Failure! by 9 
[3d6.skill(4)] => [3,6,4] = 13 vs (4) or less Failure! by 9 
GM: Lightning flies everywhere! Not accurately!
1) YOUR TURN NOW:: [29] Ghazeb
(on deck: [28] Thasos)
Ghazeb: "Ha!"
Skeleton: (( that's what you get for sending lizards to do a wizards job? ))
Ghazeb: Moves forward, preparing to be wonderful!
2) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Thasos
(on deck: [28] Marik)
Marik: "Ghazeb, you mangy twit, get out of the bloody line of fire!"
** Thasos isn't letting Ghazeb get all the kills. He keeps charging. **
Ghazeb: "Ghazeb is the greatest swordsman ever!"
3) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Marik
(on deck: [28] Skeletal Automata)
Marik: "Ghazeb is about to get an arrow in his sorry arse." Fast-draw, fast-ready, and fire on Lizard 9, which doesn't have a teammate strictly in the way. Can I take the -4 for 'someone in the way' anyway to arc it really really close to Ghazeb so he gets the point?
GM: Sure?
Marik: -6 range, +3 acc, -4 pointed lesson, -1 size, -3 fast-load?
GM: I think so?
GM: No, -7 range - 28 yards.
Marik: My speed/range table goes to -7 at 30 yards.
Marik: Is it wrong?
GM: I thought it was -6 at up to 20 yards, -7 at up to 30.
Skeleton:
Speed/Range Table2 yd or less03 yd-15 yd-27 yd-310 yd-415 yd-520 yd-630 yd-750 yd-870 yd-9100 yd-10150 yd-11200 yd-12300 yd-13500 yd-14700 yd-15
Marik: ...You're right! Dur.
GM: Yay, GM isn't retarded for once.
Marik: Bow: [3d6.skill(20,+3-7-4-1-3)] => [3,6,1] = 10 vs (8) or less Failure! by 2 
Marik: ((Boo))
GM: Hits Ghazeb? [3d6.skill(9)] => [5,5,2] = 12 vs (9) or less Failure! by 3 
Skeleton: ... hits Ghazeb?
Marik: Hits Ghazeb, by definition.
Marik: He was In the Way.
GM: Errr?
Skeleton: He was the -4 cover penalty
Marik: And I missed by less than 4.
GM: Oh, right. Damage!
Skeleton: So without the -4 it hit, therefore it hit Ghazeb
Marik: [1d6+3] => [5,3] = (8) impaling to the rump.
Skeleton: (( ow. ))
Ghazeb: Resist knockdown! [3d6.skill(13)] => [3,3,1] = 7 vs (13) or less Success! by 6 
Ghazeb: "Owwww!"
4) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Skeletal Automata
(on deck: [25] Beltarne)
** Marik snarls. "I bloody well told you." **
Skeleton: Ep and Al turn around and guard the horses!
Skeleton: Beta, Gamma, and Delta charge forward after the idiots!
5) YOUR TURN NOW:: [25] Beltarne
(on deck: [24] Wolfgang)
Beltarne: Step south and aim some more.
Beltarne: ###
6) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Wolfgang
(on deck: [24] Shelley)
Wolfgang: how tall are the bushes?
GM: They provide cover and impede movement but don't block line of sight. Say, 3' but full of brambles and thorns.
Wolfgang: so easy to fly over, good
GM: Just moving on? Okay.
7) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Shelley
(on deck: [22] Shock Lizards)
Shelley: "This is ridiculous."
** Shelley rushes after everyone else some more. **
Shelley: ***
8) YOUR TURN NOW:: [22] Shock Lizards
(on deck: [29] Ghazeb)
Shock Lizard: Lizard 9 continues to rain lighting down on Marik [3d6.skill(18,-7)] => [3,6,6] = 15 vs (11) or less Failure! by 4 
Shock Lizard: Other lizards split their fire between Delta, Gamma, and Ghazeb [1d3] => [3] = (3)[1d3] => [3] = (3)[1d3] => [1] = (1)[1d3] => [1] = (1)[1d3] => [2] = (2)[1d3] => [2] = (2)[1d3] => [2] = (2)
Shock Lizard: 2 for Ghazeb [3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [5,6,1] = 12 vs (12) or less Success! by 0 
[3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [5,2,6] = 13 vs (12) or less Failure! by 1 
Ghazeb: Block! [3d6.skill(12,2)] => [1,2,5] = 8 vs (14) or less Success! by 6 
Ghazeb: 2 for Delta [3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [6,5,3] = 14 vs (12) or less Failure! by 2 
[3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [2,5,5] = 12 vs (12) or less Success! by 0 
Skeleton: Block one!
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [3,1,3] = 7 vs (13) or less Success! by 6 
Ghazeb: 3 for Gamma [3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [1,3,5] = 9 vs (12) or less Success! by 3 
[3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [6,6,6] = 18 vs (12) or less Critical Failure! by 6 [B556]
[3d6.skill(18,-6)] => [2,2,4] = 8 vs (12) or less Success! by 4 
Skeleton: Block one, dodge one!
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [4,6,1] = 11 vs (13) or less Success! by 2 
Skeleton: Dodge (11) [3d6.skill(11,0-1 +2 )] => [3,1,4] = 8 vs (12) or less Success! by 4 
GM: .... oops, shouldn't have made one shot anyway.
Skeleton: And I hope it chokes on that crit :D
Skeleton: Hm? I see two and three here.
GM: Missed shot on Ghazeb to Marik? [3d6.skill(4)] => [1,4,2] = 7 vs (4) or less Failure! by 3 
GM: Right, but one of them couldn't fire because it crit-failed last time.
GM: So it's still out of phase or something.
GM: Gamma's dodged shot to Shelley? [3d6.skill(7)] => [2,6,3] = 11 vs (7) or less Failure! by 4 
Narrator: More scenery blows up as the lizards flash lightning everywhere. The delvers' shields are beginning to smoke and sizzle.
1) YOUR TURN NOW:: [29] Ghazeb
(on deck: [28] Thasos)
Ghazeb: "You are a terrible archer, Marik!" Ghazeb stumbles forward, hobbling with an arrow in his butt.
2) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Thasos
(on deck: [28] Marik)
Beltarne: "Damnit, Ghazeb, get out of my line of fire!"
Marik: "I'm a fantastic bloody archer. It's not my fault you insist on walking into -- see? SEE? I am not the only bloody one, here!"
** Thasos continues after Ghazeb, though trying to avoid Marik's line of sight. **
GM: Half move in the lakeside mud, Thasos.
GM: Or you can just move through Ghazeb - you're faster.
Thasos: okay
Thasos: here?
GM: Back one. You're good.
3) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Marik
(on deck: [28] Skeletal Automata)
Marik: Draw, load, put an arrow into Lizard 9. -7 range, -1 size, -3 fast-load, +3 acc?
GM: Yep.
Marik: Bow: [3d6.skill(20,+3-3-1-7)] => [1,1,4] = 6 vs (12) or less Success! by 6 
Shock Lizard: Dodge! [3d6.skill(10)] => [1,6,4] = 11 vs (10) or less Failure! by 1 
Shock Lizard: Dang.
Marik: Damage: [1d6+3] => [3,3] = (6)
Marik: Impaling.
Marik: "Fantastic. Bloody. Archer."
4) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Skeletal Automata
(on deck: [25] Beltarne)
Skeleton: We're all idiots here!
Skeleton: ***
GM: Still advancing? Okay.
5) YOUR TURN NOW:: [25] Beltarne
(on deck: [24] Wolfgang)
Beltarne: Wait: When line of fire is clear of non-undead PCs, AoA(Determined) at Lizard 7.
Beltarne: ###
GM: Check!
6) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Wolfgang
(on deck: [24] Shelley)
Beltarne: "Thasos, Ghazeb, move to your left out of my line of fire!!!"
Wolfgang: move up, throw axe, move back
GM: You'll need to turn - you can't fly backwards.
Wolfgang: oh, I'll make a loop then
Wolfgang: or I'll just throw from there
GM: Okay.
Wolfgang: Hatchet [3d6.attack(16,-2-2)] => [2,4,1] = 7 vs (12) or less Success! by 5 
Wolfgang: at 7
Shock Lizard: Dodge! [3d6.skill(10)] => [5,6,5] = 16 vs (10) or less Failure! by 6 
Wolfgang: Hatchet [3d6-1] => [2,5,5,-1] = (11) cut
Shock Lizard: Lizard 7 dies.
7) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Shelley
(on deck: [22] Shock Lizards)
Wolfgang: fast draw another
** Shelley continues moving up until she isn't a million miles away. All Out Defense: Dodge! **
Wolfgang: Fast-Draw (Axe/Mace) (15) [3d6.skill(15,+1)] => [1,5,5] = 11 vs (16) or less Success! by 5 Includes: +1 from 'Combat Reflexes'
Shelley: ***
8) YOUR TURN NOW:: [22] Shock Lizards
(on deck: [29] Ghazeb)
Shelley: Done?
Shock Lizard: Lizard 8 steps back, restoring his zappiness.
Shock Lizard: Lizard 9 feebly crawls through the mud, and lizard 4 runs off
Shock Lizard: Remaining 5 lizards step forward and zap Ghazeb, Thasos, or Delta [1d3] => [3] = (3)[1d3] => [1] = (1)[1d3] => [3] = (3)[1d3] => [1] = (1)[1d3] => [1] = (1)
Shock Lizard: 2 for Delta [3d6.skill(18,-5)] => [5,4,5] = 14 vs (13) or less Failure! by 1 
[3d6.skill(18,-5)] => [1,1,4] = 6 vs (13) or less Success! by 7 
Shelley: Block!
Shock Lizard: 3 for Ghazeb [3d6.skill(18,-5)] => [4,5,4] = 13 vs (13) or less Success! by 0 
[3d6.skill(18,-5)] => [4,4,3] = 11 vs (13) or less Success! by 2 
[3d6.skill(18,-5)] => [2,3,2] = 7 vs (13) or less Success! by 6 
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [6,4,3] = 13 vs (13) or less Success! by 0 
Shock Lizard: Missed shot blows up some bushes!
Ghazeb: Block! [3d6.skill(12,2)] => [5,5,3] = 13 vs (14) or less Success! by 1 
Block again! [3d6.skill(12,2-5)] => [2,1,6] = 9 vs (9) or less Success! by 0 
Dodge! [3d6.skill(5,2)] => [2,1,6] = 9 vs (7) or less Failure! by 2 
Ghazeb: Luck on the last! [3d6.skill(7)] => [4,1,4] = 9 vs (7) or less Failure! by 2 
[3d6.skill(7)] => [1,2,2] = 5 vs (7) or less Success! by 2 
GM: Hits Gamma? [3d6.skill(9)] => [6,1,5] = 12 vs (9) or less Failure! by 3 
1) YOUR TURN NOW:: [29] Ghazeb
(on deck: [28] Thasos)
GM: Stumble forward!
Ghazeb: Stumble forward!
2) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Thasos
(on deck: [28] Marik)
Thasos: okay, can i move around the mud and position myself where i can attack #8?
GM: You can move through allies?
Thasos: just making sure
Marik: ((Sure, just walk through Ghazeb. You'll end up in front of the (dead) lizard 7. Moving through allies is free.))
** Thasos bravely - if unwisely - takes a position of attack. **
GM: Are you attacking, or just moving?
Thasos: just moving this round
3) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Marik
(on deck: [28] Skeletal Automata)
Marik: Draw, load, move.
Marik: ###
4) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Skeletal Automata
(on deck: [25] Beltarne)
Shelley: Good timing.
Skeleton: Sigh, can't even reach anything this round. Chaaaaaaarge.
GM: I thought they were move 5?
Skeleton: Running several turns in a row?
GM: ... okay.
5) YOUR TURN NOW:: [25] Beltarne
(on deck: [24] Wolfgang)
GM: Ghazeb and Thasos are still blocking your line of sight.
Beltarne: *Sigh* I aim some at 6
Beltarne: ##
6) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Wolfgang
(on deck: [24] Shelley)
Wolfgang: is the icon on 9?
Shelley: Frightened
GM: Fleeing.
Shelley: Oh, yes, it's on 9
Wolfgang: throw at 1 then
GM: Okay.
Wolfgang: Hatchet [3d6.attack(16,-2-1)] => [6,1,2] = 9 vs (13) or less Success! by 4 
Shock Lizard: Dodge! [3d6.skill(10)] => [1,6,3] = 10 vs (10) or less Success! by 0 
Wolfgang: fast draw axe
GM: Hits the next one? [3d6.skill(9)] => [3,2,2] = 7 vs (9) or less Success! by 2 
Shelley: Hits #5?
Shelley: Sweet.
Shock Lizard: Dodge! [3d6.skill(10)] => [6,5,4] = 15 vs (10) or less Failure! by 5 
Wolfgang: Fast-Draw (Axe/Mace) (15) [3d6.skill(15,+1+1)] => [2,6,3] = 11 vs (17) or less Success! by 6 Includes: +1 from 'Combat Reflexes'
Wolfgang: Hatchet [3d6-1] => [4,6,5,-1] = (14) cut
Shock Lizard: Explodes!
7) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Shelley
(on deck: [22] Shock Lizards)
** Shelley realizes that aod:d was silly with the vanguard getting in the lizards faces, and just runs some more. Sigh. **
Shelley: ***
8) YOUR TURN NOW:: [22] Shock Lizards
(on deck: [29] Ghazeb)
Shock Lizard: Some lizards flee. Other 5 lizards either zap Wolfgang, as he is scary, on a 3-, or Delta, Gamma, Thasos [1d6] => [1] = (1)[1d6] => [3] = (3)[1d6] => [6] = (6)[1d6] => [4] = (4)[1d6] => [5] = (5)
Shock Lizard: 2 on Wolfgang! [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [2,1,2] = 5 vs (16) or less Critical Success! by 11 [B556]
[3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [1,1,4] = 6 vs (16) or less Critical Success! by 10 [B556]
Shelley: Ow.
Wolfgang: luck on one
Shock Lizard: reroll, take the worst! [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [3,2,6] = 11 vs (16) or less Success! by 5 
[3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [2,5,6] = 13 vs (16) or less Success! by 3 
Wolfgang: Block (13) [3d6.skill(13,0+3)] => [2,2,5] = 9 vs (16) or less Success! by 7 
Shock Lizard: [3d6.crit_hit()] => [5,1,1] = 7 If any damage penetrates DR, treat as major wound. See [B420] for major wounds. [B556]
Shock Lizard: Bah. Damage is [4d6+4] => [6,2,4,4,4] = (20), metal armor is DR1
Marik: ...That might be a major wound anyway.
Wolfgang: wow, upgraded damage!
GM: Also, Stun check at -1 per 4 HP damage taken for Wolfgang
Marik: More lizards is more damage.
Wolfgang: eh? only one hit
Marik: 'More nearby lizards = more powerful lizard shot'.
GM: On each for Gamma [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [2,6,6] = 14 vs (16) or less Success! by 2 , Thasos [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [4,2,4] = 10 vs (16) or less Success! by 6 , and Delta [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [4,5,6] = 15 vs (16) or less Success! by 1 
Wolfgang: oh, would have been nice to know
Skeleton: Boneheads block!
Marik: It was mentioned at the beginning of the fight, when Shelley asked what those were.
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [5,6,4] = 15 vs (13) or less Failure! by 2 
Wolfgang: major wound:
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [2,6,3] = 11 vs (13) or less Success! by 2 
Wolfgang: HT (14) [3d6.skill(14,+1)] => [4,2,2] = 8 vs (15) or less Success! by 7 
Shock Lizard: Delta takes [4d6+4] => [5,5,6,2,4] = (22) burning, shocking damage that ignores metal DR that he doesn't have!
Skeleton: Indeed, organic all the way! Shame he doesn't have hitpoints.
Wolfgang: HT (14) [3d6.skill(14,+1-4)] => [3,1,6] = 10 vs (11) or less Success! by 1 
** Wolfgang is hurt but fine **
Skeleton: [5-(22-5)] => -12
Skeleton: HT (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [5,1,4] = 10 vs (12) or less Success! by 2 
Skeleton: Conscious! Major wound check!
Skeleton: HT (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [3,5,3] = 11 vs (12) or less Success! by 1 
Skeleton: Not down from major wound either!
GM: Thasos? Dodging or dying?
Thasos: dodging
GM: Sadness. =)
Thasos: Acrobatics (15) [3d6.skill(15,0)] => [6,1,3] = 10 vs (15) or less Success! by 5 
Thasos: Dodge (11) [3d6.skill(11,2)] => [4,5,2] = 11 vs (13) or less Success! by 2 
Shock Lizard: Step back, away from nasty people.
** Thasos sidesteps a zap, just barely. **
1) YOUR TURN NOW:: [29] Ghazeb
(on deck: [28] Thasos)
Ghazeb: "Out of the way!"
Ghazeb: Moves forward.
2) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Thasos
(on deck: [28] Marik)
Thasos: attacking #8, DA x2
Thasos: Meteor Hammer [3d6.skill(18,-4)] => [4,1,5] = 10 vs (14) or less Success! by 4 
GM: Sure, straight shot.
Shock Lizard: Retreat and dodge! [3d6.skill(10,3-2)] => [1,4,6] = 11 vs (11) or less Success! by 0 
Narrator: Sparks flare along the meteor hammer as the lizard moves away.
GM: Movement?
GM: None, I guess.
3) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Marik
(on deck: [28] Skeletal Automata)
Marik: Move. 
Marik: ###
GM: Not going to shoot Thasos in the back? 'kay.
4) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Skeletal Automata
(on deck: [25] Beltarne)
Skeleton: Delta rolls for consciousness!
Skeleton: HT (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [5,6,4] = 15 vs (12) or less Failure! by 3 
Skeleton: Gamma and Beta chaaaarge!
Skeleton: Gama moves and attacks!
Narrator: The skeletal automata smolders and collapses.
Skeleton: Axe [3d6.skill(14,-5)] => [5,5,1] = 11 vs (9) or less Failure! by 2 
5) YOUR TURN NOW:: [25] Beltarne
(on deck: [24] Wolfgang)
Beltarne: If I take a step south do I have a clear shot on 6?
GM: No, Thasos is very much in the way.
Beltarne: Step south and Aim more at 6
Beltarne: ###
6) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Wolfgang
(on deck: [24] Shelley)
Wolfgang: move and swing!
Wolfgang: Axe (Kopfen) [3d6.attack(20,-11)] => [1,1,1] = 3 vs (9) or less Critical Success! by 6 [B556]
[3,3,1] = 7 If any damage penetrates DR, treat as major wound. See [B420] for major wounds. [B556]
Wolfgang: Axe (Kopfen) [3d6+1] => [5,5,4,1] = (15) cut
Narrator: With a massive blow, Wolfgang splits another lizard in two!
7) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Shelley
(on deck: [22] Shock Lizards)
Shelley: ... moooooooooving.
8) YOUR TURN NOW:: [22] Shock Lizards
(on deck: [29] Ghazeb)
Shock Lizard: Lizard 6 moves and attacks Wolfgang [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [6,2,2] = 10 vs (16) or less Success! by 6 
Shock Lizard: Lizard 8 moves and attacks Gamma at point blank range! [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [6,1,2] = 9 vs (16) or less Success! by 7 
Skeleton: What's the -2 for? Bulk?
Marik: Moving.
Skeleton: Ah.
** Skeleton blocks optimistically! **
Shock Lizard: lizards 2, 3 choose randomly [1d2] => [2] = (2) between Gamma and Wolfgang
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [3,5,2] = 10 vs (13) or less Success! by 3 
Shock Lizard: [1d2] => [2] = (2)
Wolfgang: Block (13) [3d6.skill(13,0+3)] => [3,2,5] = 10 vs (16) or less Success! by 6 
Shock Lizard: They don't like Wolfgang!
Wolfgang: Block (13) [3d6.skill(13,-3+3)] => [5,4,4] = 13 vs (13) or less Success! by 0 
Shock Lizard: Two more lightning bolts! [3d6.skill(18,-2-2)] => [2,2,4] = 8 vs (14) or less Success! by 6 
[3d6.skill(18,-2-2)] => [3,3,4] = 10 vs (14) or less Success! by 4 
Wolfgang: oh, should wait for the hit
Wolfgang: Dodge with Shield (10) [3d6.skill(9,0+3)] => [1,6,6] = 13 vs (12) or less Failure! by 1 
Shock Lizard: Damage is [3d6+3] => [2,6,2,3] = (13) burning, metal armor DR is 1
GM: Hey, not a major wound! Roll HT-2 to avoid shock.
GM: Err, stun from lightning surges.
Wolfgang: HT (14) [3d6.skill(14,+1-2)] => [1,4,3] = 8 vs (13) or less Success! by 5 
Wolfgang: "Owie"
1) YOUR TURN NOW:: [29] Ghazeb
(on deck: [28] Thasos)
Ghazeb: "Cowards! Run from Ghazeb! Ghazeb would have killed you all if clumsy archer hadn't shot him in the butt!"
Ghazeb: Move forward. Slowly.
2) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Thasos
(on deck: [28] Marik)
** Thasos shakes his head in disbelief. He chases after the remaining lizard. **
3) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Marik
(on deck: [28] Skeletal Automata)
** Thasos now notices more lizards to the north. **
Marik: Move!
Marik: ###
GM: Yeah, you don't have a clear shot between Gamma and Thasos.
4) YOUR TURN NOW:: [28] Skeletal Automata
(on deck: [25] Beltarne)
Skeleton: Gamma and Beta chase Lizard 8, swinging axes murderously, if inaccurately!
GM: Gamma moves through Lizards 2 and 3?
Skeleton: Axe [3d6.skill(14,-5)] => [3,1,2] = 6 vs (9) or less Success! by 3 
Skeleton: Axe [3d6.skill(14,-5)] => [4,4,5] = 13 vs (9) or less Failure! by 4 
Skeleton: Are they ninjas?
Skeleton: Cuz I can't see 'em.
Skeleton: Oh hey.
Skeleton: OK, so beta misses 6.
Skeleton: And Gamma hits 2?
Shock Lizard: Well, okay?
Skeleton: Sorry, had no idea they were there.
Shock Lizard: Lizard 2 dodges and retreats! [3d6.skill(10,3-2)] => [6,3,5] = 14 vs (11) or less Failure! by 3 
Skeleton: nice.
Skeleton: Axe [2d6+2] => [4,5,2] = (11) cut
Shock Lizard: Lighting courses out of the lizard's body, up the axe [1d6+2] => [2,2] = (4) burning shocking damage to the axe.
Narrator: Lizard 2 dies in blood.
5) YOUR TURN NOW:: [25] Beltarne
(on deck: [24] Wolfgang)
Beltarne: Step south, clear line on 6? Or is it dead?
Skeleton: I missed it :D
Skeleton: So it's fine.
GM: There's a clear shot at 8, but at -4 for cover and stuff.
Beltarne: 6, the one in front of Wolfgang
GM: Shelley and gamma are in the way, along with a tree. 
Beltarne: There's no tree in between me and Wolfgang
GM: The one immediately in front of Wolfgang is dead.
Beltarne: Ah, well, screw it, I go tend to Clyde.
Skeleton: 6 is in front of Thasos.
GM: Sorry.
6) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Wolfgang
(on deck: [24] Shelley)
Beltarne: No problem
Wolfgang: move and clobber with the axe
Wolfgang: Axe (Kopfen) [3d6.attack(20,-11)] => [5,1,2] = 8 vs (9) or less Success! by 1 
Wolfgang: Axe (Kopfen) [3d6+1] => [6,1,4,1] = (12) cut
Shock Lizard: Dodge? Run-around attack does not stop defenses. [3d6.skill(10,-2)] => [3,5,1] = 9 vs (8) or less Failure! by 1 
Shock Lizard: But flank penalty does.
Shock Lizard: Your axe takes [1d6+2] => [1,2] = (3), for what its worth.
Shock Lizard: Doh!
7) YOUR TURN NOW:: [24] Shelley
(on deck: [22] Shock Lizards)
GM: Also, Wolfgang totally needs to make a consciousness check.
Wolfgang: HT (14) [3d6.skill(14,+1)] => [3,5,5] = 13 vs (15) or less Success! by 2 
** Skeleton steps up to Delta's smouldering bones, sighs, and starts trying to put the bone fire out. (First aid, won't matter for like 20 minutes or something) **
Skeleton: ***
8) YOUR TURN NOW:: [22] Shock Lizards
(on deck: [29] Ghazeb)
GM: Lizards 3, 8 move and attack Beta as they flee [3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [5,3,1] = 9 vs (16) or less Success! by 7 
[3d6.skill(18,-2)] => [3,5,5] = 13 vs (16) or less Success! by 3 
Skeleton: Block - Shield (Buckler) (11) [3d6.skill(11,0+2 )] => [6,2,6] = 14 vs (13) or less Failure! by 1 
Skeleton: Dodge (11) [3d6.skill(11,0-1 +2 )] => [5,5,6] = 16 vs (12) or less Failure! by 4 
Shock Lizard: Damage is [2d6+2] => [4,5,2] = (11) blah blah blah
Shelley: 6 damage
Shelley: is that for both of them?
Shock Lizard: oh and Damage is [2d6+2] => [5,5,2] = (12) blah blah blah
Shelley: 7 damage!
Shelley: -8 HP!
Shelley: Consciousness, major wound, blah blah.
Shelley: HT (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [4,1,1] = 6 vs (12) or less Success! by 6 
GM: Right right.
Shelley: HT (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [1,1,4] = 6 vs (12) or less Success! by 6 
GM: The remaining 3 lizards disappear into the underbrush, etc etc.
** Shelley puts out bone fires, scrapes off bone char, etc. **
GM: Wolfgang probably sits down and smolders a bit, too.
GM: How does stone smolder?
Wolfgang: steams
** Beltarne goes to heal various knuckleheads, then gets out surgery kit and goes to town. **
Shelley: Offgassing dissolved volatiles?
Marik: I don't know, but I suspect it reeks.
Beltarne: First Aid for Wolfgang!
** Thasos pulls the arrow out of Ghazeb's butt and hands it to Marik. **
Beltarne: First Aid/TL3 (Humanoid) (15) [3d6.skill(15,0)] => [5,2,6] = 13 vs (15) or less Success! by 2 Conditional: +1 from 'First Aid Kit'
Ghazeb: "Ghazeb hurts."
Beltarne: [1d6] => [4] = (4)
Beltarne: First Aid for Ghazeb!
Beltarne: First Aid/TL3 (Humanoid) (15) [3d6.skill(15,0)] => [2,6,3] = 11 vs (15) or less Success! by 4 Conditional: +1 from 'First Aid Kit'
Beltarne: [1d6] => [5] = (5)
Wolfgang: "Thanks!"
Beltarne: Minor Healing for Wolfgang!
Shelley: First Aid For poor Delta
Shelley: Zombie (Deathly) (16) [3d6.skill(16,)] => [2,1,1] = 4 vs (16) or less Critical Success! by 12 [B556] for [0] => 0 FP
Beltarne: Minor Healing (Holy) (16) [3d6.skill(16,1)] => [6,3,4] = 13 vs (17) or less Success! by 4 Includes: +4 from 'Power Investiture (Holy)'
Shelley: Awesome.
Beltarne: 4 HP more for the flying rock.
Shelley: First aid for Gamma while Mark figures out what that means!
Beltarne: Minor Healing (Holy) (16) [3d6.skill(16,1)] => [1,5,3] = 9 vs (17) or less Success! by 8 Includes: +4 from 'Power Investiture (Holy)'
GM: well, 8, he double heals.
Shelley: Zombie (Deathly) (16) [3d6.skill(16,)] => [1,3,6] = 10 vs (16) or less Success! by 6 
Beltarne: 4 HP more for Ghazeb
Marik: ((Isn't it Twisted Mana?))
Marik: ((I guess post-combat we can wait until it changes.))
Beltarne: Who is still down, and by how much?
GM: Mana != Sanctity.
Shelley: [1d6+2] => [1,2] = (3)
Marik: For the Zombie spell.
GM: Oh, right.
Shelley: It's First Aid in a dress, I thought.
GM: [3d6] => [6,1,5] = (12)
GM: It changes within 5 minute, no problem.
Shelley: Ohwell :D
Wolfgang: forgot about the double there
Beltarne: Same for first aid, or no?
Wolfgang: down by 12 still
Wolfgang: yah
Shelley: Beta's at -5, Delta's at -4
Shelley: First aid is once.
Shelley: per fight.
Beltarne: Yeah, but does it get doubled?
Marik: ((How badly wounded is Ghazeb still?))
Wolfgang: so a 3 FP major and I'm full
Shelley: Oh, yes.
GM: Ghazeb is 7 HP down.
Beltarne: did you double your first aid healing as well, Wolfgang?
GM: Shelley, what are the stooges out?
Beltarne: Major Healing (Holy) (15) [3d6.skill(15,`)] => 3d6.skill(15,`) Includes: +4 from 'Power Investiture (Holy)'
Wolfgang: I did now, didn't at first
Shelley: 
Skeletal HPs
Alpha: 9
Beta: -5
Gamma: 5
Delta: -4
Epsilon: 13
Beltarne: Major Healing (Holy) (15) [3d6.skill(15,1)] => [4,5,1] = 10 vs (16) or less Success! by 6 Includes: +4 from 'Power Investiture (Holy)'
Beltarne: Ghazeb is fully healed
Wolfgang: was down to -7, 16 healing total so far, so at 9 and 12 to get to full
Beltarne: Major Healing (Holy) (15) [3d6.skill(15,1)] => [3,4,6] = 13 vs (16) or less Success! by 3 Includes: +4 from 'Power Investiture (Holy)'
Beltarne: You're fully healed
GM: How much fatigue has Beltarne spent?
Beltarne: I rest, then break out the Surgery Kit
Shelley: Assuming Delta got that 8 HP that you were talking about for critical success, but I think that was actually for Wolfgang so I'm not sure any more.
Beltarne: I rest if I drop below 1/3
Shelley: Do Shocker Lizards have Mana Organs?
Beltarne: But that should be 15
GM: I know you can rest - that's not the issue. It's just how much time are you resting, which is roughly FP/5 minutes. So...
** Shelley rolls Thaumatology to find out about the shocker lizard organ question. **
GM: Okay, an hour and 15.
Shelley: Thaumatology (12) [3d6.skill(12,)] => [4,5,5] = 14 vs (12) or less Failure! by 2 
** Shelley has no idea because it doesn't involve zombies. **
GM: Hey, I have notes!
Beltarne: So, how do we work stripping these lizards of their valuables? Surgery roll? Shelly assists? I assist her?
Shelley: Knowledge of some kind to ID valuables, surgery or Survival to remove them
GM: Beltarne thinks the teeth can be used as dwarven whetstones. The glands are can be used as an FP source for lightning spells, or can be sold for $40. Weigh 0.5 lbs each, most lizards have several.
Shelley: Surgery 12 here.
GM: Each of you can harvest 4 in the hour before they start to go bad.
Beltarne: Also surgery 12
Beltarne: So we both harvest, then.
Beltarne: Teeth don't go bad, I assume?
GM: Sure, they don't.
GM: Marik, roll Weather Sense.
Marik: Weather Sense: [3d6.skill(11,0)] => [2,2,6] = 10 vs (11) or less Success! by 1 
Beltarne: Okay, 4 surgery rolls, or just one and MoS, or what?
GM: 4 rolls, I think.
Beltarne: Surgery/TL3 (Humanoid) (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [6,5,2] = 13 vs (12) or less Failure! by 1 
Beltarne: Surgery/TL3 (Humanoid) (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [2,6,6] = 14 vs (12) or less Failure! by 2 
Beltarne: Surgery/TL3 (Humanoid) (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [2,5,1] = 8 vs (12) or less Success! by 4 
Beltarne: Surgery/TL3 (Humanoid) (12) [3d6.skill(12,0)] => [6,6,1] = 13 vs (12) or less Failure! by 1 
Shelley: Surgery/TL3 (Human) (12) [3d6.skill(12,)] => [5,4,6] = 15 vs (12) or less Failure! by 3 
Shelley: Surgery/TL3 (Human) (12) [3d6.skill(12,)] => [2,2,3] = 7 vs (12) or less Success! by 5 
Shelley: Surgery/TL3 (Human) (12) [3d6.skill(12,)] => [3,2,5] = 10 vs (12) or less Success! by 2 
Shelley: Surgery/TL3 (Human) (12) [3d6.skill(12,)] => [3,6,1] = 10 vs (12) or less Success! by 2 
Beltarne: Fantastic.
Marik: "Hm."
Marik: "We may want to find shelter."
Marik: "The weather's about to get beyond bad."
Wolfgang: "Lead the way"
GM: Wolfgang apparently cut through the lightning glands pretty consistently.
GM: You guys find 10 lightning glands.
** Wolfgang bets they were near the heart **
** Marik leaves his pack with Beltarne and begins scouting for a cave, a good thick grove, or at the very least a stout tree with low, overhanging branches. **
GM: Also, 3 sets of teeth, each worth $100 and weighing 2 lbs.
GM: Make a Survival check at -3, Marik.
** Wolfgang offers to cut down some trees if needed **
Marik: Woodlands?
GM: Sure, close enough.
Marik: Survival: [3d6.skill(20,-3)] => [3,4,5] = 12 vs (17) or less Success! by 5 
Marik: Luck!
Marik: Survival: [3d6.skill(20,-3)] => [4,1,1] = 6 vs (17) or less Critical Success! by 11 [B556]
Marik: Survival: [3d6.skill(20,-3)] => [2,6,5] = 13 vs (17) or less Success! by 4 
Marik: I like critical success.
Narrator: After the delvers finish cleaning the corpses, they flee to the cover of an old tree. From under its cover, they watch as as ethereal wind and lightning spirits dance around the lake, then whip up a huge typhoon of water and send it slamming into the thickets near the shore. After 30 minutes of destroyed trees, the elemental spirits tire of their game and depart.
GM: Given Marik's successes, the entire matter doesn't take anything but time.
Wolfgang: yay!
Wolfgang: gives Beltarne time to rest
GM: By the time the excitement dies down, it's 11 am.
Marik: "See."
Marik: "That sort of weather?"
Beltarne: "I vote we don't go across the lake."
Marik: "Is why I don't let the animals shoot first around here."
Wolfgang: Clyde wouldn't like it for sure
Shelley: Adam is unperturbed.
GM: The weather has returned to sunny, windless, and dry.
GM: What now?
** Beltarne sighs. **
Beltarne: "To the swamp?"
Marik: I believe the plan is to continue moving across the lake shore to the west, and then head south through the swamp towards the tower that (as I recall) we saw on the shore.
Marik: If I'm misremembering the location of the tower, the goal is to head towards that by the easiest-seeming route.
GM: ... well, you're on the north shore. The tower is on the south shore. You don't know where the west shore is.
Shelley: We DO know where the east shore is, but there's a body of water in the way.
Marik: Right.
Marik: East.
Marik: We'll worry about fording the river when we get to it.
Wolfgang: "Whichever you think is best Marik"
Shelley: Might have to put Ghazeb in a ziplock bag to get him over.
Beltarne: we follow Marik!
Shelley: We follow Marik!
Beltarne: Thank goodness for blind trust.
GM: From what you saw from the eerie ruined town, the river runs into a small lake in the forest northeast of town. You could walk around in there.
Marik: There we go!
GM: Alright, there's a inlet immediately east of you. Fording that or going around?
Marik: I've probably pissed Ghazeb off enough for today. Going around.
GM: It's less than 1/4 mile wide! Maybe. About. Okay, around it is!
Thasos: ((shooting him in the ass then dragging him through water will make him intolerable I'm sure))
Wolfgang: ((so about normal then?))
Narrator: The delvers retrace their steps around the inlet, then head northeast toward the woods.
Marik: ((Yay, we escaped the giant black box!))
** Shelley considers stuffing the two worst damaged skeletons in bags on Adam. **
Narrator: A little after 1 pm, a Cheshire Rabbit steps out of its burrow and gives the sunlight an unnervingly toothy grin.
Shelley: Is... what?
whispering to Marik, Killing a Cheshire Rabbit is bad luck! 
** Beltarne readies his crossbow. **
GM: It looks like a rabbit, but with many, many teeth. Also, it's got purple fur. And its bigger than a rabbit - about 40 lbs.
Shelley: I've seen photos of rabbits like that. They're all enormous kicking feet.
** Marik pushes Beltarne's crossbow down. **
Shelley: Does it eat people?
Shelley: Or just grin and fade away?
Ghazeb: "Look out! There may be others near by! Ghazeb will defend us!"
Marik: "Kill one of those, and you'll be hounded by thunderstorms for half a year. Just let it pass."
GM: Shelley really isn't sure.
** Beltarne eyes Marik. "You're the wilderness guide." **
Ghazeb: "What, no! They are dangerous killers!"
** Wolfgang boggles at the oddity **
Beltarne: "Ghazeb, trust the elf. He knows what he's doing."
Marik: "Look, cat-boy. If you want to get rained on for the next six months, be my guest, but I don't have to travel with you. Seriously, let it go."
** Shelley eyes the purple fur critically. **
Wolfgang: "Ghazeb, it's too small to be dangerous to you"
Ghazeb: "Ghazeb is great swordsman and wise scholar of tales. He knows very well what a Cheshire Rabbit is. They are a common pest in Shigrad."
Shelley: "Not my color."
** Marik puts some distance between himself and Ghazeb. "Get a lot of rain in Shigrad, do you?" **
Shelley: ...
Wolfgang: "Man, if Marik is right he'll be the most miserable cat 
Wolfgang: EVER!!!"
Narrator: The Rabbit notices the delvers. It's eyes blaze yellow briefly. Then its fur and body slowly fade to transparency, leaving only an enormous number of teeth floating in the air. Slowly, those fade out too.
** Thasos shrugs. **
Wolfgang: "That was neat!"
** Marik shoulders his pack again. "Lots of marching to do." **
** Beltarne follows Marik into the wilderness **
** Thasos follows, as well. **
Shelley: "So, how much do you think purple fur like that is worth, anyways?"
** Wolfgang marches on **
Marik: "Not nearly enough for me to put up with the smell of wet cat the entire walk home."
Beltarne: "Less than the time we'd lose from slogging through mud for the next six months."
** Thasos makes mouth-like motions with his hand. **
GM: A little after 2, you enter an area of rugged hills, covered with forest. To your right, the lake runs alongside.
GM: The trees are tall, and their canopies block out the sun. Wasps nests are noticeable under the trees.
** Marik picks a route emphasizing stealth over speed, scouting carefully. **
Shelley: "We've been warned about those.
Beltarne: "wasn't there some rumor about wasps that wouldn't attack people who were singing?"
Shelley: "
GM: After 3 pm, Marik comes across some tracks.
Beltarne: ((Spider-hydra!!!))
** Shelley looks at Beltarne like he's got two heads. "Sure, if you were a bard or something." **
Marik: "What kind of tripe -- Beltarne, noise attracts attention."
Ghazeb: "Yes, wise Ghazeb found valuable information that will keep the wasps from attacking. The archer, he found nothing."
Marik: "That's because the archer has better sense than to take tavern gossip at face value."
Marik: So just what are these tracks?
Beltarne: "Well, if we get jumped despite our sneakiness I'm gonna try it."
** Wolfgang acts sneaky **
GM: Well, they look something like lion tracks. Only instead of lightly furred pad impressions, the pads have something like the veins of leaves as a pattern. Also, the claw prints are strange - thornlike.
Marik: "I... hm."
Marik: "Tracking this beast to its lair may be worthwhile."
GM: There are other tracks intermixed with them - weird footprints, again with a strange ridges.
Beltarne: "Worthwhile like 'gee, what a fascinating beast' or worthwhile like 'thanks for the mountains of gold'?
GM: Following the tracks - Marik thinks everyone involved may have been running - leads to a small depression, where some kind of cat-like creature with ... well, possibly a lot of spines or thorns lay on the ground briefly. And possibly oozed sap.
** Shelley orders the Stooges to keep quiet as possible. Under the circumstances. **
Marik: "Worthwhile like, 'What a fascinating beast, we may be able to sell its parts for mountains of gold."
GM: It was pulled away from the resting place by the weird ridged footprints. After a bit, they started covering their tracks better.
Marik: "But it looks like someone beat us to it."
Marik: "Weird ridged" being "The footpads have veins like leaves"?
GM: Also... there are a weird tangle of vines near where the tracks are obscured.
Wolfgang: "Eh, so forget about it?"
** Marik examines it from a distance, to figure out if it's a trap or a cache or what. **
GM: More of the cat like prints head off to the north.
GM: Probably just one.
Marik: "Group decision time. I think following the cat-tracks could be profitable, but we do have other goals in mind. This isn't really something we can just come back to, though."
Beltarne: "I say we follow the gol.... tracks."
** Shelley frowns, and eyes her sad, bonecharred assistants. "Any chance it could be reanimated as a replacement for the Wonder Twins here?" **
** Thasos points in the direction the party was headed before it got distracted. **
Marik: "I think it's made of vines. So probably not."
Wolfgang: "How profitable can it be then?"
Marik: "It's a living, ambulatory giant cat made of vines. Wizards go ape over that stuff."
Wolfgang: "I'd rather take care of the haunting and loot the town"
Shelley: "Would we have to bring it back alive?"
Marik: "These lot certainly didn't."
GM: Marik counted 15 distinct tracks with the weird ridges. Also, he's not certain but he suspects they were barefoot. Some of the tracks had toe-like impressions.
Shelley: "So, 'these lot' likely to be chasing ours, too?"
Marik: "Maybe. I think we're dealing with some sort of plant people, at any rate, or else people using leaves to make shoes - some elves do that, I think."
Shelley: "Pixies do that sort of thing. Flowers into dresses and whatever."
Beltarne: "What are the chances that they're not horrible people but still don't want to give us the thing?"
Wolfgang: "So we'd be hunting what they are already hunting?"
** Marik shrugs. "You people know as much as I do at this point." **
Beltarne: "Because chasing after a wasp-infested forest just to find some elves that are like, 'No way, we saw it first' doesn't sound like fun."
Wolfgang: "Sounds like a thorny situation, best avoided"
Shelley: "Didn't the... mayor mention ant people out here?"
Shelley: "Or was that in the swamp?"
** Thasos again points in the pre-distraction direction. **
Marik: "Right then. Too much trouble, no guarantee of profit, consensus is we head for the south shore."
Ghazeb: "Ghazeb thought bugs were in the filthy swamp. Maybe Marik would want to go there and eat them."
Marik: "Eating bugs isn't as much fun now that Minnizig's gone."
** Marik heads south. **
GM: Yay! I don't have to prep a counter in a hurry.
Narrator: The delvers reach the north edge of the lake, and ford their way over several creeks as they turn east, southeast, and then south.
Narrator: Hours pass as they work their way through the dense trees.
Narrator: Around 4:30, they come to a small clearing. A dead, giant wasp, mostly similar to the ones they found before, lies in the floor.
Narrator: A small green hat is nearby, stained with rusty blood. There is also a weird collection of half-burnt vines with a charred spear nearby.
Shelley: Recently dead?
Shelley: And, erm.
Shelley: How small?
GM: Dead less than a full day. The hat is too big for a pixie, way too small for a gnome. Maybe a human toddler? 
Marik: ((Leprechaun?))
GM: Possibly.
** Marik tries to piece together what happened here. (Tracking?) **
GM: Roll it.
** Wolfgang looks out for more wasps **
Marik: Tracking: [3d6.skill(16,0)] => [4,2,3] = 9 vs (16) or less Success! by 7 
GM: Hard to say. Someone shot a wasp with a couple of arrows. Someone set the vines - which on closer inspection, are vaguely humanoid - on fire. Someone lost a hat in a spray of blood.
GM: Also, the wasp is odd - there are indentations around the thorax and head as though someone was strapped on.
Marik: "Vine people. So much for the elf theory."
Marik: The giant wasp - big enough for a toddler to ride?
GM: Certainly.
GM: You know for a fact they're very strong.
Marik: "I think the hat's owner was riding the wasp, and the vine-people brought it out of the air."
Marik: "I also think we should get out of here as quietly and quickly as possible."
Wolfgang: "They carry him off then?"
Shelley: "I think we want to avoid Vine people."
Beltarne: "Shouldn't we see if we can rescue the rider?"
Marik: Does the wasp look like it landed, or crashed?
** Thasos drags a finger across his throat. **
GM: Crashed, probably.
Marik: "I don't think the rider's in any shape to be rescued."
Beltarne: Is the amount of blood on the hat scalp wound or caved in skull?
Wolfgang: "Plus we don't know where the rider is."
GM: Probably scalp wound, hard to say.
Shelley: "Looks like they stripped the bug body too. II don't think the riders are friendly to anyone, though - or the pixies would have known about the wasps being tamed."
GM: There's also more wasp prints in the clearing.
Beltarne: "I think he only took a shot to the head."
Wolfgang: ((head wounds bleed a ton no matter what))
Beltarne: ((Yeah, but if there's gray matter in the hat it'd tell us something.))
Shelley: "That can still kill you. Or being carried off and eaten by vine men can kill you."
Beltarne: "I say we go see if he needs our help. Might be able to give us some advance intel on the tower. And if they're friendly it's The Right Thing To Do.(gm)"
Beltarne: ((Er, (tm)))
Marik: "If you say so."
GM: There is a distinct lack of tracks out of the clearing.
Beltarne: "Plus, this means we can take whatever creature the plant-men grabbed"
** Marik mutters. "Okay, nobody's supposed to be able to vanish without a trace like that." **
Beltarne: "Since they're the type to kidnap people!"
Marik: "I think they're covering their tracks with magic."
Wolfgang: "Well, kind of makes up our minds for us eh?"
GM: The vineman (if thats what is was) has some tracks entering the clearing, but it looks like he was covering his tracks before then. He might have gotten ambushed by the wasp rider.
Marik: "It's also possible the rider managed to get away after killing these two, and just changed wasps."
Marik: "Either way, I don't have a way to find someone to rescue."
Marik: "Southward, then?"
Shelley: "I think we want to keep an eye out for 1) plant people 2) tiny people 3) wasps 4) tigery plant things 5) evil ghosts, and 6) these rumoured "spider Hydras" that I keep hearing about, as we head back to where we think the tower is."
Marik: "Good thing you brought extra eyes."
Shelley: "Tiny people with fireballs."
GM: Ah, adventure, excitement, mind-boggling confusion and uncertainty... a delver's life is grand.
Shelley: "or whatever it did to the other thing."
** Marik collects the charred spear and ties it to the side of his pack before continuing onward. **
** Wolfgang shakes his head and follows Marik **
Beltarne: "alright, we move on."
** Beltarne follows Marik out of the clearing. **
Shelley: Signs and wonders!
GM: Around 5 pm, when Wolfgang starts hinting that his back is really tired and he's carrying a lot of weight and all, you break out of the thick woods into a large open space, mostly free of trees, maybe a mile across and opening to the southwest.
GM: The forest picks up on the south side.
** Marik retreats into the treeline to set up camp. Cover and shelter are useful! **
Beltarne: I cast magic missile into the clearing-ness.
GM: Observing the nearby tree, Marik decides to not camp under the strangler vine colony and relocates the delvers a bit southeast.
Thasos: ((you've awakened the gazebo))
Marik: Marik spends an hour foraging, spends time in the evening updating his maps and making careful notes, and goes to sleep early with the intent of waking up early and foraging again before breakfast.
Marik: Survival (Woodlands): [3d6.skill(20,0)] => [3,5,2] = 10 vs (20) or less Success! by 10