You have just entered room "nonamerp."
THENinjaRabbi: Lemme start up an OOC chat as well!
Arch mage144: OK!
Lithaladhwen: *salutes*
CuteCuddlyDoom: (Okay, WHY does "The Extreme" decide to play NOW?)
CuteCuddlyDoom: (>.> Did one of you go piss off an Elder God or something?)
Arch mage144: (I dunno, I'm playing GGX music.)
THENinjaRabbi: *As the Guardian blinks, everything goes dark for a second. Before they can figure out what happens next, they're right outside the town, on a familiar path that leads right into town.*
CuteCuddlyDoom: .... wow. o.o
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... does anyone else feel like they just spent a month underground or somethin?
Arch mage144: ...it was far less than a month, I assure you.
Kelne2261: *Shakes his head* No, just a few hours.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Yeah just.... yeah. -.-;;
Lithaladhwen: *glances briefly at Xevan and pulls her hat down over her eyes* IM: This is not good.
Arch mage144: Your sense of time is greatly skewed. Death has that effect.
CuteCuddlyDoom: IM: ... among other things.
Arch mage144: Hm.
Arch mage144: Now. We have several issues to address.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Like how seriously to take that headless nutcase.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *looks at the vial he's currently carrying* And which cliff to chuck this water over.
Arch mage144: Well. Allow us to approach the situation from a...logical perspective.
Kelne2261: *Raises an eyebrow*
Arch mage144: Let us assume for a moment that the waters of that fountain do in fact grant the drinker some sort of extraordinary power.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Yeah...
Arch mage144: If so, the benefits of drinking it are obvious. The "becoming a god" bit is likely exaggeration.
Arch mage144: No one can become a god. The idea is ridiculous.
Arch mage144: However, there is also the small probability that the waters are not beneficial.
Idran1701: Why is that a small probability?
Arch mage144: Whatever. It might be a large probability.
CuteCuddlyDoom: I've got some goddamn facts for ya right here.
Arch mage144: But the point is that in order to ascertain its effect, it has to be tested on something, or else magically analyzed.
Kelne2261: *Nods* That guy had an ulteior motive. I'm sure of it.
Idran1701: As am I.
CuteCuddlyDoom: FACT: That guy's story is fishier than water flowing upstream.
Lithaladhwen: IM: I see where this is going.
Arch mage144: Then perhaps we should determine what his motive is.
Arch mage144: *glances at Holly* What do you think?
Kelne2261: Sounds good. How?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Question. If he IS leading us on, what does he GAIN from having us drink this damn water?
Idran1701: Well, he was obviously forced to guard the spring for a reason.
Lithaladhwen: Huh? Well... it was suggested that he wants his head so he can drink it. Which may be bad.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Call it Rivan intuition, but I don't trust that bastard as far as I could... no, as far as Xevan here probably could throw 'im.
Lithaladhwen: Having him drink that when he's already stated his... issues with the gods, may not be the best idea.
Arch mage144: Throwing things isn't my area of expertise.
CuteCuddlyDoom: EXACTLY.
Arch mage144: Well.
Arch mage144: Let's consider.
Arch mage144: If he wants us to do something so that he can achieve ultimate power, he may be a...threat.
Kelne2261: You think?
Arch mage144: Our objective here is to ascertain the nature of the spring and prevent it from falling into the "wrong" hands, right?
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... Heh. When you put it that way, givin us this damn water makes even LESS sense. >.>
Idran1701: *nods*
Arch mage144: Depending on perspective, it may already be in the "wrong" hands.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *snickers* Or heads.
Kelne2261: *Nods* I certainly wouldn't trust him to guard it from anyone else.
Arch mage144: Especially since his motives, apparently, involve the handing out of free samples.
Arch mage144: We know where his head is, supposedly.
Lithaladhwen: I feel like he's just trying too hard to be on 'our side'
Arch mage144: I have no data as to whether or not he's trustworthy. However, his motivations are indeterminable...and therefore, somewhat suspicious.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Meh. Either way we've done what we came for.
CuteCuddlyDoom: So why not just head home?
Arch mage144: There's just one more thing. If we have to destroy the spring, he's not going to let us.
CuteCuddlyDoom: .... hadn't thoughta that.
Kelne2261: *Nods*
CuteCuddlyDoom: o.o
Idran1701: Plus, what's to keep someone less crupluous than us from coming by and taking him up on his offer if we do just leave?
Idran1701: *scrupulous
Lithaladhwen: Also... it seems like most of the obstacles that were intended to keep people out... are gone. So, someone else could get in and do something potentially harmful.
Arch mage144: This means we have to retrive his head.
Idran1701: ...
Arch mage144: ...and we're doing it so that we can destroy him.
Kelne2261: I don't follow.
Idran1701: ...Wait, why do we have to retrieve his head to destroy him?
CuteCuddlyDoom: This means making my life so much more complicated. 9.9
Arch mage144: Then we can deal with the fountain without his interference.
Arch mage144: I am going to assume that at least some of his function exists in his head.
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... wait, that made no... Well, that makes sense.
Kelne2261: So, by 'retrieve', you mean 'destroy'.
Lithaladhwen: "Deal with" the fountain without his interference.
Arch mage144: Destroying it should at least weaken him somehow.
Idran1701: Ah.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Hm. I dunno.
Lithaladhwen: So, how do we deal with it? I know what Xevan wants to do, and I think I know how the rest of you feel.
Arch mage144: Let's get one thing straight.
Arch mage144: I don't like illithids.
Arch mage144: If I get a chance to massacre a couple, it'll just make my day.
CuteCuddlyDoom: They ain't friends of mine either, if that's what yer thinkin.
Arch mage144: We get the guardian's head and use it as a bargaining chip or a distraction, or simply destroy it.
Idran1701: But how do we get through an enitre city of them without being killed?
Kelne2261: *shrugs* I think we should find some way to send word back to that Kerov person before we go traipsing off underground.
Idran1701: *entire
CuteCuddlyDoom: .... umm...
Arch mage144: Acceptable.
Arch mage144: We're very careful.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Any of you folk see if they had a fairly good quality armorer in that berg?
Idran1701: ...I'd prefer something a bit more descriptive than that, Xevan.
Lithaladhwen: IM: We're going to be carrying around his head. That's rather disturbing.
Arch mage144: You're better off coating your head with grease. Don't want to get your brains eaten.
CuteCuddlyDoom: IM: ... I ain't getting fucking torn apart again, no sir. >.>;;;;
CuteCuddlyDoom: You sure about that? They may LIKE fried brains.
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... just what we'd NEED. A food critic illithid. 9.9
Arch mage144: As far as an armorer goes, I haven't any idea.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *mocking voice* BAH. Your brains are too SALTY. e.e
Idran1701: All right, but what about those mental abilities of theirs?
Kelne2261: *Grins*
Lithaladhwen: *little laugh* Wow. I hope that none of them get a chance to criticize my brain.
Arch mage144: *raises an eyebrow* Stab them before they get the chance to think, of course.
Idran1701: ...
Kelne2261: Sneaking into the middle of an Illithid city isn't exactly going to be easy.
Idran1701: ...And while we're doing that, what about all the unstabbed ones?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Heh. NOW you're talkin, Xevan.
Kelne2261: It's not like we can just disguise ourselves and waltz in.
Arch mage144: Easy? I never assumed this would be easy.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Sneak? Me? HAH.
Idran1701: *to Jeff* Exactly.
CuteCuddlyDoom: You'd have an easier time hidin an elephant in a China shop.
Idran1701: And while we're busy attacking one, the other hundred or so can paralyze us and kill us mentally.
Kelne2261: And we certainly don't want to barge right in and attract attention.
Arch mage144: Illithids aren't the only ones with mind control powers. We make a few friends.
Idran1701: Who will do what, exactly?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Make friends with what? Stray rocks? -.o;
Arch mage144: *glances idly at Holly* There are several possibilities.
Kelne2261: There's always the swarm them with zombies approach. Zombies don't have brains... Then again, we don't have zombies.
Idran1701: *glances over at Xevan*
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... You're just mad because you're not winning the bet. >.>
Arch mage144: I'm not sure where you planned to get that many zombies.
Lithaladhwen: You want me to make friends with Illithids? *looks doubtful*
Lithaladhwen: I technically could, I guess.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Heh. Yeah, its that easy.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Just tell them about how many fine ways there are to prepare a brain.
Kelne2261: Heck, I'm not sure where I'd get any zombies.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *rolls his eyes* After that, ya MIGHT as well give em a salt shaker and a fork.
Kelne2261: Although... Nah, too much ocean in the way.
Arch mage144: You'd be surprised what a few simple enchantment spells will do to change someone's mind.
Lithaladhwen: *shrugs* Xevan is right.
Idran1701: ...Against an illithid?
CuteCuddlyDoom: That WORKS? o.O;;
Arch mage144: And if worse comes to worse, I assure you. I've killed a few of these things in my day.
Idran1701: I don't know, wouldn't they be fairly resistant to that tactic?
Kelne2261: You'd think so.
CuteCuddlyDoom: A few thousand? All at once? *not a skeptic, seriously*
Arch mage144: Not immune, certainly.
Arch mage144: And failing that, there are other methods.
THENinjaRabbi: *Holly and Xevan recall that they may possibly know someone who has great knowledge of Illithids*
Lithaladhwen: If we have no better option, I could always try.
Arch mage144: Also, there is someone we could hypothetically approach for assistance.
Kelne2261: Assistance sounds good right about now.
Arch mage144: The illithid that told us about the mountain cavern in the first place might be a decent place to start.
Arch mage144: That paladin of "Mithra" or whatever.
Lithaladhwen: He's our next stop then? Or do we get in touch with Kerov first?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Good question. I'm all for calling in the Doman Calvalry on this one.
Idran1701: As am I.
Arch mage144: That depends on whether or not we have a good way to get a message to him.
Kelne2261: *Shrugs* I'm not sure the guard would be willing to send enough people to attack an Illithid city.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *sighs* Then to the crazy paladin we go.
Kelne2261: Better to find a way to do this with only a few people.
Lithaladhwen: If we talk to Calix, then Kerov, we'd at least have a plan to tell Kerov before we go.
Idran1701: *nod*
Lithaladhwen: The more information he has, the better.
Kelne2261: *Nods* Lead on, then.
Lithaladhwen: *to the crazy paladin!*
Arch mage144: *yeah, to that guy*
CuteCuddlyDoom: *Weeee're OFF to see the Wiza... errr, Paladin.*
THENinjaRabbi: *Holly leads the group to Calix's humble home.*
THENinjaRabbi: *A light is on inside, as it is currently night*
Lithaladhwen: *knocks*
Arch mage144: *stands behind Holly, bodyguard-style*
Lithaladhwen: *appears very used to this*
THENinjaRabbi: Come in!
Lithaladhwen: *goes in* Hello. It's us again.
Arch mage144: Yes. We located the fountain...and its "guardian."
THENinjaRabbi: *Calix is currently eating. Though it's not a brain, it's a mess of goop. And it's quite a disturbing sight*
Kelne2261: *Follows along behind*
CuteCuddlyDoom: -.- *stands around and looks tough, as he can best manage*
CuteCuddlyDoom: IM: *shudders*
THENinjaRabbi: *He spits out some food* You FOUND IT?
Kelne2261: IM: Okay, I did not need to see that.
CuteCuddlyDoom: IM: ... eww.
Arch mage144: *raises an eyebrow* Yes.
THENinjaRabbi: Wow.
THENinjaRabbi: So, is the rumor true?
Lithaladhwen: IM: Think happy thoughts. That was a nice goat earlier....
THENinjaRabbi: Does it make you a god?
Kelne2261: The one about godhood? No idea.
Arch mage144: At the moment, that knowledge is still uncertain.
CuteCuddlyDoom: That's the million gil quesiton.
CuteCuddlyDoom: (*question)
THENinjaRabbi: Ah, I see. So, what brings you back here?
Arch mage144: An interesting set of theories.
THENinjaRabbi: *nods, and puts his plate down* Do share.
Arch mage144: Primarily regarding the use of the fountain, and whether or not it is truly as beneficial as claimed.
Kelne2261: *Lets the drow do the talking*
Arch mage144: The fountain was "guarded" by a being who seemed all too happy to share the water with our group.
THENinjaRabbi: I see.
Arch mage144: He informed us that we could have more if we acquired his missing head from a nearby illithid colony.
THENinjaRabbi: Let me guess.
THENinjaRabbi: You're going to get it back?
Arch mage144: I am going to assume you know its location.
Arch mage144: The fountain is supposedly cursed, is it not?
THENinjaRabbi: Yes, I always thought so.
Arch mage144: Our mission is, potentially, to destroy it or otherwise prevent it from being used in the name of...evil.
THENinjaRabbi: But...going into that city is madness. It's insane.
Arch mage144: I predict that this "guardian" hardly likely to stand by and watch.
Arch mage144: So I think it might be good to collect a bit of...insurance.
CuteCuddlyDoom: What? You expected sane people to take this job? *chuckles*
THENinjaRabbi: I can appreciate the idea. But...
THENinjaRabbi: Are you absolutely sure that this is what you're going to do?
Kelne2261: We were hoping you might have some ideas on that front.
Arch mage144: ...didn't I just explain it to you? That's the plan.
Arch mage144: If you have some means by which it would be easier to accomplish...
THENinjaRabbi: Well, I'll tell you all I know.
THENinjaRabbi: Luckily for you, there is no Elder Brain in that particular city yet.
Arch mage144: I hope that takes longer than the last person who told me he was going to do that.
THENinjaRabbi: It's a little too new for that.
Kelne2261: Elder Brain?
Lithaladhwen: Elder brain?
THENinjaRabbi: Hmm.
THENinjaRabbi: *strokes his tentacles, thinking*
Arch mage144: A leader of some sort, I imagine.
Lithaladhwen: IM: ew.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Whatever it is, I don't like it already.
THENinjaRabbi: Yes, a leader, so to speak.
THENinjaRabbi: There is currently none.
THENinjaRabbi: Instead, it is led by a Ulitharid.
Kelne2261: *Imagines a big brain which goes about saying 'In my day, we had to walk uphill for fifty miles to get our brains. In the snow. Both ways.'*
Lithaladhwen: Do I want to know why their leader is called that?
THENinjaRabbi: An elder brain is just that. A brain.
Arch mage144: A what?
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... okay. This is kinda odd.
Arch mage144: IM: This is a bit outside my area of expertise.
THENinjaRabbi: Ulitharid.
THENinjaRabbi: Ok, look at me.
Arch mage144: I am.
CuteCuddlyDoom: >.>;;;
Lithaladhwen: Okay....
THENinjaRabbi: A ulitharid is about...this high. *Indicates roughly two feet taller than him* and has two more tentacles...here. *Indicates his tentacles*
Kelne2261: *Looks*
Arch mage144: ...a larger illithid, then.
THENinjaRabbi: A much more dangerous illithid.
Arch mage144: Fascinating.
Arch mage144: I've never encountered one of those.
THENinjaRabbi: Have any of you ever heard of psionics?
Arch mage144: Of course.
Kelne2261: IM: The plan just gets better and better...
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... A bit. Firsthand, if ya know what I mean. >.>
Lithaladhwen: Not a whole lot, but sure.
Kelne2261: *Nods* Not exactly on the study curriculum, though.
THENinjaRabbi: A Ulitharid is a lot better than most Illithids in that department.
Arch mage144: I see.
THENinjaRabbi: Now, the city itself is underground, about half a day's trip north.
Arch mage144: I can handle that.
THENinjaRabbi: They picked that area because of its weak magic zone.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Hm.
Arch mage144: *raises an eyebrow*
Lithaladhwen: Oh. Not good.
Arch mage144: Weak magic zone? A low-mana pocket?
Kelne2261: Okay, now that? That's a problem right there.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Sounds like FUN. e.e
THENinjaRabbi: Yes, if that's what you call it.
THENinjaRabbi: See, psionics works fine there. But magic is a lot tougher to use.
Arch mage144: Bastards! That's going to make their territory much more defensible than normal...
Arch mage144: Do you know the precise effects of the pocket? Or are we simply going to have to find out for ourselves?
THENinjaRabbi: I do not use much magic.
THENinjaRabbi: And I never had any when I lived there.
Arch mage144: Somehow, I figured.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Imagine not.
Lithaladhwen: Xevan? What are the specific effects of low mana areas in general? Aside from "magic is hard"?
Arch mage144: We're just going to have to deal with whatever the effects are that are specific to this locale.
Arch mage144: Spells that are cast are less effective in general and require more effort.
THENinjaRabbi: There's about twenty Illithids that live there.
THENinjaRabbi: Plus their slaves.
Arch mage144: That's all?
Lithaladhwen: Okay. What about things that are magical?
Arch mage144: It varies.
THENinjaRabbi: Roughly two slaves per illithid...
Kelne2261: IM: Okay, twenty doesn't sound so bad...
Arch mage144: That's only four illithids for each of us.
CuteCuddlyDoom: So 60 fighters all total, if we're not lucky.
Arch mage144: *smirks*
THENinjaRabbi: Plus the Ulitharid.
THENinjaRabbi: His name is G'resh'na.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Which sounds like 5 fighters right there. >.>
CuteCuddlyDoom: Yep, Xevan. GREAT odds.
Kelne2261: So stealth's still the better approach if we can pull it off.
Idran1701: Plus the fact that we pretty much all rely on magic, except for Richard.
CuteCuddlyDoom: What's that come out to? 15 per person?
Lithaladhwen: What about the slaves? What do they do?
Arch mage144: Are you saying you can't handle it, Richard?
THENinjaRabbi: Slaves handle the manual labor.
THENinjaRabbi: And serve as food.
Lithaladhwen: I figured.
Arch mage144: If they were really all that powerful, they wouldn't be slaves.
CuteCuddlyDoom: >.> I just had the first and last near-death experience I intend to have.
CuteCuddlyDoom: IF you catch my drift. e.e
Arch mage144: Near-death? You've crossed that line already.
Idran1701: ...That would be true if not for the mental control part, Xevan.
Arch mage144: Do you really think an illithid can dominate a creature as strong as or much stronger than itself without effort?
Idran1701: If all that strength is physical?
Idran1701: Yes.
Arch mage144: No illithid with any sense will keep slaves that are too much trouble to control.
Kelne2261: *Looks thoughtful* If we could somehow break that control, the Ilithids would be in trouble.
THENinjaRabbi: *Calix gets up and grabs a book from a nearby bookcase*
Arch mage144: Potentially.
Lithaladhwen: Considering the low mana, are we still going to try and enchant an Illithid or two?
THENinjaRabbi: Here, you might find this useful. *plops it on the table*
Arch mage144: If we control one illithid, we also potentially control his slaves.
Kelne2261: *Heads over to look at the book*
CuteCuddlyDoom: Control him with WHAT?
Arch mage144: The rewards could hypothetically be great. But first, it appears we have some required reading.
THENinjaRabbi: *The book reads "Codex Anathema"*
Lithaladhwen: Richard, I cast magic. Remember?
CuteCuddlyDoom: You heard him say that the place is in a mana packet or whatever the hell you were just talking about.
Lithaladhwen: I can still try.
THENinjaRabbi: That book lists all that is known about Illithids, and some other creatures.
Arch mage144: "Low-mana pocket." That does not necessarily totally eliminate the possibility of spellcasting.
THENinjaRabbi: I've added what others do not know or misinterpeted.
Kelne2261: Handy. Very handy. *Starts paging through*
Arch mage144: *looks at the book with Jeff*
THENinjaRabbi: *Jeff flips through the pages, noting the different creatures. He sees one section devoted to a creature that looks like a large fish*
Lithaladhwen: IM: I have a feeling I don't want to know a lot of the contents of that book. *sigh* *looks over the table at the book*
THENinjaRabbi: *The another section devoted to beholders*
THENinjaRabbi: *Then
THENinjaRabbi: *Then he finds the section on Illithids, aptly titled "The Brain Eaters"*
Kelne2261: You mind if I keep this?
THENinjaRabbi: Yes, by all means.
Kelne2261: IM: Excellent.
Arch mage144: I wonder if illithids ever cook brains, or season them in any particular manner.
THENinjaRabbi: No.
THENinjaRabbi: We eat them raw.
THENinjaRabbi: Fresh from the skull.
Arch mage144: Seems a waste.
THENinjaRabbi: Cooking ruins the brain's memories and experiences.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Hn. IM: I did NOT need to know this. >.<
THENinjaRabbi: And that is wasteful.
Lithaladhwen: Wow. Great. Please change the subject.
Arch mage144: I was unaware.
Lithaladhwen: Useful information, anyone?
Kelne2261: I don't think I care that much one way or another. If they're eating your brain itdoesn't matter if they add seasoning.
Arch mage144: Drow always season their food.
Arch mage144: We have a sense of culture about our cuisine.
Arch mage144: However, I suppose that brains are exotic enough for some.
Kelne2261: *Goes on with the reading. He'll be skipping the culinary habits and getting straight to the meaty stuff.*
CuteCuddlyDoom: >.> Can we get a move on if we're decided? Please?
CuteCuddlyDoom: *Never thought brains were all that meaty*
Kelne2261: *Metaphorically speaking, of course.*
Arch mage144: A good idea, if the trip is going to take a day and a half.
THENinjaRabbi: *Jeff learns a great deal of Mind Flayers in just a cursory glance*
THENinjaRabbi: *So much that I'll send the stuff he learns in an IM*
Arch mage144: Are we ready to depart?
Lithaladhwen: I am.
Kelne2261: Won't we want to wait until morning?
Arch mage144: Not if it's going to take that long to get there.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Hm. Probably a good point.
Arch mage144: Unless someone is afraid of the dark.
THENinjaRabbi: I must state again, that you people are insane.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Says the guy who's afraid of the light. >.>
Lithaladhwen: IM: You eat brains, sir.
THENinjaRabbi: Telepathy to Holly: Only cow brains.
Kelne2261: Y'know, I can't say I entirely disagree with you there.
Arch mage144: If your eyes were as sensitive as mine, you might understand.
Lithaladhwen: IM: Oh. How nice.
Lithaladhwen: *tries to look supportive*
CuteCuddlyDoom: Sorry. Understanding ain't my thing.
Arch mage144: That's apparent.
CuteCuddlyDoom: >.>
Kelne2261: *Has half his attention on the conversation, the rest on the book.*
Arch mage144: Are we ready yet?
CuteCuddlyDoom: I'm good to go.
THENinjaRabbi: Be careful, sometimes there are patrols about.
Kelne2261: *thoughtfully* Lot of interesting information here.
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... you know, he's right. We ARE crazy. Has anyone come up with a plan that doesn't such to show we ain't?
Idran1701: Well, one thing. *to the Illithid* Is there anything you can recommend that could give someone without these "psionics" a better chance to avoid them?
Idran1701: Some sort of tactic or strategy to protect ones mind even a bit more than usual?
THENinjaRabbi: Basically, you just need great force of will.
THENinjaRabbi: Although I remember something mentioned of a "Braincap." It helps you resist an illithid's particular abilities a bit better.
Kelne2261: Given the option, we might want to see about contacting the Githyanki or Githzerai the book mentions.
Kelne2261: It sounds like they'd help us out of the principle of the thing.
Idran1701: Oh? Some sort of magical item, I assume?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Well, any help that won't kill us on sight is good about now.
Lithaladhwen: The who?
Lithaladhwen: Any chance for more information on them?
Kelne2261: *Shrugs* Not much on them beyond their names, unfortunately. I was hoping one of you might know something.
THENinjaRabbi: The Githyanki and Githzerai are dangerous. I would say they're even worse than illithids. At least you know an illithid will eat your brains eventually. The Gith are too unpredicatble.
Kelne2261: *Nods* So much for that idea, then.
Lithaladhwen: If I try to charm one of them?
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... yep. 's GREAT to be alive right now. -.-;;
Idran1701: ...Well, if you're going to charm them, why does it matter what race they are?
Idran1701: I mean, if the point of contacting these was because they'd want to help us, then charming them would make that a bit moot. >_>
Lithaladhwen: It would change the spell I used. It's harder to charm creatures that aren't... like me. It's a compatibility thing, I think.
Kelne2261: *Nods* Skullcaps sound handy if we can find any, but I imagine they're not exactly common.
Idran1701: Ah.
CuteCuddlyDoom: The good stuff never is.
Lithaladhwen: If they might be useful we could still try. If we aren't sure of their motives, I could always give the magic a try.
Lithaladhwen: *shrug*
CuteCuddlyDoom: The question remains.
CuteCuddlyDoom: When are we leaving, and when are we gettin there?
Arch mage144: We should be leaving now.
Kelne2261: One way or another we'll want to be fresh for this.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *nods*
THENinjaRabbi: I wish you all luck.
Lithaladhwen: Thanks.
THENinjaRabbi: You'll need it.
Lithaladhwen: Probably.
Idran1701: *nod* Thanks for your help.
Kelne2261: *Nods* It certainly sounds that way.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Thanks. But if you have any small armies handy... >.>
Kelne2261: IM: What kind of mentality plots to extinguish the sun, anyway?
Arch mage144: *steps outside*
THENinjaRabbi: I do not. Perhaps you know of some?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Nope. Fresh out. *chuckles*
Kelne2261: *Stows the book in his pack for later reading*
Lithaladhwen: *follows Xevan, says over her shoulder:* Thanks again.
Kelne2261: One thought. Should we be taking the water with us?
Lithaladhwen: Oh. Wow, good point.
Kelne2261: I mean, if worst comes to worst, we really don't want the mindflayers getting it.
Arch mage144: Fair.
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... or do we? >.>
Lithaladhwen: *peeks head in* I guess if Calix thinks he can handle watching it for us...
Lithaladhwen: that would be nice.
CuteCuddlyDoom: The PROBLEM is that the damned stuff's a complete wild-card.
Arch mage144: So let him keep it.
THENinjaRabbi: *looks up*
THENinjaRabbi: Wait, what?
CuteCuddlyDoom: ... sure. You want a new god to pop up tomorrow, right?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Either that or someone dead from some crazy curse. Take your pick.
Arch mage144: IM: It's not like he'll drink it.
Lithaladhwen: Calix? Would you hold on to it?
THENinjaRabbi: The water?
Arch mage144: Yes.
THENinjaRabbi: I will.
Kelne2261: *Nods*
CuteCuddlyDoom: *glares at Calix fairly HARD, as if trying to read his mind or something*
THENinjaRabbi: I shall hide it.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *shrugs, then chuckles and hands over the water* Try not to go too mad with power, eh?
THENinjaRabbi: *graps it like he's holding a baby*
THENinjaRabbi: I would not trust myself with the power it supposedly grants.
Lithaladhwen: ^_^ Thank you. We'll be back after all of the underground exploration.
THENinjaRabbi: You have my word, it shall not be touched.
Arch mage144: *nods and departs*
Idran1701: *follows*
Kelne2261: Much appreciated. *Waves and follows*
Lithaladhwen: *outside again*
Arch mage144: We head toward the mountains and make camp after a few hours' travel, then?
CuteCuddlyDoom: Sounds like fun.
Lithaladhwen: I'm all right with that. Everyone okay with it?
Kelne2261: *Nods* Sounds good.
Arch mage144: S: *ruffles feathers*
THENinjaRabbi: (So, they are off?)
Kelne2261: *Fears not the darkness, for they have looted torches.*
Arch mage144: I appreciate your having been quiet, Silverbeak. Perhaps you aren't an idiot after all.
Arch mage144: S: *caw!* Yeah, well, I was only quiet because I was preoccupied with a shiny object.
Lithaladhwen: What did you find?
CuteCuddlyDoom: What sort of shiny object, eh?
THENinjaRabbi: *They travel on the mountain trail*
Arch mage144: S: I dunno, something in that Calix guy's house. It was shiny. What the hell more do you want to know?
CuteCuddlyDoom: *shrugs* Just makin conversation.
THENinjaRabbi: *They continue on their way for about an hour, the path not changing much. Since they're not going up the mountain, the trip is quite easy.*
Arch mage144: S: Shiny things don't need any other definition! *caw*
Lithaladhwen: True. All some of them have to do is be pretty.
CuteCuddlyDoom: Or dangerous.
Kelne2261: IM: Ah, the hoarding mentality...
Arch mage144: Hm.
THENinjaRabbi: *Without warning, everyone in the party hears a strange noise, then a wave of force rolls over them*
THENinjaRabbi: (Everyone make a will save.)
Arch mage144: I am considering bringing my golem here...!
OnlineHost: Arch mage144 rolled 1 20-sided die: 16
Arch mage144: (28)
OnlineHost: CuteCuddlyDoom rolled 1 20-sided die: 5
CuteCuddlyDoom: (13 ;_; )
OnlineHost: Lithaladhwen rolled 1 20-sided die: 3
OnlineHost: Kelne2261 rolled 1 20-sided die: 7
OnlineHost: Idran1701 rolled 1 20-sided die: 17
Kelne2261: (19)
Lithaladhwen: (14)
Idran1701: (28)
THENinjaRabbi: *The combination of having bright lights and loud voices drew a pair of Mind Flayers to them, hiding nearby, they waited for the group to get into range and then unleashed their Mind Blasts.*
THENinjaRabbi: *Richard and Holly feel the blast wash over them, wiping their mind blank.*
CuteCuddlyDoom: o o
THENinjaRabbi: (Roll initiative.)
Kelne2261: *Blinks, seeking out the source of the trouble*
OnlineHost: Lithaladhwen rolled 1 20-sided die: 1
OnlineHost: Kelne2261 rolled 1 20-sided die: 3
OnlineHost: Arch mage144 rolled 1 20-sided die: 2
OnlineHost: Idran1701 rolled 1 20-sided die: 6
Lithaladhwen: (3)
Idran1701: (9)
Arch mage144: (6)
Kelne2261: (7)
OnlineHost: CuteCuddlyDoom rolled 1 20-sided die: 20
CuteCuddlyDoom: (23)
THENinjaRabbi: *Both mind flayers keep their distance from the group, one of them looking at Richard*
THENinjaRabbi: *Richard feels a spell try to take root in his mind*
CuteCuddlyDoom: *twitches*
THENinjaRabbi: *Of course, since Richard is not capable of defending himself, nothing happens as of yet*
THENinjaRabbi: *The other mind flayer eyes Xevan, and a spell is cast on him*
THENinjaRabbi: *However, Xevan's strong mind does not allow it to take root*
Arch mage144: (Go strong-minded drow man!)
THENinjaRabbi: (Idran!)
Idran1701: (What's the party layout like?)
Arch mage144: (How far away are the illithids, for that matter?)
THENinjaRabbi: (The group is lumped together, the illithids are about 40 feet away.)
Idran1701: (And can those without *can't remember what night vision's called* see them?)
CuteCuddlyDoom: (Darkvision. >:P)
THENinjaRabbi: (And yes. They can see you fine.)
Idran1701: (No, I mean can we see them?)
THENinjaRabbi: (Oh. Yes, vaugely. They're tough to make out to all except Xevan. He can see them fine.)
Arch mage144: (It's not pitch dark, and you have a torch, so the answer should be yes.)
Arch mage144: (It provides shadowy illumination out to 40 feet.)
THENinjaRabbi: (Oh. So yes.)
THENinjaRabbi: (I thought it was 30.)
Arch mage144: (It might be 60, as you get shadowy illumination to double the normal illumination range.)
Arch mage144: (Whatever. We can see them.)
THENinjaRabbi: (Ok, ok. Yeah. You can see them, and Idran is up.)
CuteCuddlyDoom: (And, as they say, seeing is believing.)
Idran1701: *casts a silent still Comet on the two of them*
THENinjaRabbi: *Both Illithids are battered with rocks. This is something they did not expect. And lordy, it's painful.*
THENinjaRabbi: (Jeff.)
THENinjaRabbi: *One of the flayers shouts out in telepathy*
Kelne2261: *Raises his right fist, pointing a ring at the flayers* Orn Isk Ixen!
Kelne2261: (Using ring of shooting stars to hit each flayer with the shooting star effect.)
Arch mage144: (We hear the telepathy?)
THENinjaRabbi: (Yes. Well, "hear.")
Arch mage144: (...what do they say?)
THENinjaRabbi: (It's a random expletive.)
CuteCuddlyDoom: (WE ARE THE EATERS)
Arch mage144: (I see!)
THENinjaRabbi: *In any case, the illithids made a grave mistake that they paid for. They underestimated the group. Had they survived, they would have fled and warned the city. But the shooting star's explosion and fire damage lights the two*
THENinjaRabbi: *on fire, and they drop a few seconds later, nice and crispy*
Kelne2261: *Overkill? What's overkill?*
Idran1701: IM: Make that demons _and_ illithids.
Arch mage144: That solves that problem.
THENinjaRabbi: *After a few seconds pass, Richard and Holly regain their composure, and can think again*
Lithaladhwen: *takes off hat and ruffles hair madly, trying to get the Illithid cooties out of her mind*
Kelne2261: Well, that's two down.
CuteCuddlyDoom: *visibly shakes himself* >.<
Idran1701: Only 18 more to go.
CuteCuddlyDoom: DAMMIT.
Idran1701: *turns to Richard and Holly* You two all right?
Arch mage144: At least they didn't have more friends.
Lithaladhwen: *shakes whole head for good measure before replacing her hat* Yeah, I'm okay.
Kelne2261: At least not that we know of.
CuteCuddlyDoom: .... now I'm just pissed. e.e
THENinjaRabbi: *The corpses stop burning, having all the fats been consumed by the fire.*
Arch mage144 has left the room.
OMG Archmage has entered the room.
OMG Archmage: That was impressive.
CuteCuddlyDoom: >.> *spits on the ashes* Damn things.
OMG Archmage: It could have been far worse.
Idran1701: Personally, with how well that went I'm hoping we will encounter some more on the way to their city. Means less we have to fight in that weak magic zone.
Kelne2261: Can't argue with that.
OMG Archmage: Agreed.
Lithaladhwen: So what now?
OMG Archmage: If we make camp, someone will have to keep watch in order to prevent us from being devoured in our sleep.
Kelne2261 has left the room.
CuteCuddlyDoom: ....
Idran1701: Rotating watch would probably be best.
Idran1701: With two people per, so less chance of the guard falling asleep.
Lithaladhwen: That sounds good.
Kelne2261 has entered the room.
THENinjaRabbi: (So, they are setting up camp?)
Idran1701: I'll volunteer for the first watch. Who wants to join me?
Lithaladhwen: I will.
Idran1701: *nod*
CuteCuddlyDoom: *grumbles* Or get their brains wiped.
OMG Archmage: (Yeah.)
Kelne2261: *Nods* Might want to set up camp a bit further from the bodies in case some of their friends come to investigate.
OMG Archmage: Actually.
OMG Archmage: *goes to check and see if they left anything valuable*
THENinjaRabbi: (Ah, hold up one sec.)
OMG Archmage: *something might've survived incineration, after all*
Idran1701: ...Ah, good idea.
Idran1701: Anyway, who wants the second watch?
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