The Campaign Builder's Guild

Welcome to the Game Logs, where we will be keeping track of the adventures of our band of young heroes.  In some places they have been edited for style or intelligiblity, but this is essentially how things went down.

[ic=Dramatis Personae]
Wyrgan Mac Nissa=Steerpike
Robhartach ua Bergin=Nomadic
Laidir mac Berach=Ghostman
Kegain=The Meanest Guest

All others=Seraphine_Harmonium[/ic]

[ic=Session 1: The Festival of Litha]
The Sun rises, and all Tulainn is gathered for Litha'"The festival of Midsummer. Farmers, rangers, and all those flung about the countryside have gathered here at the shores of Loch Scáthan for the feast. Craftsmen set up their wares in tents, erected to accommodate the influx. Fighting men seek to prove their worth in the wrestling arena and in the chariot races, while the boys of the troop engage in heated and violent games of Hurley.

This afternoon comes the filiacht: the bardic contests. The celebrations continue into the night with tales and fire. Just before daybreak, Obhernan the druid will lead the village in the rituals of Litha at the stone circle outside the village.

But that is yet to come. Now it is just past midday, at the height of the Games.
[ooc]12:30 pmRobhartach: ooc: I think we all know where rob will be  
12:31 pmKegain: ooc: where are we specifically and what are we doing
[/ooc]
Robhartach is engrossed in a game of hurley. Laidir treads the grounds of the fair with a confident stride, idly plucking the strings of his dulcimer.  Wyrgan lingers at the fringes of the festivities, reluctant to join in. He wrinkles his nose, as if at a bad smell.  Kegain watches the games anxiously

Kegain: It's fun to at least watch though, right Wyrgan?
Wyrgan: These frivolities seem rather pointless; contrived.
Kegain: (frowns)..Oh. Maybe.
Wyrgan: (kicks a pebble.) Do not let my reluctance spoil your day, Kegain. Enjoy yourself, if it please you.
Kegain: I think I'll just keep watching with you... wouldn't be able to find a team, anyways..

Laidir arrives at the edge of the hurley fields and pauses to observe the ongoing contest.  Wyrgan notes the older boy's arrival, but says nothing. He flicks a lank lock of hair out of his pallid, rather ghoulish face.  Robhartach is currently shouldering two smaller boys out of the way as he knocks the ball with the hurley down the field. Wyrgan smiles as he feels his familiar, Cinniceadh-Bhéis, uncoil and scuttle surreptitiously down his body to wrap itself around his calf.

[ooc][spoiler]12:36 pmWyrgan: ooc: are any bullies of Wyrgan playing hurley?
12:38 pmRobhartach: ooc: sorry I do kind of know what hurley is but I'll probably mix terms up heh
12:38 pmWyrgan: ooc: hurley is the stick i think
12:38 pmRobhartach: ooc: yea
12:39 pmKegain: ooc: did you die seraphine
12:39 pmRobhartach: ooc: I'm wondering the same lol
12:39 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: No, sorry. Looking at notes
12:39 pmKegain: ooc: good to know
12:40 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: Hurley is both the game, which is essentially Field Hockey, and also the stick
12:40 pmKegain: ooc: no pressure! different format and such.
12:43 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: To answer your question, Wyrgan there are 2 on Rob's team, and 4 on the opposing team
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach knocks the ball with the hurley. Laidir plucks his dulcimer and voices poetic words in encouragement of Rob's team

Laidir: "Like a charging boar! That youth, boldly delivers the ball"

Wyrgan fixes one of the ruffians on the opposing team with the droch shuil.
[ooc]12:44 pmWyrgan: hex for skill penalty
12:45 pmWyrgan: DC is 15 I think, if levels round up..
12:46 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: !roll 1d20-1
12:46 pmisobot: 10
12:46 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: He fails his save
[/ooc]

Catching Wyrgan's eye, the boy is struck dumb. He looks about him nervously. Robhartach crashes through the boy as he suddenly stops in his path.  Robhartach yells back 'Oops!' Robhartach keeps on going though.  Kegain winces at the sight.  Wyrgan smirks. The momentum of the game shifts to Robhartach's team.  The boy staggers to his feet, having been knocked to the ground.  He charges after Robhartach, who has possession of the ball, attempting to take it from him

Laidir: Oi! Don't let the dumbstruck one catch you!
Robhartach: (Runs the ball towards the goal at speed)Try and keep up lads. (smirks)

[ooc]12:56 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: Roll opposed strength check for burst of speed to outrun
12:57 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: !roll 1d20+3
12:57 pmisobot: 22
12:58 pmRobhartach: !roll 1d20+2
12:58 pmisobot: 3
12:58 pmRobhartach: ooc: oops forgot to pray to ishma first
12:58 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: Lol
12:58 pmWyrgan: ooc: isobot is clearly cranky
12:58 pmRobhartach: ooc: *insert curse you isobot phrase here
12:58 pmKegain: ooc: robhartach trips and dies
12:58 pmRobhartach: ooc: you can't critically fail a str check fortunately
[/ooc]

The boy manages a burst of speed and finds Robhartach within arm's reach.  Robhartach sees him approach and shoots the ball off to a teammate

[ooc]1:01 pmRobhartach: !roll 1d20+2
1:01 pmisobot: 20
1:01 pmRobhartach: ooc: oh how sweet iso
1:01 pmRobhartach: ooc: you do care
[/ooc]

Robhartach sends the ball sailing to a teammate then turns and laughs while plowing into his approaching opponent.
[ooc]1:02 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: !roll 1d20+2
1:02 pmisobot: 14[/ooc]

Rob's teammate Seamus catches the ball successfully, carrying it onwards to the goal.  The charging boy lunges at Robhartach.  He leaps, attempting to grapple Rob to the ground
[ooc]1:06 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: !roll 1d20+3
1:06 pmisobot: 13
1:06 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ^(grapple check)[/ooc]

Wyrgan sneers - this peurile pastime annoys him intensely. Laidir shouts instructions at Rohartach, drawing from his impressive know-how in the art of wrestling
 
[ooc]1:04 pmLaidir: ooc: did they score?[/ooc]

Robhartach drops his hurley and takes him as he comes.  Wyrgan perks up at the sight of violence, which always stirs him strangely.
[ooc][spoiler]1:04 pmRobhartach: ooc: is the charging boy still holding his hurley?
1:05 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: holding, yes, but he is not using it as a weapon
1:05 pmRobhartach: ooc: ah good
1:06 pmWyrgan: ooc: does Rhob have to make a check?
1:06 pmWyrgan: Rob*
1:06 pmRobhartach: ooc: cause was reading pathfinder rules and it says "Humanoid creatures without two free hands attempting to grapple a foe take a '"4 penalty on the combat maneuver roll" which is why I dropped my stick
1:07 pmRobhartach: ooc: still reading it to figure the difference
1:07 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: aha!, he anbd I forgot
1:07 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: well then, his result is 9, isn't it?
1:07 pmWyrgan: yar
1:07 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: have fun
1:07 pmSeraphine_Harmonium:  
1:07 pmRobhartach: ooc: so it's bab + str + size mod just like DnD right?
1:07 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: yeah
1:08 pmRobhartach: ooc: ok so 1 + 1 - 1 I think for me
1:08 pmRobhartach: !roll 1d20+2
1:08 pmisobot: 7
1:08 pmRobhartach: ooc: *insert et tu isobot comment here*
1:08 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: Ouch
1:09 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: the fact that your stregth should have been 1 more unfortunately doesn't change your result
1:09 pmLaidir: ooc: /me facepalms
1:09 pmRobhartach: ooc: oh right lol
[/spoiler][/ooc]

The boy plows into Robhartach, knocking him to the ground. However, as Robhartach is tackled, the cheers in the background signal that Rob's teammate has scored!  Kegain claps thunderously and stomps his feet,  Laidir cheers and begings playing a vivacious tune to celebrate to goal, trying also to impress the audience with his skills. Wyrgan looks at Kegain incredulously and snorts.

Kegain: But it was a good shot, Wyrgan!
Wyrgan: If you say so.

The game is over, and Rob's team is victorious!  It took a slight nick to his pride, but the sacrifice was worth it.  The winning team are awarded decorative bronze cloak-pins.
[ooc]1:10 pmKegain: ooc: well. decent start. I have to finish getting ready for class.
1:10 pmRobhartach: ooc: see yea
1:10 pmLaidir: ooc: cheers
1:10 pmWyrgan: later TMG [/ooc]

Robhartach slaps the boy he passed it to on the back a bit roughly

Robhartach: Good job on that last goal
Seamus: I couldn't have done it without you Rob.  Just try to keep your feet next time (punches Robhartach lightly on the arm)
Robhartach: Would have liked to score myself but the other lad had none of it and I had to teach him a lesson
Seamus: Oh that's right. You certainly showed him.
[ooc]1:17 pmWyrgan: ooc: is Seamus one of the 2 bullies on Rob's team, or no?
1:18 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: nah
1:18 pmWyrgan: ooc: k, just checking
[/ooc]

Robhartach laughs and heads over to pick up his shield and club which are leaning against a tree near Wyrgan. Laidir goes around congratulating the players of the victorious team, pausing as he comes up to Rob.

Laidir: You play the game well, boy, but you could do better when it comes to the wrestle
Robhartach: Boy eh? (Chuckles and punches Laidir lightly on the arm as he heads over to get his shield) You're a funny one.

Wyrgan scrutinizes some insects crawling through the hurley field. Far more absorbing than the inane antics of his so-called 'peers.'

Kegain: You sure do like your bugs. (Peers over Wyrgan's shoulder)
Laidir: Oh, I do strive to entertain.

Robhartach picks up his shield and club hefting the wooden shield onto his back and tucking the club away.

Robhartach: I'll say
Wyrgan: They have much to teach us. Such creatures have no need for games and diversions of this sort. All effort is devoted to furthering the interests of the hive; no energy is wasted on pointless competition.
Robhartach: That's Wyrgan all right, always ready to spoil the taste of victory. (Robhartach grins and roughs up wyrgan's hair) Come on don't be so dour.

Wyrgan shoots Robhartach a dark look.

Obhernan: Now Wyrgan, the competitions are far from pointless

Laidir bows hastily in greetings to the druid, whose approach he had not noticed.  The Druid of Tulainn and Beldangan is a bearded elder who keeps his hair carefully bound up in braids. He has grown, perhaps, a touch feeble with age, but he moves with ease and grace. The staff he carries is no walking stick, but a symbol of his authority. It is a twisted shaft of oak, ringed with mistletoe and adorned with clattering chips of rowan, ash, birch, elder, and woods from each of the magical trees, each adorned with an Ogham symbol.

Obhernan wears his ceremonial robes of white linen, trimmed with an elaborate emerald knot pattern. About his waist is a broad sash of red gold bisected by a crimson cord, the ends of which trail down his right side. Thus belted he keeps a sickle of silver. Around his neck is a torque of braided gold. The end caps of the torque are hound heads of burnished white gold, whose ears are coated with red enamel.
[ooc]1:23 pmWyrgan: ooc: what is the proper form of address for a druid? sir? 'elder obhernan'?
1:23 pmRobhartach: ooc: for wyrgan? probably you mangy old coot... but only behind his back
1:23 pmRobhartach: ooc:  
1:23 pmDM: Elder would be appropriate [/ooc]

Kegain: Elder! My ma's been worried about your health, but I can see you're strong as a tree! I'll be sure to tell her! (Grins widely)
Obhernan: Yes, Kegain, I assure both you and your mother that I am in the peak of health.  
Wyrgan: Of course, Elder. I was making a jest.
Obhernan: The competitions keep the youth fit and healthy, and ready to defend our lands against invaders.  Do not mock them.

Wyrgan has a wary respect for the man, though he bristles at the chiding, contemptuous as he is of authority.

Wyrgan: (Restrains himself from inflecting his words with sarcasm.) Of course, Elder. I am sure the skills gleaned on the hurley-field are invaluable in combat.
Robhartach: (Pats the club at his side) I certainly feel more ready.
Kegain: I knew you'd come around, Wyrgan!

Wyrgan opens his mouth as if to speak, then closes it.

Laidir: Of course, these games alone will not be enough to make one a warrior, but they do help one along that path.
Obhernan: Now boys, How would you like to do something for me?
Kegain: Of course, Elder! Just ask!
Robhartach: Certainly elder
Obhernan: My boys, I find myself in need of service. You see, I tasked my apprentice Beolom, a well-meaning boy, but rather indiscriminate, with fetching a salmon for the ritual at first light tomorrow morning, and the creature he returned with simply isn't suitable. Unfortunately, we both have duties in the preparation of the ritual that prevent him or me from fetching a new one for ourselves. How would you boys like to do a favor for an old druid?
 
Kegain nods enthusiastically.

Wyrgan: (Mutters under his breath.) At least it'll get us away from this foolishness...
Kegain: I know fish, and I'll bet I can find you the right one! Wyrgan would love to come too!
Robhartach: I'm sure he would
Wyrgan: (Speaks up) Yes indeed.
Obhernan: What you must do is enter the forest of Coilliath, follow the river north to a spot where the Hazelnut tree grows, and stretches its arm across its length to dip its fingers in the water. There you must fish for a salmon alone. Bait your line with the fruit of the tree and wait for the salmon to bite. You will know him when he comes.
Robhartach: Sounds like good fun, and I know the woods, my master taught me em
Laidir: I would be honored to perform this task for you, elder, even though it be simple
Obhernan: Excellent! Now go, and return to me with the Salmon. Make haste!

Wyrgan skulks off towards the wood.  Kegain follows Wyrgan cheerily.  Laidir tags along.

[ooc]1:32 pmWyrgan: ooc: reminds me of the Fable starting quests  
1:33 pmKegain: ooc: good place to stop? I actually have to be out the door in 2 minutes
1:33 pmObhernan: ooc: Never played Fable, so I can't say for sure
1:33 pm1:33 pmRobhartach: ooc: think it would be good
1:34 pmObhernan: ooc: yes, I think this is an appropriate place to stop
1:34 pmRobhartach: ooc: isn't CE supposed to start soon or is it on hiatus?
1:34 pmWyrgan: it should be starting yeah

[/ooc]

[/ic]

[ic=Session 2: To Catch a Fish][ooc]Remember, you are free to post in this thread at any time.  Commentary, anything.
[spoiler]* Robhartach bodychecks the bard
* Laidir does not appreciate the procedure
[11:44] <Laidir> Sorry kid, but I don't swing that way !
[11:44] <Robhartach> eww
[11:44] <Seraphine_Harmonium> His dulcimer!  I TOLD YOU to TAKE the bard's DULCIMER!
[11:44] <Robhartach> ... wow
[11:44] <Robhartach> lol
[11:45] <Robhartach> ok shall we get started though
[11:45] <Seraphine_Harmonium> aye
 01[11:45] <Wyrgan> whenever you're ready
[/spoiler][/ooc]

When we left them, our heroes were headed off to the woods of Coilliath, to find a salmon for Obhernan the Druid.

Kegain hums tunelessly.  Wyrgan raises his shoulders and skulks along.  Laidir treads in a carefree manner, though his eyes scan the surroundings keenly.  Robhartach plods along happily.

The sounds of the festival slowly fade.  You can just hear the starting shreds of a bard beginning to try his hand at the Filiacht . . .

Bard: Listen, my child, and heed this advice:
If you meet with Old Sorin, you needn't think twice.
Just bid him good morrow and turn right around,
For if you should cross him you'll never be found. . .

No more of his song can you hear, as your path takes you further and further from the Litha festival.

 Laidir: I hope this won't take long, so we'll be back before the bardic contests are over

Robhartach adjusts the shield on his back

You come to the edge of the forest, where a great doorway of stone marks the path: two great stones standing on end, topped with a great slab of a capstone.

[ooc][spoiler][11:52] <Wyrgan> ooc: any markings?
[11:52] <Wyrgan> ooc: on the stones
[11:53] <Robhartach> ooc: "wyrgan is a weirdo" written in chalk by a child's hand perhaps
[11:53] <Robhartach> :P
[11:53] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Yes, but many of them are worn away with the years[/spoiler][/ooc]

There are a few markings on the stones, but most are worn away with age.  The only markings that remain legible read '. . . ware . . . . .  oilliath."

Laidir halts before the doorway.  Robhartach waves the group on

Robhartach: Lets go get a fish.
Laidir: Always take heed when you're about to enter a doorway. Never know where you might end stepping through! (laughs)
Kegain: The other side?
Robhartach: I'm pretty sure I know where I'll end up if I step through this one

Robhartach jumps through the doorway.  Kegain scratches his head. Wyrgan passes through.  Laidir steps through, next.  Kegain shrugs and follows the others

You all make your way through the door.  The woods around you are rather dark for how far into the woods you are, but you can still see light from the edge of the woods.

Robhartach leads the group along the path at ease in a place he's been in countless times.  Wyrgan moves swiftly and comfortably through the undergrowth. He prefers the solitude and quiet of the woods to the bustle of the village. The company of others diminishes his enjoyment, though as he enters the shadows of the trees he relaxes, and his shoulders drop.  Laidir draws a flute from under his belt and starts playing a quiet, eerie tune, clearly improvised and and inspired by the atmosphere of the dark woods.

[ooc][spoiler][11:59] <Wyrgan> ooc: do we need to make any checks to find the right way to the stream or whatnot?
[11:59] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: yes, go ahead and make a check.  But since Rob knows the woods so well, it shouldn't be a difficult check
[12:00] <Robhartach> ooc: inb4 isobot gives me a 1
[12:00] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+8
[12:00] <isobot> 12
[12:00] <Wyrgan> (knolwedge nature, if applicable)
[12:00] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[12:00] <isobot> 6
[12:00] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+4
[12:00] <isobot> 16
[12:00] <Robhartach> first is survival
[12:00] <Robhartach> second is nature
[12:00] <Robhartach> not sure which you want
[12:01] <Seraphine_Harmonium> I think Survival is more appropriate, but Knowledge (Nature) could provide a bonus
[12:01] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+1
[12:01] <isobot> 19
[12:01] <Wyrgan> (untrained survival)
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach's senses must be muddled, as the paths you so often follow seem strange to you.  Luckily Wyrgan is able to locate the tell-tale signs that lead toward the river.

Wyrgan: You oaf, it's this way.  (gestures and sets off)
Robhartach: Really?  Well ok then Wyrg.  (musses Wyrgan's hair)

Kegain nods sagely and follows Wyrgan.  Laidir walks after the others, still playing the flute.  Wyrgan gives Robhartach a dirty look, but restrains himself from using the droch shuil. Robhartach is happily walking along and grins at Wyrgan.

You come to the edge of the river, a smooth but swiftly flowing body.

Wyrgan: I told you.
Robhartach: so you did, and good job too

[ooc][12:04] <Robhartach> ooc: that aught to put wyrgan off heh[/ooc]

Laidir: He may be dour but clearly he's got some useful skills!

Wyrgan is finding Robhartach's persistent good cheer exasperating, but it certainly shuts him up.


Laidir: Now to find that place with the bent tree
Robhartach: aye
Kegain: It's not bent! The hazelnut grows tall and strong.. Just too close to the shore.
Laidir: Have any of you seen it before perchance?
Robhartach: there's an awful lot of trees along rivers in the forest
Kegain: I've seen it before.. but I can't remember where.

Kegain looks around sheepishly.  Robhartach looks at Kegain oddly


Robhartach: Oh! Well good, lead on then.  I'm sure you'll remember
Laidir: Well then, we'll just follow the river untill we come by it

[ooc][spoiler][12:07] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Rob, make an int check, real quick
[12:07] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20
[12:07] <isobot> 6
 06[12:07] * Robhartach isn't exactly the brightest fire in the camp
[12:08] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: so I see.  Alright, moving on
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach:  (Gives Kegain a light push) Come on.  Let's get going.

Wyrgan throws a stone into the river.  Laidir starts fluting again, this time a more playful tune

Robhartach: Well come on we don't have all day, don't want the festival to end without us

Another tune rises up to meet the one Laidir plays; A romping jig.  Wyrgan is about to throw another pebble but stops mid-throw.  Robhartach takes Kegain by the hand and starts to drag him along... but stops at the sound.

Robhartach: Did you hear that?

[ooc][12:10] <Kegain> ooc: I don't think rob *could* drag kegain.
[12:11] <Robhartach> ooc: rob is pretty strong, unless kegain was actively fighting him he'd probably come along[/ooc]

Kegain stands implacably still, despite Robhartach's persistence.

The music fills you, and you feel the urge to dance.  Laidir alters his playing, trying to match the other tune.  Kegain starts humming along with the tune, his foot tapping the ground.

[ooc][spoiler][12:11] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Make Will Saves, all
[12:12] <Robhartach> ooc: this won't end well haha
 01[12:12] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3
[12:12] <isobot> 15
[12:12] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20-1
[12:12] <isobot> 17
[12:12] <Robhartach> ooc: wait... what
[12:12] <Kegain> !roll 1d20
[12:12] <isobot> 14
[12:12] <Laidir> !roll 1d20+1
[12:12] <isobot> 17[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain begins to dance a jig

Robhartach: (Looks at Kegain.)  Well I didn't think the music was THAT good, heh.

Kegain smiles as he dances.  Wyrgan looks around for the source of the music, if any.

Robhartach: Come on, let's go find out what's making that music

Robhartach goes but gets dragged back by Kegain dancing

Robhartach: Hey stop that, lad!

Laidir stops playing, a surprised look on his face

Laidir: This music is... quite out of the ordinary!
Kegain: Don't you know the steps? Dance!
Robhartach: (Smacks kegain on the back of the head)  Come on, no time for foolin' around!   

Kegain grimaces at the smack, but keeps dancing


Wyrgan: He's bewitched you lackwit.  Something is playing with us.
Robhartach: (Lets go of Kegain) Ugh well I'm gonna go ask him to cut it out.  (Heads after the music)

Kegain begins dancing around Wyrgan in a circle.  Wyrgan watches Kegain with a look of bemused disdain.  

Kegain: (Laughs) It's like my feet won't stop!

Wyrgan strongly suspects a pixie. His familiar has told him of such beings and their tricks.

Laidir: Cover your ears Kegain! Maybe then this wicked tune won't compell you so.
Kegain: Why would I do that? It's a good song!
Wyrgan: Some sprite is toying with your mind.
Laidir: But aren't you going to get tired dancing like that?
Kegain: I could dance all day!

[ooc][spoiler][12:21] <Seraphine_Harmonium> alright, so you all can make listen checks to try to determine the source of the music
 01[12:21] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+1
[12:21] <isobot> 14
 01[12:22] <Wyrgan> whoops should be +3
[12:22] <Laidir> !roll 1d20-1
[12:22] <isobot> 4
[12:23] <Laidir> ooc: I am a half-deaf bard![/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan: No doubt you'd dance till your feet bled and your heart burst.
Kegain: (Frowns as he continues his dance) That wouldn't be good. Ma would be sad.

[ooc][spoiler][12:23] <Kegain> !roll 1d20
[12:23] <isobot> 10
[12:23] <Kegain> ooc: listen[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain hesitates, but cups his hands over his ears

[ooc][spoiler][12:24] <Robhartach> ooc: does listen use perception in pathfinder?
[12:24] <Kegain> ooc: can I try a will save to stop dancing?
[12:24] <Seraphine_Harmonium> yes
[12:25] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[12:25] <isobot> 14
[12:25] <Kegain> ooc: yes to both?
[12:25] <Seraphine_Harmonium> I'm just so used to saying "listen"
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan thinks he hears something from the other side of the river.  It seems be be coming from somewhere behind a row of bushes

Wyrgan: I think it's on the other side.  Kegain, stop dancing.  You're big enough to ford the river without being swept away.  I will ride on your shoulders.
Kegain: I'm not sure if I can! I'm trying!

[ooc][spoiler][12:27] <Robhartach> ooc: how deep and wide is the river
[12:28] <Kegain> ooc: soooo, can I try that will save?
[12:28] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Ok Kegain, go ahead and make another will save
[12:28] <Kegain> ooc: do I get a bonus for having my hands over my ears
[12:28] <Robhartach> I think it's coming from over there too
[12:28] <Seraphine_Harmonium> sure, take +2
[12:28] <Kegain> !roll d20+2
[12:28] <isobot> 15
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan gets out his sling, just in case.  Robhartach looks back and forth between kegain and the bushes then turns and charges Kegain.  Kegain is just able to stop dancing and function normally, though his feet still at moments move with the music. Robhartach slams into kegain at speed, knocking him to the ground.

[ooc][12:29] <Kegain> ooc: a bit premature maybe, nomadic :p[/ooc]

Kegain: Oof! (Frowns and pushes Rob off of himself) That wasn't very nice of you.

Suddenly the music stops.  

Robhartach: (Looking around warily) Come on let's go find out what that was.  (Helps Kegain up)
Wyrgan: Better to leave it be than go poking our noses about.
Robhartach: Where's your sense of adventure?
Wyrgan: Whatever it was it seems to have grown bored with us.  Let's get the fish and count ourselves lucky.
Kegain: You don't want me to carry you across anymore? I think I could do it. Maybe.
Robhartach: just 10 seconds ago you wanted to go find it
Wyrgan: That was before it stopped playing.  I didn't want to find it to have a nice chat.
Laidir: Who ever played that music may be getting away already
Robhartach: Come on it won't take long, just a look at the far bank behind the bushes.  I know you're as curious as I am.
Laidir: With a head start and us having to cross the river, we could hardly expect to catch them
Kegain: Wyrgan is right. The Elder needs that fish, we can't just do as we please. This is important.
Robhartach: The fish can wait a minute

Robhartach wades into the water and heads across

Robhartach: I'll be right back then

Wyrgan shakes his head.  Kegain gives Wyrgan a questioning look

Kegain: Should we wait for him?
Laidir: I guess if you're lucky, you just might find some tracks over there
Wyrgan: He's going to get in trouble and then we'll get blamed.

A voice calls out from the trees behind you:

Voice: You don't want to be crossing that river, clumsies!

Wyrgan spins, sling at the ready.  Kegain turns, ponderously.  You see nothing there.

[ooc][12:35] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: though if you like, you can make perception checks[/ooc]

Kegain: Stop spying on us! It's rude!
Laidir: Someone's playing us the fools here, alright

Wyrgan knows that certain sprites can make themselves invisible. He listens carefully.


[ooc][spoiler][12:35] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3
[12:35] <isobot> 23
[12:35] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[12:35] <isobot> 22
[12:35] <Wyrgan> ooc: apparently *very* carefully
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach stops and looks over at where the voice came from.

Voice: Clumsies have a job to do.  We knows it, doesn't we?
Wyrgan: I hope we are not trespassing.  We're merely hoping to find a fish.

The voice seems to be coming from the trees themselves; first one, then another.  But the voice moves along up the river.  Wyrgan raises an eyebrow.

Kegain: I know trees. And trees don't talk.
Wyrgan: Not in a tongue we understand.  Usually, anyway.

Kegain mulls that over in his head.  Robhartach with his typical attention span comes back out of the river and follows the voices

Robhartach: Wait, what's going on?
Kegain: I don't know! Let's just get that fish and leave.
Voice: Clumsies shouldn't waste time scratching their heads.
Laidir: Someone's in the woods, playing a prank on us

Kegain starts walking along the trail, head held high in defiance of the voice

Voice: It's into the woods you've got to go, to get your wish and have a fish."

The voice moves away from you along up the river.  It heads deeper into the forest

Robhartach: Well let's go find them then, I imagine I could knock 'em on their back for this.  (follows the voice)
Kegain: (Looks back hesitantly as Rob heads into the woods) But.. the fish!
Wyrgan: It could be trying to trick us.
Laidir: There's no point running after voices. We got fishing to do.
Wyrgan: If Rob gets kidnapped by sprites or eaten by enchanted trees they won't care if we've got the fish or not.

[ooc][spoiler][12:42] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Rob, make a survival check
 01[12:42] < [12:42] <Robhartach> ooc: /me prays to ishma :P
[12:42] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[12:42] <isobot> 21[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: (Groans) Why did he have to come? We could have gotten the fish ourselves by now...

[ooc][12:44] <Seraphine_Harmonium> @Rob: It occurs to you that the hazelnut tree must be further up the river.  In the same direction the voice is moving.[/ooc]

Robhartach: (Yells back to the group) Come on you fish lovers I think the fish tree is this way anyways.

Wyrgan sighs and follows Rob.

Robhartach: You can get your fish and I can knock this guy's block off, everyone wins.
Laidir: Well, I'm fine with that plan. (Makes haste through the underbrush)
Kegain: (Wrinkles his brow) ...Knocks me over, running this way and that... (Keeps pace behind Wyrgan)

You follow along up the river, and the water gets ever choppier

Voice: That's right silly clumsies!  You're nearly there!

Wyrgan doesn't like this at all. He keeps one hand near his knife.

Kegain: You look worried Wyrgan. It's just someone playing a prank, right?
Wyrgan: Perhaps.  But sometimes pranks can be dangerous, Kegain.  Be cautious.

Kegain nods

[ooc][12:49] <Wyrgan> ooc: Wyrgan is 'genre savvy'
[12:50] <Robhartach> ooc: heh I should say "what's the worst that could happen" just to see if he'll cringe
[/ooc]

Laidir: I wish they'd stop calling us "clumsies". So rude!
Wyrgan: If all they do is call us a few names I'll be glad enough.

The voice gets less frequent, and you travel for several minutes without hearing anything else

Wyrgan: Rob, you're supposed to know these woods.  Where have they led us?

[ooc][12:52] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[12:52] <isobot> 4[/ooc]   

Robhartach: Somewhere (continues on)

[ooc][12:53] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: ROFL[/ooc]

Wyrgan: That is not helpful.  Are you saying we're lost?
Kegain: (Groans again) Lost? I don't like being lost...
Robhartach: Come on I know where we're going, I'll figure out where to go after that
Kegain: Ma will have a fit if I'm not home before dark.
Laidir: Well, so long as we follow the riverbank, we should find that darn tree sooner or later no?
Robhartach: Yep.  And besides the river has to come out of the forest somewhere so if nothing else we can always follow it back.  No use worrying now.

You hear a giggling from behind you

Robhartach: (Stops) Come out here where I can see ya.

Wyrgan looks over his shoulder - though he doesn't truly expect to see anything.

Robhartach: This is getting annoying
Voice: Teeheehee!

Now the voice comes from across the river

Robhartach: Not this time you don't.  I'm already wet enough.
Laidir: Are there two of them, on both sides of the river?

Robhartach heads on towards the fish tree.  In the midst of its shrill cackling, another voice joins in, giggling from in front of you.

Wyrgan: (whispering) Ignore them.  Perhaps they'll leave us alone.

Then a voice laughs from your left.  Laidir spins on his heels, confused

Robhartach: Better get out of my way or I'll be knocking your head off when I bump into ya
Laidir: Just how many of them are there?!
Robhartach: (brandishes his club) Don't matter.  Come on keep movin they're tryin to mess with us.
Laidir: Right. We need that fish. This errand sure is getting more complicated than I expected

[ooc][spoiler][13:00] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: so you are ignoring the voices and continuing up the river?
 01[13:00] <Wyrgan> ooc: I am
[13:00] <Robhartach> ooc: I am unless I run into whatever is making the noise
[13:01] <Laidir> ooc: doesn't seem liek there's many other options, besides running around like headless chicken
[13:01] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: well that's an option.  Not a GOOD option, but an option
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain looks around nervously, but keeps with the others.  You keep moving forward, and soon begin to hear the voices whispering to each other.  It's hard to make out what the voices are saying, but they seem intent on you knowing they are saying SOMETHING.
[ooc][spoiler][13:03] <Kegain> ooc: just to note, when we come to the tree, kegain will try to set the line, since he has 8 in climb and 8 in swim
[13:06] <Seraphine_Harmonium> You can attempt to listen in, or you can ignore them and keep moving
 01[13:06] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3
[13:06] <isobot> 9
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan shakes his head and presses on.  Robhartach gets annoyed and tosses a rock in the direction of one of the voices but continues on now that he realizes they aren't going to show themselves if he tries to chase them.  In response a few pause in their chatter and make offended, hissing noises.

Wyrgan: Don't provoke them!
Robhartach: Maybe they shouldn't provoke me
Laidir: They have been trying their best to provoke us. . .

Robhartach stomps along.  Wyrgan makes a growling sound of annoyance.

[ooc][13:09] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Robhartach, make a perception check
[13:10] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[13:10] <isobot> 19
[/ooc]

You notice a spot on the ground that doesn't seem quite right.  The earth is slightly upturned and there are a unusual number of leaves strewn here

Robhartach: (Stops) Wait, hold on.  Something isn't right.
Wyrgan: No really?

Robhartach reaches over and grabs a branch, ignoring Wyrgan's sarcasm.  He stands back and pokes at the pile.

[ooc][13:13] <Wyrgan> ooc: pit trap, must be
[13:13] <Robhartach> ooc: or a snare
[/ooc]

The leaves and loose earth collapse, revealing a deep pit dug into the earth.  Robhartach peers down into the dirt hole. Wyrgan gulps.  Had Rob been less aware of his surroundings, he might have tromped right into it.

Robhartach: Ok I don't think someone's playing pranks anymore

Wyrgan finds himself grateful for Rob's attentiveness... what an odd sensation.  Robhartach now takes care to check his surroundings as he goes.   Some of the voices snicker, others "ooh."

Robhartach: Ok let's go get that fish
Laidir: We'll better be careful. Who know what else they've got prepared for us?

You make your way around the pit, and continue along the river.  Wyrgan slows his pace a bit, keeping his eyes peeled for more traps.  Robhartach seems a bit more pale than is normal.

Kegain: (stares wide-eyed at the pit) Would have been a nasty fall...
Laidir: Come on Kegain, don't get left behind.

Ahead of you, you see it.  A tree overhanging the river.  At the site, a number of rocks interrupt the flow of the water.  This area is a rapids.

Robhartach: (Points) Here we are.

Kegain perks up at the sight.  Robhartach shoulders his shield and puts his club away.  Kegain looks at the overhanging branch.

[ooc][13:19] <Kegain> ooc: how thick is it, could it support kegain?
[13:19] <Robhartach> ooc: I hope not if only because I know it would support wyrgan and that would be an amusing sight[/ooc]

The branch hangs low over the water.  It is strong where it meets the tree, but the part that o'erhangs the river is thin and spindly.  The branch bobs, dipping a hazel nut into the water with a calm rhythym.

Laidir: Let's get on with it and hope the fish bites!
Kegain: Hmmmmmm. (Nods to himself)
Robhartach: so how do we wanna do this?
Kegain: I can climb out a ways. I'll watch for a bite.
Wyrgan: Someone will need to bait a line.  You three are too big - I'll have to do it.  Make sure our friends don't cause any mischief.
Voices: (Snickering.)  Teehee!  Mischeif!

Kegain cocks his head to the side inquisitively.  Robhartach looks at Wyrgan.  Wyrgan clambers onto the tree to try and snatch the hazlenut.

Robhartach: hmm wouldn't have expected you to volunteer
Kegain: Are you sure, Wyrgan..? You're not the strongest swimmer yet!
Wyrgan: The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can get out of here.  And you're all too heavy.

[ooc][13:23] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20
[13:23] <isobot> 14
[13:23] <Wyrgan> (climb check)[/ooc]

Laidir: I'll go a bit towards the downstream and be ready to dive in if he falls into the rapids.

Laidir moves downstream-wise along the riverbank.  Robhartach wades out under the tree as far as he can safely go.  Wyrgan climbs the tree well enough, keeping his hands and feet.  As he climbs out onto the branch, it begins to dip, submerging the hazelnut

[ooc][13:25] <Wyrgan> ooc: can I still grab it?[/ooc]

Even with Wyrgan's light weight, the branch creaks and screams in protest.  He can climb out to the edge and try to grab the nut, but he would risk the branch snapping off, and being thrown down the rapids.  Wyrgan can see into the water, and sees several fish swimming by, some eyeing the hazel nut with interest.

[ooc][13:27] <Kegain> ooc: are there no other nuts on the tree...?
[13:28] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Just the one.
[/ooc]
Wyrgan: Kegain, or Rob.  One of you climb out onto the sturdier part of the branch and grab my ankles.

Robhartach clambers up.  Kegain glares at Rob, as he was about to climb the tree.

[ooc][13:28] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20
[13:28] <isobot> 19[/ooc]

Robhartach grabs onto wyrgan's ankles.  Wyrgan makes a grab once Rob has a good grip on him.  Laidir observes the other boys' efforts amusedly.

[ooc][spoiler][13:29] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Wyrgan, make a melee attack to try and grab
[13:29] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20
[13:29] <isobot> 8
[13:30] <Robhartach> ooc: good thing nuts don't have a dex bonus to dodge
[13:30] <Wyrgan> ooc: can I send my familiar out to go fetch it?
[13:30] <Wyrgan> ooc: it's a centpiee but i don't know how big
[13:30] <Wyrgan> ooc: *centipede
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan misses the nut, his face splashing in the water, causing him to make spluttering noises.  He is safely held by Robhartach, so he is merely wet.  Wyrgan tries again.

[ooc][spoiler][13:31] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20
[13:31] <isobot> 1
[13:31] <Kegain> ooc: ooooh
[13:31] <Robhartach> ooc: centipie... new creature for cadaverous earth... looks like a pie but has 100 legs and the top splits open to show a ravenous maw that jumps at the person about to eat it and attaches to their face
[13:31] <Wyrgan> ooc: aaaaaah
[13:31] <Wyrgan> ooc: on both counts
[13:32] <CoyoteCamouflage> OOC: Definitely fitting for CE, and suitably creepy for discouraging pie thieves![/spoiler][/ooc]

As Wyrgan tries, the branch bobs up and down.  Robhartach steadies the branch as he can

Wyrgan: Kegain!  Help steady the branch!

Kegain hurries over and grabs hold of the branch firmly.  As the branch emerges from the water, a fish hangs from its branch, it's mouth clutched around the hazel nut

Robhartach: Quick!  Get the fish!

Wyrgan snatches at the fish.

[ooc][spoiler][13:32] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20
[13:32] <isobot> 9
[13:32] <Wyrgan> gaaaaaaaah
[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir looks on worriedly; The fish wriggles, and the nut is in canger of falling off and the fish escaping.

[ooc][spoiler][13:33] <Robhartach> ooc: you know the centipie actually sounds both horrifying and hilarious at the same time
[13:33] <Crow> ooc: a bit too whimsical for CE, though
[13:33] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20
[13:33] <isobot> 19
[13:33] <Wyrgan> ooc: children's books in CE probably feature the centipie
[13:33] <Wyrgan> yay!
[13:34] <Robhartach> ooc: well I'm going to devote my life in CE to creating a centipie, maybe carver and tarim can help me
[13:34] <Robhartach> ooc: :P[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan leans forward and makes a last-ditch effort to grab the damn fish.  With a final grab, Wyrgan clutches the fish, taking it and the hazelnut with it.

Wyrgan: Pull me back!

[ooc][13:34] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20
[13:34] <isobot> 11
[13:34] <Wyrgan> (climb)
[/ooc]

Robhartach lets go of Wyrgan's ankles reaches up and grabs him by the edge of his pants and bodily hauls him back.

[ooc][13:35] <Wyrgan> ooc: there is something wonderfully mock-heroic about all of this
[13:35] <Robhartach> ooc: heh
[/ooc]
Wyrgan doesn't climb very well with his hands full, so as Rob pulls him, he gets a few scrapes and scratches but is otherwise fine. Robhartach helps Wyrgan down before jumping down himself.  Kegain wipes the sweat from his brow.  Laidir makes his way back to the other boys.  

Laidir: Good work there! You had me worried for moment.

Upon examination, the fish is indeed a salmon. Wyrgan gets his knife out and makes to swiftly kill the fish, when it swallows the nut, looks up at you, and says:

Salmon: Help me!

Wyrgan pauses, knife poised.

Wyrgan: You can talk.

[ooc][spoiler][13:37] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: I think that's a fun place to have a cliff-hanger for next week, don't you think?
[13:37] <Robhartach> ooc: lol
[13:37] <Wyrgan> ooc: sounds good!
[13:37]    <Robhartach>: I can see that scene picture perfect in my head
[13:37] <Robhartach>: wyrgan holding the knife and going... wait, what?
[/spoiler][/ooc]
[/ic]

I'm really enjoying our character dynamics.  So often in games I've played before IRL character personality has taken a backseat to mechanics, but all my experiences online gaming at this site have been awesome - everyone here is the kind of player GM's hope for.

You're doing a great job so far, Seraphine!  I'm curious whether we find out what kind of fey these are, if they are fey.  Initially I though pixies but then I realized grigs can also turn invisible, but for all I know it could be neither.

Thanks!  You guys are all great, too.  I've never had a group that worked together this well, even when I had an IRL group.

[ic=Session 3: The Salmon of Knowledge]The day grows dark. The sky grows red. This spot at the bank of the river, in addition to the hazel tree, also is home to a great oak and ash, which have intertwined, wrapping around each other, spiraling to the sky. This binary tree-system is ringed with hawthorn bushes. A Salmon looks up at you with pleading eyes.

Fish: I implore you, set me free.

Wyrgan stares in bewilderment at the speaking fish.

[ooc][spoiler]11:10 amKegain: ooc: can we all hear the fish talk, or only wyrgan
11:10 amWyrgan: ooc: which language is it speaking?
11:10 amSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: everyone can hear. It speaks your native tongue
11:11 amSeraphine_Harmonium: (Glasconneach) [/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan looks to the others.  Robhartach is speechless.  Kegain wears a bewildered look on his face, and takes a half-step back from the fish.

Laidir: It speaks?!?
Wyrgan: How did you learn to speak the tongue of men, fish?
Fish: Do you not know?
Wyrgan: I would hardly be asking you if I did.
Fish: A salmon that eats of the hazel nut is granted great wisdom, and sometimes even the power of speech
Laidir: Surely this must be a dream! Are you dreaming, Rob? (pinches Rob to check)
Kegain: (looks around nervously) What should we do, Wyrgan?
Fish: Did your druid not tell you this?
Wyrgan: Hmm. We were told to fetch a salmon we had baited with a hazel nut. Obhernan must have realized this would happen.

The fish looks uncomfortable

Wyrgan: What would you offer us in exchange for your life, fish?
Fish: And do you think he'd have wanted me killed? I can answer a great many questions.
Robhartach: the-then tell me fish what the heck is going on.  I've been in the woods many times and never met talking trees are weird voices out to get me
Fish: But please, I am a creature of the water. I cannot long survive apart from it.

Laidir rubs his eyes and moves to get a closer look at the amazing fish
Fish: Return me to the river and I will be glad to answer all of your questions
Laidir: Wait, what if it's lying?

Robhartach grabs the fish gently but very firmly and places it in the water but continues to hold it tight by the tail and head

[ooc][spoiler]11:17 amWyrgan: ooc: good thinking[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir: It might just swim away
[ooc][spoiler]11:17 amSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: Robhartach, make a grapple check[/spoiler][/ooc]
 
The fish, once in the water struggles its utmost to escape the hands upon it.

[ooc][spoiler]11:18 amKegain: ooc: is wyrgan going to contest? was he holding it?
11:18 amWyrgan: ooc: no I'll let Rob grab the fish, but if it tries to get away I'll ready an action to snatch it11:18 am[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir quickly dashes forward to also grab a hold of the creature

[ooc][spoiler]11:20 amRobhartach: ooc: hold on a moment
11:21 amWyrgan: ooc: i have to brb, in case i have to try and grab the fish again here's my roll
11:21 amWyrgan: !roll 1d20
11:21 amisobot: 11
11:21 amRobhartach: ooc: ok sorry back
11:21 amRobhartach: !roll 1d20+2
11:21 amisobot: 8
11:22 amWyrgan: ooc: actually +1 for being Small
11:22 amRobhartach: ooc: shouldn't it be -1 for being small?
11:22 amSeraphine_Harmonium: !roll 1d20+3
11:22 amisobot: 8[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain looks down at the struggling salmon over the heads of the others

[ooc][spoiler]11:23 amRobhartach: ooc: oh I guess steerpike was right
11:23 amRobhartach: ooc: that makes my roll a 9
11:23 amRobhartach: ooc: actually a 10
11:24 amweave: ooc: If you guys need any help with the grapple rules, I know them pretty well.
11:25 amLaidir: ooc: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/combat.html#grapple
11:26 amWyrgan: ooc: back[/spoiler][/ooc]

The fish flails pitifully but cannot escape Robhartach's grip

Wyrgan: Bring it back up.

[ooc][spoiler]11:26 amRobhartach: ooc: I have both the DnD rules and pathfinder rules in front of me
11:26 amRobhartach: ooc: I actually didn't go away because of that I went away because someone needed me for a second[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach: (Pulls the fish out of the water again) What do you think you're trying to pull?
Fish: I was merely trying to get enough space to be comfortable. Is that so wrong?
Robhartach: Sorry but I'm not going to trust a talking fish that far yet
Wyrgan: Fish, our druid has commanded us to bring you to him. If you are so wise, how can we convey you to him without killing you?
Laidir: Had we a bucket, we could bring it in

Robhartach hands the fish to wyrgan.  Wyrgan feels a twinge of compassion for the beast.  Robhartach begins looking around for a rock or some bark or something he can use as a deep enough bowl to hold the fish

Fish: you might find a hollowed out tree, and with its wood, fashion me a house full of water
Wyrgan: That sounds tricky, but I suppose we must try.

Robhartach searches about

[ooc][spoiler]11:29 amRobhartach: !roll 1d20+3
11:29 amisobot: 10
11:29 amRobhartach: ooc: perception
11:29 amWyrgan: !roll 1d20+4
11:29 amisobot: 9
11:30 amWyrgan: (search) [/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: (speaks up) I have my axe, if we can find a tree.

[ooc][spoiler]11:30 amSeraphine_Harmonium: Neither of you can see anything suitable here[/spoiler][/ooc]

Fish: Perhaps across the river, you could find something . . .

[ooc][spoiler]11:31 amKegain: !roll 1d20
11:31 amisobot: 15
11:31 amKegain: ooc: that was for finding a tree. [/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan: Why do you say that, fish?
Laidir: We should just as likely find something suitable this side.
Fish: Some years ago, a fire decimated the far bank of the river, you may be able to find a hollowed out tree on the other side
Robhartach: is there a way to cross without me getting nice and wet again.
Wyrgan: (to the others) I cannot imagine Obhernan intended us to go to such lengths. Still, I am reluctant to kill it.

[ooc][spoiler]11:33 amWyrgan: !roll 1d20+1
11:33 amisobot: 3
11:33 amWyrgan: (sense motive... epic fail)
11:34 amSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: Oh, and Kegain, you see something on the other side that just might work
11:34 amSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: a tree some distance off[/spoiler][/ooc]


Laidir: Maybe it's just trying to talk us into wading through the river so it can find an opportunity to escape?
Kegain: (Points to the opposite bank) Look! I think I see one!
Robhartach: Ugh
Kegain: ..But the river is so swift, how will I cross?

[ooc][spoiler]11:36 amRobhartach: ooc: how wide is the river
11:37 amKegain: ooc: are there any trees on the bank tall enough to reach the other side?
11:37 amSeraphine_Harmonium: The river is about 15 feet across
11:38 amKegain: ooc: 15 feet. that's not very far at all. surely there is a suitable tree. [/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan: Hack down a tree with your axe.
Kegain: Oh! That's a good idea, Wyrgan. (Takes out his axe and sets in to a middling oak on the bank)
Fish: You see? Your companion has seen that I tell the truth. Why do you continue to think ill of me?

Wyrgan ignores the fish, but he is increasingly worried about what Obhernan intends to do with it. His lack of empathy for humans is balanced by an intense love of beasts - even annoying talking fish.

Robhartach: nothing personal fish but I'm not really comfortable talking with something that normally says nothing.  It doesn't leave much to trust.  Though perhaps. . . Hey wyrgan hand him here for a second, not going to hurt him

Wyrgan holds the fish closer.  Laidir sits by, ready to grab the creature if needed

Wyrgan: What are you going to do then?
Robhartach: give him some water to... to breath

[ooc][spoiler]11:38 amWyrgan: !roll 1d20+1
11:38 amisobot: 14
11:38 amWyrgan: (sense motive)
11:39 amRobhartach: ooc: rob actually is telling the truth[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach: come on Wyrg he's drying out again
Wyrgan: Alright fine. (Hands Rob the fish carefully. )
Wyrgan: But don't let him escape.

Robhartach takes the fish again by the head and tail

Robhartach: ok fish I'm going to let you in the water, if you want me to trust you you won't try to wiggle free or escape
Fish: I understand ranger

Robhartach lets the fish down in the water.  Wyrgan is increasingly half-hearted. If he were alone he would probably let the fish go. The thought of chastisement is all that keeps him from abandoning the venture altogether.  Kegain sings a woodcutters tune as he hews at the tree.  The Salmon calmly sits within Robhartach's grasp

[ooc][spoiler]11:41 amKegain: ooc: do I need to roll anything
11:43 amSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: kegain, if you want it to fall in the right direction, go ahead and make an . . . attack roll, I guess. But know that this is going to take a while
11:44 amKegain: !roll 1d20+5
11:44 amisobot: 21[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir: Hm. If Obhernan knew we'd be catching such a wonderful fish, why didn't he warn us about it?
Robhartach: (Looks at laidir) Maybe it's a... I don't know, test?
Wyrgan: He did mention that we'd 'know it when it comes.'
Robhartach:  (Holds the salmon gently but firmly) Wisdom hmm . . . You wouldn't perhaps know what is going on with all these strange voices
Fish: Ah yes, ranger. When the forest fills with voices, surely you needs must make choices

Kegain hews away at the tree with precision. It is slow going, but the tree shows every indication that when it falls, it will fall where he wants it to
Kegain: Oohhhh, trees! Flames for the hearth and wood for the hall! Cutting it right, I'll know where it falls!
Robhartach: I don't understand fish, I've been in the forest and master's told me of stories of talking creatures within the woods but I've never met one until now and before now they were trying to hurt us.  Almost put me in a pitfall trap.
Fish: Creatures of the other world take insults to heart. Did you give it cause to seek your downfall? Wyrgan: I don't think we did. Unless they consider us tresspassers.  They, it, whatever was stalking us.
Fish: Such folk are often sensitive. You may have slighted it unknowingly. You may be able to make it amends, if you give it a proper gift.
Laidir: What would be a 'proper' gift then?
Robhartach: If you're talking about the rock I tossed they have no rights to be offended.  They started the whole ordeal.  Offended us first
Fish: A rock, you say, ranger? Well this holds many possibilities. What kind of rock? How hard did you throw it? Did you throw it at them, or in their direction? Was it a game or an attack?  These are important questions in your dealings with the Fair Folk.
Robhartach: I threw it in their direction cause they was pissing me off.  Trying to lead us off and get us lost.
Fish: The Fair Folk love their games.   Games and gifts are their two greatest loves.

Kegain continues to hum his song as he works at the tree.  The old voice from the trees speaks out once more.

Voice: Clumsies waste time! The day is nearly done!

[ooc][spoiler]11:58 amRobhartach: ooc: how's the impromptu fishbowl coming
12:00 pmWyrgan: ooc: How far is Kegain from felling the tree?
12:00 pmKegain: ooc: it's not. we're still trying to cross the river to get to it.
12:00 pmWyrgan: ooc: we might not have time for this[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir: Sure would be good to get them off our backs with a gift. I'd hate to suffer their mischief while trekking these woods after dark!
Kegain: After dark? But I'll have to be home before then!

Kegain chops at the tree with renewed vigour

Wyrgan: How long can you survive out of water, Fish?
Fish: not more than a minute or two at most
Robhartach: how do you feel about being a part of the druids rituals fish?
Fish: It would be an honor, sir. For that I'd swim the way myself!

[ooc][spoiler]12:04 pmWyrgan: ooc: wait a second, does the river here flow into the village?
12:05 pmWyrgan: ooc: smart question rob
12:05 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: Not quite, but it flows nearby. You could follow it to the eastern outskirts of the town[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir: Then you will not mind if we carry you off to Obhernan, even if it means you'll perish?
Robhartach: I don't think wyrgan would like that much.  OK fish. Obhernan will probably pop me one good for this but ok.  (lets go of the fish)  Make your way to the village.
Fish: With pleasure sir!  
Robhartach: come on kegain it's getting late, don't want you getting popped on the head too
Kegain: (Stops cutting at the tree) Oh, we're going?
Robhartach: gettin dark

Kegain looks up at the sky  Laidir sighs.  The fish gives a little wiggle of a swim, points his nose straight downward, and disappears into the river.  Robhartach looks down into the river.  Wyrgan joins him.

[ooc][spoiler]12:07 pmKegain: ooc: did you mean downward or downstream
12:07 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: Make perception checks
12:08 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: downWARD[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach: well either he was telling the truth or lying.  I don't really care anymore
Laidir: No one's going to believe this story if we return empty-handed

[ooc][spoiler]12:08 pmRobhartach: !roll 1d20+3
12:08 pmisobot: 7
12:08 pmLaidir: !roll 1d20-1
12:08 pmisobot: 6
12:08 pmWyrgan: !roll 1d20+3
12:08 pmisobot: 13
12:08 pmKegain: !roll 1d20
12:08 pmisobot: 16
12:09 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: Kegain thinks he spots something. A fissure in the river bed. A crack leading down to something deeper[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: There's a hole down there.  Deep down.  Did the fish lie to us?
Robhartach: well not much we can do now. (peering down into the rive,r trying to see into the water, Robhartach looks for the fissure)
Voice: Tsk tsk tsk. Clumsies had their prize and let it slip through their fingers.

A squat man with a fiddle emerges from the trees. He is round of feature and wears a jacket of bright blue.  Wyrgan regards the creature warily.

Kegain: Not me! Rob let it go.
Creature: You'll have to do better than that if you want to get it back. I can show you how to find it. (Bows low, so his nose scrapes the ground)
Laidir: Wha- who might you be?

12:11 pmWyrgan: ooc: 10 bucks says Old Sorin

Creature: Swardhopper, at your service.

[ooc][spoiler]12:12 pmWyrgan: ooc:  [/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain moves to stand behind Wyrgan, trying to hide behind him. Rather unsuccessfully.

Wyrgan: You think the fish lied?
Swardhopper: Undoubtedly so. He's a slippery one.  Gone back to Annwn he has.

Laidir goes a bit pale at the mention of Annwn

Swardhopper: (regarding Laidir) You've heard of it, have you laddie?
Laidir: I... I think I've seen a glimpse of it! Once... (shudders as the memory of his leap through time washes over him)
Wyrgan: We shouldn't follow him there. Better to go home empty-handed and take a beating from the druid.

Kegain nods vigourously in agreement with Wyrgan

Wyrgan: Do you know of a way to lure him back here, Swardhopper?
Swardhopper: well, if you knew his true name, you might be able to, but otherwise he does as he pleases.  Well, as he or Old Sorin pleases . . . : 'course, nothing much pleases Old Sorin anymore
Kegain: But he didn't tell us his name!
Swardhopper: Wouldn't have mattered if he had.  He'd not have told you his True Name.  He'd have given you something like Eiscean.
Laidir: Alas! The fish is beyond capture now, no question about it.
Swardhopper: Not beyond capture if you were willing to brave Annwn.  It is a place of danger, but also holds treasures and knowledge for those who know how to find it.

Wyrgan feels a strange pull. Annwn... he knows it would be dangerous, but a wanderlust has been kindled in his breast.  He looks to the others.

Wyrgan: What should we do?
Robhartach: Go home.  The fish isn't worth risking drowning for.
Laidir: There is but one thing to do: go back to Tulainn. It's getting dark, and I am *not* going to dive into that hole!

Wyrgan feels his heart quicken. Despite his earlier words his eyes glitter at Swardhopper's words.

Robhartach: After that fish I'm not willing to believe this guy either
Swardhopper: Your Druid's ritual will be ruined if you fail to get this fish.  Who knows what disfavor might befall your village without it . . .

Kegain frowns at Swardhopper's words.  Wyrgan does not care about the ritual but his curiosity is starting to overtake him...

Wyrgan: How would we get to Annwn and back safely? Dive into the fissure?

Wyrgan is aware that he is contradicting his earlier statement by considering this; more than anything he was trying to persuade himself not to go.

Kegain: I'm a good swimmer.. I could probably reach it.
Wyrgan: Could we devise a life-line of some kind?
Swardhopper: There are many paths into Annwn. All of them are found at the boundaries. Not all paths lead back

Kegain looks nervously back in the direction of Tulainn

Laidir: We don't even know if we'd fit to swim through it. It could get narrow, and we might get stuck.
Robhartach: I still say it isn't worth it.
Swardhopper: But do not fear, for while the path may not lead back, it will always lead you to a way.  Follow the path long enough, and you will find what you seek.
Kegain: But who knows how long it'll take to find that fish! Ma will be worried... even if it is for the village.

Wyrgan hesitates for a moment. He is fully aware that he is about to do something incredibly foolish, even stupid - but the pull is too strong to resist.

Swardhopper: A bit of advice though: You'd be better off not throwing rocks. Not all of my kinsmen are as forgiving as I.
Kegain: I don't think we should go, Wyrgan. Let's head back...

Wyrgan gulps and takes a step back, eying the fissure. He ignores Kegain and, abruptly, dives into the river towards the fissure.

Kegain: Wait!  (rushes to the bank.)

Robhartach: (Grabs at wyrgan) what do you think you're doing?
Laidir: The kid has gone mad!

[ooc][spoiler]12:26 pmWyrgan: !roll 1d20+3
12:27 pmisobot: 23
12:27 pmWyrgan: (dodge roll)
12:27 pmKegain: ooc: don't think you're gonna catch him  
12:27 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: Wyrgan, make a swim check. Rob, make a grapple check
12:27 pmWyrgan: ooc: swim check?
12:27 pmWyrgan: !roll 1d20+1
12:27 pmisobot: 4
12:27 pmWyrgan: ooc: yikes!!
12:28 pmRobhartach: !roll 1d20+4
12:28 pmisobot: 23
12:28 pmKegain: ooc: does that mean nothing happens
12:28 pmWyrgan: do I get an AoO?
12:28 pmRobhartach: ooc: while you're diving?  
12:28 pmWyrgan: ooc: was thinking like kicking backwards with a foot
12:28 pmWyrgan: ooc: but that would only be while in the water
12:29 pmKegain: ooc: what do equal rolls mean?
12:30 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: I am ruling no on AoO
12:30 pmWyrgan: ooc: cool cool
12:30 pmRobhartach: ooc: probably for the best, if I let go I doubt you'd enjoy the results heh
12:30 pmWyrgan: ooc: yes
12:30 pmWyrgan: ooc: from my persepctive as a player for sure[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan makes to swim down to the crevice, but the current of the river is too strong for him. It carries him towards the rocks of the rapids, but Robhartack gets a hand about his ankle and hold him, though only just.  Robhartach calls out to Kegain and Laidir.  Wyrgan splutters, painfully aware of how reckless and foolhardy he was.

Robhartach: help me drag him out
Laidir: (goes to lend a hand) What on earth got into your head that made you do that Wyrgan?
Swardhopper: That be the way to get yourself dead
Wyrgan: (Glares.)  I... I don't know. Maybe there's some bewitchment round here.

[ooc][spoiler]12:32 pmWyrgan: ooc: shifty eyes... I was enchanted! [/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain crosses his arms and glumly stares at Wyrgan

Swardhopper: You've got to stick to the path
Robhartach: what path?
Swardhopper: That path.

The little man points his finger towards the intertwined oak and ash.  To your surprise, their bases have separated, and the two now mark a doorway.  Through the doorway a well-traveled dirt path winds through the woods.  Robhartach finishes fishing wyrgan from the water and goes over to look at the door.

Laidir: Wait, THAT is a way to Annwn?
Robhartach: looks like 2 trees to me.  (Reaches his hand through the doorway they make)  My master said something about it I think
Swardhopper: My boys, you sit on the threshold. Half in and half out.
Robhartach: the fey like boundaries

Wyrgan is humiliated, sopping wet, and furious with himself, but the pull remains.

Laidir: Doorways... You never know what lies beyond them
Swardhopper: I never could resist one, myself. Could you?

Robhartach: (Steps inside the door and looks around.)  Hmm... seems like a-OW!

Robhartach catches his toe on a root and falls squarely on the threshold.  Rob sees around him now what seems to be a strange reflection of the forest he knows. The leaves glimmer strangely, and the trees are covered with vibrant summer blossoms.  The trees are taller, the grass longer.

[ooc][spoiler]12:37 pmKegain: ooc: can we still see him?
12:38 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: The rest of you can see Robhartach as he falls, but his image flickers in and out of vision[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach: uh... (Looks around)

Wyrgan cannot stand the thought of the loutish Rob experiencing the Otherworld while he stands shivering and wet. He follows Rob in, a grimace on his face.  Kegain turns his head to follow Wyrgan with his eyes as goes in.

Laidir: Hey, hold on now!
Kegain: Oh!
Laidir: Don't just waltz in through it!  What if you can't get back?
Kegain: Oh no!  Wyrgan!

Robhartach sits on the threshhold again hoping it will get him back.  As Robhartach returns to the threshold of the trees, the rest of the forest on the other side retains its strange glimmer.  You can see everyone on the other side, but though you walk in what should be the other side, you are not returned to your world

Wyrgan looks around. An uncanny feeling fills him, like he's been here before - or dreamt of a place like this.  Everything is amplified here. The lights are brighter, and shadows darker.

Robhartach: Guys, Hello can you hear me?  (Robs voice echoes as if spoken from somewhere distant)

Wyrgan looks at Rob and manages a half-smile.

Wyrgan: (quietly) Didn't you hear what Swardhopper said? The paths don't lead backwards.

[ooc][spoiler]12:40 pmLaidir: ooc: how does it look from this side?
12:40 pmLaidir: ooc: we lost sight of him?
12:41 pmKegain: ooc: seraphine said he flickers in and out of vision [/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain turns to look plaintively at Laidir.

Kegain: We can't leave them there by themselves'¦ With that Rob around I just know Wyrgan would get into trouble'¦

Robhartach sits down on the threshold one more time

Laidir: You guys just had to get us all in such trouble...!

Kegain puffs up his chest and boldly strides between the two trees.  Laidir marches angrily through the entrance

Laidir: That was very stupid of you! How do you suppose we'll find a way back now?
Wyrgan: Like Swardhopper said, we'll follow the path. Come on.

You all enter, and are struck by the intensity of light and shadow here.  Swardhopper appears at your side

Swardhopper: This one learns quickly. Just stick to the path.
Kegain: ..I just know this is a bad idea.

Wyrgan really no longer cares much about the salmon, or the ritual. All of that seems unreal now, half-forgotten and unimportant. Still, he will stay with the other three for now.

Kegain: There's no way I'll make it back home before dark now!
Swardhopper: If you don't mind a little challenge though, I might be able to forgive that little rock throwing. Maybe even help you from time to time along the way

[ooc][spoiler]12:47 pmRobhartach: ooc: am I there?
12:48 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: You are now all in Annwn[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach: Challenge?
Swardhopper: Aye, call it a game. That slippery fish did get something right. We love games here.  You answer my questions aright, and I give you a trinket that may help you on your way.
Laidir: And if we answer wrong?
Kegain: Oh. I hope they aren't hard.
Swardhopper: I give you a pinch!
Laidir: All of us?
Swardhopper: To any he who guesses wrong. Each of you may give a guess.  If none of you can find the answer, I go on my way.

Kegain balls his hands into fists and sets his jaw defiantly.

Kegain: Ok! I'm ready!
Wyrgan: Ask away.

Wyrgan is arrogantly sure of himself.

Swardhopper: First question: How much dirt is in a hole 6 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 3 feet deep?
Kegain 's eyes go wide at the question, and slowly glaze over as he thinks without blinking
Laidir: Easy!  No dirt, because it's a *hole* (Laidir grins arrogantly, sure that his answer is correct)
Kegain: Ohhhh.
Swardhopper: Very good, my boy!

Robhartach scratches his head a bit at that one

Swardhopper: Next question: Finn and Dubhtach waged a bet on who could stay under water the longest without the aid of any breathing apparatus. Finn jumped in the lake and managed to stay under for a minute. Dubhtach knew he could not beat Finn using his method, but he won by staying under for two minutes using an old trick. What did Dubhtach do?

[ooc][spoiler]12:56 pmLaidir: ooc: I'll let someone else take this[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan: He poured water over himself for two minutes!

Kegain narrows his eyes and opens his mouth as if to speak, but no sound comes out. His face remains in this position.

Swardhopper: Aye, that'll do.
Kegain: Hm.
Swardhopper: Final question: King Eoric gave his wife a bottomless container to put flesh and blood in. What did he give her?

Laidir looks puzzled by the riddle.  Robhartach 's head is starting to hurt.  Wyrgan bites his lip, a bit stumped by this one...

Kegain: A.. uhhh. Uhmm. Did he fight a war for her?

Kegain feels a sharp pain on the back of his left thigh

Kegain: Ow!
Swardhopper: Wrong!

[ooc][spoiler]1:02 pmRobhartach: ooc: the worst part is I know what the answer to this one is D:
1:03 pmWyrgan: ooc: You haven't answered yet, you should go ahead!
1:03 pmRobhartach: ooc: robhartach wouldn't possibly know it though
1:03 pmWyrgan: ooc: hey crow, kindling!
1:03 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: He might get lucky. It happens in fiction all the time.
1:03 pmKegain: ooc: I actually have no idea. and I make a point of never looking up answers to riddles. 1:03 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: alternatively
1:04 pmKindling: ooc: Hi  
1:04 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: ooc: you guys can try rolling int. If you get high enough I'll give you a hint
1:04 pmRobhartach: !roll 1d20
1:04 pmisobot: 16
1:04 pmWyrgan: ooc: some fairy dude is pulling a gollum on us
1:04 pmLaidir: !roll 1d20+1
1:04 pmisobot: 12
1:04 pmWyrgan: !roll 1d20+4
1:04 pmisobot: 18
1:04 pmWyrgan: (I also know the answer)
1:04 pmCrow: ooc: hello
1:05 pmWyrgan: (but if Rob succeeded he should say)
1:05 pmCrow: ooc: I will be there for the game Steer, but probably not for more than two hours. Suddenly I had a driving test in the morning.
1:05 pmWyrgan: ooc: OK!
1:05 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: @ Rob: It is important that he gives it to his wife. [/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach scratches his head for a minute, then shrugs his shoulders.

[ooc][spoiler]1:06 pmLaidir: ooc: I get it now
1:06 pmLaidir: ooc: not going to answer though
1:06 pmCrow: ooc: just out of curiousity, what is the riddle?
1:07 pmKegain: ooc: just answer the question you butts
1:07 pmWyrgan: ooc: King Eoric gave his wife a bottomless container to put flesh and blood in. What did he give her?
1:07 pmRobhartach: ooc: can't answer it without using metaknowledge
1:08 pmRobhartach: ooc: robhartach would not possibly know the answer to this one
1:08 pmRobhartach: ooc: heh there you are [/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan feels his familiar coil and uncoil around arm.

Wyrgan: A ring!
Swardhopper: Very good, lad! I thought I had you for a minute!

Wyrgan looks ridiculously smug.

[ooc][spoiler]:08 pmKegain: ooc: thats a terrible riddle. I like kegain's answer better.
1:09 pmRobhartach: ooc: actually robhartach wouldn't be able to answer any riddles given to us, his brain just doesn't work that way heh [/spoiler][/ooc]

Swardhopper: and speaking of rings, your reward!

[ooc][spoiler]1:09 pmRobhartach: ooc: it's the one ring!
1:09 pmLaidir: ooc: preciousssss
1:09 pmRobhartach: ooc: I hope there's a volcano nearby[/spoiler][/ooc]

The man pulls from his pocket a ring. It is silver in color and appears to be covered in crisscrossing lines or grooves.  In the center is a white stone

Laidir: That ring looks like it's worth a fortune!
Swardhopper: This here is a cobweb ring, well known to the Fairies. There's more to it than meets the eye

Wyrgan perks up at the mention of cobwebs... Laidir stares at the ring fascinatedly

Kegain: Oh, what's that?

[ooc][spoiler]1:14 pmRobhartach: ooc: "There's more to it than meets the eye" so it's a transformer?
1:14 pmKegain: ooc: transformer noise
1:15 pmCrow: ooc: while rings are round they don't exactly have wheels [/spoiler][/ooc]

Swardhopper: Speak the words "damháin alla" and it becomes a net, or a cobweb, to impede your enemies.
Wyrgan: Who's going to carry it?

[ooc][spoiler]1:16 pmWyrgan: ooc: someone with high dex
1:16 pmWyrgan: ooc:  
1:16 pmKegain: ooc: not I
1:16 pmRobhartach: ooc: my dex bonus is a whopping +1 lol
1:17 pmWyrgan: ooc: I have 14 I think
1:17 pmKegain: ooc: anyways, have to go to class. back later.
1:17 pmWyrgan: ooc: Laidir?
1:17 pm*** Kegain is now known as TMG
1:17 pmLaidir: ooc: +1 here
1:17 pmWyrgan: ooc: later TMG [/spoiler][/ooc]

Looking around at the others, Wyrgan shrugs and takes the ring.

Laidir: I hope we won't need to use it.
Wyrgan:  (nods. ) Thank you for the gift, Swardhopper.
Laidir: But don't go thinkign it's *yours* just because you're the one carrying it now, kid!
Wyrgan: Alright alright!
Swardhopper: Now, as we part, a few words of advice: Don't eat anything you didn't bring with you. Repay kindness. Avoid insulting anyone. Stick to the path. Follow instructions.
Robhartach: ...but we didn't bring anything with us to eat (Robhartach frowns)
Swardhopper: (Turns to Laidir.) A fellow musician. I like a man like you. If you and your friends ever have need of me, play a tune and call my name. I will come to your aid three times: once for each question answered right
Laidir: The tune we heard earlier on our way through the forest?
Swardhopper: (Gives a wink) If you like.

Laidir takes his flute and tries to repeat the tune from memory Swardhopper plays the tune again on his fiddle, pointing out the few notes that weren't quite right

Laidir: I think I got it now!
Swardhopper: Good! Now farewell friends! Stick to the path!

Swardhopper gives a little hop on his powerful legs and bounds up into the air, and disappears.  Robhartach holds his stomach

Robhartach: b-but we don't have any food

The path lies before you, waiting to be traveled.

Laidir: We'll just have to be quick about finding the way home, then. Nothing else we can do about it.

Robhartach seems rather resentful of the whole thing but sighs and shrugs and heads down the path.  Wyrgan follows hurriedly.  Laidir treads the path, quite amazed and unnerved by the vivid scenery around him.

[ooc][spoiler]1:29 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: I think we'll end it there.
1:29 pmWyrgan: ooc: cool sessioN!
1:29 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: I think we're overdue for awarding some XP though
1:30 pmTMG: just a note as I head out the door, I think we're ending about 15 minutes too late for me. 1:30 pmLaidir: ooc: so now we're stuck in the otherworld. It'll get worse for sure X/
1:31 pmSeraphine_Harmonium: Each of you is awarded 737 XP apiece[/spoiler][/ooc]
[/ic]

[ic=Session 4: Are ya up fer a little quest, Donkey?]The party sets off on its path through the otherworld.  It seems lighter here; not the dim twilight you came from.  Instead this area exudes an aura of early afternoon, though for the trees the sun itself cannot be spotted.  The path leads up a small hill.  On your right, up the river is a shallow waterfall, where the water bubbles over the edge to drip on some stones.  Kegain is filled with a great sense of trepidation, as if this place is inimical to his very being.  Wyrgan wanders slowly along, feeling - for the first time - at home...

Kegain: I don't like this, Wyrgan.  It makes me nervous.

Laidir is still quite dazzled by the unearthliness of it all.  Wyrgan turns slowly to Kegain, as if he'd forgotten about the other boy.

Wyrgan: Don't worry.  Just remember what Swardhopper said and you'll be fine.

[ooc][spoiler] [11:32] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: I take it you continue forward?
[11:32] <Kegain> ooc: usually a wise assumption [/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan continues.

After some time trudging along the path, you come to an ancient woman hobbling with the aid of a twisted cane.  She walks with a limp, her back bent nearly double under a heavy saddle basket of turnips and a bronze cauldron. At the angle she walks, most of her face is obscured by a tattered headscarf.  One of her arms is in a sling.  Laidir politely steps aside to let her pass.  Wyrgan is hesitant. They were instructed to repay kindness and avoid insults, but not to help those in need - and this could be some sort of phantasm, or clever trap, a glamer of some kind...

After a moment, Wyrgan steps aside.  Kegain cocks his head to one side, observing the woman quizically, but after a moment steps to the side of the road with the others

Wyrgan: (nods courteously) Good day, madam.
Kegain: That looks awful heavy! Would you care for some help? (Smiles at her)

Wyrgan shoots Kegain a dark look and bites his lip.  Laidir glares nervously at Kegain.

Hearing your voices, the old woman looks up, a snaggletoothed smile brightening her lined face. You can see now that she is missing an eye.  The empty socket stares back at you with more intensity than the eye that remains.  

Woman: Bright Spirits; Bright Spirits sent you to me! Save my Morfran! The Fomors' got him, just down the path!
Kegain: (Wrinkles his brow) I'm not sure I understand...
Woman: (Pointing back the way she came from) If you don't hurry, I fear Morfran'll be killed and eaten!Â
Laidir: Who is Morfran? A child of yours?
Woman: Might as well be!  He's my Donkey!

Wyrgan feels eerily energized by this place.

Woman: But I love him so, and how can I carry this great burden without him?  It will be the death of me!
Kegain: Oh! That's why you're carrying all that stuff! We'll get him for you!  (Turns to look at the others) Right?

Wyrgan looks at Kegain and, after a second's pause, nods, and readies his sling

Woman: Oh yes, please!
Laidir: We should not promise such things when the animal might already be a goner!

[ooc][spoiler] [11:40] * Nomadic (43cc925e@OWIRCN-992d69e3.mibbit.com) has joined #celtricia[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: ..But whats a Fomor?

Wyrgan chuckles.

Laidir: At most we can say that we'll try
Woman: Thank you, lad.  None could ask more.

[ooc][spoiler] [11:41] <Nomadic> ooc: hope the game is going well
[11:41] <Wyrgan> ooc: yes, we haven't been at it long
[11:42] <Nomadic> brb[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: Just down the road?
Woman: Aye, just down the road.  A Fomor is a beasty thing.  Be careful!

Wyrgan hastens back in the direction the crone gestured.  Kegain looks down it warily, but then follows Wyrgan.  Laidir makes haste with the others.  Laidir draws his sling as he jogs forth.

You make haste down the path, coming to a rocky patch.  Here you see the two Fomors, and they are a bizarre looking couple.  One is a tall, hulking cyclopean thing, 9 feet tall, with one central eye, one arm and one foot.  The other is smaller, human sized, with the head of a goat.  The small one carries a longsword made of bronze, while the big one carries a massive club which now rests on the ground beside the body of a third, female fomor, lying dead, over which the big one builds a cairn from surrounding stones.  Each of the two living fomors shows sign of injury, mostly cuts, bruises and strange burns.  Wyrgan fits a stone in his slingshot.

Laidir:  Ohh, there's two of them!

[ooc][spoiler] [11:44] <Kegain> ooc: one foot?
[11:45] <Wyrgan> ooc: classic fomor
[11:45] <Kegain> ooc: how does it stand
[11:45] <Nomadic> ooc: very carefully
[11:45] <Nomadic> ooc: also back
[11:46] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Good, just in time to roll initiative
[11:46] <Wyrgan> !init 1d20+2
[11:46] <isobot> 15
[11:46] <isobot> Kryzbytn 3, Sederacs 6, Rallin 8, Wyrgan 15, Kaius_Alexander 19
[11:46] <Wyrgan> ha
[11:46] <Kegain> !init clear all
[11:46] <isobot> Cleared
[11:46] <Wyrgan> !init 15 Wyrgan
[11:46] <isobot> 15
[11:46] <isobot> Wyrgan 15
[11:46] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: so far you guys have just gone up the road, and met an old woman who asked you to save her donkey from the fomors
[11:46] <Nomadic> ooc: ah ok
[11:46] * Nomadic is now known as Robhartach
[11:46] <Wyrgan> ooc: is there a donkey visible??
[11:47] <Laidir> !init 1d20+1
[11:47] <isobot> 9
[11:47] <isobot> Laidir 9, Wyrgan 15[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: (Stares wide eyed at the Fomorians) You! What have you done with the old lady's donkey!

[ooc][spoiler] [11:47] <Kegain> !init 1d20+1
[11:47] <isobot> 4
[11:47] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Wyrgan 15[/spoiler][/ooc]

The smaller of the two fomorians is brandishing his sword threateningly at the donkey

Kegain: Let it go! It's not yours!

[ooc][spoiler] [11:48] <Robhartach> ooc: inb4 the donkey killed one of them with a fey breath attack :P
[11:48] <Robhartach> !init 1d20+5
[11:48] <isobot> 19
[11:48] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19[/spoiler][/ooc]

The fomorians look up at you and roar with rage.

Fomorian: Come and get it!

[ooc][spoiler] [11:49] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !init 1d20-1
[11:49] <isobot> 13
[11:49] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[11:49] <Kegain> ooc: did they say that in fomorian
[11:49] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Yes
[11:50] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Rob first
[11:50] <Kegain> ooc: let's go with kegain knows it instictively, so he has no idea they aren't speaking glasconneach.
[11:50] <Robhartach> ooc: sorry I'm not clear what all is going on, we're going to attack a 9 foot tall giant and his buddy?
[11:50] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc:  Ok, fun.
[11:51] <Laidir> ooc: wyrgan and I have our slings ready ATM
[11:51] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Well, that or run away.
[11:51] <Wyrgan> ooc: I can cover a retreat with mist
[11:51] <Wyrgan> ooc: if necessary
[11:51] <Laidir> ooc: and we're supposed to save the donkey
[11:51] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc:  Your friends have committed you to attempting to save the donkey though[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: Look! It isn't your donkey! You can't just go around taking other people's donkeys!  (draws his axe)

[ooc][spoiler] [11:52] <Wyrgan> ooc: right yeah, or suffer faerie wrath of some kind[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach: (Looks at Kegain) You understand them?
Kegain: (Frowns and looks at Rob) Of course! Why wouldn't I?
Robhartach: They're speaking some weird language.
Laidir: More like roaring like beasts I say!
Robhartach: what did they say?
Kegain: (Wrinkles his brow) He said come and get it.
Robhartach: oh... ok.  Well in that case . . .

Robhartach rushes the big guy and takes a swing

[ooc][spoiler] [11:54] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[11:54] <isobot> 13
[11:55] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20-1
[11:55] <isobot> 2
[11:56] <Robhartach> @roll 1d4+2
[11:56] <isobot> @roll: No such alias
[11:56] <Robhartach> !roll 1d4+2
[11:56] <isobot> 6
[11:56] <Wyrgan> nice[/spoiler][/ooc]

The big Fomorian attempts to hop back, but clumsily fails.  Robhartach's weapon connects strongly.  The giant growls in pain.  Wyrgan aims his weapon at the smaller creature, the one menacing the donkey.

[ooc][spoiler] [11:57] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3
[11:57] <isobot> 20
[11:58] <Robhartach> ooc: oops brb in just a sec I promise
[11:58] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20
[11:58] <isobot> 17
[11:59] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^Dodge
[11:59] <Robhartach> ooc: ok back
[11:59] <Robhartach> ooc: steerpike think you need to roll damage heh[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan takes a few steps backward after loosing the stone.  The stone collides with the creature, which lets out a gravelly yell.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:00] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: aye
[12:00] <Wyrgan> oh gotcha
[12:00] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d3
[12:00] <isobot> 2
[12:01] <Robhartach> ooc: oops my attack is actually at a +4 forgot that I'm small size (so +1 BAB +2 STR +1 small)
[12:01] <Robhartach> !init
[12:01] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19[/spoiler][/ooc]

The two fomors look at each other, and then turn towards their attackers.  The big one strikes with his heavy club at Robhartach

[ooc][spoiler] [12:02] <Seraphine_Harmonium> 1d20+7
[12:02] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: oops
[12:02] <Wyrgan> gotta !roll
[12:02] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d0+7
[12:02] <isobot> 7
[12:02] <Wyrgan> critical fail!
[12:02] <Seraphine_Harmonium> lol
[12:02] <Kegain> ooc: kind of needs a 2
[12:02] <Robhartach> ooc: no missroll lol :P
[12:02] <Seraphine_Harmonium> I still did it wrong
[12:03] <Robhartach> ooc: how do I calculate my dodge and block rolls again?
[12:03] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+7
[12:03] <isobot> 8
[12:03] <Robhartach> ooc: LOL
[12:03] <Robhartach> ooc: isobot has found you wanting
[12:03] <Robhartach> ooc: inb4 I roll a 1 too
[12:03] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Wow, he still critical failed
[12:04] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Dodge is a dex-based skill.  If you have the feat, you add +1 to the roll
[12:04] <Robhartach> ooc: I think block is probably my better skill
[12:05] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Block is a melee attack to which you add your shield bonus
[12:05] <Robhartach> ooc: ah ok just a sec
[12:05] <Kegain> ooc: well, if he critical failed, wouldn't he fumble or something?
[12:05] <Kegain> ooc: or automiss
[12:06] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: He automisses, so no need to roll, Rob
[12:06] <Robhartach> ooc: depends
[12:06] <Robhartach> ooc: auto-miss kind of depends on the DM but since SH says yes that's fine[/spoiler][/ooc]

The massive Fomorian must have had something in his eye.  He swings wide, his club nowhere near Rob.  It growls in frustration.  His Goat-headed companion charges at Wyrgan.

Robhartach: (laughs as the giant pitifully hits the ground beside him) Did your mother teach you how to swing that?

[ooc][spoiler] [12:08] <Robhartach> ooc: ok so my block is +5 then
[12:08] <Wyrgan> ooc: yikes
[12:09] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3
[12:09] <isobot> 20
[12:09] <Wyrgan> (dodge)
[12:09] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[12:09] <isobot> 8
[12:09] <Laidir> ooc: hide behind Kegain
[12:09] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Nice dodge!
[12:10] <Robhartach> ooc: Brave sir wyrgan, sir wyrgan ran away... When danger reared its ugly head, He bravely turned his tail and fled[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan dodges aside beind Kegain, a serious look on his face.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:11] <Robhartach> !init
[12:11] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[12:11] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: If Kegain is that close, he probably gets an AoO[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain: You stay away from Wyrgan!

[ooc][spoiler] [12:11] <Wyrgan> ooc: oh, you can cut that if that's not possible
[12:11] <Robhartach> ooc: GO FOR THE EYES KEGAIN! GO FOR THE EYES!
[12:12] <Kegain> ooc: do I get one, seraphine? whats the ruling?
[12:12] <Wyrgan> ooc: if I'm not close enough I'll duck beneath its legs or something
[12:13] <Laidir> ooc: isn't this supposed to be the small fomor tho?
[12:13] <Wyrgan> ooc: i figured it was still pretty big??
[12:13] <Kegain> ooc: yeah, but wyrgan is small
[12:13] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: It makes sense.  I didn't hear anything about spreading out, so I think Kegain would be close enough both to hide behind and to get an AoO
[12:13] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Go ahead, Keg
[12:13] <Robhartach> ooc: I think the only person that has moved away from our group is me
[12:13] <Robhartach> ooc: so it makes sense[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain lashes out with his axe

[ooc][spoiler] [12:14] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+5
[12:14] <isobot> 13
[12:14] <Kegain> ooc: boo
[12:14] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[12:14] <isobot> 18
[12:14] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^block[/spoiler][/ooc]

The Fomorian may have left himself open, but was able to interpose his blade between himself and Kegain's axe in time to parry.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:15] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: init passes to Laidir[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir enraged at seeing the monster charge Wyrgan, drops his sling and jumps at the brute, attempting to wrestle it to the ground

[ooc][spoiler] [12:18] <Laidir> ooc: so it's combat mavouver check for this, right?
[12:18] <Seraphine_Harmonium> yeah
[12:19] <Laidir> ooc: got +2 from my feat too
[12:19] <Laidir> !roll 1d20+5
[12:19] <isobot> 6
[12:19] <Wyrgan> oooh...
[12:19] <Laidir> ooc: ....
[12:20] <Laidir> ooc: I fall face first on a donkey droppings :(
[12:20] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+4
[12:20] <isobot> 17[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir leaps at the fomorian, but the goat-headed beast knocks him aside with ease.  He rolls as he lands, grimacing angrily at the fomor.

Kegain: (Rage building) You two are just bullies and thieves! Go away!

[ooc][spoiler] [12:22] <Robhartach> !init
[12:22] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[12:22] <Kegain> ooc: activate rage, then I shall strike the goathead
[12:22] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+7
[12:22] <isobot> 16[/spoiler][/ooc]

Fomorian: (In the fomorian tongue) You dare speak such words to us!?

[ooc][spoiler] [12:24] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[12:24] <isobot> 13
[12:24] <Kegain> !roll 1d4+6
[12:24] <isobot> 8
[12:27] <Robhartach> !init
[12:27] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19[/spoiler][/ooc]

The fomorian, sets his stance and makes to parry Kegain's attack, but it is no good.  The raging Kegain comes crashing through.  His axe cuts deep into the Fomorian, and dark blood spurts from the wound as you hear the sound of cracking bones.  The Fomorian Shrieks in agony.

Kegain: (Blinks at the sight of the blood) ...I told you to go away!

His Massive companion looks on in rage, and then turns his steely gaze to Robhartach as if daring him to attack.  Robhartach takes another swing at the big fomorian.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:29] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+4
[12:29] <isobot> 15
[12:30] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+7
[12:30] <isobot> 15
[12:31] <Robhartach> ooc: does a tie go to the attacker or the defender in your system?
[12:31] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: ah, a tie.  ties go to the attacker
[12:31] <Robhartach> !roll 1d4+2
[12:31] <isobot> 3[/spoiler][/ooc]

The Fomorian moves to block the attack with his own club.  He manages to get the club in position, but the angle is wrong. Rob's club is slowed and hits slightly off mark, but still connects.  Robhartach pops the creature in the kneecap

Robhartach: Too slow ha!
Wyrgan: (moves around and draws his dagger. ) Die demon! (Stabs at the creature)

[ooc][spoiler] [12:33] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3 (with flanking)
[12:33] <isobot> 19
[12:34] <Wyrgan> (the goat-headed thing)
[12:34] <Robhartach> !init
[12:34] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[12:34] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20
[12:34] <isobot> 10
[12:34] <Kegain> ooc: 15, then?
[12:34] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d3
[12:34] <isobot> 1
[12:36] <Kegain> ooc: nice stab no stab
[12:36] <Robhartach> ooc: like the insects he loves wyrgan has a nasty sting :P
[12:36] <Wyrgan> ooc: I need to invest in poison
[12:36] <Wyrgan> ooc: I also see potential rogue levels in Wyrgan's future
[12:36] <Robhartach> ooc: or touch attack magic :P[/spoiler][/ooc]


Wyrgan's blade slices into the goat-headed monster, but it is a superficial wound.  Painful, but doing little true harm.  The bleeding goat-head swings his sword in desperation at Kegain, before attempting to flee.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:38] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[12:38] <isobot> 15
[12:39] <Kegain> ooc: how does dodge bonus work?
[12:39] <Kegain> ooc: or blocking with a weapon?
[12:39] <Robhartach> ooc: dodge = dex based
[12:39] <Robhartach> ooc: block = melee attack + defense bonuses
[12:39] <Robhartach> ooc: from shield I think
[12:39] <Robhartach> ooc: and such
[12:41] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: aye. any AC bonus you would otherwise get from a shield you apply to your block instead.  Otherwise block is just a melee attack against their melee attack
[12:41] <Kegain> ooc: how about the barbarian's -2 to AC when raging? since this doesn't have AC how does that work
[12:41] <Wyrgan> ooc: oh rogue isn't available, touch attacks it is
[12:41] <Kegain> ooc: oh ok, well, I'll try dodge then
[12:41] <Robhartach> ooc: that means a -2 to your roll
[12:41] <Kegain> ooc: or
[12:41] <Kegain> ooc: melee attack would still be better, actually
[12:41] <Robhartach> ooc: so basically roll 1d20+STR+AC mods
[12:42] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+5
[12:42] <isobot> 22
[12:42] <Robhartach> ooc: me and wyrg I get an additional +1 to block because we're small little buggers :P
[12:42] <Wyrgan> ooc: we are destroying these guys!
[12:43] <Robhartach> ooc: I'm a dwarf wyrgan is a gnome :D
[12:43] <Kegain> ooc: do I get an aoo for him attempting to run?
[12:43] <Wyrgan> ooc: and me as well? [/spoiler][/ooc]

The Fomor's blade catches against Kegain's axe, and he runs, only managing to hobble 15 feet away.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:44] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: actually, yes.  To both of you
[12:44] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+7
[12:44] <isobot> 9
[12:44] <Kegain> ooc: oof
[12:45] * Wyrgan hurls his dagger at the fleeing Fomor.
[12:45] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3
[12:45] <isobot> 6
[12:45] <Wyrgan> ooc: yikes
[12:45] <Robhartach> ooc: I think an AOO can only be a melee attack
[12:45] <Robhartach> ooc: I could be wrong
[12:45] <Wyrgan> ooc: oh, scratch that then[/spoiler][/ooc]

As the creature runs, the boys spot an opening in its defenses.  Wyrgan stabs at the fleeing Fomor, and Kegain swings with his axe.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:45] <Wyrgan> (reduce that to 4)
[12:46] <Wyrgan> ooc: you'd think as a GM I'd know these things
[12:47] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+4
[12:47] <isobot> 20
[12:47] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^Kegain
[12:47] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+4
[12:47] <isobot> 24
[12:47] <Kegain> ooc: well, we suck
[12:47] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^vs. Wyrgan
[12:47] <Robhartach> ooc: hehe SP I do the same thing from time to time
[12:47] <Robhartach> ooc: too many rules to remember
[12:47] <Wyrgan> ooc: I will try and slingshot it...
[12:47] <Wyrgan> ooc: on my turn of course
[12:48] <Robhartach> !init
[12:48] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[12:48] <Robhartach> ooc: now for big ugly
[12:48] <Wyrgan> ooc: i am a very liberal GM with rules anyway
[12:48] <Robhartach> ooc: liberal GMing is the best storywise I think
[12:48] <Kegain> ooc: kegain has 40 ft movement speed.. so I don't think he can escape him. [/spoiler][/ooc]

Throwing up its blade, the Fomor is able to deflect the blows aimed at it.  He makes his bid to escape, getting some distance cleanly, though not enough to make it to safety.

Robhartach looks at the Big Fomorian and braces for impact.  The Big one swings his club in a horizontal arc at his comparatively little opponent.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:49] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+7
[12:49] <isobot> 17
[12:49] <Robhartach> ooc: I love you're choice to allow an auto-succeed when a player says they want to do something completely awesome is great RPwise imo
[12:49] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+5
[12:49] <isobot> 24[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach: (Bringing his shield up and catching the attack) You swing like a girl.

The Fomor's club crashes into Robhartach's shield.  Rob feels superficial pain from the blow, but he is unharmed

[ooc][spoiler] [12:50] <Kegain> ooc: I can't recall steerpike having an autosucceed on anything.. what am I forgetting?
[12:50] <Robhartach> ooc: he's done it for me a few times
[12:50] <Robhartach> ooc: he did it for llum once or twice that I can recall
[12:51] <Wyrgan> ooc: like having a player describe a crit you mean?
[12:51] <Robhartach> ooc: if something really adds to the story he'll let it go
[12:51] <Robhartach> ooc: which I really like
[12:51] <Kegain> ooc: I really can't think of anything where steerpike has said you don't have to roll that another GM would probably say you do.
[12:52] <Robhartach> ooc: he doesn't do it alot (which I imagine is also good) but I do recall him doing it
[12:52] <Kegain> ooc: do you remember this steerpike
[12:53] <Robhartach> !init
[12:53] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[12:53] <Robhartach> ooc: heh we're getting way off topic
[12:53] <Seraphine_Harmonium> Sorry to interject, but can we continue playing WHILE we are discusing this?
[12:53] <Laidir> ooc: is it possible for me to pick up my sling from the ground, load it with a stone and shoot, all in a single round?
[12:53] <Robhartach> ooc: well it's laidir's turn so we're waiting for him :P
[12:54] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc:  I think for the kind of action loading a stone is, you could manage that.  You couldn't do anything ELSE though
[12:55] <Robhartach> ooc: loading a light crossbow is a move action but I imagine sticking a stone in a sling is probably a free action
[12:55] <Robhartach> ooc: just my take on that though[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir scrambles hastily for his dropped sling, loads a stone in it and lets loose a quick shot at the fleeing fomor

[ooc][spoiler] [12:56] <Laidir> !roll 1d20+1
[12:56] <isobot> 12
[12:56] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20
[12:56] <isobot> 10
[12:56] <Laidir> !roll 1d3
[12:56] <isobot> 3
[12:57] <Robhartach> ooc: :D[/spoiler][/ooc]

The Fomor's thick skin offers him a small degree of protection, as the stone collides with him.   It appears not to harm him.

[ooc][spoiler] [12:58] * MrCarver (~crow@OWIRCN-6d8c6329.customer.tele.dk) has joined #celtricia
[12:59] <Robhartach> ooc: suddenly a humanoid abberation shambles into our game of children and fey
[12:59] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: lol
[12:59] <Wyrgan> ooc: It's another Fomor, KILL IT
[12:59] <Robhartach> ooc: is it kegain's turn now?
[12:59] <Robhartach> ooc: HAHA SP
[12:59] <Laidir> !init
[12:59] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[13:00] <Kegain> ooc: oh, right, I suppose it is. is the running fomor dead?
[13:00] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: SP, something didn't actually copy over.  Could you send me the logs of this session when we finish?
[13:00] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: not dead yet
[13:00] <Wyrgan> ooc: sure thing
[13:00] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Awesome, thanks[/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain runs after the Fomor, hoisting his axe above his head

[ooc][spoiler] [13:01] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+7
[13:01] <isobot> 27
[13:01] <Robhartach> ooc: :O
[13:01] <Kegain> ooc: roll to confirm?
[13:01] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Wow, yeah, go ahead
[13:01] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+7
[13:01] <isobot> 27
[13:01] <Kegain> ooc: huh
[13:01] <Robhartach> ooc: remind me to never ever piss kegain off! [/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain doesn't move quite as quickly as he should, but it's still easily fast enough to catch the limping fomorian.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:02] <Kegain> ooc: is a hand axe x3?
[13:02] <Robhartach> ooc: yes
[13:02] <Kegain> !roll 3d4+18
[13:02] <isobot> 23
[13:02] <Robhartach> ooc: I have SH's charts in front of me right now :3
[13:03] <Kegain> ooc: I think that's right?
[13:03] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Holy shit.  But yeah, I think that's right
[13:03] <Robhartach> ooc: the fomor explodes
[13:03] <Robhartach> ooc: kegain is now painted a nice pretty shade of red
[13:03] <Robhartach> ooc: :D
[13:04] <Laidir> ooc: his goat-head rolls
[13:04] * CoyoteCamouflage (481c34d3@OWIRCN-992d69e3.mibbit.com) has joined #celtricia
[13:04] <Laidir> ooc: hello coyote
[13:04] * CoyoteCamouflage is now known as Koldobika
[13:04] <Wyrgan> ooc: hello!
[13:04] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Screw the roll, that's too awesome not to let through
[13:04] <Robhartach> ooc: you just missed TMG making a fomorian explode
[13:04] <Koldobika> (Hey, hey)
[13:05] <Koldobika> (Awww, by mere seconds. That's what I get for cleaning...)
[13:05] <Kegain> ooc: well, at 27, I don't think he could block even if he rolled a 20. [/spoiler][/ooc]

Kegain's axe connects just by the throat, and cleaves the fleeing fomor from the nave to neck

[ooc][spoiler] [13:05] <Robhartach> ooc: ouch
[13:06] <Laidir> ooc: too bad that we can't risk looting his fancy longsword :P
[13:06] <Kegain> ooc: why not? its bronze
[13:06] <Laidir> ooc: oh right it was bronze
[13:07] <Laidir> ooc: not iron like I thought
[13:07] <Laidir> ooc: therefore, we plunder! [/spoiler][/ooc]

The 9 foot cyclops of a fomorian bellows with rage at the sight of his companion's slaughter.  His eyes show a determined new fierceness.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:07] * MrCarver is now known as Crow
[13:08] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !init
[13:08] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[13:08] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Rob's Turn
[13:08] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+5
[13:08] <isobot> 14
[13:09] <Robhartach> ooc: oops make that +4
[13:09] <Robhartach> ooc: so 13
[13:09] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+7
[13:09] <isobot> 21[/spoiler][/ooc]

Rob swings his club at the beast, but the massive monster swats aside the attack.

Robhartach: Oh hey! You do know how to block... an all this time I thought that was just a big backscratcher you were holding

[ooc][spoiler] [13:10] <Kegain> ooc: quick shower, brb, assume kegain attacks the other fomorian if I'm not back
[13:10] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: k[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan fixes the cyclopean Fomor with his Evil Eye.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:11] <Kegain> ooc: rolls just in case it is necessary.
[13:11] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+7
[13:11] <isobot> 17
[13:11] <Kegain> ooc: roll 1d4+6
[13:11] <Kegain> !roll 1d4+6
[13:11] <isobot> 8
[13:12] <Wyrgan> (will save for the fomor will be DC 15 if one rounds up for character levels)
[13:12] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+3
[13:12] <isobot> 5
[13:13] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: what effect were you bestowing?
[13:13] <Wyrgan> -2 AC
[13:13] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: ok
[13:13] <Robhartach> !init
[13:13] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19[/spoiler][/ooc]

The fomorian staggers back at the sight of Wyrgan's evil eye.  He looks around with fear at all that surrounds him, as if fearing an attack from all directions at once.  Trying to get his bearings, he charges the one who struck down his companion.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:15] <Robhartach> ooc: I get an AOO?
[13:15] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: yes
[13:15] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+4
[13:15] <isobot> 17
[13:15] <Seraphine_Harmonium> 1d20-1
[13:16] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20-1
[13:16] <isobot> 0
[13:16] <Robhartach> !roll 1d4+2
[13:16] <isobot> 3[/spoiler][/ooc]

The fomor's charge is careless.  It leaves him open.  Robhartach takes the opportunity to strike at a weak point.  The monster's attention is elsewhere, and he fails to put up any resistance.  The attack, however, barely seems to scratch him.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:17] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+8
[13:17] <isobot> 9
[13:17] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^Attack vs. Kegain
[13:18] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Critical miss
[13:18] <Robhartach> !init
[13:18] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19[/spoiler][/ooc]

The monster's one-legged stance, already tenuously balanced and stressed by its hopping charge, is thrown completely off by his swing at the barbarian.  The monster topples and falls prone, and you feel the ground shake beneath your feet.  Laidir hurls another stone off his sling, hoping to hit that big ugly eye on the giant's face.

Laidir: Eat rocks you turd-face!

[ooc][spoiler] [13:19] <Laidir> !roll 1d20+1
[13:19] <isobot> 4[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan: Poetic, Laidir.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:20] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20-4
[13:20] <isobot> 7
[13:21] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Don't worry, when he puts it in song it will sound much better
[13:21] <Robhartach> ooc: btw kegains rolls were a 17 for attack and 8 for damage for his next attack
[13:21] <Robhartach> ooc: also lol
[13:22] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[13:22] <isobot> 7[/spoiler][/ooc]

The beast just manages to roll out of the way of Laidir's oncoming stone.  It cannot deflect Kegain's axe, however, and the blade cuts into him.  Robhartach charges the fomor and lays into him from behind.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:24] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+8
[13:24] <isobot> 19
[13:24] <Wyrgan> ooc: we are seriously bloodthirsty children
[13:24] <Wyrgan> ooc: reminds me of harry, ron, and the troll
[13:24] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+4
[13:24] <isobot> 15
[13:24] <Robhartach> ooc: well rob is a brawler anyhow, wyrgan's dark and uncaring, kegain's vicious
[13:24] <Robhartach> ooc: poor laidir is back there wondering what's going on haha
[13:25] <Wyrgan> ooc: at least laidir is older
[13:25] <Robhartach> !roll 1d4+2
[13:25] <isobot> 6
[13:25] <Laidir> ooc: hey I would have wrestled the goathead if not for Isobot!
[13:25] <Wyrgan> ooc: totally
[13:25] <Robhartach> ooc: haha
[13:25] * Wispy (46715168@OWIRCN-ef290c21.mibbit.com) has joined #celtricia
[13:25] <Wyrgan> hello!
[13:25] <Wyrgan> we're just killing Fomorians
[13:25] <Wispy> OOC: Hello.
[13:25] <Robhartach> ooc: oh hey there's a creature that would fit in a fey setting
[13:26] <Robhartach> ooc: tell us a rhyme old bird
[13:26] <Laidir> ooc: make it something that insults a one-eyed giant[/spoiler][/ooc]

Rob's club connects, and the fomorian yowls.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:27] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Wyrg's turn
[13:27] <Robhartach> !init
[13:27] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[13:27] <Wyrgan> ooc: is Rhealtach the sidhe's tongue?
[13:27] <Wyrgan> ooc: trying to recall
[13:27] <Wyrgan> ooc: or Coillineach
[13:28] <Wyrgan> Coillenach *
[13:28] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Coillineach.  Realtach is the tongue of the Tuatha
[13:28] <Wispy> OOC: "There once was a giant, with one eye / Big he was and menacing high / But then I poked him dry / And did he cry 'fee oh fie' / And on the ground he flopp'd to die.
[13:29] <Robhartach> ooc: haha nice[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan: (Screams in Coillenach) Perish, filthy intruder!  (Charges the Fomor)

[ooc][spoiler] [13:29] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+1
[13:29] <isobot> 7
[13:29] <Wyrgan> (not sure if I get a flanking bonus, probably though...)
[13:29] <Robhartach> ooc: wispy: the only rhyme-crafter who would dare the rare AAAAA rhyme
[13:30] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc:  Oh really?  I wouldn't be so sure about that
[13:30] <Robhartach> ooc: you probably do
[13:31] <Robhartach> ooc: as I'm on one side, kegain is on the other, and it's a large creature
[13:31] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Yeah, probably flanking at this point.  He's pretty well surrounded
[13:31] <Robhartach> ooc: it would be harder to find a direction you didn't flank it from
[13:31] <Wyrgan> ooc: yeah thought so...
[13:31] <Wispy> OOC: Was originally supposed to be a limerick ;). AAAAA was easier.
[13:31] <Wispy> OOC: the limerick roots are obvious and embarrassingly obscene.
[13:31] <Robhartach> ooc: haha
[13:32] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+3
[13:32] <isobot> 19
[13:32] <Wyrgan> ooc: oh dear
[13:32] * Llum (Llum@510B1D.047C04.3BBC16.51A6F1) has joined #celtricia
[13:32] <Laidir> ooc: hey Llum[/spoiler][/ooc]

The Fomorian knocks the charging Wyrgan aside

[ooc][spoiler] [13:32] <Llum> hello
[13:32] <Robhartach> ooc: he gets a +3 after prone and -2 from wyrgan's eye?
[13:32] <Robhartach> ooc: :O
[13:33] <Wyrgan> ooc: would have managed it anyway after that roll
[13:33] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: Yes
[13:33] <Robhartach> ooc: yea
[13:33] <Laidir> ooc: normally he'd be rolling at +7...
[13:33] <Robhartach> ooc: yikes +9... and I was fighting him one on one D: [/spoiler][/ooc]

The fomorian staggers to his feet and looks for who to attack.  

[ooc][spoiler] [13:33] <Robhartach> ooc: he does
[13:34] <Robhartach> ooc: heh 3 AOOs
[13:34] <Robhartach> ooc: >:)
[13:34] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: yep.  3
[13:34] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d20+3
[13:34] <isobot> 11
[13:34] <Kegain> !roll 1d20+7
[13:34] <isobot> 25
[13:34] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+6
[13:34] <isobot> 19
[13:34] <Robhartach> !roll 1d4+2
[13:34] <isobot> 6
[13:34] <Robhartach> ooc: just in case
[13:34] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d3
[13:34] <isobot> 2
[13:34] <Wyrgan> ooc: on the off chance
[13:35] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[13:35] <isobot> 20
[13:35] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^vs. Wyrgan
[13:35] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[13:35] <isobot> 23
[13:35] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^vs. Kegain
[13:35] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+5
[13:35] <isobot> 7
[13:35] <Kegain> !roll 1d4+6
[13:35] <isobot> 7
[13:35] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ^vs. ROb
[13:36] <Kegain> ooc: ok, I have to be out the door like now, so can we end with the fomorian's death and not progress past that point?
[13:36] <Robhartach> ooc: I just picture a scene from the 3 stooges with moe trying to get up and larry and curly hitting him on the head from either side[/spoiler][/ooc]

As the Fomor struggles to his feet, the boys use this opening to attack.  It manages to throw up its club between itself and Wyrgan, but Rob and Kegain penetrate the monster's defenses.  The creature screams in agony

[ooc][spoiler] [13:36] <Wyrgan> ooc: we should be starting CE soon nyway
[13:37] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: yeah, keg, that's fine
[13:37] <Wyrgan> ooc: this was awesome though!!
[13:37] <Robhartach> ooc: works for me
[13:37] <Robhartach> ooc: yea kegain beat the crap out of the small guy
[13:37] <Kegain> ooc: anyways, later guys. have fun with CE.
[13:37] <Wyrgan> ooc: we barely took damage... if at all?
[13:37] <Wyrgan> ooc: cheers!
[13:38] <Laidir> ooc: bye
[13:38] <Robhartach> ooc: cya TMG
[13:38] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: yeah, so far the big one hasn't been able to lay a good hit on anyone
[13:38] <Robhartach> ooc: can the big one understand Glasconneach?
[13:39] <Robhartach> !init
[13:39] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[13:39] <Laidir> ooc: fomor gets to attack now
[13:39] <Robhartach> ooc: yep
[13:40] <Robhartach> ooc: then it's our trusty bards turn
[13:41] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc:  You can try talking to it and see if it understands you . ..
[13:41] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+7
[13:41] <isobot> 18
[13:41] <Robhartach> ooc: no that's strictly meta knowledge I just want to know if it realizes I've been insulting it
[13:41] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[13:41] <isobot> 10[/spoiler][/ooc]

The Fomor swings at Robhartach.  In its rage, the beast finally connects.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:42] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 2d8+5
[13:42] <isobot> 14
[13:43] <Wyrgan> jesus
[13:43] <Laidir> ooc: ouch
[13:43] <Robhartach> ooc: you just killed me D:
[13:43] <Wyrgan> ooc: what hp?
[13:43] <Wyrgan> ooc: I have Heal
[13:43] <Robhartach> ooc: 12
[13:43] <Robhartach> ooc: oh ok thank goodness you can stabilize my bleeding body
[13:43] <Robhartach> ooc: heh
[13:44] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: You're at -2, you could still stabilize
[13:44] <Wyrgan> ooc: I have Cure Light Wounds
[13:44] <Wyrgan> ooc: will be fine[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach goes flying through the air and slams into the ground unconscious.

Laidir: No! ROB!!

[ooc][spoiler] [13:44] <Wyrgan> ooc: you'll last 8 rounds correct, if you keep dying
[13:45] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: yeah
[13:45] <Robhartach> ooc: knowing isobot that means I'd be dead in 8 rounds but since we have wyrgan I'm fine
[13:45] <Robhartach> ooc: I can totally see me failing 8 saves in a row with him lol[/spoiler][/ooc]

Laidir yells as he sees Rob go down. He immediately draws his wooden sword and rushes forth to fight the fomor with the others

[ooc][spoiler] [13:46] <Laidir> ooc: ^ my action for the round
[13:46] <Wyrgan> TMG is absent
[13:46] <Robhartach> !init
[13:46] <isobot> Kegain 4, Laidir 9, Seraphine_Harmonium 13, Wyrgan 15, Robhartach 19
[13:46] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ah
[13:46] <Wyrgan> ooc: I hate to rush things but would it be terrible to cliffhanger here?
[13:47] <Laidir> ooc: I think it's a safe bet that Kegain would attack
[13:47] <Wyrgan> ooc: true
[13:47] <Seraphine_Harmonium> ooc: I'll roll for Kegain
[13:47] <Robhartach> ooc: yea this would make a good cliffhanger
[13:47] <Laidir> ooc: if the fomor is low HP it might be worth rolling
[13:47] <Wyrgan> oco: yes
[13:47] <Robhartach> ooc: kegain gets a +5 on his attack rolls I think
[13:47] <Robhartach> ooc: and then damage is 1d4+6 I think
[13:47] <Laidir> ooc: wasn't he raging?
[13:47] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d20+7
[13:47] <isobot> 20
[13:48] <Seraphine_Harmonium> !roll 1d4+6
[13:48] <isobot> 8
[13:49] <Robhartach> !roll 1d20+3
[13:49] <isobot> 21
[13:49] <Robhartach> ooc: oh hey I'm not unconscious[/spoiler][/ooc]

The beast roars, in pain, its eyes rolling back into its head, before it collapses to the ground

[ooc][spoiler] [13:49] <Robhartach> ooc: oh wait
[13:49] <Robhartach> ooc: yes I am
[13:49] <Robhartach> ooc: forgot -2[/spoiler][/ooc]

Wyrgan rushes over to Robhartach and casts a healing spell.

[ooc][spoiler] [13:49] <Wyrgan> !roll 1d8+1
[13:49] <isobot> 4[/spoiler][/ooc]

Robhartach 's eyes flutter open and he sits up slowly.  He looks over at the dead fomorian.

Robhartach: Aww, I missed it.
Wyrgan: You're welcome.

Laidir pokes the dead beast for good measure and then turns toward Robhartach, who falls back over, rests his head on the ground, and spits out a bloody tooth. [/ic]
[ooc]At this point, all player characters have received enough experience to advance to level 2.  Advance your characters at your earliest convenience.  Inform me when you have done this, and place updated stats HERE[/ooc]

So, as I was naming Session 4, I realized I had missed out on an opportunity for an amusing image.  

Preface: For the big Fomorian, I used Ogre stats as a starting point.  

SO, I COULD have have an OGRE building a cairn for a fallen FEMALE ogre, and merely altered by description so that a CAT-Headed companion with a sword threatened a DONKEY.

YES!  Took me a second to get it, that's hilarious though.

Will level up and post new stats tomorrow.

Haha that reference made me laugh pretty hard.

Ok I've updated my sheet (its on page 2).

So, I will not be able to make this upcoming Monday.  We have two choices I can think of:

Take a week off

or

Find another time to play between now and a week from Monday.  

We can vote on it.  If you want to try and find another time, tell me when you have a chunk of time available.

I could do this coming Tuesday starting at 2pm EST or the following Friday starting at 3pm EST.  On friday, my availability ends at 8pm EST.

Either of those days works for me!

Also, character sheet updated.

I could do either of those.

So can I.

Turns out my conflict on Monday fell through, so we can actually have it at the normal time, unless you guys have made other plans.

Cool by me!