PrP: Something That Starts With 'S'

Summary

A group of adventurers are hired to protect a caravan of Alexandrian workers headed to Veyshan to excavate a tomb. What was expected to be a relatively uneventful journey turns on its head when they get attacked by local carnivorous wildlife, and subsequently find the still sealed and buried tomb cursed and curiously full of elementals.

Encounters

First: Giant Scorpion (CR 3) x 2 = CR 5

Second: Sandman (CR 3) x 1, Small Fire Elemental (CR 1) x 2 = CR 5*

(*Aura in effect: All characters are Shaken. No save.)

Starring

Quint (Level 4 Paladin)

Jibbom (Level 2 Sorcerer)

Savannah (Level 2 Sorcerer)

Melbert (Level 2 Rogue)

Plot

Following the collapse of Rune's iron grip on magic in the world, many magi who had been under the Convocation's watchful gaze found themselves unfettered. Some had the resources to make a dash for power - and a few even succeeded in grasping it. That is the case of Satrap Jasaad Dhane al-Khazim, a Veyshanti mage who clawed his way up in the recent years and now rules over a small area of the desert lands.

The offer that arrived some days ago bearing his seal was lucrative enough to have questions about the man's reputation and morality washed away. The Satrap is looking for workmen to help him excavate an ancient tomb - a find that would normally not even reach ears in Alexandria. The sum of coin promised is extraordinary - suspiciously so - and coupled with offers of very favorable trading agreements for Alexandrian merchants has quickly won favors and caused men to flock to the call.

You, on the other hand, have been gathered almost as an afterthought. With transport arranged and route picked in advance, and promises from the Satrap's men that few gangs of bandits dare set foot on his territory, the need for guards for the caravan almost slipped everyone's minds. In the end, reason prevailed, and you were added to the roster - to see the workers safely to their destination and uphold their interests, as needed.

Your journey by seafaring ship to the port city of Lazul was pleasant and uneventful. You and the score of workers under your care were scarcely given any time to roam the colorful, bustling markets before setting out - just long enough for your supplies and pair of guides to be presented... and for you to be introduced to camels.

Camels. Bandy-legged, shaggy, ridiculous-looking creatures with a very foul temper. 'Watch out, they spit', your guides had said. Fortunately, none of you have experienced it. Yet.

Whether it comes as a disappointment or a relief that you're not headed into the deeper desert is a matter of taste. Half a day into the journey, the color of the sand stretching seemingly endlessly around you is less the golden hue of tales and more a bleached yellow, and the unrelenting sun beating down from above seems to suck color from the landscape further, even with evening creeping closer. Jagged rocks jut out in places, reminiscent of teeth of fallen behemoths. The air seems still, and the creaking of wagon wheels - inside which the workers huddle, sullen and silent - and the grunts and endless chewing of the infernal camels make up the only noises.

At the very least, it gives you time to chat. It's doubtful there's much else to do.

Magical excavations? A chance for travel to exotic lands? Money? Yes, yes, and yes! This is everything Jibbom wants to be a part of. Sadly, the dry endless yellow stretch has proven to be less exciting than he was hoping thus far. He looks out over the stretch of sand, thinking for a moment. "So... anybody wanna play I spy?" Whether they do or not, the halfling continues. "I spy, with my little eye, something that starts with... S."

Savannah says, "Sand." Savannah guesses as she stands there with Jibbom. "Not as exciting as you thought, huh?" She says leaning on the rail. "Usually the chaos is precluded by an area of calm, Jibbom. Don't look so Forlorn......for now anyways.""

Melbert is just glad to be off the boat. He doesn't sail well, and spent most of the trip in bed, or leaning over the side. He's much better on a camel, though that's not saying a lot because he can't ride to save his life. Still, it's better than walking for hours on end. Well, maybe not. At the end of today's road, he rubs his rear to get some feeling back, blinking at Jibbom, then shaking his head. "It could be worse," he suggests. When setting up starts, he moves to go to help with the cooking without thinking about it.

"Right on the first try!" Jibbom says to Savannah with a surprisingly chipper smile. "You're pretty good at this game. Alright, your turn now, since you got it right! Come on, there's so much to choose from!"

Quint rides quietly, squinting out from under a simple hood while his armor rattles in time with the shaggy beast of burden's lumbering gait. His surcoat writhes lazily, all but unmoved in the dry stillness, and the head of his polearm glints brilliantly where it stabs up and into the air above him. If nothing else, the boat ride over and brief respite in the bustling markets of Veyshan have proven that the servant of Eluna is not the most verbose of individuals -- but here he is. The Convocation may be shattered, Animus may be dead, but Daeus' daughter has taken up domain over the Sea of Mana. The satrap's actions are not entirely without oversight.

Savannah laughs at Jibbom and looks around. "I spy.....something with a C." C? That can't be right. Though she's still on the back of her camel, she yawns a bit as she looks out around the plains of dust (as she calls them now).

(Poses possibly missing due to disconnect. :( )

Melbert is already having hallucinations. He's too far from home. And he's not getting back up on the moving camel, either. He's never been warned about mirages, but he could have sworn we'd pulled into camp. Working out that we're still moving, he heads back to the camel and walks along beside it, asking, "So, you all have been on campaign before?" he wonders.

Savannah chuckles softly. "you haven't gotten it yet." She says pulling the hood over her head to keep the sun off of her skin. She looks to Melbert and chuckles. "Yeah. It's never all that fun at first, but then again, we've been given jobs to do."

"Never into the desert." Quint answers, the cadence of his speech bizarre and halting. "Through many parts of Alexandros, the Myrrish Kingdoms, jungles of Am'Shere and into the Stygian Empire." He rides confidently -- quite comfortable in the saddle -- but finds that he prefers horses to the foul-tempered dromedaries. He turns to look back at Melbert, tilting his head to one side. "You may wish to save your legs," he offers mildly.

Melbert is not really the guessing game type, or else doesn't understand the why of it. He nods to Savannah about a job, but shrugs about what could start with C. "I'm grateful or the job, yeah. I was really scaping bottom." He peers at Jibbom, "I wouldn't really call this being on campaign. Unless we're here for a few months. Then, yeah." He smirks at Quint, and says wearily, "I'll think about that when my feet are as sore as my rear."

Savannah laughs. "No, Jibbom. It's Cactus." She says pointing off into the distance......and there it is....a small cactus.

Jibbom squints, spotting the cactus at last. "Oh, darn it. I really should have seen that. Okay... I guess that makes it my turn again. I spy something that starts with... S." We can only hope it isn't sand again. The halfling grins at Melbert and Quint. "C'mon, guys. You haven't made one guess yet!"

Savannah chuckles a bit. "Sand?" She says softly before lightly punching him on the arm. it's a good natured punch on the arm.....

Jibbom owws at the punch, even if it is good natured. "No, it's not sand!" The halfling insists.

"It is not long now!" one of the Veyshanti guides shouts to you over a shoulder. Unlike the Alexandrians, the olive-skinned men seem to be taking the desert heat and long trek admirably well. There's two of them with you - Jusuf and Tani, brothers, each of them bearing the mark of a moon and six-pointed star on their left cheek.

Jusuf is the taller of the two. Serious and deathly silent, he walks ahead, serving as tracker and pathfinder through the barren wasteland. There are no roads here. The sands would swallow them.

Tani is the camel handler. He's spent the journey making up for his brother's silence and stone-faced expressions with fairly incessant yammering on irrelevant topics, rounded out by horribly infectious, beaming smiles as he leads the camel at the front of the procession.

"If we walk through the night, we could be there by dawn!" Tani says, his mildly accented Tradespeak encouraging - before he proceeds to go off on a tangent, something that seems a habit of his. "Dawn is beautiful out here on the sands! You will see! My people have a song..."

Tani has graced you with his singing once before on this trip - if, indeed, one can call it that. He's not much of a singer - not that he's aware of it, as the camels aren't too terribly prone to making complaints about it. The workers groan in a single, unified voice.

"I have no talent for games, I apologize." Quint turns from watching Melbert walk with a shallow nod of his head and returns to minding the men of the caravan and the endless rolling dunes once more. He seems to have more to say -- but Tani does a plenty fine job of filling the silence.

Melbert shrugs to Jibbom about the guessing. "I guess I'm just nervous. You guys are so relaxed. I don't want to screw this up, though. I ... " he looks back and forth, "Well, I did my military service, but I'm not really ..." He falls silent. "But I'll back you guys up. Just ... if you guys can cue me on what to do. I haven't really seen ... well, much actual fighting, you know." He listens to Tani up until the singing starts, seems about to call him down, then stops.

<OOC> Sharna says, "If I could pretty please have a general arrangement of how you're walking or riding in relation to the caravan!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "And also... a set of ever-dreaded Perception checks, once you're done with that!"

<OOC> Quint says, "Myself with the front wagon to one side, Melbert somewhere in the middle, and Savannah and Jibbom riding near the back."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20: (6): 6

GAME: Melbert rolls perception: (9)+8: 17

GAME: Savannah rolls Perception: (14)+2: 16

GAME: Jibbom rolls perception: (13)+4: 17

GAME: Quint rolls Perception: (9)+1: 10

Despite the distance, none of you fails to notice the set of beautiful, reflective, polished rocks peeking out from the sand some fourty feet away from where your caravan is passing. The sun glitters on them, making them shimmer with irridescence. They're quite unlike any rock one could ever imagine. In one moment of held breaths, you all realize in time that that is because they are NOT rocks.

You spy, with your little eyes, something beginning with 's', and entirely, ENTIRELY too big for comfort. A geyser of sand erupts noisily, and then another, as the two enormous scorpions stand and rush toward you, huge stingers bent forward over their chitinous backs.

Savannah keeps her attention focus upon Jibbom. "Scorpion?" She guesses just before Tani starts to sing. She's....heard worse, she guesses. Usually they sounded like two walruses in a mating battle. She then looks up. "SCORPIONS!" She yells obviously as the sand erupts with the chitinous giant sized annoyances!

<OOC> Sharna says, "As you might imagine, this might be a nice time to init it up! There is no surprise round, as you were all aware of the ambush."

Current Initiative Order
----------------------------------------                     
 19                  Jibbom
---------------------------------------- 
 19                  Scorp2
----------------------------------------    
 15                  Melbert
---------------------------------------- 
 15                  Quint
---------------------------------------- 
 15                  Savannah
----------------------------------------          
 5                   Scorp1
----------------------------------------               

<OOC> Sharna says, "If anyone has Knowledge/Nature, also, feel free to throw in a roll if you'd like to see if you know a thing or two about scorpions."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Jibbom, it's your move! Two very large scorpions are barreling down towards the caravan (and consequently, you). What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Magic missile at the closest scorpion, then move away."

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You give Scorp2 a goodly plink in the face! How far would you like to move, and in which direction? Currently, they are about fifty feet from you."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Directly away, and 20 ft."

Jibbom goes wide-eyed at the sight. "No, not scorpions." He lifts his hand. "Spells!" A bolt of sparkly purple energy rockets out, slamming into the nearest of the two critters. Then, the halfling is hightailing it away as fast as he can manage. Getting stung is not going to be pretty for him.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Moving on to scorpies. Quint. You look appetizing. The scorpion charges you. :("

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (18)+8: 26

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+12: (10)+12: 22

<OOC> Sharna says, "Does that match or beat your CMD?"

<OOC> Quint says, "Yes'm."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

<OOC> Sharna says, "Poor Quint is lifted and SQUEEZED by the faster scorpion. :( As you might imagine, Quint, you are grappled."

<OOC> Sharna says, "While I emit that, Melbert!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "There is a scorpion giving Quint very painful hugs not 20 feet away from you, and another still making its way over fourty, fourty-five feet away. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Uhm. Is it flatfooted to other attacks while it's grappling Quint? Or does he threaten it so that I could flank?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "He threatens it, but it is not flatfooted."

<OOC> Sharna says, "So flanking is an option."

<OOC> Melbert says, "I'll flank, then, and attack with shortsword."

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Just how large are these scorpions?"

The faster of the two scorpions clatters down in a storm of dust and sand, surprisingly fast for something so ungainly-looking. A pincer lashes out, grabbing the nearest creature - Quint - around the midsection. The enormous pincer constricts, pressing down, followed by crunching noises that cannot possibly spell good things for the Elunite paladin.

<OOC> Sharna says, "A dozen or so feet long, maybe more, when you unfold the tail. Game terms, they are Large-size."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert, that is sadly a miss that you may pose. Quint!"

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for 14 points. 17 remaining.

Melbert acks as the scorpion comes at Quint, and he leaves the camel's side to try and bail out his companion. He's terrified, though, and when he draws his shortsword, he nearly lets go, and all but throws it across the desert, fumbling for it with both hands and barely catching it by the handle at the end of several nervous seconds of juggling.

<OOC> Quint says, "Dropping the ranseur (free), LoH self (swift), draw Dagger (move), attack scorpion (standard)."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll it."

<OOC> Quint says, "-2 since I'm gruh-bappled."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+7-2: (14)+7+-2: 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "And +2 for flanking!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "But that is a hit either way."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d4+2: (1)+2: 3

<OOC> Quint coughs and will remember to PA next time.

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (11): 11

<OOC> Quint says, "A good LoH, at least."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You do some damage, at least, and feel much better from the LoH. Pose it. Savannah!"

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -11 points. 28 remaining.

<OOC> Savannah says, "Ray of frost."

<OOC> Savannah says, "on the scorpion grappling quint. I'll take the hit to accuracy."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll it!"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20: (9): 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is a hit. Damage!"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d3: (2): 2

<OOC> Sharna says, "You gift the scorpion a few fancy icicles that immediatelly melt from the heat. :( Pose it! The straggler scorp goes."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d2: (2): 2

The claws scrabble and scrape against the Acanian's breastplate before he can even ready the polearm from rest. Quint grimaces silently and his hood falls back as he's crushed, the ranseur falling from his grip and into the sand. His hands, encased in heavy leather gloves find purchase on the smaller manipulator-portion of the claw while his other hand takes a simple dagger from his belt. Light-blue aether swirling with ardent motes of energy curl up from the cracks of his armor as he begins to stab at the pincer joints.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The second scorpion ignores the party in favor of a delicious-looking camel. This may be a good or a bad thing in the long run."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17

<OOC> Sharna says, "An unfortunate camel is stung. :( While I pose this tragedy and panic sets in on the caravan, it's Round 2!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Jibbom."

"Relax Melbert! Don't panic!" She says softly as Quint is grappled. However, she tries to zap the scorpion and smiles as gets a couple of icciles on it.

<OOC> Jibbom thinks saving Quint is a higher priority than saving the poor camel. Magic missile on Scorp2 again!

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

The second scorpion, unbothered by the adventurers, seeks a larger target for its meal. Clattering noisily into the caravan, its mandibles chittering, its enormous stinger takes a camel in the side, causing it to collapse into the sand twitching and bleeding, supplies from its back scattering. The other camels stop being placid - panic quickly sets in amongst both the animals and the workers, and screaming of the men mingles with the bugles of the cargo beasts. Jusuf and Tani rush about trying to keep the animals in check, terror on their own faces. Tani's song has quickly turned into a blubbering, panicked chant for Vardama's mercy.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The scorpion is duly plinked, but still going strong. Pose it!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The agitated scorpion drops you, Quint, and tries to sting you!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24

Jibbom narrows his eyes at the massive socrpion assaulting his adventuring companion. "I spy, with my little eye, something that starts with D..." He stretches out his arm, firing another bolt of purple force that splashes into the beast to minimal effect. The halfling frowns. "Dammit. I was going to say 'dead scorpion' and look all badass."

<OOC> Sharna says, "If I could have a Fortitude save, Quint? With any bonuses against poison included."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (5)+4: 9

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for 9 points. 19 remaining.

GAME: Quint rolls Fortitude: (10)+9: 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "You flex off the poison in manly fashion, even as the scorpion lashes at you and Melbert with its pincers to finish its full attack."

<OOC> Sharna says, "First Quint, then Melbert."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "Moving on to Melbert!"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Flank with Quint some more, stab?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Have at it!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21

<OOC> Melbert should roll damage?

The scorpion beset by the adventurers flails in agitation, dropping the unfortunate paladin, its many legs kicking up a cloud of dust as it stomps the sand and sways in rather alien fashion. The fortune doesn't last - the enormous stinger flies forward with impossible speed and impales Quint with a squelching noise, leaving venom dripping over his clothing in its retreat. Thankfully, the follow-up lashes of its pincers are uncoordinated, easily evaded by both Quint and Melbert.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Absolutely, yes."

GAME: Melbert rolls 2d6+2: (9)+2: 11

<OOC> Sharna says, "You give it a solid stab. Pose it! Quuuint!"

Melbert nods to Savannah about not panicking, but it's not as easy for him. He squares off with his shortsword this time, taking a deep breath, though he immediately feels guilty about it, seeing Quint being bloodied. He swings wildly wildly even as it drops the man, wildly dodging a pincer as it comes his way, then jamming his blade in between the joins of its chitin.

<OOC> Melbert says, "Gah, I can't type tonight. Only 1 wildly."

<OOC> Quint says, "Dropping the dagger, drawing my scimitar, going 2h and Power Attacking with my flank buddy on the Scorps."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+7-2+2: (8)+7+-2+2: 15

<OOC> Sharna says, "The chitin just barely deflects your blow. :( Pose it. Savannah!"

<OOC> Savannah says, "another ray of frost on the scorp grappling Quint."

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20: (1): 1

<OOC> Sharna says, "It is no longer grappling Quint, but you may cer--"

<OOC> Savannah says, "gak."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You nearly give Quint himself a very 'cool' hairdo. ;( Pose."

Still pointing her fingers at the scorpion, Savannah tries to fire off another Ray at the scorpion. Unfortunately, a gust of wind blows up and puts sand in her eyes, which throws off her aim and freezes the plume on top of Quints head. (if he doesn't have one....he gains one.

"I am unscathed. Help the caravan if you can." Quint finds his feet in the sand and speaks once the claw opens, turning to speak at Jibbom and Svannah -- just in time to catch the stinger. His leather skirts rustle, the plates rattling, but he doesn't fall to the poison as the camel had. Another weapon falls to the sand and now he draws the curved-bladed sword from his hip. The blade is a matte-black, dull to the point that it reflects none of the abundant sunlight beating down from the heavens. Shallow runes are carved along the blade, dormant and forgotten for the time being. He takes the weapon in a two-handed grip and cuts down and across, a swing unceremoniously parried by a batting pincer.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The second scorpion clatters over to help its friend - not because it is actually being friendly, but because it is stupid and prone to cannibalism. :( 1 is Mel and 2 is Quint."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d2: (1): 1

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert! You get a pincer. :("

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14

<OOC> Melbert doesn't want it?

<OOC> Sharna says, "You evade the pincer! Lucky you. Of course, that does mean you now have a scorptastic friend."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "At the risk of turning into a one trick pony here, MM on scorp2."

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

The forgotten scorpion, with one meal dying and unable to move in the sands, catches scent of another potential source of protein as ichor drips and body fluids run to splatter on the sand beneath the body of its... companion? Perceiving the two humans attacking it as a threat to what could be a glorious meal, it clatters over and lashes a horribly huge pincer at Melbert - but the man sees it coming and scurries out of the way, leaving it to gouge a hole in the sand where he'd stood a moment ago.

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Poor beset Scorp2 is further injured and inching closer to death, but it lashes out at its two assailants. This time, Melbert gets the tail and Quint both the pincers. Mel first!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16

<OOC> Sharna says, "No hits I can see there. Melbert! You have two friends. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Stab at #2 one more again"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Still with flanking?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Yep, you still have flanking!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21

GAME: Melbert rolls 2d6+2: (5)+2: 7

Jibbom pouts. "My, these things sure can take a beating, can't they? Fall over! Fall!" Another zap of magical energy, and yet the scorpion endures. "Man. These things must be seriously hungry. And angry."

It is clear that these beasts are not particularly intelligent. The wounded scorpion does not flee nor extricate itself from its precarious position, instead screeching, chittering and flailing about its tail and pincers to little avail, all of its wild strikes finding air or armor.

<OOC> Sharna says, "It still lives! Barely. But you do give it a good shank. Quint!"

<OOC> Quint says, "I'll try to polish it off and then move over to the scorpion engaging Melbs (should I succeed)."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+7-2+2: (8)+7+-2+2: 15

<OOC> Quint says, "Haha."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Stop missing by 1, it's really frustrating. :( Pose it. Savannah!"

<OOC> Quint says, "Well, I'll use my shield to draw my move action, at least."

<OOC> Quint says, "Er, you know what I meant."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You put your shield on your head like it's a straw hat. It looks dashing on you! (Your shield is readied!)"

<OOC> Savannah says, "Ray of frost again, Sharna.....on the scorpion near quint. the one near death."

Melbert is decidedly more unhappy with the scorpion facing him, and when the second one comes up from his side, he acks in fear and nearly drops his shortswod again. He looks like he wants to bolt and run, but he sees Quint hanging tough, and closes his eyes, ramming his shortsword into the same one when it looks like it's not paying him as much mind, cracking through some of the chitin, but not able to take it down.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Have at it."

Savannah pages: In melee range?

You paged Savannah with 'It is very much engaged in melee, if that's what you mean.'

From afar, Savannah does not have precise shot. It's why I ask.

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20: (4): 4

<OOC> Savannah says, "ah well."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You... miss. Unfortunately."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Scorpion 1 flails a full attack at poor Melbert, beginning with tail and ending with pincers, because he's the only one in range. :("

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8

A crack is all a sorcerer needs! Savannah uses that opportunity to try and sneak a ray of frost into where Melbert cracked the chitin. Unfortunately, tears are not a good way to help someone see straight.

Kicking up stand as he moves, ducking beneath the claws -- just barely -- and trying to find an opening, Quint is suprisingly agile for a man of his size. Blood has begun to seep and stain his surcoats, glistening his armor and wetting the sands. He pulls the crescent-shaped shield from his back and slides an arm through it, an overhand chop descending that the scorpion bats aside in a blur of black insectoid plating.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert, I need a Fort save from you. Is your AC accurate on your sheet?"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (4)+4: 8

<OOC> Melbert says, "Yes"

GAME: Melbert rolls fortitude: (20)+2: 22

<OOC> Sharna says, "Unlikely though it is, you manage to fight off the potent venom!"

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for 18 points. 0 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Unfortunately, you are Disabled. :("

<OOC> Melbert says, "Right"

<OOC> Sharna says, "A new round dawns. Jibbom!"

<OOC> Jibbom says, "I really want to finish off this scorpion. MM on scorp2!"

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You are going to cry. Scorp2 is Disabled. :("

<OOC> Jibbom does cry.

"Why won't this horrible stingy thing just die already?" Jibbom screeches out, firing off another purple sparkly bolt before staring in disbelief. "Why did anyone even build anything out here in the first place?"

Though the human may be small in comparison to the feast that its mate could be, Melbert is still an apetizing morsel. The unattended scorpion lashes out at him, its alien movements making the attacks difficult to predict. The stinger leaves a deep gouge in the man's thigh, and a pincer slams into him with the force of a battering ram, leaving him very unsteady on his feet.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The scorpion makes a stinger attack upon Quint, after which it collapses to breathe its last in the sand. Like so!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hey Quint? Fort me. :("

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

GAME: Quint rolls Fortitude: (12)+9: 21

<OOC> Sharna says, "You've never felt better in your life."

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for 7 points. 12 remaining.

<OOC> Quint says, "Except for the stabbing?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Except for the gaping hole, yes."

<OOC> Sharna says, "While I pose the scorpion's final, heroic actions of paladin-stabbing, Melbert!"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Can I withdraw without dropping the same way that one did?"

The wounded scorpion's battered, bruised, oozing unspeakable scorpion fluids. With one final push, more instinct than conscious thought, it rams its stinger into Quint's side - where it remains as the creature twitches and then collapses, legs tangled, in the sand, finally conceding to Jibbom's urging.

<OOC> Sharna says, "I think even a partial Withdraw is a standard action (as it's normally a full-round). You are, though, at the far end of the still-up scorp's range."

<OOC> Melbert says, "It is? OK, Um. Well, I may as well stand around and attack, then, if I can squirm around to get flanking on this one?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You sadly cannot at the moment as you're limited to a single Move or Standard action (and a Standard will cause you to fall to -1 at its completion), but Quint might be able to scoot around."

<OOC> Sharna says, "So you can delay to let Quint/Savannah come to the rescue if you wish."

<OOC> Melbert says, "Can I move and not attack? I'll at least give him flanking on his action"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You can, but as you'd be leaving a threatened space, you will take an AoO unless you use Acrobatics."

<OOC> Melbert says, "Will acrobatics cost me a HP?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "I'll say no, as Move actions generally do not."

GAME: Melbert rolls acrobatics: (3)+7: 10

<OOC> Melbert says, "Whoops"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Sharna says, "You give tumbling a try, but a pincer catches you in the leg and you promptly pass out from the pain. :("

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for 6 points. -6 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint! Good news. Scorp's out an AoO. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Bad news, you're out a flanking partner. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Quint says, "Move action into threat (in front of Melbs) and LoH on him."

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (8): 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "That'll get him conscious again! Pose your actions, you two. Savannah!"

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for -8 points. 2 remaining.

Melbert's luck has run out, it seems, and in the moment it takes him to pry his blade out of the scorpion's body, he's stung and pincered by its mate. He's panicking badly now, swinging wildly and trying to fend off the two scorpions, feeling woozy from the blood loss and burbling a bloody sigh of relief as the one scorpion drops. He's not sure what else he can do, badly wounded as he is, and it's anyone's guess why he tries - trying to move quickly around to catch the scorp from behind, he mistimes his move and takes a pincer to the knee, going down in a pile.

"Steady," is all Quint has to say, his expression flat as the combat continues in earnest and his wounds compound. His eyes narrow past the crumpled vermin in time to note Melbert's collapse -- and so he's bounding over the dying scorpion to overtake his fallen companion and present a target. Kneeling as he faces off with the remaining fiend, the hand of his shield-arm finds Melbert and channels Goddess' gift. "Take refuge with the wagons," he recommends as the cook is roused.

<OOC> Savannah continues the one trick pony for the time being. Ray of frost on the remaining scorpion.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll it!"

<OOC> Savannah says, "Is it in melee range of anyone? or did Quint withdraw far enough away?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint is right in its face playing bait so it won't eat Melbert."

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20: (9): 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "Miraculously, that is a hit! Damage. :)"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d3: (2): 2

<OOC> Sharna says, "It's a little itty bitty chilled."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Scorpion eyes Quint, goes: "SHIIINY." and proceeds to flail Quintwards."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for 5 points. 7 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint, a pincer pinches you. It is very unpleasant. Thankfully, that is all."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Round whichever round it is! Jibbom."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "I have a feeling I'm going to regret using so many of these, but... MM on the surviving scorpion."

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

Seeing how Quint and Melbert are in trouble, Savannah aims another ray of frost at the scorpion. However, she only manages to hit it in the face. "Crap. Quint! How're you feeling!?"

The remaining scorpion very nearly ignores the prickling of magical ice upon its back as its horrible eyes all seem to focus on Quint. Lifting its claws in... challenge? Threat display? Who knows with these creatures? ... it lets loose a flurry of attacks at the paladin, a fury of clacking and snaping and lashing tail as it dips and bobs and turns in almost dancelike manner. Most of them disturb the hazy desert air around Quint - until the sharp point of one of the pincers finds his side, leaving a bleeding laceration.

<OOC> Sharna says, "It is slightly more injured. Scorp2 is dying, so Melbert!"

"Oooh, you'd better not take as many magical sparkly blasts as your mate did. Mate? Sibling? Cousin. Whatever. Blasty blasty!" Jibbom fires off more magical energy that flies into the horrible stingy monster.

<OOC> Melbert says, "I'd have to move around to flank again? Standing draws an AoO also? Can I withdraw at a crawl without taking an AoO?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You would have to move to flank, unfortunately. And both standing and crawling (unless you have special abilities) sadly draw AoOs. On the up side, Quint is granting you cover right now."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I'm not sure the rules allow it, but I'll say you can Acro while prone if you just want to retreat."

<OOC> Melbert says, "Ah, I'll crawl away. It can't AoO me with cover, yes?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "It can, though you gain +4 to your AC."

<OOC> Melbert says, "That's new, then. I'll try acro to move without drawing the AoO?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Absolutely! Would you also like to take a Total Defense action as your standard, just in case it doesn't go too well for another +4 to your AC?"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Sure."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll the Acro!"

GAME: Melbert rolls acrobatics: (14)+7: 21

<OOC> Sharna says, "The scorpion doesn't even notice you moving! You are now well out of its reach."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Pose it. Quint!"

Melbert wakes up in a panic, sitting upright and reaching toward his sword, but then he thinks better of it and he nods to Quint, speedcrawling the moment it seems the scorpion's attention is off him and scampering across the sand to get away with a terrified gasp. "Um, what do I do now?" he asks once he's safely away from the scorpion.

<OOC> Quint says, "LoH with a swift and then I'll go to town with a full attack, TWF and such."

In the meantime, Tani and Jusuf are having some success establishing control. Having gotten the remaining camels away, they have now joined the workers in huddling behind the wagons. The divide of different cultures has been bridged by both sides, joined in whispered prayer the murmurs of which are filling the silence, pierced by the shrieks of the still-living desert predator.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Give it your worst! Or your best."

<OOC> Quint says, "With PA, because why not?"

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+4+2+1-2-2: (7)+4+2+1+-2+-2: 10

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+4+2-2-2: (10)+4+2+-2+-2: 12

<OOC> Sharna says, "You miss twice. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Savannah!"

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (6): 6

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -6 points. 13 remaining.

<OOC> Savannah says, "I'm going to *GASP* change it up a bit....."

<OOC> Quint says, "The way I look at it; I'm here to take damage. So I'm succeeding."

<OOC> Savannah says, "and aim a heavenly fire at Quint."

<OOC> Savannah says, "It's a ray too, so ranged touch attack."

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint, will you trust the sorceress and not attempt to dodge the fiery ray she's throwing at you?"

Quint twirls the scimitar in his grip, lowering his stance looking for that opening. Lunging, he leads with his shield-arm and bashes the edge into the flat of the scorpions frontmost portion. His sword follows close behind with a cut that deflects harmlessly off the beast's natural armor. A hop back and he's preparing to fend of the next assault. Giant vermin are not his expertise.

<OOC> Quint says, "So long as there's a verbal prompt, sure!"

<OOC> Savannah says, "There will be."

<OOC> Sharna says, "There you have it, then, Sav. You land it, if only because Quint helpfully stands still. Roll the healing!"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

<OOC> Savannah says, "well...better than nothing."

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -2 points. 15 remaining.

<OOC> Savannah says, "6 left."

<OOC> Sharna says, "And the scorpion goes, crazy verminflailing at the shiny man taking it on. Slight case of tunnelvision!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint. You've been stung. Again. This is the worst day ever."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Fort save!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

<OOC> Sharna says, "Worse. You seem to be out. :("

"QUint! DOn't go anywhere!" Savannah yells as she aims her fingers at Quint. "Heavenly fire coming!" She then zaps Quint in the back for only a little bit of healing.......

<OOC> Jibbom says, "I'm gonna do what Savannah did and Heavenly Fire on Quint."

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for 17 points. -2 remaining.

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+5: (8)+5: 13

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Does that hit Quint for a touch attack?"

<OOC> Savannah says, "I don't think he's moving. XD"

<OOC> Jibbom still has to make contact from range. He's staying 30' awaya.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You hit the prone and unconscious Quint without much problems."

ClackclackCLACKCLACKCLACK. The movements of the various part of the scorpion and the noises they make are truly disconcerting. It is all too happy to provide Quint with a duel, lunging forward with pincers snapping. Clamping a pincer on the paladin's leg, it keeps him still as it plunges the stinger in his chest and out again with a lightning-fast motion. As the bloodied stinger withdraws, the Elunite collapses in the sand.

GAME: Quint rolls Fortitude: (2)+9: 11

<OOC> Quint says, "Sorry, I had to bio."

<OOC> Sharna says, "No worries! Well, yes worries. You're envenomed. :("

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d2: (2): 2

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint's Strength for 2 points. 2 total damage.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll the heal on the Heavenly Fire, Jibbom!"

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint is awake! If feeling horribly stiff and with the angry scorpion going all >:| at him."

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -3 points. 1 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert, it is your turn."

"Oh dear." Jibbom says with alarm as the paladin goes falling into something that starts with S. "Tarien, c'mon. Let me and my friends live to laugh another day." He points a finger at Quint, and a beam of pure white shimmering light courses out, closing some of the worst wounds.

<OOC> Melbert says, "Single move to some cover if there's any within range, drawing a javelin as I move. I will throw the javelin at it"

<OOC> Sharna says, "There are the wagons, as well as scattered rocks. The wagons are closer. Roll the javelin throw!"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Trying to get it's attention from Quint, obviously"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+4: (3)+4: 7

You paged Quint with 'As you come to your senses, you feel the venom has already begun its ugly work in your bloodstream. You quickly realize it's a paralytic, as already your muscles are becoming uncomfortably stiff and your joints ache.'

Melbert has scampered off in a panic and, it seems, left Quint to his doom. Terror across his face as he dashes away from the scorpion, pulling out a javelin as he crouches behind a wagon, perhaps to draw its attention away from the fallen paladin. His throw is full of awful, though, sailing over it completely and sinking behind a dune out of sight.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint. It is your turn. What craziness would you like to engage in?"

<OOC> Quint says, "Do I need a repeat Fort save for the poison or is it run its course?"

<OOC> Quint says, "Either way, I'll hold my action until after Sav goes."

<OOC> Sharna says, "It is still in effect. :("

GAME: Quint rolls Fortitude: (5)+9: 14

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint is delaying (and battling poison without much success). Savannah!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d2: (2): 2

<OOC> Savannah wonders if Daze would help....

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint's Strength for 2 points. 4 total damage.

<OOC> Savannah says, "ray of frost."

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20: (16): 16

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hit!"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d3: (1): 1

<OOC> Sharna says, "You give it chills."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint, would you like to end your delay now?"

<OOC> Quint says, "This is Scorp 1 that's still up, yes?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Yes."

<OOC> Quint says, "LoH as a swift, then, and I'll risk the AoO to stand."

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (7): 7

<OOC> Sharna says, "No total defense, just standing up?"

<OOC> Quint says, "Ah, right. Those things. Yea. That'll work."

<OOC> Sharna says, "If you're gonna tank, might as well take it to the limit! It tries to pinch you."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "It does not pinch you. You have +4 AC till your next turn."

<OOC> Sharna says, "This is a very good thing because it very doesn't like you."

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -7 points. 8 remaining.

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "This is where you dance in glory of the total defense action. You expertly deflect yourself some scorp!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Please pose, Sav and Quint."

<OOC> Sharna says, "And we're back to Jibbom. And whatever new round it is right now."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Oooh, crap. Well, I'd better at least /try/ to do what I can to get Quint up. Heavenly Fire!"

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Does that hit him with a touch attack?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "I'll preempt you with a reminder you may only heal a single creature once with a Heavenly Fire. In light of that, would you like to change your action?"

Savannah, seeing that Quint is doing okay after Jibbom sets him on fire, she aims another ray at the scorpion. She hits it good on the face, but it doesn't do much. "Crap."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Oh dear. You are quite right. Well then... MM on the scorpioN!"

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You plink it with prejudice. Melbert! The scorpion is focused on Quint pretty singlemindedly. Without some sort of noisy distraction, it is unlikely to give him a rest."

<OOC> Melbert says, "Can I charge in/run in into a flanking position before I attack?"

The scorpion almost seems to take offense that the paladin is standing once more. Giving a shrill, ululating noise that makes it sound like it's about to regurgitate its last meal - and blasting Quint with the smell of it - it stomps the ground and lashes again and again at the man. The shield and defensive stance, however, leave no opening for the blows and the brave Elunite stands firm and yet unwounded by the assault.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You may!"

"Alright... a big, bad scorpion like you should know... never mess with a halfling!" Another bolt of energy lashes out from Jibbom's fingertips at the scorpion, fizzling and failing to do significant damage. He frowns. "This is not a funny joke!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hit!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d3+2: (2)+2: 4

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d6: (5): 5

<OOC> Sharna says, "You give it a solid shank. Savannah, your turn."

<OOC> Savannah says, "Magic missile. Maybe I'll do more than 1 damage."

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

GAME: Savannah casts Magic Missile.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Maybe you will! You give it a solid hit and it begins to look wobbly on its many feet. Quint!"

<OOC> Quint says, "One more LoH, and then a full attack."

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (3): 3

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -3 points. 11 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll well."

<OOC> Quint says, "PA, flank."

<OOC> Quint says, "Poison?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Still there."

GAME: Quint rolls Fortitude: (12)+9: 21

<OOC> Sharna says, "Beg pardon, no longer there."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+7-2-2+2: (1)+7+-2+-2+2: 6

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+6-2-2+2: (2)+6+-2+-2+2: 6

Getting ready to point her fingers at the scorpion again, Savannah watches Melbert run his way in and she shakes her head. She then snaps her fingers and tosses the blue bolt at the scorpion, flying into it's mouth and it pops....doing a LOT of damage.

Melbert, having failed to draw its atttention with a javelin, and having left his sword on the ground where he'd fallen earlier, draws up what courage he can and screams as he charges out from behind the cover he'd taken. Coming around to the other side of the scorpion from Quint, he dashes forward and aims a swift kick at the exposed flank of the creature, his boot drawing a crunch.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The scorpion retaliates with a full attack of its own upon Quint, who is managing to keep its attention, if nothing else!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12

<OOC> Sharna says, "It rolls JUST LIKE QUINT. You're bros now."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Jibbom! Unleash thy fury!"

Maybe the scorpion is getting cocky. As Quint's weapons screech uselessly on its chitin, it throws itself at the paladin. Fortunately for him, its own strikes find little purchase. A smear of horrible, black venom is left behind on the crescent shield of the paladin from a failed attempt to impale him.

Quint's swings are slowing and he doesn't appear quite as light on his feet. He refuses to give up his place at the forefront of the scorpion's attention and renews his assault awkwardly. His surcoat slaps wetly against his armored skirts, heavy with blood, and neither opponent manages to connect.

<OOC> Jibbom checks to see if he has an MM left...

<OOC> Jibbom says, "I do not. Okay. Moving within range, drawing the sling, and attempting to chuck a stone at the scorpion."

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+5: (8)+5: 13

<OOC> Sharna says, "Your stone skitters on it prettily. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert!"

<OOC> Melbert says, "Still flanking? I'll kick it again."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You're flanking with Quint still, yes. Kick away!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+5: (8)+5: 13

Jibbom only get fizzles from his outstretched fingers now. "Dammit." He swiftly reaches into his robe and retrieves a slingshot and a heavy stone, pulling it back. "Eat grantie, meanie bug!" The stone goes flying, and skips harmlessly along the creature's shell. "Awww!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is a miss. :("

<OOC> Melbert says, "Alas."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Savannah!"

<OOC> Savannah says, "ray of frost."

<OOC> Melbert says, "Picking up my sword would be a standard action, yes? Would it draw an AoO?"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20: (12): 12

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d3: (1): 1

<OOC> Savannah grumbles.

<OOC> Sharna says, "It would be a move action, and I'm not 100% on the AoO. I think so."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert, Savannah, pose whilst Quint does his thing!"

<OOC> Quint says, "Rinse and repeat from last round."

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (9): 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "That said, I don't have people drop their weapons when they fall unconscious. If you didn't willingly drop it for some reason, it's actually still in your hand."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+7-2-2+2: (13)+7+-2+-2+2: 18

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -9 points. 20 remaining.

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+6-2-2+2: (6)+6+-2+-2+2: 10

Not willing to use another Magic Missile yet, Savannah points two fingers at the scorpion and fires another ray at it. It's mandibles get another freezing over, but it still doesn't fall.

<OOC> Sharna says, "QUINT. YOU LANDED A HIT. The first one hits. :)"

Melbert really doesn't know what to do at this point, he edges towards where his sword lays, but it doesn't look like he can get it. He seems to be worried about the thing, though it seems to be focused on Quint. Mel's nerve is not strong, though, and the blood staining his clothes is perhaps why. He finally works up the nerve, and thinks he has an opening, kicking hard at the monster's hard shell, but this time, he can't hurt it, striking a much more solid part of it.

GAME: Quint rolls 1d6+2+1+4: (2)+2+1+4: 9

<OOC> Melbert says, "Oh, I had assumed it was dropped. Mel's got Improved Unarmed, so I wasn't too worried"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You give it a solid, solid wallop that leaves it in fairly bad shape. Maybe you cut a leg off, even!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "It drips ichor all over Quint as it full attacks him again. Now it's personal."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12

<OOC> Sharna says, "And we're back to Jibbom as Quint barely evades more stinging."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Another sling stone!"

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Dangit."

Still on his feet, Quint continues to channel Eluna's blessing into his ragged form. Bloodflow ebs and wounds begin to knit -- some of the color returns to his features and he moves with reinforced vigor. He trails the fast-fading blue-and-silver glow like a magmin trails smoke and the weapons come in again. This time, the scimitar finds a joint with a soft-crack and a meaty tearing sound. Limbs tumble away from the fat form of the massive vermin as the paladin sucks in a deep breath and continues the press.

Parts of its bruised body moving oddly, brokenly, the scorpion continues its assault. Only a well-timed parry saves the Elunite from having the creature's oversized stinger leave a gash across his face. Ichor drips and spurts from its many wounds, the stub of a lost leg flailing about uselessly. What life it had in its eyes is rapidly diminishing as it flails about in vehemence and desperation.

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is sadly another miss. :( Melbert!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is a solid hit."

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d3+2: (1)+2: 3

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d6: (2): 2

Another few seconds, and Jibbom has readied another heavy stone in his sling, aimed and tossed. This one lands harmlessly in the sand with a soft thud. "Dammit!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The scorpion is Disabled."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Savannah."

<OOC> Savannah says, "Ray of frost."

<OOC> Savannah says, "grrr"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d20: (14): 14

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hit! And it goes down, being at 0, regardless of damage."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Wooooo!"

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Sharna has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Savannah says, "YAY! *thud*"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You are out of combat and in free RP mode for the timebeing!"

<OOC> Savannah waits for Mel's pose first.

Melbert is doing what he can, though in the future, he'll carry more weapons! Timing his strike as best he can, he actually manages to hurt it just enough to leave it open for a killing blow, striking with his boot again in a quick kick before backing off just in case it does try to hurt him.

And hit it with a killing blow she does. Savannah uses that opening to zap the scorpion with another ray of frost. You'd think all of those ice zaps would cause the scorpion to slow down. It did, eventually.

Jibbom takes deep breaths to recover, needing a few seconds to make sure the scorpions are dead before he makes his way closer. "Everyone okay? Aside from the camel and the scary poison things?" He asks worriedly. "Took almost all my magic, those things did."

GAME: Quint casts Lesser Restoration.

GAME: Quint rolls 1d4: (2): 2

The sounds of combat cease. The buzz of prayers in the background flows away with it. Heads of workers begin to poke around the wagons, and there are murmurs - soft sounds, a new, more gentle noise as you stand victorious over the beasts. "Is it dead?" Tani's voice floats from behind one of the wagons, more high-pitched than his usual and vibrating in concert with his shivering body still overcome with terror.

Neither scorpion stirs. Someone laughs, in that shaky way people do when immense amounts of tension need to be shed - then another, and another, and finally the workers and guides cheer in unison in celebration of you and your victory.

Tani goes so far as to try embrace the nearby halfling.

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint's Strength for -2 points. 2 total damage.

<OOC> Quint says, "For my STR as we drop out of inits."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I'll move us along then! Free posing till I finish a long emit."

Melbert wheezes a pained sigh of relief as the second scorpion is killed, and he looks around, reaching down to grab his shortsword. "Do any of you have any healing left?" he asks timidly, wiping the yuck off his blade before sheathing it.

Quint jabs his sword into the sand before wiping it off against his sleeve. He sheaths the weapon and secures his shield against his back, then closes his eyes and utters a quiet blessing as he touches the poisoned wound. "Well fought," he offers with his customary shallow nod, turning to make sure the caravan hasn't suffered too much damage -- before collecting his dropped weapons.

<OOC> Quint says, "For Melbs; my last LoH."

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (9): 9

<OOC> Melbert says, "Thanks"

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for -9 points. 11 remaining.

Savannah can only smile as the Scorpion falls dead. She shakes her head a bit as she walks over to Melbert. "See what happens when you don't panic?" She says softly. However, she looks to Quint. "How're you doing, Quint?"

<OOC> Savannah will brb.

<OOC> Savannah relocates.

Quint looks back at Melbert, "I have, yes." He steps across the fallen scorpion and pulls the heavy leather glove from his hand. Beneath the flesh is criss-crossed in scars and wrapped almost entirely in bandages that stink of holy ointments, leaving only his fingers exposed. He rests his palm against the man's breast and moves his lips silently. "Goddess' blessing," he concludes before answering Savannah simply. "I am able to continue."

Savannah has disconnected.

Jibbom looks worriedly at the two who took the brunt of the scorpions' fury. "Well, maybe you are able, but is that a good idea? Maybe we should camp and rest here for a bit to recover. After all, with two dead scorpions here, the other wildlife might leave us alone. If there even is any."

Melbert nods slowly to Savannah, breathing more easily as he feels the healing from Quint take effect. "Thank you," he says to Quint, though he still looks pretty nervous. "I ... the Sendor War was never like that," he admits. "A bear once, and ... well, anyhow, thank you." He hangs his head. He gives Jibbom a shrug. "I'd almost rather get to whatever safe area we're headed towards? We -are- headed towards a safe camp, yes?" He looks over towards the talky caravan fellow.

Savannah has connected.

<OOC> Savannah returns.

"The remains are likely to attract carrion-eaters," Quint offers quietly as he pulls the glove back on. "We should put some distance between us at the very least." He moves to the saddled camel and takes water from one of the many skins hanging amongst the bags. He dampens his hair before freeing his helm and dropping it into place on his head -- he'll be ready, at least, if more comes. "We will take every precaution we might. I still have much work to do before the Grey Lady measures my deeds."

Delayed by your fight, it takes some time to get underway again. Tani insists it is best to move away, however, nodding vehemently at Quint's words and insisting that nights in the open wasteland are not wise. The supplies the now-dead camel carried are hurriedly picked up and loaded onto wagons. Scorpions are hacked to pieces under Jusuf's silent guidance. By the time you are ready to move once more, one camel short, darkness begins to descend.

Out here, the night seems to come out of nowhere, carrying with it surprising amounts of chill. You only barely make it to the rest stop before shadows coil fully about you.

Evidence of passage of men is plentiful here, in this ring of protective stones jutting from the barren, sand-covered earth. Polished highly from the outside, you realize the natural shelter has withstood many a sandstorm and cold night - and in light of your encounter, Tani decides that you'll await dawn here rather than marching on.

Those of you who are daring find out that, with the right spices, roast scorpion doesn't taste bad at all, despite the appearance of the meat being quite horrifying. Jusuf works with Melbert to prepare it - still eerily silent, the stoic desert pathfinder is fairly good at pointed demonstration of how such strange meat can be made into a very palatable meal.

The campfires dance, songs are sung for a time - quietly - and after a warm meal is in your bellies, you are finally given a chance for rest.

Many hours later, you receive a rude awakening in the form of the sun beginning the new day's turn of seemingly attempting to scorch you to embers. A sad Tani wails how it is a shame you missed the sun's rise, but consoles himself with the fact you must have been quite tired from your battle - a battle which he then proceeds to provide a recounting of for you, grossly exaggerating every detail in your favor as you get ready to move out.

<OOC> Sharna says, "And while I prepare a further emit, feel free to have a round or two of poses!"

GAME: Melbert rolls profession/cook: (7)+8: 15

<OOC> Jibbom assumes we can refresh spells?

Melbert doesn't do a horrible job assisting with the cooking, at least, and he seems more comfortable with that than he did with the fighting. He takes note of what spices are used, in case he needs to do it himself in the future, and will assist with the camp where he can. Sleeping hard when the opportunity arises, he gets what rest he can. He looks up as we're roused for the new day, and packs his camp things.

<OOC> Sharna says, "ICly, yes! OOCly, I'll need to grab a staffer to reset your flags if I can."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You will also heal for a night's rest as normal, to the tune of your HD in HP."

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for -2 points. 13 remaining.

GAME: Sharna damaged Savannah for -2 points. 15 remaining.

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -4 points. 24 remaining.

GAME: Sharna damaged Jibbom for -2 points. 13 remaining.

Savannah stretches her hands as she wakes up, and belches after the good meal. Yes, she's a daring one. However, she does look to Tani and chuckles. "I....was there, you know." She says getting her bedroll and other things up off the ground and getting them back on her camel.

Jibbom is happy to join in the singing. Too happy, really. The halfling sings with rather more enthusiasm than skill, and his lyrics do not always match those which are traditionally applied to the songs in question. He follows this up by telling jokes, many of which make little to no sense. In the morning, he awakes as chipper and with as much energy as ever. "Ah! Nothing like a scorpion attack to wear you out for a good night's sleep."

A servant of Eluna -- known as the Dreaming Goddess or the Silver Moon -- it's little surprise that Quint makes his devotions at night under the soft-white light and dark blue sky. He takes some paces from the bright circle of firelight and loud celebrations to make his observance in relative private. Returning, he as much as anyone, is ready to take some rest.

The morning finds Quint awake and his surcoat a bit cleaner even if the bloodstains prove to be tenacious. The white garment is trimmed in silver and blue and worn over his breastplate and leather skirt to leave little doubt for whom he fights. "Your part was not a small one; keeping the animals from scattering." He commends Tani with a shallow nod.

Several hours more of trudging with the accursed desert sun bearing down on you follows. Sweat and tears are shed and blisters gained by those who must walk - but finally, your journey is moving towards its conclusion as you gaze upon your destination. The distant sand is littered with colorful, sturdy tents and pavilions, as if a small town had sprung from nowhere in the middle of the desert. It rests nearby a huge rock formation - a hill or buried mountain, perhaps - and you can see, even from afar, that the side facing the littering of tents is far too smooth to be natural, defying the jagged, sharp, chaotic formations of every other rock you've seen on your journey.

"Here we are! Oh how joyous the Satrap will be to see you have arrived!" Tani jibbers in his usual manner as he leads onwards.

<OOC> Sharna gives you chance to yap a bit as you make the approach!

"What sort of man is the satrap?" Quint wonders with a look at Tani, still sitting tall and straight in the saddle after a long day's trek through the unforgiving desert.

"So, what gag should I pull on the satrap first?" Jibbom asks of Savannah as they finally approach their destination. "Joy buzzer in the hand, or whoopie cushion on the chair? Wait. Do they shake hands as a greeting in Veyshan? The joy buzzer won't work if they don't."

Savannah has her cloak up over her head once again, but she's still jabbering away with Jibbom. "Clouds!" She guesses, apparently continuing the game of 'I spy', with him. Despite being two different races and worshipping two different gods, they seem to have built a bit of friendship over the course of their past adventures.

Savannah says, "I dunno if a whoopee cushion would be appropriate....."

Melbert approaches afoot. Footsore, but after walking on sand, his calves are sore as well. He looks towards the camp, though it's hard to say what he's thinking. He shakes his head at pranking the satrap, and asks, "Is it wise to annoy someone we want to be paid by?"

For the first time on your journey, Tani stills his tongue to let his mind decide on the words he'll offer. "Aiyah. He is wise, and he is powerful, and rules with a firm hand." he answers Quint. "I... I would not risk angering him." he adds at Jibbom's commentary, betraying his penchant for eavesdropping.

Sun-tanned hands join and wring a little nervously before the joyous smile you've come to know him for resurfaces. "But we will find him in a good mood, I am sure! He has been waiting for this day for a long time! Yes! He will be happy! Yes, yes." he blathers, nodding furiously as if to convince himself of this as much as he's trying to convince you.

"Of course it's not appropriate!" Jibbom responds chipperly to Savannah, grinning widely. "That's what makes it so funny!" When Melbert and Tani join his friend in cautioning him, the halfling sobers a bit. "Oh, fine. I'll save the good pranks for the trip back." How reassuring.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Let me know when you're out of questions for the people who are with you, and I'll move us along then. :)"

"Is he just?" Quint presses their guide, unsatisfied with the answer offered -- though he remains casual in his questioning. This is not an interrogation. "Do you know what al-Khazim seeks in this tomb?"

Savannah says, "You're not supposed to prank someone until you know he has a sense of humor, and how far it goes. That's what jokes are for." She then looks to Tani. "Is he.....nice?""

Melbert remains silent on the subject, more worried about last-minue scorpions. Without comment, he scans left and right, one hand shading his eyes.

"It's Tarien's will that we spread laughter everywhere in the world. Especially those who don't have any to spare." Jibbom claims to his doubting cohorts. "Nevermind nice or just. Is he /funny/?" The halfling insists on asking.

"Very!" Tani blurts immediatelly, making a warding sign as if afraid some spirit or other might think he'd had a bad thought and was about to punish him for it. "But, ah... This land and Alessandria are not the same. Ways of my people are not ways of your people." the olive-skinned man explains. "In your land, my brother would still have his tongue." he adds, voice hushed and awashed with a tinge of sadness. Onwards he goes, however, talking with Quint as he strides, leading you closer and closer to the temporary settlement and the tomb.

"Rumors are it is a tomb of an old mage. There must be treasures within, yes?" Tani theorizes. It's clear he's not been given many specifics. There's a slow shake of his head, and he adds in a voice that is barely even a whisper: "It is a bad place. Bad, bad place."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Very just, that is. XD *adds!*"

"Funny?" Tani echoes, jostled out of his sorrow momentarily and glancing over a shoulder. "No, er, no, I do not think so! I do not know him well. I am but a servant." he explains to the halfling, bowing extravagantly, almost as if he serves the group of you just as much as he does the satrap.

Melbert shrugs about different cultures. "I don't know too much about that." He looks nervous about the tomb, and says, "Isn't it sacreligious to invade someone's tomb?"

Savannah says, "Quite, Melbert." She says as she listens to the objective they have now. "Unless you have a reason why we should be going in.""

<OOC> Savannah is done now.

"Tomb raiding, eh? Sounds like a laugh." Jibbom suggests, unconcerned by the potential sacrilege. "This guy wasn't a lich or something equally awful, was he? That'd explain the whole 'bad place' deal. Those dudes just aren't funny."

<OOC> Melbert is ready anytime

<OOC> Jibbom ditto.

Savannah has disconnected.

"The ways of many peoples are different but some truths are universal," Quint offers enigmatically, distracted by the tomb in the distance. "You have carried out your duties admirably thusfar, Tani. Your satrap should be pleased for that."

"The Grey Lady and the Dread Breather are at odd constantly and -- as noted by our guide -- the rites of cultures vary. We will have to wait and see what Satrap al-Khazim is planning before we know."

<OOC> Quint says, "*odds"

You paged Jibbom with 'As you further approach the tomb, suddenly you feel as if you'd walked through a sheathe of icy water that is not there. Dark thoughts begin to mill about your head. Fear worms into your mind, and though it's not paralyzing, it's distracting and disconcerting. You suddenly don't feel so good about going closer, even though you know you must.'

You paged Melbert with 'As you walk along with the caravan, you suddenly feel a lurching sensation that leaves you faint and unwell. Your doubts swell in your head. You shouldn't be here. This isn't the place for you. This place will be your death. Although you are not frozen by it, the bleak thoughts milling without your prompting in your mind are disconcerting.'

<OOC> Quint says, "and that should be me"

You paged Quint with 'As you stride further towards the tomb, there's a sudden sensation - as if you'd suddenly been plunged into ice. You can feel, for a tiny moment, fear and doubts trying to crawl their way into your mind - and then are fiercely pushed aside by your goddess' power and your own resolve. The chill leaves you untouched, if keenly aware it's there, lurking.'

Jibbom shivers a bit suddenly as they draw closer, wrapping his cloak more tightly around himself. His eyes dart around. "Uhm... huh. Maybe not such a laugh, actually." A lot of his good cheer seems to drain right away. "Let's just... get this done, eh?"

Melbert looks less and less happy by the progress of events. "I'm really not sure its OK to just break into a tomb," he says nervously. "I ... guess we can see what's going on, but I'd rather not go in there."

As the caravan moves further towards the tomb and the temporary settlement about it, the men begin to shiver. Tani and Jusuf are not exempt, and the smaller man clings tighter to the reins of the camel he's leading. The workers in the wagons huddle, some hugging their knees. There's faint weeps.

"Dark magics are at work," Quint is resolute, his constant frown chiseled in place. He seems unmoved by whatever afflicts his companions. "The Dreaming Goddess is with us, we stand under Daeus' light and the Mother of All will not forget those of good heart. Take us to al-Khazim, Tani. We must make sense of this foul aspect."

"And the Coyote will give us laughter and mirth, even in the places where it seems most absent." Jibbom offers his own little reverent quip. "Let's do what we've got to do."

Eventually, the wagons come to a halt, and the workers clamber off them, their morale shaken. The supernatural fear, you realize as it settles comfortably inside your chest, is coming from the tomb itself, tugging insistently at your will, making bleak thoughts bubble to the surface. Still, on the workmen go to take their gear - what else is there for them to do? This is the job they accepted, even if suddenly the payment does not seem as worth it as before.

You are forced to stand around with the chill of the place prickling at you like tiny needles whilst Tani runs about asking questions of the servants in the camp. A feeble smile is offered to you when he returns, skidding to a stop that has sand cresting in a tiny wave.

"The satrap has not yet arrived. I can show you where the men from Alessandria will be working, though, yes?" the Veyshanti offers meekly.

Melbert nods about being shown to where the people will be working. "Yes, we can look around, I guess," he says with reluctance.

Savannah has connected.

<OOC> Sharna says, "If one of you could catch Sav up, please? I'll provide, if belatedly, the HORRIBLE DOOM PAGE. XD"

You paged Savannah with 'As you approach the tomb alongside the others (which happened some time ago), a sudden chill wraps itself around you in defiance of the scorching sun. Fear creeps in unbidden. Uninvited thoughts of bad outcomes, including your demise here begin to nip at your consciousness, leaving you distracted and shaken.'

<OOC> Sharna says, "Jibbom, Melbert, Savannah. You are all Shaken by the persistent aura enveloping the area."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint, you are a paladin, and like a honey badger, you don't care for this fear crap. XD"

<OOC> Savannah says, "is it a death effect?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "No, it is a Fear effect."

<OOC> Savannah says, "K."

<OOC> Quint says, "I'm going to use my Lesser Resto for the day and try to get rid of the rest of this Str damage, Sharna."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d4: (3): 3

<OOC> Sharna says, "You successfully wipe away the rest of your ability damage!"

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint's Strength for -2 points. 0 total damage.

<OOC> Quint says, "I'll blow 2x LoH for a channel before we start, too."

GAME: Quint rolls 2d6: (4): 4

<OOC> Quint says, "4 to myself and Melbs. The others are full."

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for -4 points. 17 remaining.

GAME: Sharna damaged Quint for -4 points. 28 remaining.

Quint takes a moment with the camel, loosing bags and rearranging goods. He has a satchel laden with a single tome, a small box and a quarter of scrolls. Long brass rods from out from another bag and are slid to rest in loops on his belt, followed next by alchemical vials into ready pouches. He slides his shield into place and takes the ranseur in hand midhaft like a walking staff and, finally, nods to their guide. "Let us see this place."

"There's definitely nasty magic at work here." Savannah says through chattering teeth, as if she was cold. She clenches her teeth to keep them from chattering.....and fails.

Led by Tani and trailed by the now-equipped workers, you make your way to the tomb entrance itself. The walk is difficult and sluggish not for the distance, but for the magic that assails you.

You find the tomb as advertised: half-buried in the sand and stone. Two stone statues flank the entrance - they may have depicted something humanoid in the past, but the shifting sands have worked them to a smooth polish and indiscernible shape. You can just barely glimpse the top of the heavy slab of stone that is the doorway within, and the runes etched upon it deeply enough that they have withstood the test of time and remain there. You can glimpse the outer walls at places as well, a dark, aged gray on which similar runes sometimes peek out of the sand.

The fear never stops washing over you, drowning your minds in darkness - those of you not protected by Eluna's light, at least. Here, it seems at its worst. Sighing - even sobbing, for those whom have been left without their pride by the fear's insistent tug - the workers begin the excavation they're been paid for. Tani hops from foot to foot, whimpering a little.

Melbert looks more comfortable as the healing takes effect, though he's a ways from what you might call pleased to be here. "Th-thanks," he says, and with a distracted air, he fiddles with his sword in its scabbard, strapping a masterwork buckler to his arm almost as an afterthought.

"So, uh..." Jibbom is clearly unseasy, uncertain how to articulate his concern. "Is it... always like this? With the crying and the scared people and all that? That doesn't seem very good."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I need a general arrangement of you folks around the tomb entrance while you're going through the pose round. :D"

<OOC> Quint says, "Melbs will lead, myself immediately behind. We'll leave the next square open and then Savannah and Jibbom will take up the rear."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I'll note it's a big ol' open space. The entrance itself is buried - it'll take at least a few days for the workers to excavate it."

<OOC> Quint says, "Oooh."

<OOC> Quint misread.

<OOC> Jibbom hides behind the big guys by default. Doesn't matter where. ;)

<OOC> Quint says, "Well, if we're not spelunking, Quint will be towards the front checking up on people and getting a general lay of the land. We'll have a look at the runes, too, if at all possible."

Savannah has disconnected.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You absolutely may have a look at the runes. Drop me some Perception checks for that."

<OOC> Melbert will look as well.

GAME: Melbert rolls perception: (3)+8: 11

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Can Jibbom peek from behind them and look?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Sure."

GAME: Jibbom rolls perception: (20)+4: 24

<OOC> Sharna says, "There's a LOT of space. The tomb is barely peeking from underneath the sand. 'Behind' is relative. There's a whole plateau of lots and lots of sand and rock that you and a dozen now digging workers are standing on."

His helm in place, Quint walks amongst the terrified throng taking in slow, silent breaths. He wears his pendant openly and the silver crescent moon slides with whispered hisses across the rounded front of his breastplate. He affects an aura of bolstering calm, another divine blessing the reaches out from his being like invisible, uplifting fingertips. "This thing is close or an evil so great it bleeds through thick walls and piled sands. This excacation is ill-advised."

GAME: Quint rolls Perception: (11)+1: 12

You paged (Quint, Melbert) with 'The stone of the tomb is weathered. The damage on it from the sand easily tells you it's been buried for a very long time. The runes confound you - but it may be because you're only seeing fragments.'

Savannah has connected.

<OOC> Savannah says, "this....is annoying."

You paged Jibbom with 'Poking around, it's by luck that you spot a rune on the outer wall, near the entrance, that catches your eye. It seems... darker than the rest. If darkness was a color, you would say it is aglow with it. How peculiar.'

Jibbom looks nervously around the runes dotting the tomb's exterior. He pauses, outstretching his arm to point out one to his fellow adventurers. "That... that doesn't look right, does it?" He asks, pointing at one that seems to seep with dark energy.

"This is how it is." Tani confirms, nodding one time too many. "It is a bad place. A very bad place." It begins to dawn on you that this may be the very reason this satrap is choosing to pay strangers rather than use his own servants.

The monotony of the shovelling as you wander the area is rather suddenly broken as the tomb seems to shudder violently. The sand and earth beneath your feet shifts with the tremor, and in one place, the outer wall cracks. Very slowly, the damaged piece grinds and slides, disloding to fall on the ground with a heavy thud. It is followed by a gout of fine sand, as golden-colored as it is usually depicted in pictures of Veyshan.

<OOC> Melbert says, "I'm really sorry, I can't keep my eyes open. Just say Mel chickens out."

Melbert has disconnected.

<OOC> Quint says, "DO you mind if we ghost-- ack."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Aw. Well, I wouldn't have minded, but yeah. No worries. Keep going!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "I do have the encounter modified for one person less, so. :)"

<OOC> Quint says, "I'll see if Whirl is free to ghost him. That way he can get credit for the encounter and stuff."

<OOC> Savannah says, "as a precaution, if I lose my connection again, feel free to ghost me as well."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Feel free to keep posing!"

"ACK!" Savannah yelps as the damaged piece of stone hits the ground. However, she does wander a little closer to take a look at the piece of stone and.....can't understand a word of it. Not like she could read it with the sand anyways.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Whoo boy! Okay. Let's move into Inits. Savannah, I require a Will save!"

Jibbom makes a horrified sound and flails his limbs at the sudden spray of sand, moving rapidly away. "This place is terrible!" He declares, keeping an eye on the rune.

Whirlpool has arrived.

GAME: Jibbom rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 8

GAME: Savannah rolls will: (3)+5: 8

<OOC> Savannah says, "dammit."

GAME: Savannah rolls init: (19)+3: 22

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "I can help out if need be by proxying Melbert, or I can give information. :)"

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "And let one of you do it. :)"

"Tani, take all of the men back and away from the crypt." Quint blinks once, watching events transpire. "We will tell your master that you were forced by us at swordpoint and take responsibility for his ire. This place is not safe and his prize is not worth the potential harm."

<OOC> Quint says, "If it's a fear effect and she's within 10', Sharna. It's a +4 from me. :D"

<OOC> Sharna says, "It is, unfortunately, not a fear effect, and she is not within 10 feet of you. Hold for emit!"

<OOC> Quint says, "(and I'm sorry for posing after the init call, I missed it before I hit enter)"

As Savannah boldly approaches the seeping sand, something bizarre happens. Before the sorceress even puts a foot near the stone, she seems to stumble, collapsing onto the ground where she curls up.

The sand rises. Morphing, spiraling, it forms itself into a tall, vaguely humanoid... -thing-. It tips its, save for a pair of unseeing eyes, faceless head sideways as it regards you - and then coils, bits of its body churning and shifting as it prepares to charge.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Savannah, I'll need an init from you as well!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "And they did indeed rest and could use spell resets. :D"

<OOC> Savannah says, "well that explains it."

<OOC> Savannah says, "I rolled init and gave me 22, but I didn't type +init."

<OOC> Quint says, "She rolled it, Sharna. But as +roll init-- yea. It's right beneath her will save."

You paged Savannah with 'You don't even realize it until you're already in its grasp. As you step near the pile of sand, a curious sensation of calm washes over you, followed by endless fatigue. You slip into a fitful sleep.'

<OOC> Whirlpool forced Melbert to +init.

Savannah pages: so....i'm out unless someone can rouse me, huh/ XD

<OOC> Sharna says, "Thank you kindly. And ah! I'll modify Savannah's init for the old number."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Unfortunately, Savannah is sound asleep for her turn at init 22. Quint! There's like... a horrible... sand thing!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "(You can use a standard action to rouse a sleeping ally by giving them a goodly shake, maybe slap them about and shout like a maniac in their ear. Alternatively, any damage will rouse them.)"

• THUMP!* Savannah suddenly falls over and snores quite loudly as this sand creature appears......

GAME: Savannah's inititave total changed to '22'.

Current Initiative Order
----------------------------------------                  
 22                  Savannah
----------------------------------------  
 20                  Quint
---------------------------------------- 
 20                  Sand?!?!?!
----------------------------------------          
 10                  Melbert
----------------------------------------  
 8                   Jibbom
---------------------------------------- 

<OOC> Quint says, "Swift to declare a Smite on the sandthing (fingers crossed), move to go up and say 'Hello' and a standard to give Savs a swift kick to the rump (as polite as can be)."

You paged Quint with 'As you point your sword at the creature and call upon Eluna to judge it, you feel the familiar tingle of the goddess' wrath rising within, ready to use you as its instrument. It totally worked!'

<OOC> Sharna says, "You rouse Savannah with your extremely gentlemanly kick. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Unfortunately, this puts you in the aura. Gimme a will save!"

GAME: Quint rolls Will: (8)+9: 17

You paged Quint with 'Drowsiness threatens to overwhelm you as you approach, but you shake off the encroaching cobwebs vehemently. There's evil to smite, after all! No sense sleeping on the job!'

<OOC> Sharna says, "And sandbutt totally takes Quint's challenge (for now) and charges him from 10 ft. away. What's your current AC, Quintles?"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (9)+8: 17

<OOC> Sharna says, "More than that, I bet."

<OOC> Quint says, "Yuz"

<OOC> Sharna says, "If anyone has Knowledge/The Planes, you may leverage it at this time. It is Melbertpool's turn!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Or whoever you appoint to ghost him."

The polearm falls away -- one may begin to think the Acanian carries it for show -- as Quint begins to stalk wordlessly across the sands. His now-free hand finds the hilt of his curve-bladed sword and draws it free of the sheath in an easy motion. He pushes at Savannah with his foot as he goes, the simple necessities of battle far more important than the niceties of propreity. "You have no place in the light, creature, be it Daeus' or Eluna's." His voice echoes, folding over with another but powerful and feminine. Wreathed in the divine, Quint's sword pulses with faint, ghostly flames and those verysame energies spill about through the plates in his armor. "Crawl down into darkness and be forgotten or be sent from this world entirely."

<OOC> Quint says, "*another both powerful and.."

<OOC> Quint says, "24 AC now with the deflection bonus, btw."

The sand-creature's gaze - if it indeed sees - settles on Quint. Flowing more than walking on the shapes it's given itself for legs, its entire form shuffling this way and that with the movement, a whip of sand lashes out at the paladin and is deflected by the crescent shield without much effort. As it resettles in the new position, the creature shapeshifts, a whirlwind of sand - and soon, Quint is gazing at his own doppelganger, as if a sculptor had perfectly shaped him out of the fine sand that is its body.

Until it grins, that is, and reveals horrible, pointed teeth that definitely aren't there on the true paladin.

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Back now."

Whirlpool pages: Because I have no idea what's going on, can Melbert flank with quint?

You paged Whirlpool with 'He can! However, it is fairly obvious the creature isn't really big on the whole internal organs thing, since it's made entirely out of sand.'

Whirlpool pages: Yeah, but flank is flank.

Whirlpool pages: It helps Quint. XD

You paged Whirlpool with 'Indeed. He will need a Will save, though, as he approaches!'

GAME: Melbert rolls will: (14)+3: 17

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert is absolutely fine as he sidles into flanking position!"

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Melberg goes stab with his shortsword."

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "..."

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Is it crittable? :P"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Everyone has to crit the elemental. :( Roll the damage, no SA and no crit. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Ah, look at that. Not subject to flanking."

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Well. A 20 is a 20. xD"

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "So no flank bonus, then?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "No, no flank bonus. :("

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "No crit, either!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8

<OOC> Jibbom says, "DM dice works even when the DMs aren't DMing."

<OOC> Sharna says, "He's going to grow really sad really soon, though. :( But at least he gets valuable info!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You all watch - and especially poor Melbert - as the blade stabs into the sand. And comes out. Leaving absolutely no mark worth mentioning whatsoever. It becomes obvious that to injure this creature, one will need something more efficient at dispersing the sand that is its body."

<OOC> Sharna says, "In other words, DR dun ate all of that thar slashing damage. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Jibbom! WHAT DO YOU DO?!"

<OOC> Jibbom says, "MM the evil sand guy!"

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Psst. Sharna. It's a shortsword. :("

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Aren't they piercing?"

<OOC> Whirlpool can't remember.

<OOC> Sharna says, "They are! This is especially embarassing mistake-wise cause I use them! The result is, unfortunately, identical. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll the MM!"

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Boom!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You send sand flying! That definitely hurt it."

Melberg sidles up behind the sand monster and finds out that it is a sand monster and thusly has no weak points. At least it wasn't a rock monster.

"What in the Nine Hells is that horrible thing?" Shrieks Jibbom, flailing in the direction of the sand monster and firing off a bolt of purple energy towards it that knocks off a good sandy chunk.

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Melbert, even."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Round 2 begins! A dull glow appears within the hole and two new combatants join the fray, a pair of fiery snakes. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Savannah. It is your turn."

<OOC> Savannah says, "I move away from the sand creature and fire an MM if I can."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You'll need to stand as you were prone, which will prevent either the move or the MM. You can, however, stand without an AoO, as you're not yet threatened."

<OOC> Savannah says, "How about I get up and move away from it....at least to get away from the aura."

GAME: You roll initiative for SNAKES!: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "You may absolutely do so. Quint!"

<OOC> Quint says, "Would this baddy count as an Evil Outsider?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "This is not an Evil Outsider, but it is quite Evil."

<OOC> Quint sadface!

<OOC> Quint says, "OK. Full attack."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Have at it!"

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+4+2+1+4-2-2: (15)+4+2+1+4+-2+-2: 22

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+4+2+4-2-2: (16)+4+2+4+-2+-2: 22

<OOC> Sharna says, "Where were those dice last encounter?! Two hits."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d6+2+1+4+4: (4)+2+1+4+4: 15

GAME: Quint rolls 1d4+2+2+4: (1)+2+2+4: 9

<OOC> Quint ignores DR, plx!

Getting kicked is a good way for a zonked out woman to wake up. Savannah snorts awake and gets up quite quickly before moving away from the elemental.....thing.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Your scimitar slices through it like a hot knife through butter, and the shield isn't far behind, and despite the weapon being ill-suited to the purpose, it leaves horrible, HORRIBLE gashes on the thing that it has trouble closing no matter how much it tries."

<OOC> Sharna says, "The sand creature gives a hearty attempt to wallop Quint. In the meantime, the fiery snakes slither out of the hole and dart merrily at..."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d3: (2): 2

The magics begin to coalesce and envelop the human, girding his form and reinforcing his strikes. The flurry that follows is so far from what transpired against the scorpions that it's hard to believe they're from the same combatant. The sword cuts high, across and down before he pivots at the hip and punches in with the broadside of the shield. Sand scatters, blasted away impossible by the agile weapons. "No more warnings," the two-in-one voice states.

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d2: (1): 1

<OOC> Sharna says, "At Melbert and Savanah, whom they attempt to 'bite'."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "I'll need a Ref save from Melbert at -2, please!"

GAME: Sharna rolls 2d4: (6): 6

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for 6 points. 11 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "And completely forgot the sandthinger:"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17

<OOC> Sharna says, "It flails uselessly Quintwards and gets sand in his clothes. :("

The sand creature roars, disfiguring its borrowed face horribly. It's more than a little disconcerting to watch. Its strikes do little to harm the paladin, deflecting harmlessly off the aura of power about him.

A glow from the small tunnel heralds the arrival of something more. Two large snakes composed entirely of flames fall out of there, scorching the earth and throwing sparks in their wake. They quickly head for Melbert and Savannah - the latter is fortunate, as the fiery snake's attempt to bite her comes up short. Melbert isn't quite so fortunate. The serpent puts its fangs in his leg, and though it isn't a true snake's bite, it leaves burnt flesh in its wake.

<OOC> Sharna says, "And once I get a Ref at -2 from Melbert, it is his turn also!"

<OOC> Whirlpool returns.

GAME: Melbert rolls ref-2: (16)+6+-2: 20

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert is not on fire despite having been "bitten" by the snakething."

<OOC> Sharna says, "What would he like to do?"

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Stab snake thing, I think."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Have at it!"

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Since he's hopefully gonna have more luck with it than Mr. Sand Demon."

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hit!"

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d6+: (4)+: 4

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Add two to that. xD"

<OOC> Sharna says, "6. Very solid! THIS creature's body winds up halfway dispersed by the strike. Indeed more effective than the sandthing!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Jibbom. Your go."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Since MM seems to be one of the few things doing real damage to the sand monster, and he's still shaken, Jibbom does another MM at the sandy fellow."

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4

<OOC> Sharna says, "Poor sand dude. Y'all hate him! That indeed leaves even less of him, er, there. Pose it!"

Fire Snake things got sliced at by Melbert. This works for him.

<OOC> Sharna says, "A new round begins. It's tear-jerkingly beautiful, new rounds out on the sands. Makes you wanna burst into song. Savannah!"

Jibbom is decidedly freaked out. Not that the halfling sorcerer is the most steady at the best of times, but right now he's just firing off bolts of magical energy into the whirling sand as fast as his stubby fingers will shoot them. "Die sand beast! Diiiiie!"

<OOC> Savannah says, "5' step away and throw a magic missile at the sand dude."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Do it!"

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sharna says, "Sandsies is ridiculously wounded. He demonstrates the better part of valor and attempts an Acrobatics to get away from the meanie paladin."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (11)+8: 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "Quint, does that beat your CMD by any chance?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oh, no, wait. I'm going crazy. Quint plays BEFORE Sandies because he has Dex to strut. Go on and kill it, paladin! :D"

<OOC> Quint says, "Ooroight."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+4+2+1+4-2-2: (1)+4+2+1+4+-2+-2: 8

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+4+2+4-2-2: (3)+4+2+4+-2+-2: 9

<OOC> Quint squints.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Alright then... on to that acrobatics check... >.<"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Is your CMD greater than 19 currently?"

backing up quickly after ducking under the fire snakes jaws, Savannah smiles a bit. She then snaps her fingers and throws a blue bolt at the sand demon again which hits it in the face.

<OOC> Quint says, "It would appear not. CMD is 19 normally and unmodified by Smite."

<OOC> Sharna :(

Quint continues to press the attack but finds that the continued assault against a thing of sand and air is not as easy as you might think. His blade finds substance but that of stuff already sloughed off by the creature.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The Sandman flip-shift-flows away from you... and burrows into the sand, vanishing entirely as it beats a hasty retreat. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "The snakes seem delighted at having something to snap at and assault poor Melbert and Savannah again."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "Melbert's just not getting any respite today. :( I need another Ref at -2 from him."

GAME: Sharna rolls 2d4: (6): 6

GAME: Sharna damaged Melbert for 6 points. 5 remaining.

GAME: Melbert rolls Ref-2: (9)+6+-2: 13

<OOC> Sharna says, "Still not on fire, at least. It's Melbert's turn as I emit!"

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Sure."

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Stab snake."

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23

<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Threat on snake?"

The sand creature's form begins to melt, sagging and tumbling as huge clumps of sand are blasted off and its borrowed body marred and ruined by the unhealable lacerations left by Quint's blade. The thing seems to know it's outmatched - it falls into a puddle of sand and then flows, shifts and arcs away from its nemesis. Its sand mingles with the desert as it seems to vanish into it. It is not likely to return any time soon.

The fiery serpents take little notice. They snap at their chosen targets, and poor Melbert draws a short straw again, left burned - but at least not burnING - by the assault.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The snake's really just a fire elemental. Unfortunately, just normal damage. :("

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Sharna says, "But that kills it! Disperses its essence as it falls into smouldering embers."

Melbert, despite it being a snake made of fire, stomps his boot on it and stabs it in the head. This nearly sets hsi boot on fire.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Jibbom!"

<OOC> Jibbom says, "MM on the snake on Savannah."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Do it!"

GAME: Jibbom rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

<OOC> Sharna says, "The snake is lightly bonked in the head by a missile. Savannah!"

Jibbom may be quite afraid of the flaming snakes and the mysterious disappearing man made of sand, but he still knows he has to come to the defense of his friends. "Savannah!" He calls out and fires another purple sparkling bolts which solidly knocks her attacker.

<OOC> Savannah does the same to the same snake.

GAME: Savannah rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

<OOC> Savannah snerks.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The snake is further bonked in the head by a missile, and if it had a proper brain, it would be rattled. Quint!"

<OOC> Quint says, "Charge the remaining snake, I s'pose."

GAME: Quint rolls 1d20+4+2+1+2-2: (9)+4+2+1+2+-2: 16

GAME: Quint rolls 1d6+2+1+4: (3)+2+1+4: 10

<OOC> Sharna says, "You cleave what's left of it after missiling in half!"

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Sharna has cleared initiatives.

Apparently the snake doesn't want to leave her alone. Savannah decides to back up a bit more and throw another blue bolt at this fire snake in front of her, which it pops right next to the snake's head.

Quint nearly stumbles when the creature flees, the energies flitting about him tearing violently into nothing. They leave him a mortal man once again. He's blinking away the opaque silver that bled into his eyes and turning to look about like a man recovering from a daze or dream. With one last foe the choice is simple; he kicks his way through the sand and slices through the snake-shaped fire to banish the elemental from the material plane.

Jibbom breathes heavily in an attempt to recover his composure, his eyes darting around the area to make sure no other threats are lurking. "What were those horrible things?" He asks.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Since I imagine folks will be wanting to sleep about now, I'll prepare a closing emit. If you've more immediate RP you wanna do, feel free, though. :)"

<OOC> Jibbom says, "Thank you very much for running, Sharna! :)"

Grumgles as she tries to settle her nerves, Savannah shakes her entire body to get the shivers out of her. 'I have no idea. Something like that kinda escapes me."

<OOC> Savannah says, "oh yeah. Thank you Sharna."

The workers crawl out of the hiding places they'd scurried to as it becomes obvious no more horrible, otherworldly things are coming out of the hole - a hole that is quickly and decisively sealed to prevent this from happening again whilst excavations take place. Eventually, Veyshanti guardsmen arrive to watch over the workers, and you are guided back to the tents, to have your wounds cleaned and bandaged - and to wait for the satrap's arrival with no doubt many questions burning in your minds brighter than the fire of the elemental serpents.

Though you're treated like kings, the magical aura of fear and misery saps the enjoyment out of the fragrant foods and drinks. Six agonizing hours drag by in discomfort wrought by the dark magic before your disappointment is made complete: instead of meeting the man orchestrating this excavation, you are met by a lesser magus - an apprentice or attendant - who, after what's likely a lengthy talk of what you experienced at the site of the tomb, offers you a quick, disorienting magical jaunt back to the port city of Lazul, as your services are no longer required. There, you're ushered onto the Waveslicer - the same Alexandrian ship you arrived upon three days ago - to return to the city.

<OOC> Sharna says, "I am now totally mandated to run a continuation to this just to allow Quint to scream at the dude. XD"

<OOC> Jibbom will join in on the screaming.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You WERE meant to meet him. But it's kind of really stupid late. :("

<OOC> Savannah says, "It was worth it....or else I wouldn't have stayed up this late."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Thank you very much for attending! My apologies it went this late, and double apologies for lost time when my ISP was being rude."

<OOC> Jibbom says, "It was fun!"

<OOC> Savannah says, "nini Sharna. Thank you again....."

<OOC> Quint will come back, rolling deep with all manner of Elunite to waggle disapproving fingers.

<OOC> Quint says, "Thanks for playing, guys. And running, Sharna."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I'll see what I can do about a proverbial part 2 in which there can be that promised screaming sometime, but for now, it's bedtime. Goodnight folks! Thanks for coming again!"