Sneak Attack

Groth untied the rope from around his waist and heard a branch snap behind him.  He spun around and was met with three snarling dire wolves and the howl of a much larger wolf.  Judging by the large horns jutting from the creatures spine it had to be a werewolf.  The green man smiled.
     "Ever heard of the wolf who cried Groth?" he growled, and lunged at the beasts.  Bringing his great blade in a full arc he drew blood on two of the wolves.
     On the opposite side of the crevasse an identical set of attackers met the group.  Nera concentrated on mending the bridge bit by bit while Pas and Auren ran to meet the attackers.  Pas quickly cast empathy causing his werewolf to ease back, it's ears dropped down a bit showing signs of a lessening aggression.  Auren flies into combat striking with his full-blade.
     All at once the group hears a command from Phae.  "Close your eyes!"  A bright light flashed across the expanse blinding 4 and dazzling the rest. 
     With a combination of empathy and dazzle one of the dire wolves turns to slink back into the forest.  This enraged the werewolf who turned and clawed a hunk of flesh from the retreating beast.
     Across the crevasse Groth had become surrounded and at once three of the creatures attack with claws and teeth.  The force traumatized the green man and his situation turns dire.  Fox notices that Groth has takes severe damage and quickly acts.
     Casting Alter Self, wings sprout out behind him.  Moments later the Fox we all know and love no longer resembled himself.  Avariel the winged elf took flight up over the crevasse.  He flitted behind Groth and granted him Spider climb.  Immediately Groth felt groggy and overcome.  Looking down he assumed that this was the effects of massive blood loss.  Inside his head Fox's voice rang out, "Run down the mountain, quickly!". 
     Acting on instinct he turned and bolted over the cliff side.  His heart jumped to his throat as he realized his mistake 500 feet below. 
     He closed his eyes and cursed himself for listening to the voices in his head.

London Bridge

The group moved on through the forest with wax jammed in their ears to prevent the harpy's spell.  Phae cast message enabling them to overcome the aural blocks.  The path continued up the mountain.  There were signs of creatures following them through the forest.  Pas and Auren led them to a crevasse. 
     Over 500 feet deep the land form funnelled violent winds up and back down the path.  A poorly maintained wooden footbridge stretched across the twenty foot expanse.  It did not look safe to cross and it was definitely not holding Groth's heavy load.  A decision had to be made. 
     Nera stood at the foot of the bridge and began to cast a mending spell.  Working at 5 feet intervals her process would take a while.  It let out unsavory creaks as the the mountain winds raged against it.
     Meanwhile Auren attached one end of a rope to the sturdiest tree he could find and the other around Groth's waist.  The green man was not to excited about what was to happen next.
     "So I jump to the other side?" he asked.
     "Yes, then you will tie your end to a tree on that side."  Auren replied.
     "Is this to zip-line across?"
     "Something like that."
     "What If I don't make it?"  Groth asked shakily.
     "That's why I you're tied to this tree," he said and slapped the big man on the shoulder, "now get over there."
     Groth took five steps back, inhaled a deep breath, and charged across the crevasse.  They held their breath as he sailed across with great force and planted both feet firmly on the other side.  He turned around and gave a cheesy grin with a thumb up in the air.

If only they could all be this easy!

How to deal with Werewolves

Merril's body fell from the vine, blood still pouring out of his open mouth.  The hair subsided and the size of the creature wilted down to reveal a small  elf.  Fox recognized the elf.  He had sequestered Blossom in the wee hours of the night while he and Jend waited quietly in their tree.  There was something odd and unsavory about the fellow.  He was angry at the thought that he would not be able to question him further.  A dead werewolf did not help them in this situation, however a live werewolf wouldn't be of much use either.
     Pas moved in and began working on the corpse, he knew that werewolves did not always stay dead and it could soon come back to bite them in the...   Pas skillfully removed the head and lodged a silver coin deep into the still warm neck-hole.  Auren and Raddick stood watching and wincing at the grotesqueness of it all.  Pas stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
     "If you want to be a "made" man, you can't be afraid to get your hands dirty,"  he smiled and flashed another silver coin.  He rolled the corpse over, removed it's tattered breeches and jammed the coin up the elf's rear.  He moved closer and sniffed the corpse.
     "There are many types of Lycanthropes," Pas started, "the type decides the form they take.  If you get bit, you turn.  You will most likely need silver weapons if you plan on doing any serious damage to them.  And forget tracking them, they will always have the drop on you."
     Pas described more in-depth knowledge as he stood above the corpse sniffing his fingers.  Fox shook his head in disgust and noticed a pack laying near by.  I must have belonged to Merril. 

Pack contents:

Wax
Cooked Pheasant
1 Garnet
26 Gold
Old paper with writing

Fox held the tattered paper up, light pouring through caused it to look like a flap of skin riddled with veins.
     "The sun comes up in the morning"
     "The moon comes out at night"
     "The wind blows at noon"


Who keeps complaining about getting healed?

Make it Rain

Inventory (Harpy nest, Apple Orchard)

Harpy:

20 Platinum
4 Gems (est. 120gp each)

+1 Flaming Dwarven war axe (to be sold)
Ring of Swimming  (Nera)
Potion of Levitate (Fox)
Scroll of Explosive Runes 5th caster lvl (Phae)
Scroll of Spike Growth 5th caster lvl (Phae)
Wand of False Life w/ 11 charges (Fox)

Apple Orchard:

80 Platinum

Ring of Protection +2 (Groth)
Amulet of Natural Armor +1 (Pas)
Cloak of resistance +2 (Phae)
Short Sword Keen of Ghost Touch (Raddick)
Long Bow +2 defending (Fox)


950 Exp combined

Where the Wolves Were.

Our heroes found themselves in a lethal predicament.  They were completely surrounded by a werewolf (Merril), a Winter Wolf and four dire wolves, all of which carried a ravenous thirst for blood.  Phae tossed a fire-ball into the apple trees to draw out any more would-be enemies. 
     "Looks like we've come across some bad apples." growled Groth as he readied his steel for action.  He charged with ferocity towards a cluster of wolves.  In his excitement he misses the targets. 
     Without wasting any time Merril leaped from the fallen log.  Striking for Raddick he lost his footing.  Raddick dodged.  At once the dire wolves choreographed an attack tripping both Raddick and Groth. 
     Fox couldn't help but ponder the worst of outcomes.  The Winter Wolf stared at him with glowing eyes.  Icy bursts came forth with every exhale.  He knew that something drastic had to be done, and it had to be done soon.  Pulling out the bean pouch he prayed for a good outcome. 
     Holding the bean between his thumb and index finger the jammed it into the earth. 

Where to place the fire...

     The blast forced him back five paces.  The ground shuddered as the ground swelled all around them.  Slithering our of the forest floor rose close to two dozen thick black tentacles.  Wrapping up everything in their path, the tentacles isolated Merril and two of his dire wolves.  They gnashed their teeth and thrashed about; causing the tentacles grip to tighten. 
     The Winter Wolf let out a growl as it breathed frost onto Raddick and Groth who have yet to get back to their feet.  They writhe with the pain of a thousand frozen needles.  Phae rewards the creature with a fatal fireball which spreads it's flames to encompass the tangled Werewolf.  
     Groth slashes through two more dire wolves dropping them both while above, a tentacle, squeezed the life out of a third. 
     High above Merril howls in frustration.  Raddick turns to attack and nothing happens.  Merril laughed.
     "If you critical fail, your turn is done!" he boasted.
     With the flick of his wrist Auren unleashes his whip-dagger, catching Merril in the throat.  The creatures smile disappears.  A small amount of blood dripped out of the corner of his mouth.  The tentacle tightened causing the wolf-man to gurgle and spew forth dark red blood.  Phae and Fox dispatch the last of the wolves.  The party can now breathe.


GIMME DAT LOOT!

The road to Castle Wolfenstein

A well defined path etched it's way through the thick forest.  Fox attempted to spot the dragons as they moved deeper in, but he canopy was too thick.  Half of the group was still reeling from the Harpy's mesmerizing song.   They trudged forward in a slight haze.  The smell of decaying fruit permeated the air.  Large apple trees lined the path on both sides. 
     "Stay on the path, that layer of dead leaves looks pretty thick."  Fox stated as he examined their whereabouts.
     "More like a THIck DIck." replied Auren.
     Groth and Raddick turned and raised their eyebrows.  "I'm never sure what going to come out of his mouth next," thought Raddick. 
     The mood of the forest had turned darker and the smell stronger.  The path curved through the dying orchard.  Orange rays of light peeked through the canopy.  Night would be on them soon.
     Rounding a curve in the trail the group halted.  A large rotting tree blocked the path.  Auren studied the wood.  The tree appeared to have fallen due to old age, or at least someone went to great lengths to make it look that way.  He noticed minute saw marks near the base.
     "The tree is too large," a head popped up from behind the log, "it will be too much work to move this tree.  It is best to go around."  The man pointed to either side of the tree.  There was a faint path through the dead leaves on both sides of the tree.
     "What say you?" cried Auren.
     "I suggest that you travel around this massive eyesore." replied the hunter-looking character from behind the log.
     "I am aware that you cut down this tree, now who are you?" Auren demanded.
     The man smiled revealing a sparkling white set of teeth.  "I am Merril, a huntsman."
     "If you are a huntsman, then you will be able to tell me what kind of prey traverse these lands."
     The two bantered for a short while on the types and sizes of wildlife that called the forest home.  Quietly studying the forest floor Fox notices something amiss.  To the right of the fallen log  a well placed snare lay snugly below a thin layer of leaves.  It was large, too large for a bear.  What would they need this size of a snare for, other than a pack of wild eyed adventurers, he had no idea.
     "Oh, there are wonderful berries and fruits growing up near the mansion at this time of year." the huntsman carried on.
     "Which route should we take?" asked Auren.
     "Either way will work." the Merril smiled.  He eyed the travelers with suspicion.
     "I suppose we shouldn't go that direction," Fox stated as he pointed to the right of the trunk, "that snare would leave a nasty scar."
     Merril's eyes glared at Fox.  He stood up tall with a rigid stance, cocked his head back, and howled.

Next up:  THe MEan BEan

Mouth Harp

It was clear to Fox that Phae, Pas, Raddick and now Nera were under a sensual spell.  They walked, as if in a trance, towards the forest where two Harpys flew boisterously from tree to tree.  Their flight was erratic.  Large wings flopped awkwardly in the breeze as they fumble over the tree-tops.
     The first Harpy left his roost and swooped down down on Raddick attacking him and arcing back to a tree on the opposite side.  Raddick swatted at the creature and continued to march.  Angry at the noise blasting his skull, Groth hurled a spear which slashed through the Harpy's side.  Almost immediately the second Harpy made it's arcing attack on Raddick.
     Raddick reaches the forest and disappears as Auren looses and arrow which caught the wounded creature in the neck, bringing it to the ground with at thud.  Raddick came to a stop under a tree and stared upward.  The vile beast swooped down and caught it's wing on a branch.  The missed attack allowed the rest of the group to catch up.  Auren prepared his next arrow and the creature took to the air.  He let it loose with no luck.  The harpy flapped of into the distance.

Onward Ho!

Call of the Wild

A clearing in the tree-line approached leaving an open field between the group and a the next cluster of forest.  A rolling blanket of moss covered the expanse.  Stepping out, Auren's feet sunk a few inches in the green cloud.  He inventoried the scene before him.  Four large boulders sat as guardians of the plain.  One large enough to conceal Groth.  His eyes jogged back up to the mountain peaks where dragons still circled.  Scanning down the mountain face he saw the tree-tops ahead and movement set him on edge.
     Two winged creatures appeared to be hopping from tree to tree.  He could not identify the creatures.
     "Do you think it's another dragon?" asked Raddick.
     "Doubtful." replied Auren.
     "It's moving too erratic," interjected Fox, "and it looks humanoid."
     "Let's see if we can't draw it out into the opening."  Auren decided as he pulled out his horn.
     The group huddled into battle ready positions as the great horn called out.  Three blasts echoed out across the field.  They waited.  The creatures continued to bounce back from tree to tree. 
     Fox let out a faux goat bleat.  He wasn't the best at goat sounds but he gave it his all.  Groth chuckled as he knew it was unmistakably the sound of a goat in heat.  He had tended to many herds during the breeding season in his past life.  The creatures halted their flitting.  The group waited.  Still nothing happened.
     Fox stared across the landscape, mesmerized by it's beauty.  A soft breeze blew down the mountain carrying with it the hum of life that filled the forest around them.  For a moment he forgot what they had even come for.  The hum grew louder and vibrated through his temples.  Pas, Phae and Raddick stepped forward causing him to snap-to. 
     He shook his head and cleared his thoughts.  The hum of the mountains morphed inside his skull and was replaced with a putrid screeching noise that blasted him in stereo. 
     Groth had dropped to one knee and began cramming wads of earth and moss into his ears.  Pas, Phae and Raddick continued a slow march towards the opposite tree-line.  Auren winced in pain as he lunged on to Pas, grappling him to the ground.
     Nera pounced on Phae holding him back while Fox ran to the nearest boulder and took cover.  Nera cringed as the wailing sound resonated in her head.  She found it difficult to focus.  Pas jerked to get free while she clung on tightly.  Nera looked up to the forest and suddenly the noise stopped.  She breathed in deep and relaxed as the soft hum of the mountains filled her.  The soft hum grew to a harmonic crescendo.  She felt at peace with the land and let go of Pas. 
     He continued to march towards the forest and this time Nera followed.


It looks like the gang is stuck like a fly on poop... how will they ever manage to get out of this one?

Unknown

Unknown Character's Myspace posting

Well that was close! *wipes sweat from brow*

     So we get to the top of this rock face without incident and everyone gets hard-ons for dragons.  Apparently there are two or three circling up at one of the mountain peaks.  Wow!  That's crazy!  Last I checked we wer on our way to a mansion, not bird watching.
     Apparently there are two types of dragons; metallic and chromatic.  One is good and one is bad.  I'm not sure which is which because I was too busy day-dreaming of Stret wenches. 
     Before I know it I snapped to just in time to hear Phae discussing how horny the dragons get.  Something about Flutes and beaks. 

2 Whites, 2 Bronze, a bottle of red and a bottle of white

Don't Harp on ME...

Dragons AHOY!

Groth set to work quartering the uniclopse carcasses.  The pools of stale blood began to smell of copper.  He hated copper.  He was hoping that the group's newest edition, Old Grey, would enjoy a few pieces of tribute.  Unsure of what renders ate, he hoped they would find uniclopse meat palatable. 
     When deciding on who should enter the cave all fingers pointed at Fox who shrugged his shoulders and crept into the dark entrance.  The stench boiled his nostrils.  A mixture of feces and rotting flesh particles corrupted the air.  Not very far back he located the stash: 600 Gold and 4 Gems (approx. 75gp each).
     Once camp was cleared Pas cast "without trace" enabling the crew to travel without leaving tracks.  Setting off, the decision was made for Auren to lead the next leg of the trek due to Pas' inability to detect the whereabouts of possible enemies.
     The trail elevated up the base of the mountains through varied steepnesses of terrain.  Thick forest and moderate undergrowth lined both sides.   A few hundred yards up the pass Auren motioned for a stop.  Stamped across the trail were large prints.  Realizing they were fresh Auren signaled for ready action. 
     "It was definitely stalking something," Auren thought to himself.  Following the track through the vegetation he noticed a lump a few yards off in the forest.  The remains of a freshly mutilated goat lay strewn about the forest floor.  A second set of tracks, definitely dragons, intermingled with the first set.  By the size of the kill it was likely that two adult dragons would not be wasting their time on such a small morsel.  They had to be young.


I tawt I taw a dwagon.

     One hundred yards or so up the trail the forest began to thin.  The canopy opened up revealing a glimpse of the Gygax Mountain peaks.  Auren gripped his monocular scope tightly with both hands and shook it up and down vigorously to activate the telescoping function.  Pressing the lens to his eye he confirmed his fear.
     "Definitely two dragons," he stated with purpose.
     He handed the scope to Fox who squinted into the lens.
     "Yep, those are dragons." Fox nodded.
   Pas noticed a path around the steep wall face which led to yet another even steeper sheer rock face.  A very narrow path zig zagged up the face with rough cutbacks.  Traces of goblin tracks pocked the dusty trail here and there.  Two large boulders teetering above served as a warning sign to "turn back."  But Fox and Friends don't read warnings or signs for that matter.  So they trampled blindly up the narrow trail leading up the steep mountain face; ignoring the fact that they could at any moment fall thousands of feet to their deaths.

Poll

I have added a poll to the right!  I can add some more baddies if need be, let me know who to put up there.  Also, if you have any other ideas for poll questions please let me know so that I can get some new crap up.

Don't forget to tell others about the blog!  The more the merrier.

Uni-CLOPS in the Chops!

At sun-up the party moved into the woods.  A gentle trail sloped up through the foothills at a relatively mild incline.  The forest was dense and plenty of undergrowth discouraged free movement off the trail.  On either side noises could be heard no more that fifty to one-hundred yards off.  First it was movement then shrieks and growls.  Rustling in the distance indicating some sort of fight breaking out would happen at regular intervals.
     That must be Old Grey Raddick thought as he trudged up the hillside.  They were not used to uphill travel and this left some of the group out of breath.  The forest around them bore the signs of Uniclopse, tracks and scents indicating that they must surely be near.
     Auren signaled them from up the trail and the group halted.  With his next hand gesture they composed their gear and moved one by one silently to the edge of a clearing.  To the right of the clearing was a cave opening with no movement.  Just outside the cave rested a boar on a spit roasting over a fire.  By the look and smell of it Raddick new that it was ready to eat and the cooks must be nearby.
     A short ledge rose up on the far end of the clearing forming a flat plot of land which housed 4 uniclopses which were busy searching the opposite end of the forest for some invisible invader.  Both Fox and Raddick entered the clearing.  Fox fired and hid while Raddick raced for the ridge climbing it with ease.  He send his blade deep into the first uniclopse downing it with ease as the second lurched forward and attempted grabbed for him.
     The uniclopse beared down on Raddick with a wild-eyed crazy look.  Forcing him to the ground the creature gripped at his throat.  The third uniclopse charged at them with a roar.  Raddick surged with fury, but the beast's grip was too strong.  His eyes grew twice their size as the massive club swung down at him with great force.  He closed his eyes and braced for impact.  He heard and felt a thud and suddenly his body was at ease.  He felt heavy, put no pain.  He felt a warmness flow over his face. 

Kill Zone

     He opened his eyes to see a limp uniclopse corpse laying on top of him.  It's skull had been caved in and a lava flow of blood and grey brain matter spewed out, he was covered in it.  The club-wielder lay stunned on the ground, he must have tripped.  He did not waste time looking his gift horse in it's ugly mouth.  Hearing Groth's battle cry as he charged the group, Raddick slipped out from under the corpse and dispatched the clumsy beast just as Groth arrived.  With a snort the green monstrosity moved on to the last uniclopse and dealt it's fate.


TILL WE MEAT AGAIN!!!

Caution: Plot Twist Ahead, Keep Right!

The foothills of the Gygax mountains brought them through barren plains that led up to the tree line.   Signs of traffic littered the tree line and evidence of Uniclopse and wolves, both great and small, covered the forest and the clearings.  Nightfall was coming on them quickly when the decision to make camp was upon them. 
     Auren was determined to create a fake set that would throw off any predators.  The group quickly set up a dummy campsite fifty yards up the tree line; complete with a fire, tents and mounds to grass which Groth urinated on to add the reality of scented bodies.
     "The fake army did not work, what makes you think a fake camp will do any better?" Raddick questioned.
     "A bird can't fly on 3 wings alone" Auren replied smugly.
     The rest of the group stared at him with confusion.  After a short pause they spotted out their trees and chose watch shifts.  Groth slept on the ground under Fox and Phae while Nera Slept afoot under Radick and Auren with Auren volunteering on the first watch.  Auren and Fox fashioned a few blunt arrows for use to wake up the slumbering Groth in the event of an attack.  He can sleep quite deeply.
     The early evening passed by quietly with the stars peeking through the canopy and the breeze cooling off the heat of the day, but as midnight approached so did a light far down the trail that brought them to their current status.  Auren slowly adjusted his weight to get a better look.  He could hear the deep breathing of his companions which signified a truly restful slumber despite the circumstances. 
     As it approached the light revealed itself to be a flame.  A single torch bounced methodically up the trail, as it came closer the light revealed a small man with the stature of an elf.  Auren had already tossed acorns to wake those in the other tree.  The elf passed their trees and made his way to the faux camp.  He approached it cautiously.
     "Hail." he shouted at the urine soaked piles.
     Auren loosed a blunt arrow into Groth's ribcage.  He shot up and quietly gathered his wits.  Raddick quietly slips out of his tree and makes his way towards the camp.
     "Hail!" repeated the elf.
     "Hail." replied Raddick as he slid out from behind a tree to reveal himself.
     "Are you alone?" asked the elf.
     Raddick remained silent and eyed the elf warily.
     "My name is Hayden," offered the elf, "sent by the Defenders of the Lost King."
     Groth notices that wolves have infiltrated the area and are moving stealthily.
     "My name is Raddick."
     "We are a secret organization aligned with the objectives of the Watchers." stated the elf.
     "I am familiar with the Watchers, but I have not heard of  the Defenders." Raddick reserved caution picked his words carefully.
     "There was once a great King Theron who is now in the great beyond..."
     "Are you saying this king is dead?" Raddick interrupted.
     "Some say that, but others know it as the great beyond.  With a certain artifact we can bring him back."
     Auren slipped into the firelight to engage the Elf.  "How do we know that this group does not mean us harm?"
     The elf smiled.  "Old Grey lives in these woods."
     Auren and Raddick shared a puzzled look.
     "A Grey Render will often times adopt a person or group, and when this happens they will follow and protect that person or group."
     Thier puzzled look turned to shock.
     "It appears that she likes you."  the elf smirked.  "If you come across anything of interest in that mansion we would greatly appreciate your alliance."



My Uniclopse Horn is Tingling!
    

Hushed Voices

Anger shot across Cest's face like lightning when Maul agreed to speak with Fox in private.  Her elven eyes darted between everyone in the group.  The chamber grew quiet enough  for a pin-drop to be heard.  She turned and walked out of the chamber cracking her whip as she went.
     Fox and Maul mulled over to the shadows and carried on their discussion.
     "Maul, I have never known a partnership with a Drow to end in less than deadly terms."  Fox stated matter-of-factly.
     "Her?" replied the stone giant, "I could squash her like a bug."  A smile cracked across his face.
     "There could be more, I know of these creatures," Fox pleaded, "where there is one there are hundreds.  They are like cockroaches."
     As the conversation continues on, Fox can recognize the annoyance growing in Maul's voice.
     "They work for me, the artifact will be mine once it is found," he growled, "how do I know you aren't trying to work me..." a shifting sound off in the darkness of the chamber silenced their dialogue.
     "There are many many more."  Fox whispered and shifted his body to block those that were listening in the shadows.  The demeanor on the stone giants face changed as he realized the seriousness of his surroundings. 
     Fox signaled Auren to make as much noise as possible. 
     Auren, Groth and Raddick carried on a rowdy and obscene conversation wile Fox and Maul whispered quietly in the corner.
     Moments later Fox rejoined the group, a wide-eyed expression adorned his face. 
     "How did it go?" asked Auren.
     "Turn around and walk."  replied Fox sternly.
     "What happened over there?"
     "Turn around and walk, we need to get out of here!" he responded.
     They walked out of the chamber with Maul following behind.  The battalions still held their positions in rank as the portcullis rose slowly.  Behind one of the battalions Cest stood on a raised platform.  Her icy gaze followed their every step.  The steady march out of the keep felt like years.   Once on the other side the portcullis slammed shut.  One look above proved that the archers were still in place with arrows trained.
     They scurried across the bridge and up the ridge finally resting among the fallen stick army (which didn't intimidate anyone).
     Fox notified the crew of the dire situation that they barely escaped back at the keep.  Maul claimed that there was evidence of the artifact and it's whereabouts in a tome up at the mansion, 'The library has proof of the magic item' he said.  In order to prove their allegiance to Maul they must retrieve the item and bring it back to him.

Off To Grandmother's House We GO!