PrP: Abyssal Barn

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|   Name   |  Race  |    Class    | E Lev| CHP | HP  | AC  | For | Ref | Wil |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Kilian    |HUMAN   |Ftr          |  3   | 29  | 29  | 19  |  5  |  5  |  1  |
|Tak       |HUMAN   |Bard         |  5   | 37  | 37  | 23  |  3  |  8  |  4  |
|Tatyannah |GIANTBOR|Rog          |  4   | 34  | 34  | 18  |  3  |  8  |  3  |
|Lanier    |HUMAN   |Rgr          |  3   | 29  | 29  | 13  |  6  |  7  |  3  |
|Elessa    |HUMAN   |Rog          |  3   | 19  | 19  | 17  |  2  |  7  |  2  |

<OOC> Rogun says, "When things go into inits if you wind up being sucked into RL 
and I skip you don't take it personally. We'll pick you back up when you return. 
Just trying to close things out within four hours."

With the recent series of disturbances in the Felwood the Sheriff and his men 
have been stretched quite thin. Although most know them to be charged with 
keeping the peace they have recently relied upon adventurers to help keep order 
in the outskirts. 

Earlier word spread of another monster-attack in the area. When the call went 
out for adventurer's most of you probably assumed you'd be dealing with the 
monsters..

.. so imagine when your surprise when, at the request of the adventurer's guild, 
you were summoned to the local jail and deputized to deal with a matter that is 
somewhat more 'civil' in nature. 

Several hours ago a local farmer failed to comply with a subpoena to testify 
against his son-in-law during a formal trial. The circuit judge, through the 
sheriff, has instructed you to go to the man's farm and bring him before the 
court with as little harm as you can manage.

He needs to be there by sun up, and given travel time, you arrive at the farm 
right after dusk.

-=FADE IN - Sepulveda Farmstead=-

The sun falls into the horizon turning it a brilliant orange hue. Above you the 
sky is quickly darkening such that shadows have begun to lengthen and then fade 
completely as the ground below becomes indistinguishable from itself in the dim 
lighting.

Luckily you arrive at the farmstead and are greeted by the usual sounds. The 
braying and clucking of animals. The sound of a weather vane twisting absently 
in the breeze. In the distance you manage to make out the single-story farmhouse 
as well as the modest size barn. Dim lighting flickers from the windows of the 
former. There are also a couple of wood out buildings at the far end of the farm.

<OOC> Rogun says, "You may all roll perceptions."
GAME: Kilian rolls perception: (18)+0: 18
GAME: Lanier rolls Perception: (15)+7: 22
GAME: Tak rolls perception: (20)+7: 27
GAME: Tatyannah rolls perception: (11)+13: 24
GAME: Elessa rolls perception: (19)+5: 24

*PERCEPTION 25* You notice that there is a very /very/ weak source of light 
coming through the slats of the barn.

Kilian kicks at the dirt absently, as she stares down at the farmstead. Her gaze 
continues to rove around the farmstead, taking in the surroundings, but she 
doesn't look as if she's truely interested. "Never thought I'd be on this side 
of the law..."

Lanier approaches the farm with a steady step, the melancholy ranger of the 
Mythwood griping to himself as he goes, "Officer of the court. Deputized. This 
is what happens when you need a new axehead. Learn to make one of your own, you 
blasted twit..." He looks over towards Kilian, giving a rueful nod before he 
focuses his attention on the farmhouse, "Did the judge specify how many pieces 
he's meant to be brought in in?"

Tatyannah smiles at the growing dark. Nevermind where she grew up, there's 
something about the night time she's always liked. Probably explains part of the 
whole rogue thing. She does remark to Kilian, "You get used to it. Most of the 
time."

Tak chuckles faintly, looking to Kilian, "So your usually on the other side of 
the law? Well thats good to know, its refreshing when folks admit that to you." 
He says this with a light tone, apparently joking. He then looks around, 
pointing to the barn "There is some light up there." He looks back to Lanier 
"And we need to bring him in alive and unharmed if we can. This is in regards to 
testifying, he actually hasnt done anything as far as they told us."

Elessa looks to Kilian a bit. "Never thought I'd be bringing someone in for a 
sheriff or judge myself. But I guess we just get to go and work on this." She 
looks to Lanier with a smirk. "I think he wants one piece, whole, unharmed as 
much as possible." She looks up to the homestead and then group. "Do we want to 
go up together or just have our lovely silver tongued bard do all the talking?" 
she indicates Tak with a smirk.

Kilian glances over at her companions.. "Hey, as long as I get paid...wonder why 
its so fire important for him to testify. Wonder who he is testifying 
against..." she shakes her head, "Nope.. don't go there girl, just keep to the 
job." She pulls the longbow from her shoulder. She glances at Elessa, "If he 
could be talked in... I think they wouldn't need us."

Tak holds up a hand. "I'll go to the house, the rest of you stay a bit back, 
along with moving to keep an eye on the back. We don't want anyone running out 
the back door, and like I pointed out, I suspect someone is in the barn too. We 
surround them, and then we talk while showing him he cannot escape. He probably 
grew up with the local sherrif and thinks he can ignore him."

Tatyannah mmmms, "I'll go around back." She prepares herself for this, making 
sure she's got all of her things, before taking her spear in hand. "Or I can 
sneak into the barn."

The sky continues to dim and the orange hue steadily begins to fade away. 
Although this hampers human vision it does make the very /very/ faint light from 
between the slats of the barn stand out a bit more.

Lanier replies, "Well, that complicates things somewhat..." He then continues, 
"Right, I'll go around back with Tatyannah." He stops for a moment, then 
gestures, "There's a light in the barn. We should probably take a look in there 
before we head towards the main house. As much as we don't want anyone sneaking 
out the back door, we don't want anyone to sneak around behind us."
Tak nods "Alright, we check the barn, its possible the man we are looking for is 
hiding in there. Rememeber, we want him alive....no disentigrations." he smirks.
Tatyannah gives a little nod and starts moving like she can see where she's 
going. That's the other thing about the dark, she can see in low light. All hail, 
giant born..

<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll Perceptions."
GAME: Kilian rolls perception: (7)+0: 7
GAME: Elessa rolls perception: (3)+5: 8
GAME: Tatyannah rolls perception: (14)+13: 27
GAME: Tak rolls perception: (17)+7: 24
GAME: Lanier rolls Perception: (1)+7: 8
*PERCEPTION 20* Amidst the other noises you make out low rhythmic speech going 
on within the barn.

As the group approaches the barn it is obvious there is a very weak light source 
most likely a candle old lantern coming from between the slats. The sound of the 
animals braying, pawing, and clucking is ever-present as is the squeaky weather 
vane the sounds each time the air shifts.

Kilian shrugs and and pulls out a small flask from her pocket. She takes a long 
swig, wipes her mouth on her sleeve, then takes the longbow back into hand. 
"Hope we get paid... " she utters under her breath.

Elessa smirks in turn, though quietly moves up to the barn herself. Trying to 
find a place between the slats she could peek in, attempting to get a better 
view of what is inside herself before they think of getting inside.

<OOC> Tak says, "Can I roll spellcraft to see if that sounds like a spell?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "You can."
GAME: Tak rolls spellcraft: (17)+8: 25
<OOC> Rogun says, "Also roll Knowledge/Arcana (if you roll spellcraft)."
<OOC> Tak says, "I'm going to use loremaster to take 20 on that"
<OOC> Tak says, "So a 28"
<OOC> Lanier can roll Spellcraft, Rogun, but not Knowledge/Arcana... Is that 
alright?
<OOC> Rogun says, "Sure."
GAME: Lanier rolls Spellcraft: (12)+8: 20
You paged (Tak, Lanier) with 'It definately sounds like spell-casting.'
You paged Tak with 'It is a conjuration spell!'

Tak waves his hands quickly, pointing to the door, and then he sprints for the 
barn, drawing his whip as he does.


Tatyannah gets out, "They're chant- " And breaks off when Tak makes a run for it. 
She shrugs and goes bolting after him.

Lanier's eyes widen, and the melancholy ranger seems to come alive. He reaches 
high, pulling his greatsword from his back as he begins running towards the barn, 
"Stop them."

The adventurers begin rushing for the barn door!

Soon it is clear to everyone that there is a sort-of low chanting going on 
behind those doors. However, there is a door between you and whatever is 
occurring within.

Kilian draws an arrow and notches it, ready to put the bow into play. Her 
expression gets serious, her eyes darting about the barn into the darkness as 
the others go for the doors. "Yeah... told ya he didn't wanna be talked in.."
Tak points to Tatyanna, and then the door, and then hits his 
shoulder......giantborn are good for something.

<OOC> Lanier is kicking in that barndoor.
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "Er."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Sorry.."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Go for it. :)"
<OOC> Tak says, "Tat can use feat of strength :)"
<OOC> Tatyannah was gonna go with feat of strength.
<OOC> Lanier missed what Tak said.
<OOC> Lanier says, "Go for it. :) I'll roll to Assist, Rogun."
<OOC> Rogun says, "What is your str mod, Tat?"
<OOC> Lanier says, "Only if the rest of us shouts Hey Kool-Ail!"
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "3"
<OOC> Rogun says, "So basically you roll a 23 for getting through the door. One 
moment while I pose."

Elessa blinks at the others and quickly draws her own sword and moves to the 
barn door with the others. She notices Tak's motion and moves back a bit to be 
out of the way, but ready to go in with the ready of them.

Lanier stands next to the door, not getting in the way of Tatyannah and the door. 
He looks towards the Giantborn, nodding his head before he whispers, "I'm in 
first. Careful coming in behind me. They may not be actual targets..."

Tatyannah shoots Tak a look, but gives a nod, backing up, so she can take a run 
at the barn door.

Kilian hangs back a bit from the doors, and the giantborn that is about to rush 
them, she keeps glances to the sides of the barn incase someone comes around the 
sides. She holds the bow at the ready, notched and ready to let it fly. "I get 
the feeling I'm going to hate barns after this... and I used to think of them so 
fondly.."

Tak has his whip ready, and stands aside the door, waiting for the moment it 
busts down. He knows there is spellcasting going on inside, and he has to 
disrupt it before its too late.

<WHAM> <CRACK>

Tatyannah slams hard into the door in a show of strength worthy of legend. 
Whatever barricade had been setup on the other side splinters into a thousand 
pieces spewing shards of wood into the barn and partially dislodging one of the 
doors as it falls open. 

When the door opens a wave of heat immediately rolls outward and over the party 
as the ground at their feat twists in agony, roiling, as if shifting becoming 
some other place entirely.

-=Interior - Abyssal Plane..or Barn?=-

The interior of the barn has been warped as if realities were in conflict to 
decide which is the dominant force here. The beams flicker and shudder with 
otherworldly energy as tormented screams echo somewhere across a vast planescape.

At the center of the room is one of the barns many flickering beams but, lashed 
upon it, there is a nude male whose head hangs as if lifeless. Just to his back 
is a massive event horizon which seems to emanate this otherworldly energy the 
very edge of which seems anchored to the post where the lifeless figure hangs.

Upon the other side of the portal is a stark red plane. The screams. That is 
where the screams come from.

A second figure is upon the ground, near the man lashed to the post, the 
splinters of the burst door covering his form. He stirs and as he does so..

...upon the otherside of the portal the ground BURSTS OPEN and two colossal 
larvae flings themselves into the nexus that is now the barn. Covered in maggots 
and nauxious slime they writhe blindly upon the ground between you and the other 
two within.


<OOC> Rogun says, "You may init."
GAME: Elessa rolls initiative: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 10
GAME: Tatyannah rolls initiative: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 19
GAME: Tak rolls initiative: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 11
GAME: Kilian rolls initiative: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 18
GAME: You roll initiative for Larvae_1: Roll: 2 + Bonus: -1 = Total: 1
GAME: You roll initiative for Larvae_2: Roll: 14 + Bonus: -2 = Total: 12
GAME: Lanier rolls initiative: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 7
GAME: You roll initiative for Figure: Roll: 12 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 17

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                     
 19                  Tatyannah
---------------------------------------- 
 18                  Kilian
---------------------------------------- 
 17                  Figure
----------------------------------------     
 12                  Larvae_2
---------------------------------------- 
 11                  Tak
---------------------------------------- 
 10                  Elessa
----------------------------------------   
 7                   Lanier
----------------------------------------      
 1                   Larvae_1
----------------------------------------           
========================================

<OOC> Rogun says, "Top of the Round. Tatyannah."
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "Stabbing a larvae, nearest one to me."
<OOC> Rogun says, "They are equally close."
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d2: (2): 2
<OOC> Rogun says, "You attack Larvae 2."
<OOC> Rogun )
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 1d20 + 6: (6)+6: 12
<OOC> Rogun says, "Miss."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Kilian."
<OOC> Kilian says, "Gonna fire bow at a larvae.."
<OOC> Rogun says, "The one Tatyannah attacked or the other?"
<OOC> Kilian says, "The one Tat attacked"

Tatyannah bursts through the door and stumbles a little at the end of the run. 
The 'that was cool' feeling is quickly taken away by the sudden appearance of 
literally another world. She stares. She does manage to register the threat and 
stab at it, but she's still too distracted.

<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll it."
<OOC> Kilian says, "Am I within 30 feet of it?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Yes."
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d20+8+1: (20)+8+1: 29
<OOC> Kilian says, "WOOT!"
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d20+8+1: (4)+8+1: 13
<OOC> Kilian says, "Damn.. missed the crit."
<OOC> Rogun says, "You do not crit. Roll damage."
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d8+3+1+1: (6)+3+1+1: 11
<OOC> Rogun says, "Nice damage to the larvae."

Kilian isn't close to the doors, so as soon as they open, she is balanced and 
ready to fire. She takes aim, controlling her breath and lets the arrow fly. It 
sinks deep into the larvae the giantborn just went to strike. "I don't speak 
larvae.. looks like we are going to have to do this the fun way..."

The figure upon the ground stirs as momentarily stunned by the bursting 
barricade as the sudden expansion of his spell. As the sound of conflict falls 
over him he struggles to stand and turns to face the adventurer's as he does so.

He is a wild looking man with either paint or tattoos covering his face. Long 
stringy gray hair falls to his shoulders and his beard is matted and ill-kept. 
His eyes bulge at the sight of them and the conflict with the larvae, "Do you 
have any idea what you've done?!" He screeches raising a bony finger, "Just 
/wait/ until the Demon Lords come forth to deal with you.." His eyes roll back 
into his head and screams arcane words with chaotic exuberance.

<OOC> Rogun says, "The Figure is chanting with chaotic exuberance."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Kilian what is your touch ac?"

Kilian pages: Its 14.. I'm not close to that thing.. :)

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+7: (16)+7: 23
<OOC> Rogun says, "Kilian roll reflex"
GAME: Kilian rolls reflex: (15)+5: 20

<OOC> Tak says, "I'm going to inspire courage, and then I'd also like to use 
arcana or spellcraft to see if killing the conjurer will be bad, like would his 
death HELP the ritual, or stop it :)"

<OOC> Rogun says, "You save! Kilian is sickened for 1 round (-2 to attack, 
weapon damage, saving throws, and ability checks)."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Okay, roll the applicable skills while I pose."
<OOC> Tak says, "What do you want me to roll? Arcana or spellcraft or both?"
GAME: Tak rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (17)+8: 25
GAME: Tak rolls spellcraft: (1)+8: 9
<OOC> Tak says, "Heh"

The horrific larvae writhes as the shaft buries itself deep into its slime-
covered hide. It shudders as if convulsing and rolls awkwardly upon the ground 
before rearing up and turning as if 'sensing' where the attack came from..

..its tiny maw collapses in upon itself, widening, while it convulses again. It 
vomits a torrent of flies, maggots, and gut-wrenching slime at the archer who 
nimbly avoids most of the attack.

But gosh, does it still seem awful.

You paged Tak with 'Luckily, Arcana is more useful for an effect that is already 
in place. You're not sure how connected the insane conjurer is the livlihood of 
the portal but it is obvious, to you, that the nude figure upon the post seems 
to anchor a good portion of the energy.'

Tak steps into the barn, raising his voice in his powerful magical enhanced 
ability. "Kill the mage first! Then start on the larvae! We cannot let him bring 
anything else into this plane!"

Tak pages: Is the guy on the post alive or dead?
You paged Tak with 'You can't tell for all the other things going on so its not 
obvious.'

<OOC> Rogun says, "Elessa. :)"
<OOC> Elessa says, "Well hearing that bit of news, she's going to go for the 
figure. I take it no one is in position I could flank with on him yet?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "No, and you'd have to traverse where the larvae are 
threatening to get to him."
<OOC> Elessa says, "Acrobatics then :)"
GAME: Elessa rolls acrobatics: (13)+10: 23
<OOC> Rogun says, "You move through and are now next-to the conjurer."
<OOC> Elessa says, "He has actually gone so he's no longer flatfooted, so normal 
attack."
GAME: Elessa rolls melee+1: (3)+4+1: 8
<OOC> Rogun says, "You miss. :)"

<OOC> Rogun says, "Lanier. :)"
<OOC> Tak says, "Everyone has +2 to hit and damage from me, and +2 saves vs 
fear/charm"
<OOC> Elessa says, "Oh, +2.... wouldn't have helped"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Not in this case. :)"

<OOC> Lanier says, "Is there a square that both of the larvae are threatening?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Yeah. It would technically be the area between them."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Tatyannah would be more centered towards Larvae 2 so to not 
be subject to both of them at this time."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Awesome. I'm going to stand there and cleave. Can't tumble, 
you see..."

<OOC> Rogun says, "Which are you attacking first?"
<OOC> Lanier says, "Larvae 2"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll it."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Do I have a flank with Tatyannah?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "No. She's in front of them. You're between them. You'd have 
to get behind 2."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Ok."
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+9: (4)+9: 13
<OOC> Rogun says, "You miss."

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6+6: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6: (4): 4
GAME: Rogun damaged Lanier for 12 points. 17 remaining.

<OOC> Lanier says, "Rogun, would the +2 from a charge have got the hit?"
<OOC> Lanier forgot to factor that in.
<OOC> Rogun says, "No."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Ok."

Lanier glances towards Tak, "I can't get around to him!" He does the next best 
thing, however. Interposing himself between the two larvae, Lanier lifts his 
greatsword above his head, aiming for the larvae with an arrow sticking out of 
it. He pulls the sword downwards in a great feat of strength. He misses cleanly, 
however.

The larvae that has not sprayed maggots senses Lanier standing near-to it. 
Raising its bulk undulates forward, mouth-hole widening, and seizes onto his 
torso. The grip of its bite is bone-crushing and then the wound starts to burn 
as it vomits acid onto the Ranger while it holds him.

<OOC> Rogun says, "Top of the round. Tatyannah."
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "Manuever to get next to the mage, using acrobatics, if 
possible."
<OOC> Rogun says, "If you go directly over the space the larvae occupies, rather 
than moving around, this is possible."
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "Ok."
GAME: Tatyannah rolls acrobatics: (1)+11: 12

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6+6: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6: (1): 1
GAME: Rogun damaged Tatyannah for 9 points. 25 remaining.

<OOC> Rogun says, "You lose the move action. You are not near the mage."

Tatyannah judges that she doesn't want to be caught between the two larvae and 
needs to be next to the mage. So she takes a step and attempts to jump, but 
there's not enough room or something. This is not working out well for anyone. 
As she lands, she gets bitten with one of those acidic bites. She swears. Anyone 
who has been on one of these things with her shouldn't be surprised. At least by 
the swearing.

<OOC> Rogun says, "But you still have your standard action."
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "Ok, stabbing the one that bit me."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll it."
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 1d20 + 6 + 2: (20)+6+2: 28
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 1d20 + 6 + 2: (16)+6+2: 24
<OOC> Rogun says, "You have critted."
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 1d8 + 4 x 3: (1)+4 x 3: 8
<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll 3d8+12 :)"
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 3d8 + 12: (13)+12: 25
<OOC> Rogun says, "You heavily wound it. It is in very bad shape."

Tatyannah does remember to take a stab at it and boom! She slides her spear in 
and damages it heavily with a sort of vicious glee.

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                     
 19                  Tatyannah
---------------------------------------- 
 18                  Kilian
---------------------------------------- 
 17                  Figure
----------------------------------------     
 12                  Larvae_2
---------------------------------------- 
 11                  Tak
---------------------------------------- 
 10                  Elessa
----------------------------------------   
 7                   Lanier
----------------------------------------      
 1                   Larvae_1
----------------------------------------           
========================================

<OOC> Rogun says, "Kilian."
<OOC> Kilian says, "Well, they said kill the mage.. I'm going to shoot the 
mage."

<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll at him."
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d20+8+1: (6)+8+1: 15
<OOC> Kilian says, "that is with the +2 from the bard, taking out my -2 form 
being sickened.."
<OOC> Rogun says, "You do hit him."
<OOC> Kilian says, "How far from him am I?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Thirty feet."
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d8+3+1: (4)+3+1: 8
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+12: (10)+12: 22
<OOC> Rogun says, "He takes moderate damage. He is somewhat hurt."

Kilian looks a big green about now, with the nasty crap the larvae threw at her. 
Even though she escaped most of it.. she isn't impressed. She tries to shake off 
the feeling, and the bard's inspiration is helping. She pulls another arrow, and 
after hearing the mage needs to be taken out first, she gets a bead on him. 
"This side of the law is turning out to be not so fun..." She slows her 
breathing, then lets fly. She clips him, but does some damage.

The figure continues to scream loudly his arcane words pointing more and more 
emphatically towards the adventurers even as they start to swarm him. Although 
the first blow is ill-placed the arrow strikes him cleanly, staggering him a bit, 
but he manages to continue his wild chanting..

..his eyes burst open, "SPIDERS!" He screams and in the space between Tatyannah 
and Kilian things begin to pour in from nowhere. First a few dozen, then dozens, 
then hundreds, thousands of spiders continually rain onto the ground and begin 
to move as if having a unified idea of what to do.

The carpet of spiders ripples towards Kilian and begin to climb up her legs and 
into her clothing their hundreds of mandibles biting at her flesh.

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6: (2): 2
<OOC> Rogun says, "Kilian roll Fortitude."
GAME: Kilian rolls fortitude: (13)+5: 18
<OOC> Rogun says, "You take light damage and resist their weak poison."

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6+6: (1)+6: 7
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6: (1): 1
GAME: Rogun damaged Tatyannah for 8 points. 17 remaining.

The larvae that just received a massive wound bites at Tatyannah a second time. 
Although it catches her with its acidic mouth the force of her attack seems to 
have momentarily stunned it for the damage is significantly less this time.

<OOC> Rogun says, "Tak."

Tak pages: I'd like to determine if healing or harming the nude guy with 
interfer with the summoning.
You paged Tak with 'You estimate that terminating his life force will likely 
provide the portal with no more nourishment. However, moving him away from it 
would likewise deprive it.'

<OOC> Tak says, "I'm going to run to the nude guy and cut him down"
<OOC> Tak says, "While maintaining my inspire courage"
<OOC> Rogun says, "You will have to pass through both of the larvae's threatened 
areas to do so."
<OOC> Tak says, "I'll try acrobatics"
GAME: Tak rolls acrobatics: (5)+8: 13
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6: (5): 5
GAME: Rogun damaged Tak for 15 points. 22 remaining.
<OOC> Tak says, "Damn"
<OOC> Tak says, "I still have a standard right?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "However, as you were moving through its threatened area and 
not space you do make it near-to where is lasheds."
<OOC> Tak says, "So I'm near him right?"
<OOC> Tak says, "Can I cut him down as my standard?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "You can begin cutting him down."
<OOC> Tak says, "I'll do that"
<OOC> Rogun says, "What are you using?"
<OOC> Tak says, "I have a dagger"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll damage with the dagger."

GAME: Tak rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Rogun says, "Elessa. What is your action?"

Tak continues to hold his bardic magic, and then starts to move, quickly dashing 
over towards the nude man being tied up. One of the larva hits him hard, but he 
still makes it to where he needs to be. "I need to get him away from the source 
of magic! It will stop feeding the spell!" he draws a dagger to cut at the ropes 
holding the man.

<OOC> Elessa says, "Acrobatics to move into flank with Tak, then attack with my 
standard"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Tak begins cutting the bindings. This looks like it could be 
a few rounds."
<OOC> Tak says, "You'd need to flank with Tat or Lanier"
<OOC> Elessa says, "Ahh, then flank with one of them, will I still need an 
acrobatics to get into the right position?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "What are you attacking?"
<OOC> Elessa says, "The nude mage guy"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Ah. There is a nude guy who appears to be either dead or 
'mostly dead' lashed to a post. Then there is a mage close to that who is 
summoning spiders."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Tak is cutting the nude fellow down."
<OOC> Elessa says, "Oh! I mean the mage dude is what I'm after, not the nude 
one."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Okay. No one else is threatening him at the moment. Everyone 
else is blocked by Larvae."
<OOC> Elessa says, "Okay. then I won't move"
GAME: Elessa rolls melee+2: (1)+4+2: 7
<OOC> Elessa puts her head on the table.
<OOC> Rogun says, "You miss. :("

<OOC> Rogun says, "Lanier."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Going to try to attack Larvae 2 and cleave into Larvae 1."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll it Lanier."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Hopefully some of Kilian's pimp juice works on my dice."
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+9: (17)+9: 26
<OOC> Rogun says, "Indeed it did."
<OOC> Lanier says, "It does. :)"
<OOC> Lanier says, "Cleaving."
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+9: (9)+9: 18
<OOC> Rogun says, "You strike both."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll damage for #2."
GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+11: (6)+11: 17
<OOC> Rogun says, "You kill it. Maggots and acid spill outward in a dramatic but 
mechanically unimportant fashion as it bursts."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Damage on #1."
GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+11: (12)+11: 23
<OOC> Rogun says, "You heavily wound the other larvae. It is in bad shape."

GAME: 'Larvae_2' removed from initiative list.
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                     
 19                  Tatyannah
---------------------------------------- 
 18                  Kilian
---------------------------------------- 
 17                  Figure
----------------------------------------      
 11                  Tak
---------------------------------------- 
 10                  Elessa
----------------------------------------   
 7                   Lanier
----------------------------------------      
 1                   Larvae_1
----------------------------------------           
========================================

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+8: (2)+8: 10
<OOC> Rogun says, "Larvae 1 fails to attack Lanier. Top of the Round. 
Tatyannah."

<OOC> Tatyannah says, "Stab the larvae, since it's in bad shape."
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 1d20 + 6 + 2: (20)+6+2: 28
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 1d20 + 6 + 2: (7)+6+2: 15

Caught in a mighty cleave, the remaining larvae attacks Lanier be swinging its 
large bulbous head at him but winds up flopping ineffectually upon the ground.

<OOC> Rogun says, "You do not crit. Roll damage."
GAME: Tatyannah rolls 1d8 + 4 + 2: (6)+4+2: 12

<OOC> Rogun says, "That Larvae is in Very Bad Shape."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Kilian."
<OOC> Kilian says, "Another shot at the mage... she isn't liking him back. ;)"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll it. :)"
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d20+8+1: (12)+8+1: 21
<OOC> Rogun says, "Hit."

Lanier moves aside to dodge the first wave of spiders, acid and ichor that 
descends from the open wound of the larvae. The steps are careful and precisely 
tuned to allow him the most momentum as he brings the greatsword around to stab 
deeply into the gullet of the second larvae with a mighty heave. Then, with an 
equally mighty cleave, Lanier withdraws the sword from the guts of the larvae 
and swings it into the first of the larvae.
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d8+3+1: (6)+3+1: 10

Tatyannah decides to stick with the larvae and try to kill them, because she's 
cranky. Particularly after the spiders and stuff. She jabs her sphere at the 
damaged larvae and SCORE! Another decent hit. Take that you sluggy, digusting 
things.

<OOC> Rogun says, "The mage is in bad shape."

<OOC> Rogun says, "Mind-Affecting Will Saves from: Tatyannah, Lanier, and 
Elessa."
GAME: Tatyannah rolls will: (1)+3: 4
<OOC> Tak says, "+2 save vs fear and charm"
<OOC> Elessa says, "Will that help in this case?"
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "I don't think that's gonna help me. :)"
<OOC> Rogun says, "It will not."
GAME: Elessa rolls will: (6)+2: 8

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d4: (1): 1

<OOC> Rogun says, "Elessa and Tatyannah are stunned and blind for 1 round."
Kilian's expression hardens as the spiders appear and move up into her clothing 
and starts biting her. It takes everything she has to not squirm. Her eyes are 
hard as she takes another bead on the mage, shouting at him, "Really?!! 
Spiders?!! I'm from Charn, you're going to have to do better than that!" She 
pulls back on the bow and takes aim, holds breath and lets the arrow fly. This 
one catches him in his ribs, bringing a well of blood.

<OOC> Elessa says, "Lovely :)"
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6: (3): 3

GAME: Rogun damaged Kilian for 3 points. 26 remaining.
<OOC> Rogun says, "Fort save from Kilian."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Lanier, roll will when you return. :)"
<OOC> Lanier says, "Back."
GAME: Kilian rolls fortitude: (5)+5: 10
<OOC> Tatyannah says, "Will, not fort, Lanier."
GAME: Lanier rolls Will: (11)+3: 14
<OOC> Lanier says, "My bad."
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d2: (2): 2

<OOC> Rogun says, "Lanier is also stunned and blinded for 1 round."

<OOC> Lanier says, "Balls... I rolled a 16 on that Fort too."
GAME: Rogun damaged Kilian's str for 2 points. 2 total damage.
<OOC> Rogun says, "Hundreds of Spider Bites makes Kilian feel weaker (poses 
now)."
<OOC> Lanier says, "Is this a fear effect, Rogun?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "No. It's color spray."

The abyssal glares at Elessa and then his screams at her. A horrible face-
reddening shriek right in his face before bringing a fist up over his mouth and, 
muttering several words, he blows into his hands sending a burst of colored dust 
outwards in a cone.

It affects three of the adventurers and the larvae. However, the larvae seems 
unaffected.

<OOC> Kilian says, "How long am I sickened from the first time? So I know when 
to take the -2 off?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Tak. You have cut away a portion of the bindings. You are 
up."
<OOC> Rogun says, "The sickened has worn off."
<OOC> Tak says, "Can I roll know/arcana about the spiders, cause I've read the 
spell OOcly and I think I know what will work :)"
<OOC> Tak says, "And keep cutting"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Do you want to know about the spell or a swarm of spiders?"
<OOC> Tak says, "The spell"
Tak pages: Per the spell a summon swarm only travels towards the nearest 
creature, the caster has no control
<OOC> Rogun says, "Yes, you can roll to know about the spell mechanics. However, 
swarm mechanics would fall under knowledge/nature."
You paged Tak with 'Yes, that is arcana.'
GAME: Tak rolls knowledge/arcana: (12)+8: 20
GAME: Tak rolls knowledge/nature: (9)+8: 17
GAME: Tak rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4

<OOC> Tak says, "Still cutting ropes as I talk to folks"
<OOC> Rogun says, "You know about swarm mechanics. However, the spell mechanics 
elude you."

Tak continues to hack at the bindings around the nude man, calling out. "The 
spiders will attack anything! Move near him, lead them to the mage!"
<OOC> Rogun says, "You are mostly through the bindings."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Elessa is skipped for the stun. As is Lanier."
<OOC> Elessa says, "Ahh, yes"

Elessa has been attempting to fight against the man once she got up close to him 
and lashes out at him with her sword. Unfortunately, she can't seem to land a 
blow yet. But when she is hit by the spell, she screams for a moment, putting up 
her hand over her eyes, and seems almost frozen for a few heartbeats.

GAME: Rogun rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Rogun rolls 1d6: (6): 6
GAME: Rogun damaged Lanier for 6 points. 11 remaining.

<OOC> Rogun says, "Tatyannah is stunned. Kilian is up."

Kilian pages: Can I bullrush him? Do I have a clear shot?
Kilian pages: Or Charge.. I won't be able to draw my sword.. but one or the 
other..

The remaining larvae undulates at Lanier again and seizes hold of him. Stunned 
as he is, its mouth gets a firm grip and it regurgitates a mass of acidic bile 
all over him.

Through the event horizon of the portal, upon the blasted landscape, a man-like 
creature with a whip-cord build and shrunken leathery wings ascends onto the 
cliff face in the abyssal plane. It cocks its head slowly, as trying to deduce 
exactly what it is looking at.

Realization falls over its features then and licking its lips it draws a long 
spiked whip that appears as a living serpent and begins a slow trek across the 
blasted landscape towards you.

You paged Kilian with 'You can charge it.'
You paged Kilian with 'You can actually draw a weapon while you charge if you 
drop your bow.'
From afar, Kilian nods "I'll do that!
Kilian pages: So I get a +2 on my attack for the charge?
You paged Kilian with 'Okay. Announce OOC and roll it. :)'
You paged Kilian with 'Yes. :)'
<OOC> Kilian says, "Charging the mage!"

<OOC> Rogun says, "Roll it. :)"
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d20+7+2: (18)+7+2: 27
<OOC> Rogun says, "Hit."
GAME: Kilian rolls 1d8+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Rogun says, "The figure collapses to the ground, dying."
<OOC> Rogun says, "The portal stutters for a brief moment but is otherwise 
unaffected."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Tak."
<OOC> Tak says, "Can I get the guy free this round and carry him away?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "You will be heavily encumbered but, yes, you may begin 
dragging him."
<OOC> Tak says, "Then I'm getting him towards the door, and taking the extra 
time to avoid the stupid larvae so they dont kill him"
<OOC> Tak says, "And I'm dropping my inspire, so that was 3 rounds total use, 
lingering for 2 more"

The spiders poison starts to have an effect, after the multitude of them biting 
her. She looks at her bow.. her bow that is nearly as tall as she is, and drops 
it. She clenches her jaw and takes a really good look at the mage.. "I hate 
spiders..." she charges the mage and pulls her blade free. With a practiced 
swing of her blade she finishes the mage off...

Tak cuts the man free finally, as the man starts to fall Tak staggers under the 
weight of catching him. The bard grunts, not really being a strong man. He 
starts to move away to the side of the barn, circling the larvae but at least 
getting the victem away from the center of the ritual.


When the last bond is cut the nude male falls heavily into Tak's care. Limps as 
he is he's not hard to manipulate but is quite heavy to someone unaccustomed to 
bearing a lot of dead weight.

As Tak begins dragging him across the barn the tendrils of the portal seem to 
cling to him for some distance. Then, as if strained to the limit, one falls 
loose and collapses back into the portal.

The area outside of the barn, which turned when the barricade was shattered, 
begins to return to normal.

<OOC> Rogun says, "Elessa."
<OOC> Elessa says, "Is there anything up that can/should be killed?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "One Larvae remains."
<OOC> Elessa says, "Can I get in on a flank?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "If Lanier were not still stunned you could."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Meaning you can defer your action until after his if you 
choose."
<OOC> Elessa says, "And since he is right after me. May I move and ready my 
attack for when he is no longer stunned or attacks? So he gets flank too?"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Sure."
<OOC> Elessa says, "I shall do that :)"
<OOC> Rogun says, "Lanier. :)"
<OOC> Lanier says, "Getting up and whacking the snot out of the larvae."
<OOC> Rogun says, "You grab your weapon and swing with flank."
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+11+inv: (3)+11+inv: 14

<OOC> Lanier says, "What the hell?"
<OOC> Lanier says, "Ok. Yeah, 14 damage if it hit."
GAME: Elessa rolls melee+2+2: (13)+4+2+2: 21
<OOC> Rogun says, "Hit. Dead. :)"
<OOC> Elessa says, "Okay... I have a standard left... I'm going to use it as a 
move to get out of here right now and away from that portal."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Okay. :)"

Lanier reels back from the mass of color that overloads his senses. He falls to 
a knee, leaning heavily upon the greatsword which sticks in the ground. He 
grunts as he is washed down in acid a moment later. This seems to bring him to 
his senses. His eyes snap open, looking around quickly. He stands to his feet, 
taking the greatsword in a reverse grip and carries the sword up above his head 
and then down into the larvae with one final great warcry. The slash hews the 
larvae apart. The Ranger, breathing heavily, begins looking around quickly, "Tak! 
What's going on!?"

The spiders move as a living wave to rapidly approach Tatyannah. Rising like a 
side they scrabble over one another and then -- suddenly -- their numbers are 
less and less. As quickly as they fell from the sky they disappear into 
nothinginess.

Within the portal the demonic form continues its approach its eerie voice 
whispering inside your heads and making you feel suddenly quite paranoid.

<OOC> Rogun says, "I won't hold you to order at this point. Tak feel free to 
pose. Others may also pose."
<OOC> Rogun says, "Yes."

Tak calls out "Help me! We have to get this man away from the portal, it will 
close if we get him away! Before something worse comes through!" He struggles to 
drag the man towards the barn door and get out of here, far as he can.

Kilian brushes at the few remaining spiders, only to see them disappear. She 
looks down at the mage in disgust, but its the voice that pulls her attention 
away. She backs away from the portal, then hears Tak and moves forward to help 
him, grabbing at the man with her free hand. "I hope you are right about this... 
" she lends her stregnth to move the man away and towards the doors.

Tatyannah was both blind and stunned and so stumbles around a minute. But thank 
goodness, her sight returns and so she blinks a few times. She does offer, 'I 
can carry him, if need be." Hello, Giantborn.

Tak says, "Take him and run! We must hurry!"

Elessa backs away from the portal some more. "Something nasty is trying to get 
through!" she warns the others, falling back with them very quickly to hope that 
getting away might do something to the portal. Like close it.
Tatyannah shoves her spear at someone, picks up the guy and takes off.

Tak will carry the spear

Kilian moves to let Tatyannah take over getting the man out of the barn, she 
runs over to grab up her bow. "Working for the law just ain't worth it... this 
sucks.." she looks down at the bow and winces, "Oh great, I got maggots on my 
bow.. that's just gross!!"

Tak takes Tatyannas spear, hollering and waving to the others. "Get out! Get as 
far away as we can!" He stays with Tatyannah, moving with her as they rush from 
the barn.

<OOC> Lanier says, "How far is the demon thing?"
<OOC> Rogun poses.

Lanier drops back to the barn door, "Tak, Tatyannah! Get him away from here, 
I'll attempt to slow that thing down." He tosses his greatsword out the door, 
opting instead to go for the recurved longbow draped across his shoulder. He 
takes up one arrow from his quiver, stringing it and pulling mightily until it 
is cheeked. He takes air, raising the tip of the arrow just slightly, and 
letting it fly through the portal. A moment later, a second arrow follows.
Tatyannah doesn't bother with chitchat, just runs, trusting in her innate 
Giantborn-ness to be able to see in the near-dark and to carry the burden on her 
shoulders.

Indeed, as if the demonic figure had issued some sort of call more and more 
abyssal creatures appear upon the blasted cliffs..

..hideous beings - living avatars of self-mutilation and torture - writhe upon 
the horizon and then begin moving forward. Their every step bringing pain for 
they shriek and wail as if the merest movement of their bodies brought 
incredible agony upon them..

The Giantborn woman grabs the nude man, who is light to her broad frame, and 
throws him carelessly over her shoulder before sprinting away. The tendrils of 
energy continues to stretch and cling until, one by one, they break free as she 
exits the barn..

..a thousand tortured souls scream in your mind..

The energy lashes back into the portal which bulges and warps for a moment. It 
ripples in expansion..

..the creatures move faster and thus the screaming louder..

..before it collapses unto itself and there is a flash..

-=Exterior - Sepulveda Farmstead=-

The cool night falls over each of you when the portal closes. The screaming is 
gone - replaced by the quiet braying of animals and the absent movement of the 
weather vane - the natural darkness of the night enveloping you and actually 
bringing a feeling of safety for the horrors just encountered.

As you inspect the nude man you find that he is alive, albeit barely, for though 
his soul has been mostly drained he awakens long enough to look at each of you 
whispering, "..thank you.." before lapsing out of consciousness again.

Then you remember your initial mission: The Farmer who did not appear to testify.

It would seem that he was not in willful contempt but was, quite literally, tied 
up at the time of the trial.

Extenuating circumstances being what they were - you are sure the court will 
understand.

-=FADE OUT=-