Darkwood--Darkness Rising

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus nods to the dragon, somehow managing to convey both his knowledge of the fight within himself, and his confidence that he will succeed. Unable to think of anything else to say to anyone, he simply leaves, and begins to search the dead bodies for any useful items first, using Detect Magic.

He only actually removes and closely examines items from the enemies, but he also looks over the dead friendly elves for any magic auras that he may recover if they are not raised.

[Annalysei]

Anna's faces shines with perspiration from her practice, but Led's words to Skyseeker are loud enough to carry on the wind to her ears. Her motions with the Flail of Norkkun slow, then stop for a moment, and a slow smile spreads across her face as she pictures the corpses of the Protector and his family. She calls out to Led "Capital idea, that. I think we can find several interesting ways to proclaim to the world that the rule of the Protector is finished."

She takes a drink of water, and straps her flail to her back, and stretches. Practice complete, she wanders over to Vynarkus. "Hail, warlock. I am Annalysei. I also have the ability to detect magic. We can search together, if you wish."

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus smiles at her. "I would welcome the assitance, as there are a great deal of bodies to search, even without counting the elves that likely will not be raised before our battle begins, and whose items would be better off being borrowed than left on their dead bodies.
"The faster we can complete this task, the sooner I can make a few tests on some of our items and seek out a merchant."

[Seven Words]

DarkRock brings the captive Shifter over to the dragon. He promptly collapses, prostrating himself. Apparently, his self-image is predicated upon being a supreme predator....but here is TRULY an apex predator.

Kalindriel's plan is is greeted with surprise...some questioning concerning her motivations....but with Khaurum's approval, it is accepted. DarkRock volunteers to play along with Kalindriel for this.

Some of the Volk had been here as well, having a vested interest in knowing about the Protector's machinations, not even mentioning their KEEN interest in removing his foot from the necks of the Frusvolk hereabouts. Having overheard Annelysei's parentage, and now seeing a scion of Norkkun's line wielding the Screaming Wraith-Slayer once again....They swear to bring the greatest warriors from the nearest villages to join tomorrow. They coordinate with the elven leadership to ensure their arrival and assistance has the maximum effectiveness.

[Sigrid]

Once evening arrives, I pray for spells. "I can help identify anything you find. But I would rather not look the bodies of our fallen allies."

[Kalindriel Ec'urb]

Once things have settled, Kalindriel takes DarkRock aside to practice her ambush.

"Physically this will be easy as you look to have some skill in combat. We will charge together. Since I use a longer weapon, I will be behind you. I am going to strike at your lower back with a thrust. This will be your cue to fall and pretend I hit your spine."

"Are any of your refugees good with hides? We can do this without, but the effect would be enhanced if they can make a thin wineskin which has delicate bones between sides, and maybe a little thicker hide on one side. We fill it with blood and my strike can pierce it and make a convincing crunch."

"The more difficult part will be your thoughts. Fiends can often read them, or at least your emotional state. For one they need to believe you lost control of your lower extremities. They need to believe you are helpless, and even if defiant, in despair. For yourself and especially for your comrades and that you can do nothing about it. It needs to be instinctual and the whole of your thoughts. You cannot slip for a moment and think 'I hope this ruse works' or 'It is working'. Conjure up past wounds for inspiration if you must."

"This is important not only for making our gambit work, but for keeping yourself alive. If you are suffering and not a threat, I can convince them to savor it and leave you to deal with after the battle. But you also need them to believe you think they have the upper hand. Work on this."

"No matter what happens, play this roll. Fiends are clever creatures and I may have to improvise. All you have to do is convince them you are a wounded and weak mortal."

After practicing with him for a while, she asks him to find the craftspeople they need. Being able to help the battle effort should inspire them to work hard. For herself she scans the encampment for materials she can use for her disguises. Bits of antler, leather armor from one of the elves, a cloak, and other items. She wanders from place to place, hiding at times, sometimes being charming to those with a useful bit, sometimes swiping a small object unnoticed.

She gathers them in a central location to fiddle, occasionally going out again for something she needs, then returning to work while waiting for a certain person to contact her.

[Laurel]

The bard nods in Sigrid's direction. "I, too, can help Identify any items, as long as I can get a full night's rest before tomorrow."

[Annalysei]

Grimacing as she pokes through the remains of the Gray Slaad, Anna finds a magical headband. It has runic markings invoking Valkhan and repudiating Darethon...which woudl suggest it offers some kind of fear resistance/protection. She shrugs, places it her pouch and decides to offer it to the shifter later, in case it is something of value to him

On hearing Laurel's mention of rest, she decides to add "Aye, I must rest also, if I am to be able to use any of my stronger magics in the fight. My stronger spells were depleted in the fight against the slaadi. They will be especially useful with Precious here" She gestures towards her borrowed flail as she gives it a fond pat.

[Seven Words]

The plan, formulated for the morrow, is for Khaurum, shapeshifted into elven form, to accompany Spirit Stalker, Visty'ai, Skyseeker, CrushSpike, and (if he is willing) Led to directly brace the Protector. The elves still hold some small hope that a large majority of his support will dissipate with Kharum and Skyseeker's revelations. However, they certainly aren't planning on it. Kalindriel, DarkRock, and Vynarkus will induce a falling-out among the outsiders. Bitch-Kissed, Laurel, Annelysei and Sigrid will be joined by the seasoned warriors Knarr and Vilk of the Frusvolk, plus StarStriker and Hammerhand of the elves, an Arcane Archer and monk respectively.


OOC--yes, this will necessitate 3 DIFFERENT maps and 3 different fights....but I'm figuring you'll come together as you finish fights.

[Vynarkus]

After the plan has been decided, and the group, including the new addition of Annalysei, is grouped together, presumably at a slight distance from the rest of the elves, he takes out some things, and begins to speak.

"Most of the Slaadi that attacked us were not using any items, but the Death Slaad had four items on it. I saw you take a headband off of a Gray Slaad, Annalysei, and I think we should put them all together so that the rest of the party can help us discover what these items do.
"Among the items I found were a ring, a wand, a pouch of enchanted dust, and this amulet."
He holds up an amulet, small silver cage holding dice...the dice look to be floating, not held up by anything
"I have not been able to learn anything about the dust, but both the Ring and wand increase the abilities of the person they are used on in some way, and the amulet bestows some form of magical luck.
"I'm hoping some of you," looking particularly at Laurel and Sigrid, "can tell us all some more about what they do."

[Laurel]

The bard's brows raise slightly at the sight of the amulet, as she idly twirls her own tiny dice which hang about her neck. "I will attempt to learn more about this first," she says, taking the amulet proffered by the warlock. "Cerana bless my attempt."

Moving to a more isolated spot near the party's fire, the bard sings a Song of Knowledge for the next hour.

[ooc]Identify please.[/ooc]

[Led Pighp]

[Led is quite happy to directly assault the Protector directly.]

[Laurel]

An hour later, the bard returns to the party.

"This is an Amulate of Fortune. It gives a small boost of good luck upon the wearer. However," and again she reaches up and twirls the dice which hang about her neck, "a worshipper of Cerana gets a slightly larger benefit from wearing it.

"However, the Wild Bitch shows her distaste for Law by disabling its abilities for any who put it on that follows that path."

[ooc]Amulet of Fortune:
gives +1 Luck bonus to hit, saves, and AC
If worn by worhsipper of Cerana, bonus is +2
Cannot be used by any Lawful character[/ooc]

Forcing herself to replace the amulet next to the other items, she hesitates before deciding which one to learn of next. Looking at both Vynarkus and Annalysei, she informs them, "I can sing the Song of Knowledge two more times before drawing upon my ability to cast higher level spells. Do you have a preference as to which items I investigate first?"

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus looks over at her, and says, "Seeing as how we have no clues whatsoever about what the dust does, I suggest we do that next. However, while you examine it, I would like to make an experiment with the Ring of Featherfall we got a few days ago. Could I see it, please?
"How are you coming along, Sigrid?"

[Laurel]

Reaching in to her pocket, Laurel hands Vynarkus the ring, then takes the pouch of dust and again goes back to her isolated spot for an hour to sing the Song of Knowledge over it.

[ooc]Identify please.[/ooc]

[Laurel]

After another hour passes, the bard returns and takes some water to sooth her drying throat from all the singing she has done this day. Turning towards the others, she replaces the pouch of dust with the other items and tells them, "This is a pouch of eleven pinches of the dust of dryness. A fascinating wondrous item for someone to be carrying around here, with all the frozen water..."

Looking over towards where Vynarkus is experimenting with the Ring of Featherfall, the bard shrugs and picks up the other ring. "I'll see what I can learn about this," as she again goes off and starts singing.

[ooc]draw upon the Versatile Spellcaster feat to use two zero level spells to cast Identify, please[/ooc]

[Laurel]

"This ring is actually a finger size leather cord," the bard said upon returning to the group. Holding it up unbound to demonstrate, the bard then sets it down with the other items. "It is a Ring of Climbing and grants continual aid in the ability of the wearer when climbing."

Looking over the two remaining items, the bard reaches for the headband and muses as she wanders back off to sing, "I am drawing close to my limit on spells for the day, but Sigrid must again be busy with the wounded. I will use the energy of a higher level spell to learn about this item our new comrade came across."

[ooc]Use a 2nd level spell slot to cast Identify on the headband, please[/ooc]

[Laurel]

Smiling at the duskblade, Laurel returns to the party and sets the headband back with the other items. "This is a Headband of Courage. It gives the wearer immunity to Fear, and all allies within 15' a benefit against Fear as well."

[ooc]Headband of Courage:
gives wearer immunity to Fear
all allies within 15' receive a +3 circumstance bonus on Fear saves[/ooc]

Lifting the wand, the bard explains, "After I sing the Song of Knowledge over this, I will be left with only two spells left, the ability to cast one of my weakest and the ability to cast any of my spells one more time." As she finds an isolated spot once more the bard can be heard muttering to herself, "May we have a peaceful night's rest..."

[ooc]Identify on the wand, please[/ooc]

[Led Pighp]

Looking around at all of the flat and open tundra around them, with little in the way of climbing trees or cliffs, Led smirks. "I'm abstractly interested in climbing, though it's a bit odd that someone would have that in this area. Still, if we go to a place of thicker trees or underground caverns, that ring would come in very handy."

[Kalindriel Ec'urb]

Kalindriel remains busy with her preparations and shows no interest in the 'loot'.