Jason was unavailable for this session, so Karnak was left out of play.
<Bruce> All right, where did we leave off last time, and is there anything we should be resolving before play as such?
*** Bruce is now known as DM.
*** iChris is now known as Meridius.
<Liatus> IIRC, we just finished wuppin' some ass.
<Meridius> We were left with the options of taking Yusdrayl a gift of goblin hedz, going down the creepy hole, or continuing our exploration of the 1st level.
<DM> Right.
* Liatus notes that Meridius and myself are still under the effect of Bull's Strength, which lasts for 3 hours.
<DM> I'm going to save you a bit of fooling around time. The door that runs east out of room 41 leads to a hallway that connects to both the unexplored doors on the north wall of the temple hall, room 39. They were both blocked ont he north side with big barricades of furnishings and odds and ends.
<Silana> And I still have a Mage Armor spell running, but probably for not that much longer.
<DM> And in the southwest corner of room 40 there's a door that leads to a small pantry sort of room. More fun stuff like elf pudding.
<11: Silana> Map url?
<DM> Y'all are good sports about checking out these things, but since there aren't any traps or whatever there, and no particular loot...this saves us screen time.
<11: DM> http://www.baugh.info/citadel1.jpg
* Liatus nods
<Silana> Okay. By the time we've done all that, my spell has definitely run out.
* DM nods to Dan. It's just a few minutes' work, but you've had that up for a while.
<Silana> I cast it just before the encounter that leveled us up, in fact. Otherwise I'd have another hour. :)
<DM> Life is so unfair sometimes.
<Liatus> So this more or less leaves this level populated entirely by kobolds and their prisoners, yes?
* DM updates the map.
<DM> Yes, it does.
<DM> At least there don't seem to be many places anything else could be lurking.
<Meridius> We still need to deal with the sarcophagus we found last session. And more dragon statuary, as I recall.
* Once the local explorations are finished, Silana asks, "So what now? I'm for taking these," as she gestures toward the captives, "back to Yusdrayl and seeing if anyone there can translate the labels on those vials." [Silana]
<Liatus> "That would be for the best, I think. I am eager to store my new chest and show off my nice new tropheys."
<DM> Okay, map updated.
* DM nods to Chris. There's the sarcophagus, and the little alcove that's area 14.
* 11: Liatus wonders how many EPs we could get for killing all the kobolds.
<Meridius> "Let us go treat with Yusdrayl, then. But be on your guard for treachery."
<11: DM> That's an interesting question. Probably a fair chunk of what you'd need to get to 4th level. It'd be a busy fight, though.
<DM> From where you are, it's a short and uneventful trip back to the kobold temple hall, if that's the way you'd like to go.
## DM rolled 1d20 = 19 (19).
<DM> Yes, uneventful, he said, remembering to check.
<Silana> No wandering pit traps. :)
<11: Liatus> Hey, we gots Bull Strength, dude.
<DM> Exactly.
<11: DM> My computer offers up the "Brother in Arms" track from the Halo soundtrack at this moment.
* Liatus herds our remaining three goblin prisoners ahead of us to check for just such a thing.
<DM> The goblin prisoners look pretty cowed. They peer around at rooms that were, a few days ago, filled with goblins, and now aren't.
<DM> And of course the blood stains are pretty much all still there.
<11: Liatus> YES, TREMBLE IN AWE AND FEAR OF THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE LIATUS.
<11: Liatus> Oh, and those other guys too.
<11: DM> :)
<11: Silana> AND THE GREAT AND PUZZLING MONK-NOT-APPEARING-IN-THIS-EPISODE.
<DM> The kobold guards in the temple hall look up as you open the door, and snap into defensive positions when they see the goblins.
* Liatus cows the goblins again to help get across that they are prisoners.
<DM> The kobolds lower their javelins and smile. One of the trio leans forward to poke one of the goblins. "Not so tough now!"
<DM> The others crowd around. "You kill many?"
* Liatus holds up the heads of the goblin chief and shaman.
* Silana speaks up, "We bring you prisoners, and proof of our victory over your enemies." And she gestures toward Liatus' gory prizes.
* Meridius looks on in stony silence.
<DM> The kobolds peer, and make a peculiar clicking sound with their jaws. "Is good! We take you to queen!" Pause. "One of us take you to queen! We guard."
<DM> One of the kobolds does indeed lead the way down the temple hall and to the alcove, where Yusdrayl is again on her throne. Her own guards also come to attention at seeing the prisoners; she keeps a casual pose.
<11: Liatus> The adventures of Severed Head Man, Owl Girl and the Amazing Stonefaced Man.
<DM> She makes a gesture with one hand, a sort of "come on" motion.
*** Maya has joined channel 10 [Saturday D&D].
*** Maya has joined channel 11 [Saturday D&D Chatter].
* Liatus waits for Meridius - our usual spokesperson - to make a move.
* Meridius defers to Liatus in this instance.
<11: DM> "no, no, after you!"
<11: Liatus> What happened to your big plan?
<11: Liatus> Or does that come later?
<11: Meridius> Nothing, I'm just letting the diplomat do the diplomatic things this time.
<11: Meridius> That way I'll still have the moral authority to kick ass when you screw up. ;~)
<11: DM> :)
* DM waits for SOMEONE to grab the initiative...
* Liatus approaches the queen. "Your highness, we gladly present you with these three additional prisoners and with these - the heads of your hated enemies leaders."
* 11: Liatus cassually gives Meridius the finger before doing the diplomacy dance.
<11: Silana> Where rest of bodies? Heads only good for soup.
<DM> Yusdrayl give the scene a slow sweep, finishing with the severed heads. "You have done well!"
<11: Liatus> I ain't lugging the chief's corpse back. Meridius cleaved him in half. He's oozing parts all over the place. I'd get my armor dirty.
<DM> She gestures at the various artifacts arranged on the little altar in front of her throne. "I promised you a reward for the head of my enemy, and I keep my word." She points to each one in turn. "This feather will once make a great oak grow on the spot. This scroll teaches the art of armor suitable for magicians, this one the art of climbing in the manner of the spider, and this one the art of summoning fire such as the fae make. This flask contains three sip, each of which strengthens the body against whatever disease afflicts it." She leans back on her throne. "You may have any two of those, in exchange for the heads and the victory you have brought me."
<Liatus> "Your highness is indeed honorable and generous."
<DM> She also points at the prisoners, and at the door to the room where the others were locked up. "By right of conquest, these are yours, if you want them. If you do not, we shall make them serve us for the greater glory of our ancestors who built this place."
<11: Liatus> Do we want to deal with the goblins? Or leave them as food?
<11: Liatus> or slaves or whatever.
* 11: Meridius isn't interested in having goblin lackeys.
<11: DM> They're very fashionable.
* 11: Meridius is considering whether or not we should inquire about a reward for the return of Calcryx, which hasn't yet been mentioned.
* Silana bows deeply. "Thank you, great Queen. There is a further matter which may benefit us both. These three," she says, indicating the three new prisoners, "may know useful things about our common enemy who dwells below, but they do not understand our language, nor we theirs. If they could be questioned..."
<DM> Yusdrayl nods. "Questioning. Yes. That is a good thought."
<11: Liatus> I honestly have no idea how to even bring that up in a polite and diplomatic way.
<11: Liatus> This being one of the problems of me being head talking person typeguy.
<DM> Yusdrayl draws a dagger out of her robes and leans forward to slice an ear off one of the goblins. She says something in what you assume is Goblin. He babbles back for a while.
<DM> Eventually his babble dries up. Yusdrayl looks up and says "He seems not to know much about the Outcast. The Outcast tends strange gardens, lit by fungi and torches. Some of the goblins are forced to work for him, guarded by bugbears who serve the Outcast for their own reasons. Goblins who fail are taken to be 'presented' and never return."
<DM> She lifts the dagger. "Let us question another."
* Silana nods, not about to argue with that suggestion. Goblins have lost a few points on her scale since the discovery of the ring.
<11: DM> And a giant cat tramples the level! No, wait, that's just Montano on the module.
* (Not to mention that the sorceress knows it's her fault that she and her companions cannot do this questioning themselves.) [Silana]
* 11: Silana laughs.
<DM> Yusdrayl notices one of the goblin prisoners limping slightly, and stabs him in that foot. The routine of questioning and answering continues again.
* 11: Silana rolls her Save Versus GM's Cat.
<DM> As the prisoner finishes, Yusdrayl shakes her head. "That is all they have to say, at least to this level of questioning."
* Silana nods. "That is at least more than we knew."
<DM> Yusdrayl looks directly at Silana. "You squirmed when you learned what we do with prisoners. Would you be happier if they all just perished now?"
<11: Liatus> Could I perhaps just take a 10 on a diplomacy roll to politely ask about a reward for bringing back their dragon?
<11: DM> Certainly.
<11: DM> What would the result be? And insert the questionw henever you want.
<11: Liatus> 19
<11: DM> Gotcha.
* Liatus politely attempts to change the subject by (again, politely) inquiring about any possible reward for returning their missing dragon.
<DM> Yusdrayl sets aside the cheery prospect of mass execution to consider Liatus' question.
<Yusdrayl> "That was no agreement of mine. Meepo does not speak for me. But it is a worthy deed, which enhances the glory of our ancestors. You may take a third treasure, with my thanks." [DM]
* Silana closes her eyes, looking both solemn and a bit chastised. Letting out a breath, she opens her eyes again and is about to speak when Liatus' intervention lets her at least postpone her answer. She glances aside to the priest with a hint of gratitude in her eyes.
<DM> As (I'm assuming) you consider your picks, Yusdrayl looks thoughtfully at the prisoners she's just cut up. "Do you wish to seek out the Outcast, then?"
<Liatus> "We must. Two of the four we seek are down there somewhere."
<DM> She nods. "In light of your accomplishments, I am willing to hold your prisoners another three days. I would not want you distracted from the good work by the demands of dealing with them. And the lower reaches of this place are as holy to us as the upper."
* Having had a moment longer to think past her anger at the goblins, and her shame at being called on her apparent change of attitude toward them by the kobold queen, Silana chooses to give her answer. "Great Queen, I beg your forgiveness. I had let my anger harden my heart and blind my judgement. No, I would not have all be judged for the crimes of one, or a few. We found that these (indicating the three) and their leaders had murdered one of those we came to save. The others, to our knowledge, had no part in it." [Silana]
<DM> Yusdrayl laughs. "You cut your cloth very fine. Whatever villainy these did, they could do it only because the others bore and fed and clothed and equipped them."
* Silana nods, looking a bit more confident. "The same could be said for the evils done by men. I would not accuse their mothers for the deeds of their sons."
<DM> Yusdrayl seems genuinely puzzled. "Why not? Am I not queen? Are not all the members of my tribe my children? Must I not be punished, if I fail to punish them? This is the way of all people who are anything more than driftwood and dust."
* 11: Liatus decides not to chime in with his rendition of the Imperial philisophical teachings on how the role of women is to bear and raise children, and are therefor held morally responsible for the actions of their sons, be they good or ill.
<11: DM> Probably wise.
* Silana nods. "And we have brought you the head of he who led them. The others you hold were not in authority over these."
<DM> Yusdrayl shakes her head. "Authority? No. But families make soldiers possible. If the families did not do their part, the soldiers could not do theirs. This is simple guilt, as clear as calm water."
* 11: Liatus also doesn't mention how this leads to executing mothers during rebelions. :)
<11: Liatus> Now you know why I'm not Lawful Good :)
<11: DM> :)
<DM> Yusdrayl shakes the knife she's holding a little, so that blood drops fly off to the right and left. "Perhaps, though, you would prefer to consider the matter and try again once you have dealt with the Outcast."
* Silana replies, "Perhaps. You are right, of course, this is a discussion likely best left for another time, when more pressing matters are not at hand." She bows again, and takes a step back.
<DM> Yusdrayl points at the altar again. "But come. Claim your rewards." She holds out a hand to Liatus. "Do you wish to give me these heads, or do you intend trophies of your own?"
* Silana trembles a little, inwardly. One of these days, her mouth is going to get her into trouble.
<Liatus> "Perhaps lady Silana would care to help me select which of the Queen's gifts would be most suitable for our future needs."
<DM> To repeat the list:
<DM> <DM> She gestures at the various artifacts arranged on the little altar in front of her throne. "I promised you a reward for the head of my enemy, and I keep my word." She points to each one in turn. "This feather will once make a great oak grow on the spot. This scroll teaches the art of armor suitable for magicians, this one the art of climbing in the manner of the spider, and this one the art of summoning fire such as the fae make. This flask contains three sip, each of which strengthens the body against whatever disease afflicts it." She leans back on her throne. "You may have any two of those, in exchange for the heads and the victory you have brought me." {plus one for Calcryx}
* Silana nods to Liatus. "Yes, thank you, I shall." Anything to get her out of standing there and feeling awkward, at this point.
* Meridius scans the room for signs of treachery.
* Liatus offers the heads to the Queen. "Please, great Queen, accept these heads with our respect as well as our gratitude for the hospitality of you and your people."
* 11: Liatus leaps back. "HOLY SHIT! Meridius is ALIVE!"
* Gnaea also scans the room for trouble. Oh, and yummy mice. [Silana]
* 11: DM laughs.
<DM> No sign of either, to Gnaea's disappoint.
<DM> Yusdrayl takes the heads with great ceremony and places them in a chest beside her throne. "These will grace our gatherings. Thank you."
* Silana joins Liatus in examining the offered rewards.
* Meridius appears unconcerned with the items offered by Yusdrayl.
<DM> A manly man. :)
<11: Liatus> Regarding the gifts, the scrolls aren't much good to anyone but Silana. The flask may be useful if i get killed or knocked out again. The feather I'm unfamiliar with, but my paranoia leads me to wonder if it won't be important later.
<11: DM> Y'never know when an instant oak tree might come in handy.
<11: Liatus> That said, I'm willing to let the two of you make the final choice.
<11: Silana> So we have a scroll of what I'm guessing is Mage Armor (which I already know), one of Spider Climb, and a third one which is of something fire-related -- Faerie Fire?
<11: DM> Correct.
<11: Liatus> And what I presume is a healing potion.
* 11: Meridius notes that we've not yet gotten a translations for the goblin flasks.
*** Lurker_Krister has joined channel 10 [Saturday D&D].
*** Lurker_Krister has joined channel 11 [Saturday D&D Chatter].
<11: Meridius> Hi, Krister.
* 11: DM waves to Krister.
<11: Lurker_Krister> Hi. Got bored with the graduate paper so I decided to come and watch.
<11: DM> Someone could ask Yusdrayl about the goblin labels, presumably.
<Liatus> "Great Queen, there is one other matter you might aid us in. We have found three flasks labeled in goblin, and would be most grateful if you could see to it that our prisoners here provide a truthful translation."
<DM> Yusdrayl looks curious. "I can do that."
<DM> She holds up each flask in turn, squinting a little and turning them to get the best illumination. "This one says 'grace of cat', and these both say 'cure of poison'."
<Liatus> "Thank you, Great Queen."
<DM> She nods her head. "May they also serve you well."
<Liatus> . o (Those poison cures will be quite useful with my new chest.)
<DM> .000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
<DM> Sorry, the giant cat was back to trample the throne room.
* 11: Liatus attempts to slay the cat for EPs.
* Silana murmurs to Liatus, "Only this scroll (touching the Spider Climb) is of direct use to us. This one is of a spell I already know, and this (indicates the Faerie Fire) is of a sort of magic I do not fathom."
<11: Silana> No, no attacking the GM's cat! Bad! Bad cleric!
* 11: Silana hurriedly offers the GM virtual pizza in appeasement.
* Liatus nods to Silana. "So our choices are narrowed to the scroll, the feather and the flask."
* 11: DM laughs.
<DM> Yusdrayl watches the discussion with evident interest.
<Liatus> And since we get a third treasure for bringing back Meppo's pet, that would be our three choices, I guess?
* Meridius radiates stoicism.
* Silana nods. "Unless we wish to take one of the scrolls for purely monetary value, yes."
* 11: Liatus brandishes his holy symbol at Meridius.
* 11: Meridius basks in the stoicism radiated from Liatus' holy symbol.
<Liatus> "Given the situation at hand, I think it may be wise to err on the side of practicality and usefulness. There will always be things we can sell money, but specifical mystical items may be in short supply, both back in the town and most especially down here."
* Silana nods. "I agree."
* Meridius acknowledges Liatus' wisdom with a nod.
* 11: Silana enrolls the giant cat in a Cat Typing course.
<DM> Yusdrayl holds up the items in question. "These, then?"
* Liatus turns back to the Queen. "Great Queen, we gratefully accept these gifts [the feather, the flask and the scroll of spider climb] and thank you for your generousity."
<11: Montano> . o O ( Just show me where the 'Meow' key is. ) [Silana]
<DM> Yusdrayl smiles again. "It is well. Shall we then discuss matters further upon your return - triumphant, of course - from the Outcast's lair?"
<11: Meridius> Cats are never confused by the phrase, "Press any key to continue."
* 11: Silana cackles.
<Liatus> (do we want to sleep here for the night and set out for the Outcast's lair come morning?)
<Liatus> (or go straight away?)
<Meridius> (First, I'd recommend we extract ourselves from Her Royal Bodaciousness.)
* Silana nods. "Yes. Thank you, Your Highness." She bows again, ready to take her leave if her companions are.
<Liatus> "Great Queen, we thank you for your time. Now, we must make preperations to deal with the Outcast."
<DM> She nods. "May your efforts bring you such success as you enjoyed against the goblin chief."
* Liatus nods and takes his leave.
* Meridius will bring up the rear when we depart.
* Silana follows Liatus out as we leave (or more likely, are escorted out).
<DM> By the trio of guards, yes, to wherever it is you're going within "kobold country".
<Meridius> Room 4 has been our base camp, right?
* Silana asks the others, "Back to our usual camping spot? I'd rather be at full strength before heading down there."
<DM> Right.
<Liatus> "Our usual camping spot would be good for tonight, yes."
<DM> You notice that at this point any rats in the area hasten to get out of your way.
<11: Silana> Our fame has spread among the rats. Hooray.
<Meridius> For bookkeeping purposes, I note that I'm down 6 hit points.
* Liatus will cast HLW as needed before we turn in for the night if we're planing to sleep first.
<DM> Maybe Liatus can work a little healing mojo before rest time.
<Meridius> And aside from the kobolds, there are three things on level 1 left unfinished: the alcove that leads to 14, the western door leading from 22, and the sarcophagus we passed on fiddling with last session.
<Liatus> 1d8+lvl, yes?
* Meridius can't recall if anyone else is down HP.
<Liatus> I think I was down 3 points.
<Silana> I'm unhurt.
<Meridius> What time is it in game continuity?
<DM> Mid-afternoon.
<DM> Well, late afternoon at this point.
<Meridius> Perhaps we ought to explore the remainder of this level, continuing to save the sarcophagus for later, and then do the rest/healing thing.
<DM> There actually isn't any more to explore, beyond stuff that the kobolds live in.
<Meridius> Nothing behind the western door in room 22?
<DM> That's kobold living space, or at least space they're using.
<Liatus> I would prefer to save the sarcophagus til either the 3 of us are at level 4 (or 5), or else we have Karnak with us again (and perhaps even the gnome cleric if he wants to come back)
<Meridius> That sounds fine, BA.
<Meridius> Bruce, what about 14?
<DM> I was about to say. There is that.
* Silana suggests, "While there's still some daylight, perhaps going for some fresh air would be good?" Her feathered companion nods repeatedly and emphatically.
* Liatus looks upward, thinking of the ashlands above. "As fresh as it can get."
<Meridius> How about we check out room 14, then go up topside for fresh air and recon, then return to room 4, get healed up and rest the night.
<DM> A cunning plan!
<Liatus> Sounds good.
<Meridius> A plan so cunning you could brush your teeth with it.
<DM> :)
<DM> So here you are again in front of the stone door carved iwth the image of an aquatic dragon swimming in the deeps. There's a lock, which is thoroughly rusted.
* Liatus pauses here to beseach the Imperial Presence to heal both himself and Meridius.
## Liatus rolled 1d8+3 = 7 (4).
## Liatus rolled 1d8+3 = 11 (8).
* Meridius is back to full HP.
<Liatus> As am I.
<DM> That was some pretty good rolling. :)
* Silana makes a few arcane gestures and speaks a few words, and the air around her and Gnaea shimmers briefly.
<DM> Mage armor again, I take it.
<11: Silana> Almost out of spells, but I'm not letting them open that door without my having it up. :)
<11: Meridius> Keep your crossbow handy. :)
<11: Silana> Gee, you think? :)
<Liatus> I think Meridius and I are still under the effects of Bull's Strength, unless it took 3 hrs for us to kill the goblins, steal their stuff, go back and negotiate with the queen and get here.
* Meridius examines the door and lock more closely.
<Meridius> Search roll?
<DM> You are indeed still bulled up.
<DM> Go for it.
## Meridius rolled 1d20+2 = 3 (1).
<DM> Yes, there's a lock, you're pretty sure.
* Meridius is stumped by the door.
* Silana takes a look.
## Silana rolled 1d20+2 = 20 (18).
* Liatus also looks.
## Liatus rolled 1d20+2 = 13 (11).
<DM> You are both fairly sure that there's no trap here, just a long-neglected lock.
* Meridius attempts to open the door.
* Liatus thinks "of course, we thought that about my chest too...."
<DM> Just giving it a shove, or something else, Chris?
<Meridius> Yeah, just trying to force the door open with out manipulating the rusted lock or doing anything else unusual.
<DM> Righto.
<DM> A Strength-type roll, then.
## Meridius rolled 1d20+4 = 8 (4).
<DM> (And any of the others may help, he said, envisioning Gnaea pushing with all her might.)
<Meridius> "Liatus, give me a hand with this..."
* Silana steps back quickly, and raises her crossbow just in case. She's replaced the magical bolt she hadn't fired in the last fight (the second one, she used up one of them) with a normal one.
<11: Silana> Mighty Owl! ;)
<Meridius> Would it be appropriate for Liatus to do the Aid Another thing and for me to make another roll?
<DM> Sure.
<Meridius> And BA has to roll to determine if his Aid Another attempt is successful before I roll, right?
<DM> Make a DC 10 Strengthr oll, BA, to help out.
<DM> Correct.
## Liatus rolled 1d20 = 10 (10).
<DM> That works.
<Meridius> Now I get +2 to my roll, right?
<DM> So Chris, you get +2. Yes.
<Liatus> I forgot to add in my mods for Bull Str.
## Meridius rolled 1d20+6 = 15 (9).
<DM> 'sokay, BA. :)
<DM> The door creaks a bit but doesn't actually open.
* Meridius pulls the crowbar out of his pack. Can I get a circumstance bonus if I use the crowbar?
<DM> Yup!
<Meridius> How big a bonus?
<DM> +4.
<DM> Liatus can make another aid other roll, too.
## Liatus rolled 1d20+1 = 5 (4).
<Liatus> crap
<Meridius> So with my current Strength bonus of +4 and a circumstance bonus of +4 I should be getting a +8 now.
<DM> Right, Chris.
<Meridius> Here's hoping the third time's a charm.
## Meridius rolled 1d20+8 = 28 (20).
<Meridius> Groovy.
<DM> Snap! The lock gives way, and the door swings open.
<DM> On the other side is a 10' square chamber, mostly filled by a old iron keg mounted on rusty pipes. The sloshing's coming from inside.
* Liatus readies his morning star
* Meridius replaces the crowbar in his pack, sets his shield and draws his gladius.
<DM> The dust on the floor suggests that this is another room that hasn't been open in a long time.
* Meridius makes a close examination of the room and the exterior of the keg.
<Meridius> Here's a Search roll:
* Liatus searches the room as well.
## Meridius rolled 1d20+2 = 4 (2).
## Liatus rolled 1d20+2 = 11 (9).
<Meridius> Ugh.
* Silana cautiously moves into the room, and takes a look around:
## Silana rolled 1d20+2 = 21 (19).
<DM> The pipes run down into the floor, Liatus can see. (Meridius happily discovers that there is a floor.) The keg has a metallic bung on top, that seems pretty well rusted in place. The sloshing inside is a little haphazard.
<DM> Silana can establish that there seem to be no lurking traps in any of this.
<11: Liatus> Sure, make the men look bad....
<Silana> "Gnaea, listen to whatever's in there..."
## Silana rolled 1d20+14 = 15 (1).
<11: Silana> gah.
<DM> Whatever is loose in the keg moves up and down and around and around in it. Sounds like it's tip-top full of water or whatever.
* Liatus listens also.
## Liatus rolled 1d20+3 = 23 (20).
<Meridius> (If the keg is completely full of water, then the sound we're hearing is not sloshing, but Something Else.)
<11: Cliff Claven> It's a little known fact that owls are, in fact, deaf as a fence post. [Liatus]
<DM> It's a peculiar sound, Liatus, not so much like something solid in the water but like fresh liquid getting poured in over and over - two different streams mixing. (And I should say, not _quite_ tip-top full.)
<Liatus> "Something is feeding liquid into the keg."
* Silana gestures the bird back from the keg, and reaches forward with her staff to /gently/ tap the top of the keg, curious to see if anything within reacts. *Bonk*
<DM> The sloshing becomes more vigorous for a minute, then settles down again.
<Liatus> "Well, that was curious."
<Silana> "Something's /alive/ in there."
* Silana ponders the possibilities.
<11: Silana> Arcana roll?
<11: DM> Sure!
## Silana rolled 1d20+5 = 11 (6).
<DM> Silana recalls esoterica the way Meridius searches, apparently.
* Liatus also calls upon his store of lroe
## Liatus rolled 1d20+7 = 19 (12).
<Liatus> "I think there may be an elemental inside."
<Liatus> "Given how ... generous the creaters of the fortress were with their use of magic, this elemental may, in fact, be guarding nothing more than a water well. Or it might be something more important."
* Liatus looks around the room for any sign of what this thing might be.
<Meridius> "Or the elemental might be serving as a means to circulate water for plumbing on the level below."
<Liatus> "Also a possiblity."
* Silana nods. "Or on this level. We might do our kobold allies a disservice if we disrupt their water supply."
<Liatus> (search roll)
## Liatus rolled 1d20+2 = 15 (13).
<DM> Anything in particular you're looking for?
<Liatus> Any sign of what this room and contraption are meant for.
<Meridius> Would a Knowledge (architecture & engineering) roll be useful here?
<DM> It might.
<Liatus> (Similarities to stuff I've seen before, functionary clues, a plaque reading "Built by Thomass Crapper", anything)
<Meridius> I'll give it a try:
## Meridius rolled 1d20+2 = 5 (3).
<Meridius> Rats.
* Meridius is unfamiliar with plumbing systems that employ water elementals.
<11: Meridius> "I've deduced that it's not a bridge." [Liatus]
<DM> Liatus, it reminds you of cisterns you've seen before, in places with uncertain supply of water or other liquids. When the whole bung is open, this sort of thing fills up quick; it can also drain into a tap that would let someone fill canteens, basins, and the like.
<Liatus> "I do believe we've found a magic well."
<Silana> "I don't see any reason to interfere with it, do you?"
<Liatus> "No. We may even be able to make use of it later, if necessary."
* DM performs a quick update to http://www.baugh.info/citadel1.jpg
<11: Liatus> are we under any sort of time constrainsts today?
<11: DM> Not here.
<11: Meridius> I'm under no time constraint.
<11: Meridius> Unless Kevin decides to fire up tonight's round of Unreal Tournament a lot earlier than expected.
<DM> So on to the outside?
## DM rolled 1d20 = 7 (7).
<Meridius> Yes, I think so.
* Liatus thinks that would be a good idea.
<DM> The rats continue to get out of your way. As you step out of room 4, you notice a light rain falling into the ravine.
<Liatus> "So much for getting a little sun."
<Meridius> "Silana, would Gnaea consent to a flight to reconnoiter the area? I'm curious to know if anything is coming or going from here."
* Silana nods, and says to the bird, "You've been wanting to spread your wings and hunt for some supper anyway, haven't you?" Gnaea nodnods, and if owls could smile, she would be. The bird takes off from her perch on Silana's pack and arcs upward in a long curve.
* Liatus stretches.
<11: Silana> And as for time constraints, I'm done at 7 EDT. Another 36 minutes.
<DM> Gnaea gets a good view despite the rain. The closest moving figures are a small pack of deer a mile or so away, and then several miles further on, a caravan coming upstream along the New Road. Despite swooping and diving to check for concealed prey, she doesn'tfind anyone closer.
<11: Liatus> you know, regarding last week's misadventures with the trapped chest, I just realized that I have detect poison as a 0 level spell. I feel dumb now.
<Meridius> When the recon flight is concluded and folks are done breathing and stretching I head back into room 4 to set up camp for the evening.
<11: DM> Whoops.
* 11: Not having Bull's Stregth cast on her (multiple times), Gnaea opts not to try and down one of the deer. [Silana]
* Liatus follows Meridius and sets about trying to figure a way to prepair food on his own.
* 11: DM laughs.
* Liatus does offers Gnaea a jerky treat though.
* 11: Silana imagines this very annoyed buck crossly watching this small owl stooping futilely on his tail.
* Gnaea happily snaps up Liatus' OwlSnax. :) [Silana]
<11: Silana> At least it's not a moose.
* Liatus, after several tries, gets a small fire going.
<Liatus> "And now, food."
<11: Moose> . o O ( What do you think you're doing, bird? Stop that, or I'll tell your tall pink cousins. ) [Silana]
* Silana asks Liatus, "What's for dinner?"
* Liatus sets about rehydrating some of the salt dried fish in our rations with water (to clear out the salt) and then a little wine before heating it in the small iron skillet.
* Liatus also cuts up some of the carrots and onions he pilf-er, borrowed from the inn's pantry when we first set out and adds them as well.
* Liatus also heats up some of the crusty bread.
* Silana takes out some of her remaining dried fruit from home, as well as some of the more ordinary rations she's carrying.
<11: Liatus> Yes, marvel at my culinary skills.
* Liatus notes he's making enough for 3 here.
* Silana was assuming that. :)
* Silana was contributing to the table, such as it is.
<Liatus> "A pity Karnak isn't here."
* Silana nods. "I do hope he's recovering."
* Meridius removes his weapons and armor, sets out his bedroll, and relaxes before dinner.
<DM> Nice pacing. :) We can pick up with the characters in the morning next time.
<Meridius> Sounds good to me.
<Liatus> Shouldn't we wait for Meridius to roll a cigarette and break out a guitar first?
* DM laughs.
<Meridius> No Bard multiclassing here, sorry.
<DM> Authentic Roman smokes!
* Liatus is just having Three Amigos flashbacks.
<11: DM> You each get 100 XP for good diplomacy, planning despite bad rolls, and like that, for this session.
<11: Meridius> Score a critical every time! Smoke Lucky Strike brand cigarettes!
<11: Lurker_Krister> How many XP do I get for watching? :)
<11: DM> Well, you have to write them down on your character sheet....
<11: Meridius> As many as you'd get watching Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Krister. :)
* 11: Lurker_Krister chuckles
*** Lurker_Krister is now known as Krister.
<11: Liatus> What? No extra points for my marvelous dinner?
<DM> Any other bits of business for this session?
*** Krister has left channel 10 [Saturday D&D].
<11: Krister> It was fun watching. Thanks.
<Liatus> I don't think so.
<Meridius> None from me.
* Silana is the one headed for a Bard level here, sooner or later. After dinner, she takes out her flute and plays for a bit. :)
<DM> Okay, thanks, folks. Interesting to go from moral dilemmas to not confronting a challenge to recipes. :)
<Meridius> Thanks for running the game, Bruce.
* Liatus nods
<Liatus> It was fun. Even if I didn't get to kill anything.
<DM> Assuming y'all head on down to the next level time, there'll be plenty of opportunity to make up for that.
<Silana> Thanks everyone, for another good time. :)
<carter@q7.com>