Asphalt

I looked way too hard for that hidden message. I need to go to bed.

I believe they (or rather he) first appeared in #103.

A new race of peoples have emerged onto the scene. They are the munchkins. Hailing from the destroyed city of Muncie (I don't think the one in Indiana) they are such accomplished scholars that they are nearly omniscient of all of the goings on on the entire planet, AND BEYOND.

I know man I was just kidding. Vindsval is on the other side of that coin. He would destroy the "attacking creatures" in a heartbeat. If not to protect the naive scholars than certainly to keep them from getting to the boy. He would kill himself before seeing a child hurt. I am more than happy to let Slyph play his hand with the animals. I think it would be fun to see Vindsval try to befriend one of the birds too, id one decided to fight with them. I like the image of a bird perched on one of his shoulder spikes, squeaking away, with Slyph laughing at what the bird is saying. On a side note, the word Munchkin has come to carry a whole lot of baggage around here.

yeah come on man, humans only protect the cute animals. We eat the ugly ones. (joking there)

Keliim begins to examine the doors. He looks at the Eastern and Southern doors and sees absolutely nothing to distinguish them from any other. He moves to the western door and finds that the first chest he opened is slightly in front of it and askew from the wall. He wouldn't be able to open that door without hitting the chest. As if the Parlor heard her comment, and wanted to reassure the young woman that it is indeed real, a clump of spider legs fall from where they were stuck on the ceiling, and land wetly on her shoulder.

Keliim finds empty egg sacks, and the dried husks of mice, the spiders contained fed on while waiting for the trap to be sprung.

Keliim looks at the chest. The plaque attached to it reads "A warrior respects the powers of nature." He opens the lid and finds . . . A Venom

Perhaps they are trying to decide which of us would taste the best. Remembering Warlens drunken? babblings from earlier. I would suggest our mage. He seems to be the most seasoned.

"Killing for the sake of killing should be avoided. We are not creatures of the dark. But if these animals delay our journey along the path much longer they may leave us no choice."

"It would appear they are more intelligent than the layman knows. Our druid wishes to limit the bloodshed of those he deems innocents. I cannot say it is a path I myself would have chosen, but out of respect for my father I will honor his intentions."

It makes you face your feels, like compulsory therapy.

Deep in the feels.

Vindsval continued to keep a defensive position and posture between the beats and the scholars as Slyph concluded his conference. Though he watched his father communicate with the creatures of nature and the beasts of the fields his entire childhood it still amazes him that there any any that can understand the nonsensical sounds, let alone use them to be understood in turn. Hearing that despite his treaties for peace the animals still wish to eat the two people behind him does nothing to relax his posture. Rations you say? Though this smacks strongly of the extortion of the highwaymen whom we recently defeated, I will play along. Tell your bird friends i would offer them two potions (20HP worth) in exchange not for their neutrality, but for their aid. If they aid us their bellies would be more than filled, and they would have no need to fear going hungry in the future. With reticence, still not pleased with idea of paying to pass, the Witch pulls two Potions and a Mead from his traveling pouches. He Drinks the Mead and offers the Two Potions up as food for the birds.

Pretty sure there is a whole season of Avatar on youtube that can answer that question.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention at least.

I am just glad I didnt make the damage mistake. I dont think they would have done so well with 4 more free hits. Mechanics were right, the story element was just a little off. And he still killed all seven of the spiders. Pretty good for a little hayseed.

Ok I had the damages right, it is just the rp description of the effect that was wrong. He has a sapphire but was writing it as water. The spiders were instead blown apart by an intense gust of wind.

"More Creatures of the Forest. Do you get the feeling that This forest Spirit Slyph speaks of may bear us a grudge Annienal?

The Party Successfully finishes its first battle. Will they stay in the Barrel Room and continue their search, or will they move on? Their options for Exit are North back to the Altar Room or South, East, and West to unexplored locations.

Battle of the Barrels Round 2 Keliim Attacks Spider 2 -(5) Damage- Keliim takes 1 damage (3-2) Muradin Attack Spider 3 - (3) Hit- Muradin deals 4 damage to Spider 3 Rethinal Heals Calamity- (3) Heal- Rethinal Brings Calamity back to full health Terry Attacks spider 7- (1) Magic Burst 8 damage to all spiders, all spiders KO Calamity Slowed, no action this round The cadre of Fighters seems to go into this round with more of a plan than last time. Keliim leads them into the fray, but the tall man doesn't gauge the distance to his target well and it slips under his guard biting his ankle. Muradin deals a crushing blow to his intended target leaving it on its last legs. Rethinal calls upon the powers of his god to bring relief to the badly wounded Calamity, But once again it is the young and timid Terry Yelnats who makes a true difference in this fight. His magical staff of the seven winds sends force an unexpected bundle of whirling dervishes which crush all of the remaining spiders against the far wall. THE PARTY IS VICTORIOUS AND ALL CHARACTERS GAIN A LEVEL!!! Loot Tonic X1 Remedy X2 Potion X1 Gold X15 Party Leader please divide the Loot. PARTY Kelim the Cruel (played by Mencot) Age 35, male human Level 6 Barbarian Power: 11 (6+5) Health: 13/13 (8+5) SP: 2 (4 against Free Hits) Gold: 12 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum one handed battleaxe (WP: 5), wolf fur coat(Prop) Heroic Helm (Headwear, SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits)Inventory: Consumables: Mead, x4 Potion, Grand Potion, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence Artefacts: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5),Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock) Misc: Shovel Calamity (played by Scubacarrot) 24 year old human Mage Level 2 Power: 5 (2 + 3) (X2 against Humanoid/Luminous) Health: 6/6 (5+1) Ether: 6/6 (5+1) Gold: 10 Equipment: Skull-Topped Staff (WP: 3, staff), Inventory: X2 Potion, Tonic, Amethyst Rethinal (played by Rconn0) 58 year old Were-Eagle cleric Level 2 Power: 5 (2+3) Health: 7/10 (9+1) Ether: 5/6 (5+1) Gold: 10 Equipment: Small hammer Inventory: Potion, X3 Remedy, Tonic Terry Yelnats (played by Endgame) Level 2 Mage HP: 4/6 (5+1) Ether: 4/6 (5+1) Power: 4 (+0 bonus) (X2 against Flying and Vermin) Gold: 10 Equipment: Cattle Prod Staff (WP: 3) Inventory: X2 Potion, Remedy, Sapphire Misc: Bedroll Muradin Falstad (played by Cryos) 47 year old male dwarf Level 2 Barbarian Health: 9/9 (8+1) Power: 5 (3+2) Gold: 0 Equipment: Granite Hammer (WP:3), Inventory: X2 Potion, Mead, Shovel

Vindsval takes in the scene. Two people identical white uniforms, one running in abject terror the other, oddly drawn to the creatures with no apparent sense of fear. "Scholars." He almost sighs the entire word. Seeing slyph direct his attention to the creatures, The half-Giant strides ahead of the party and pushes himself into place between the White uniformed strangers and the trailing beasts. "May I be of assistance? He asks them.

"Indeed" Vindsval adjusts the lay of his cloak and follows Slyph down the path.

QM Note: You are correct sir, thanks. I will correct that in a moment. This battle is quite winnable, strategize a little more this round.

Vindsval winces at the utter nonsense spewing from the mouth of the mage. His drunken murmurings were one thing but this is all together a different matter. Is he trying to impress or draw derision? Control yourself Warlen, you act the fool. He looks down at the Boy, his employer. No young One, Where is this trail we are to follow?