A Home Away from Home

[Michael Briggs]

Post Here:

[Michael New]

"We may want to air this place out.  Sawdust in stale air can be explosive, so let's make sure it's safe before we bring any fires in."  He says it loud enough for all to hear.

After taking care of his horse, Smithy enters the sawmill and begins looking around for dry places, and for windows and doors to open.  He inspects the place for sawdust, in the air too.  If it's damp inside, the worry of fire will be decreased.

After all that, he plans to look around for tools that could be used to fix things, especially weapons.

[Don Alley]

The ride through the rain was made more enjoyable by the company he kept. He found Shyam to be witty and formidable, despite the group constantly fawning over her. She no doubt found him to be an unconscionable boor, he laughed to himself.

Once off the horse, Quentin checks the sawmill out. He didn't expect to find anything untowards, as it was just an old job site abandoned by the troubles of the area, but rather just in case anyone or anything has taken up refuge.

Most notably he will check the rafters, or attic if there is one, as well as what kind of vantage point there is to the nearby area, crawling to the roof if necessary for a clear view.

[Leslie Lock]

While Quentin and Smithy move off to inspect the sawmill and ensure the safety within, Shyam starts to care for the horse finding any nearby grass which it can eat and removing the packs.

 

Her own stomach growls with hunger, the day had been long and she was ready for something to eat herself. 

[Bob G.]

Having sent his horse off when the demons attacked, Cal'Shir was forced
to double up with other riders. To spread the burden among the taxed
horses he changed riders every couple of hours. By the time the group
came up on the sawmill the rogue was happy at the prospect of getting
rest under a real roof.

Alert to any signs of habitation or ambush, Cal'Shir examines the
shack and surrounding terrain as they approach. Planning in his mind to
work with Quentin to check everything out, he is not happy when Smithy
effectively shouts out their presence then blithely walks up to the door
and enters the building. It's unlikely he'd find anyone, unless it was
another demon like the ones they fought earlier. Cal'Shir could not
imagine any workers sticking around with all that was going on here.
"That's one way to find out if there's any danger, be loud and walk
right in" he said too quietly for Smithy to hear. Getting off the horse
he was riding, he prepares for the worst as Smithy enters, darts in his
hands.

[Erek]

Keryth is glad to finally find some shelter from the brutal storm.
The old sawmill should work perfectly for waiting out the nasty
weather.

Still leery of their surroundings, Keryth winces as Smithy boldly
strides into the hopefully abandoned building. He shakes his head
slightly at the stupidity of humans, perhaps that is one reason they
have such short lifespans. Dismounting and walking his horse forward,
Keryth barely hears Cal'Shir's muttering, his mouth forming a small
grin as he silently echoes the man's sentiments. Using the least
amount of volume he is able to, so as Cal'Shir can hear him above the
winds, Keryth says, "Let us quickly secure this old building. Then we
may rest and wait out the worst of this weather."

Moving forward towards the door, the agile elf gracefully draws his
blade as he nears the entrance. Perhaps the ancient relic will warn
him of any demons in close proximity.

[Jbizzle]

Rashear dismounts from his horse, pulling the token out if his belt
pouch, he speaks the command word, sending Mist Walker back to it's
home plane. Letting an inward groan at a few minor aches at the ride,
he lets Cal'shir and Keryth pass him as he starts to look over the
area, letting the others secure the mill.

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus watch as the others moved in to inspect the house.  Keeping himself aware, Tempus dismounts and begins to care for the horses.  Although initially he did it to stay close with Shyam, he found himself being caught up in memories of home.  He vaguely could remember the times when his father had first taught him how to take care of different things on the farm.  Angrily, he pushed the thoughts of his father away and focused on the task at hand.  He tried to keep his anger in check, so as not to spook the horses.  He kept his senses focused on the moment, trying to hear if there were any problems going on inside the house.

[rpgamer]

The cleric is in a grumpy mood, but maintains a quiet observant air
about himself. That sudden intensified storm prevents him from
disecting those attacking creatures. Useful demonic knowledge he felt
confident is lost. Then the indignity to share a bumpy, rough ride to
the mill, uncomfortable, cramped, and totally unworthy of his status.
If only, he thinks, Diedra would have shared her ride, perhaps next
time, ... mayhaps if he shrinks himself and rides between her two soft
pillows ... A smirk of mirth to cheer his weary demeanor breaks across
his otherwise sullen face.

With a grunt, he trudges after Smithy with Synxol and his equipment
weighing him down into the mill. Scanning around, he heads off to the
most cozy looking room. Carefully laying the body down, Angel stacks
his belongings nearby. After a stiff stretch, he searches the
immediate area, opening draws, cabinets, or bins for any useable items
such as food and valuables. He remains alert for surprises.

"Perhaps the owners won't mind too much if we take shelter here.
Wonder if they are still around or not far away? I suggest we make
ourselves comfortable for now, maybe a fire in a fireplace or stove
and warm food? Anyone injured and need attending?" It was the least he
could do to help this miserable rabble of a group continue on their
travels.

[Michael Briggs]

*Break in this post*

Angel moves under the weight of Synxol's corpse.  As he trudges up the worn steps to the partially agape door, the portal groans in protest; unclear to if it is the storm or the approaching cleric.  The promise of safety inside the doors pushes Angel to take the final steps to the entrance, and finally over the thresh hold. 

The plank breaks free of its purchase and slams loudly against its hinged wall.  A layer of recently laid dust obfuscates the world of the sawmill in response to the the door's announcement of Hunter's chosen.  Angel notes the near perfect roosting place for a bat colony is empty of all life.  Not a single fly, spider, rat or otherwise scurries to safety in response to the man's arrival. 

Even with the strength of his faith, Angel's arms were now shaking in protest of the dead companion's weight.  The priest had done his best to avoid blood, but his spell had prevented coagulation.  Without a beating heart, the deep red liquid had trailed down Angel's right side.  Most of it was near his boots, but a fair bit was on his upper body vestments. 

To provide his muscled respite, Angel half drops, half lays Synxol's body on a table that had once hosted the meals of the lumberjacks.  Cups, plates, serving bowls and wooden dinnerware crashes to the ground to make way for the fey's lifeless body.  A large unobstructed portal two large men wide leads out of the room to a hallway with a staircase going up an down.  The hallway extends right and left with two doors in the north.  More rooms might be present, but unseen from the kitchen area.  A room opens to the east of the kitchen; just beyond the fire pit.

Some wood is stacked in the kitchen hearth.  Smithy looks at the food preparation area and remembers seeing some wood outside the door and around the side of the building.  Regardless, finding wood in a saw mill won't take much effort.  The knight notes a few pools of blood in the room under some dust.  He is surprises that no insects are at work recycling the valuable nutrients. 

Keryth is the first to spot the bar that would lock the outside door.  It rests on a peg, turned away from the door.  Tempus works hard to get the horses stabled.  The storm works to excite the steeds, but the exhaustion dulls the effects of the thunder and lightning.  With Rashear's help, each of the riding animals is setup with feed and tied down. 

Diedra finds a shack not far away to rest.  She looks like there is no chance she is staying with the others.  The worg joins her without question. 

Cal'Shir and Quentin take some time to dry off and gather the feel of the kitchen area of the sawmill.  For the first time, Quentin catches glimpse of a very ornate wrapping around Cal'Shir's right arm.  He is sure that he has just laid eyes on an artifact of incredible power.  Any dismissal he had of this rogue is found to be misplaced by this discovery.  Only his time in the King's libraries looking into legend of the city had exposed him to a picture of the full arm gauntlet.  Had it not been for the fact the group was already heading into the throat of the largest known threat, this surprise would make him nervous.  Quentin wants to know more, but also knows that he shouldn't bring attention to it, either.  Any rogue guild would give their fortune and the lives of their members to get what Cal'Shir had been hiding. 

[Michael New]

Smithy searches the entire building, every room, with whoever else wants to help, to ensure there are no occupants or other threats.

[Don Alley]

Quentin blinks, at first not believing he caught a glimpse of what he just saw. To see the item was amazing. To see the item bound to someone was completely unprecedented. He immediately carries on with his task, oblivious to having seen it or what the ramifications hold. This was something that his handlers would definitely want reported, but he knew it would cause a stir... nay... mayhem... in his circles.

His assignment was to do what was necessary to help carry out the mission and help Shyam. Reporting that thing would undoubtedly cause many more assassins, treasure seekers, and power-hungry politicians and their charges to seek them out.

They had trouble enough already.

[Bluffing not seeing the artifact and minimizing his reaction to it: 30]

[Michael Briggs]

Smithy walks out into the hallway, searching for people and generally searching the rooms.  The hallway has doors to the east.  The door appears to head outside.  Several nails point inward from the outside up and down the frame of the door.  Blood stains the inside of the door.  The trail of blood goes from the door to the stair heading down.  It wasn't until the knight entered the room that he spots the trail.  A few fingernails that have been broken off stand erect in the wood.  Hand prints on the banister of the stairway indicate that someone fought being dragged to the depths of the mill.

There is a door to the west.  It also appears to be nailed shut from the outside; although it isn't decorated with the dried blood.  Two doors evenly spaced in the hallway head towards the north.  Smithy doesn't have a source of light, to look much further than this room, readily available.  The stairway up is on the other side of the one going down.  Smithy would need to walk around the stairway to investigate that.

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus did his best to work with the horses.  They were a bit more spirited than he was used to.  They were probably nervous from the storm.  Tempus could still feel some anger from the previous memories.  He turns to Rashear.

"Should we go in?  Going to get stormy out here.  You think they'll be ok?" Tempus asks, gesturing toward the horses.

[Leslie Lock]

With Tempus and Rashear taking care of the horses, Shyam follows the
others into the mill and shakes off her cloak. The water quickly
pooling at her feet. She winces seeing Angel carring around poos
Synxol's body and turns in the opposite direction.

She doesn't go too far, not wanting to be alone in the strange
building, instead she sticks to the main intersection and watches the
others moving about searching.

[Michael New]

Considering the blood and fingernails, Smithy thinks it best to wait for another to join him before going down the stairs.

He draws his sword and activates its flame, carefully keeping it from coming too close to anything.

As soon as someone comes inside the hall with him, he points to the bloody door and says, "Something might be downstairs, though I suspect whatever did that is long gone.  Follow me down?  Safety in numbers..."

[Don Alley]

" 'Let's go look in the basement' is perhaps the secondmost common 'last words' spoken by adventurers such as ourselves.", Quentin says.

"I'm in.", he adds, glamering his armor to the boiled plates of leather that works best in a fight, fastening his Goggles of Night to his head, and drawing his rapier.

"Would you like me to scout ahead or shall we go down as a unit? We've made enough noise as it is so whatever is down there knows we're here."

[Michael New]

"I don't mind going first," says Smithy.  

As he goes he looks at the ground for blood stains.

[Leslie Lock]

"You guys aren't goign down there alone." Shyam says, moving up with
them and drawing her dagger.

[Erek]

Shaking his head slightly at Quentin's attempt at dark humor, Keryth
moves down the hall as well. "Given the nature of the inhabitants we
have come across lately, I think it prudent we stick together as much
as possible."

[Leslie Lock]

Moving up next to Quentin as Smithy starts to head down the stairs,
Shyam leans in and asks quietly, "What are the first?"

[Don Alley]

"The most common last words for adventurers?", Quentin leads.

" 'But Your Grace, I didn't know she was your daughter!' ", he answers.

[Leslie Lock]

Shyam just rolls her eyes and focuses on the stairwell.

[Bob G.]

Cal'Shir is startled when he realizes his gauntlet is showing more than
usual. Not that anyone here would have a clue what it is except Quentin,
it was still a prudent habit to keep it concealed as much as possible.
He'd have to keep an eye on his colleague to see if there is any signs
of recognition. The young rogue is pretty certain that Quentin would
eventually figure out what is going on after a few times using its
powers anyway. It remains to be seen what the newcomer plans to do about
it when that happens.


"I'll join you in the basement search" he tells the others "and I would
have guessed the most common word or words was either 'Run' or 'It's
just a flesh wound'".

[Bob G.]

I'm not sure what skill set to roll against Quentin's bluff and I
haven't updated the character yet, will plan on that today.

Never mind, my dice roll for that came up a 1.

[Don Alley]

I would have thought it was sense motive.Looking for a reaction, recognition, startledness, or the cold vacant stare of someone who had no clue what it was.

[Michael Briggs]

I use the character sheets on Mythweavers to figure out the rolls.  Make sure that you update those sheets so your character gets the credit they deserve.  This particular event was one that Cal'Shir hide check was used counter to Quentin's spot check.  Because of Cal'Shir's item being so powerful, it is subject to constant checks throughout the game.  With the good comes the bad, so to speak.

[Michael Briggs]

Cal'Shir isn't aware that Quentin saw the gauntlet.  This is the outcome of the bluff versus sense motive check.

[Bob G.]

That would probably be the most likely skill to use, but some DM's might want to use spot check, or a case could be made to use an opposed bluff roll.

[Bob G.]

I gathered long ago from Quentin's posts that he would know the item
once he saw it in use and suspected he might know it on sight.

[Bob G.]

I've yet to put a lot of skill points on Sense Motive for any character I've run.

[Don Alley]

Yeah, I also confirmed with the DM via IM on what I knew and some of the ramifications. Glad I did....

[Michael Briggs]

Did this thread split into two?

[Erek]

Gathered at the top of the stairs, Keryth looks to Smithy, "Looks as
if the four of us are heading down the stairs, shall we proceed?"

[Erek]

Doing a quick count, Keryth realizes he missed Cal'Shir, "Or five of
us," he amends. "Perhaps one of us should lag behind to warn the
others if we find unwanted 'guests'?"

[Michael New]

Smithy heads down the stairs, flaming sword out, and looking for blood stains on the floor or walls.

[Bob G.]

I'm really not sure what just happened. I didn't understand where Don's
bathroom reference came from at all.

[Andrew Airmet]

I think it ran away from the bathroom comment.  It was scareded.

[Michael Briggs]

Should I give Russ a chance to post?  I think he may be assuming that the game is dead in the water.  I'll send him a text...

[rpgamer]

Muttering curses under his breath as the weight of the fallen fey
overcomes his strength, Angel ignores the scattering dinnerware as he
lays the body across the table before him. This corpse was for the
half-breed's cleansing magiks and the others' feel good hubris. He
takes note that no one offers to help during their travels to this
refuge, much less since the feyman first fell. Sorry, Synxol, looks
like I'm the only one who really cares about you and your final
disposition, the cleric laments while placing the body in a peaceful
position of repose.

Being a mortician, the sight of so much blood drenching his clothing
and pooling at his feet doesn't concern him. He smirkes inwardly as
the others in the house move down the basement stairs. Watching the
blood by his feet disappear into the cracks between the wide wooden
floor boards, he envisions his fellow delvers annointed on their heads
by this blood and maybe even slipping onto their hind quarters.

"Let me know if you find anything interesting! I'll let the others
know where you went while I clean up some."

From the front door, Angel yells outside to Tempus, Rashear, and
Karchok to let them know about the others exploring the basement. He
steps back inside when they acknowledge his message and starts to
clean up his clothing.

[Michael New]

Smithy stops halfway down the stairs, and extinguishes the sword's flame.  "Does anybody have some light.  I fear my flaming sword will light something afire and bring this place down.  It may be damp outside, but it is dry enough inside to give me concern."

[Don Alley]

"I do not.", Quentin says. "I'll keep an eye out while we get it.". He moves to just ahead of Smithy, staying low on the stair in a ready stance, using his Goggles of Night to keep watch while the others sort it out.

[Perception 32]

[Leslie Lock]

With the flames distinguish, Shyam's eyes adjust and instinctivly they begin to glow slightly as they shift allowing her to see clearly in the darkness.

 

[Bob G.]

"Here, I have something that can safely provide light" says Cal'Shir as
he pulls an Everburning Torch from his backpack and holds it up to
provide illumination.

[Russ]

Karchok pads into the mill, having shape changed himself into the form of a wolf.   The druid had sniffed around the mill before hearing Angel's call to the those you had been outside. 

 

The black furred wolf stops a few feet in and looks around. Strips of white fur criss-cross his back, glistening wetly from the magical light, his scars following the young druid no matter what form he wore.  Planting his four feet, he shakes his coat free of rain and moves further into the sawmill.  Sniffing a few times, he moves forward, standing near Shyam.  Much to her sense of smells dismay.  The smell of wet wolf fur finds it's way around,

 

The grey furred Ghost follows, and repeats the time honored canine "shaking water from fur to splatter everyone nearby," that Karchok had just engaged in.  His bright green eyes looks around the two legged sleep place.  Sniffing several dusty spots around the floor, Ghost suddenly sneezes several times in a row, adding wolf snot to the water on the wooden floor.  Moving up to stand near his Brother, the smell of wet fur doubles. 

 

Scar comes in from the outdoors, his green scales dripping from the rain, the white-green scars the covering the great reptiles hide gleam in the magical light as he moves to join the druid.  Scar's claws leave tiny divots in the wood as he trails over towards Karchok and Ghost.  The reptile gives the body a sniff and few strands of drools hit the floor.  Scar ignores the cool meat for the moment, the warm blood had caught several rabbits that he had stolen.

[Jbizzle]

Seeing Karchok turn into a wolf and move into the mill, Rashear starts
to move towards the mill wondering what the others had found. upon
entering the mill he looks at the others and says in a low " I take it
we found something that needs to be checked out, and here I was hoping
that we could have a nice, easy night." he gives a sly grin " Now then
shall we look to see what has caused the mill to be empty of it's
hosts." he finishes. Drawing one his blades slowly he looks around,
cursing under his breath he wishes he had spent the time to go into
the building first, with all the dust he could have found some kind of
track that might help identify the creature or things that did this.
Walking up to where the rogues were at feels the hairs on the back of
his neck stand up to attention, pushing away the fear of the unknown
he nods letting them know he is ready to go and evict what lies
beneath.

OOC: Cue Friday the 13th music

[rpgamer]

Taking advantage of the stormy weather, Angel steps outside again
after Karchok and Rashear enter the mill. As they pass by, he points
to where the others have gone to the backroom stairs leading downward.
"I don't know what's got them in such a tizzy. The recent incident
with the demons must have them a bit spooked. With the layer of dust
everywhere, no one seems to have been here in quite a while."

After setting a large bucket and bowl on the ground to collect rain,
he rinses his tunic and leggings under the wet, blustery skies. If
Tempus goes inside, the cleric updates the warrior about the others
intent to explore the basement too.

A few moments later, he returns inside to start cleaning up Synxol's
bloody leaky mess.

[Michael Briggs]

The downstairs is draped in a heavy darkness that is barely cut with the torch of everburning.  Shadows dance in protest of the intrusion, shapes that either beg you to turn back or scream at the intrusion with silent voices.  Before you can focus on the trappings of the room, your eyes catch the unmistakable color of blood.  None of it is dried.  The sound of dripping is heard at the rare seconds Angel's voice isn't blasting through the air.  Barrels rest in a line with a fee smashed by an unknown force.  Stacks of lumber were once arranged in lines, too, but something had flung the boards into disarray across the room. 

Tables with equipment for lumbering sit on the other side of the room near the wall.  Two of the six tables are occupied with what each of you realize are human corpses that have been chopped into parts.  Keryth swears he sees a tail of bones slide behind a stack of wood that is 7 feet tall.

[Bob G.]

Is "tail of bones" a typo? What does that mean?

[Bob G.]

Excuse me, I forgot to chance the subject line to "OOC" on that last post.

[Michael Briggs]

Not a typo.

[Erek]

Having learned to trust his keen senses long ago, Keryth immediately
points to the large stack of timber with his sword, "Something is
there, behind that pile of wood."

[Michael New]

What about this one: "Barrels rest in a line with a fee smashed by an unknown force. "

What is meant by a 'fee'?

On Mon, May 14, 2012 at 12:30 AM, Michael Briggs <briggl...@gmail.com> wrote:

Not a typo.

--
----------------------_/ /\/\ /\/ -----------------------

[Leslie Lock]

Shyam gasps at the sight of the cut up bodies, bile threatening to
climb her throat she sways slightly and reaches for the nearest arm to
stabalize herself.

[Michael New]

Smithy approaches the pile of wood, sword and shield ready.  Not much point in stealth as we all clambered down the stairs...

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus is a bit shocked when Karchok and Rashear both leave him outside with the horses.  No sense in standing out in the rain.  As he is making his way in, he nearly bumps into Angel.

"If they're all going downstairs, who is going to watch the horses?" Tempus says.  They had already lost some of them.  Losing all of the horses would be bad.

Tempus hovers just inside of the doorway where he can keep an eye on the horses.

[rpgamer]

The rain quickly washes the cleric and fill his containers. Angel
moves back inside to start washing down the body, table and floor,
adding the water dripping from his clothes to the mix.

"Tempus, if the druid and ranger are satisfied with your helpful
handiwork at securing the horses, then I trust them. I'm not highly
skilled at handling animals, so I have to rely on you and others
better trained for those things. On the other hand, I can offer the
group advanced healing and counseling for which I am trained. That is
the strength of our group, a set of many skills working together."

"You can help me clean Synxol and this area up or see what's so
interesting in the basement of this abandoned building that evevyone
else had to go check it out. The sooner everyone relaxes and gets some
rest, the better we will be able to continue on our journey. (then
adding some sweetness to his suggestion) Shyam went down into the
darkness ... with Quinten. Although I trust you and the others,
Quinten has openly stated that his loyalty is to the King first, not
Shyam."

Angel gets back to his duties, now on the floor, washing away the
pooled blood, allowing it to easily seep into the basement below. No
one is going to sleep down there anyways.

[Bob G.]

The sight of the dismembered bodies gives Cal'Shir a shiver up his
spine. "More sources of light might be good right now" he whispers.

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus hesitates, glancing out at the horses again.  Angel made him feel wary.  Still, Shyam went downstairs into the darkness, even with the others.  Finally, unable to resist, Tempus begins slowly stepping his way down the stairs, axe held ready in one hand and torch in the other.

[Michael Briggs]

As Smithy approaches the wood pile, he can distinctly hear the clicking of bone against wood.  Whatever it is that is behind the pile seems to move counter to his steps.  Something is there, and it is large.  If it weren't for the stack size of the lumber, almost 8 fee tall, Smithy is sure that he would be looking at what a fairly massive creature.  There is a guttural growl that emanates from behind the wood stack.  Further back in the room, which is approximately 100' x 80', there is a clatter of wood as it partially falls off its stack. The light doesn't penetrate the area that the sound comes from.  Shyam is about to see the boards that have fallen, but doesn't see the cause. 

The room doesn't look like it is a great place to fight.  Unlike an open battlefield, the chaos of tools, wood, barrels and tables makes for a difficult arena.  The footing is poor with the boards and other items randomly placed throughout the room that have been thrown to the ground.  

[Don Alley]

Quentin scans the area for a fighting area. He sees a major tactical advantage: dry wood.

"Guys, let's get out of here and burn this place to the ground. We then fight whatever comes out."

He remains ready to deal with the threat, which will no doubt be a nearly inexhaustible supply of wood shafts thrown their way from the darkness.

[rpgamer]

Blood slowly stops dripping from the table. The priest observes that
the tumultuous travels of the day and inadvertent rough handling
results in a pale, waxlike complexion for the feyman. Synxol is
finally bled out.

With the floor now just damp with the metallic smell and redish hue of
drying blood, Angel stands to tidy up the body and table. Both are
wiped down. With minor healing and bandages applied, the body makes a
clean, peaceful, life-like statue. The cleric verifies that his spell
of repose is still working. Next, he inspects the head, turning it
gently one way then another. If the druid reneges on his cleansing
ceremony with this body, then ... Angel mentally makes alternate
plans. An incision here, a snap there, a slice around, ... yes, that
would do quite nicely ... perhaps a thank you gift for Diedra ...

[Erek]

"Everyone back to the stairs," Keryth says in a determined tone.
Thinking of Quentin's plan, Keryth has his doubts. They definitely
did not want to fight whatever was here in almost total darkness, and
this structure would provide good protection from the elements. The
others didn't know their plan either, which may cause further issues
if they were to blatantly burn the sawmill down. In a softer tone, so
those around Keryth could hear, he says, "We should meet up with the
others to discuss our best course of action."

[Don Alley]

Quentin moves up the stairs as directed, letting the warriors cover the regrouping. Getting to the top he sees Tempus starting to make his way down and Angel at a table on the top side.

"There's a bone-like skeletal critter down there, bodies on tables, and enough lumber and tools strewn about to make it a very difficult fight. Torches are a bad idea while we are still down there. Let's get up top", he nods to Tempus, "and figure out what to do next."

"Angel, you might want to get ready for a fight.", he says. The priest would no doubt prove useful if the creature were a formidable undead or worse.

[Leslie Lock]

Seeing the boards fall and hearing the growl, Shyam moves to get a better view.  "Smity, be careful."  Her dagger is raised hesatantly before her and her eyes flicker towards the tables with the chopped up bodies and back to the stacked wood. 

 

[Michael New]

"If the beast is bigger than I, then the advantage down here is mine.  If someone can skirt around to the other side, we should be able to at least see what it is.  Let's do that before burning it.  Can anyone determine anything more about it?"

Smithy tries to get closer, to get a look at it.

[rpgamer]

The sudden intrusion of Quentin's presence and words disrupts Angel's
pleasant daydreaming of power. Reacting negatively to the King's
bootlicker, he exclaims in frustration, "And you left Shyam down there
with that threat and danger! It will probably feel her great powers
and seek her first!"

(then more to Tempus, re-enforcing the previous plot lines) "Tempus,
forget the regrouping up here! Go protect her! Help Shyam be safe and
escape if needed!"

Already Angel was gathering his equipment in preparation for the
unknown. A silent prayer passes from moving lips and his holy symbol
of a black bat seems to unfocus and radiate a shifting darkness.
Recovering from his startled disposition, he nods his readiness to
Quentin. "Are the others coming up?"

[Don Alley]

Quentin rolls his eyes at the priest, well aware of the manipulation he's playing.

"Yeah, last I checked we're all coming up. Of course, with this group, who knows. Next thing we'll have priests and warriors going in looking for traps."

Quentin stands ready at the steps to help others come up, or to head back down if they foolishly decide to fight the thing on it's own ground.

"Guys! Up! One dropped torch and you're fighting in an inferno. It's on its own ground, with too much stuff strewn about to move effectively."

[Leslie Lock]

Hearing the threat of being engulf in flames, Shyam backs up the stairs.  At the top she glances at the rogue.  "Do you really think setting this place on fire is the only way to get rid of whatever that is?"

 

[Don Alley]

"No, Shyam, I don't... but fighting down there is a death trap.", Motioning to Tempus's torch, "If he drops that in a pile of sawdust and scrap, while you're fighting...", he trails off.

"If it follows us up we can fight on safer ground. If not, we can come up with a better plan."

Seeing her a bit perturbed, "Remember the fiasco in the temple... the demon in the dark... we were utterly spread out, without a plan, fighting it on it's own ground. Only your... intervention...", he says reverently, "saved us."

"Anyone that stays down there is simply not learning from their mistake."

[Leslie Lock]

Real fear flashes across Shyam's expression.  Not fear of a battle with the demon creature in the basement, if a demon is what it was.  This fear came from the reminder that she nearly killed them all with her attack on the creature.

 

She can feel her hand itching from the burn caused by the flaming pen, clutched around her dagger as she backs away from the stairs even further, the urge to flee growing.

[Erek]

Coming to the top of the stairs, Keryth joins Shyam and Quentin,
nodding his head at Quentin's wisdom. "He is right Shyam, however,
those are everburning torches and are not capable of catching anything
on fire. We need to lure that thing up here, to a place of our
choosing. Whatever that abomination is, it has a tail that was made
of bones."

[rpgamer]

As more adventurers return to the top and explain what they have seen
and heard, Angel gets a bit more excited and interested. Perhaps there
is worthy treasure in this abandoned saw mill afterall, of the undead
kind of course. Maybe he could even acquire a pet like the half-breed.

"If we could more broadly light up the area below, perferably by
magic, I could attempt to scry the basement to better assess our
potential foe or foes. We should use our time wisely since we haven't
engaged in battle yet. Better get the others out of there too and
maintain a guard. Of course if it's real powerful, it could just bust
through this old building anywhere."

[Don Alley]

Quentin nods to Keryth. "I wasn't sure if Tempus' torch was everburning or not, but as the decision is multifaceted, I think it's still the way to go."

[Michael New]

"Calshir, could you stay behind me and shine your light in there?"  says Smithy.  "I want to see what we're dealing with..."

[Erek]

Somewhat wary of Quentin and his way with words, Keryth simply nods in
agreement. He thought it prudent to point out that they all had
torches, "If we do need more light, I believe we all have everburning
torches, thanks to King Calsham."

Glancing towards Shyam, Keryth notices she is slowly backing away from
the stairs. For a moment it appears as though she might turn and run
from the look in her eyes. Perplexed, Keryth wonders if she has just
had a vision. Genuine concern in his voice, Keryth gently asks, "Did
you have a vision?"

[Bob G.]

At Smithy's request to follow him with the torch held out, Cal'Shir
frowns "Back up a bit Smithy, it appears there's a plan being worked
out. No sense going into this without a bit of preparation. I've got
your back until then." Cal'Shir pulls out a dart with his free hand.

[Michael New]

"Okay, but I would like to get a look at it at least." says Smithy to the torchbearer Cal'Shir.

[Don Alley]

Following Keryth's gaze over to Shyam, Quentin notices the look of fear and flight on her face. Some deep, internal struggle was taking place.

Reaching out to her reassuringly, he adds, "Shyam, it's alright. We're all here and ready to deal with this.". He stands between her and the stairs leading down, taking that visual stimulus out of the equation.

"WE are in charge here, not IT."  He was not sure the nature of her struggle, nor was he familiar with the woman's response of deep fear. Something was at work that he was completely unaware of.

[rpgamer]

"If one of you would show me the approximate location on the floor
where this beast would be underneath, I can attempt a scry with
whatever light is down there." Angel asks the others who have been in
the basement. He has offered to help with a safe magical means, but
then the group has ignored his great, logical advise before. Either
way ...

[Michael Briggs]

Shyam's eye turn a deep white color smothering out the natural color of her irises. She stumbles back for a second, tripping up the stairs with a look of utter fright in her eyes, a sensation that is caused by an oncoming vision.  She visibly trembles and appears to be trying to cry out.

*****

Shyam is ripped away from the room with terrifying speed.  The conversation around her is split with the voices of her companions be nothing except peripheral and distorted.  She can feel the the rain outside once again.  Her demonic sight penetrates the cold dark storm violently thrashing the landscape around the mill.  

In the distance, she hears the crashing of trees falling through the canopy.  Distinct tremors can felt through the ground.  Behind her, the saw mill seems to cringe in the storm and creak in fright of the disturbance.  The horses in the shed are completely unmanageable as they buck against their reins in terror.

A huge roar warns the world that a huge predator has arrived.  What can only be a tree groaning in pain as it torn from the ground can be heard a little way off.  The forest still hides whatever is approaching from the east.  An uprooted oak tree, probably more than a hundred winters old by its size, tears past the witch and slams into the Sawmill.  It impacts the building mostly in the second story, but enough of it lands around the kitchen the completely decimate the room.  An odd shrieking sound emanates from the sawmill, possibly from whatever occupies the basement.  If anyone were in the kitchen, there isn't much change that they would have survived such a hit to the building.

As if Shyam weren't there, a massive foot smashes down on the shed that protects the horses against the storm, sending fragments in all directions.  All of the equines are extinguished of life without any protest.  They are probably the lucky ones.  

As the adopted daughter of the leather worker from Maidenshire stares up, she sees a creature three times the size of the sawmill belt out a roar that shakes many of the still standing boards in the Sawmill loose.  Acidic bile drips near Shyam's feet sending a wisp of smoke up into the damp air.  

The world seemd to run in reverse faster than Shyam can track.  It feels like the air is being taken from her lungs as she is thrown back into the present.  Her instant reaction is to scream out in terror...

[rpgamer]

Having seen Shyam have visions before, Angel reprioritizes his
actions. He'll let others try to coax the spirit message out of the
girl, knowing he doesn't have a good rapport with her. On the other
hand, he knows her visions have usually led to confrontations with
crazy undead, dragons, and demons. Visions usually mean bad things are
going to happen. Her scream punctuated the need to fight or flight.

Pushing passed the others to the top of the stairs he yells down.
"Shyam just had a vision! Everyone get up here now!"

[Andrew Airmet]

Tempus paused as the others came up the stairs.  He waited on the stairs till he could see Shyam, and then followed her up.  When he saw her stumble, he reflexively reached up to steady her.  As she begins to tremble, Tempus supports her as best he can.  His eyes growing wide with shock and fear.  What was happening to her?  Why had her eyes changed?

"Shyam, Shyam?  Are you alright?"

[Bob G.]

A shiver runs up and down Cal'Shir's spine at Shyam's scream and he
urges Smithy to come up the stairs knowing he can't just turn and leave
his companion in the dark with whatever is there. "Smithy let's go, we
suddenly have more pressing concerns." As Smithy starts up the stairs
Cal'Shir backs up to the top steps, watching his friend's back and as
long as nothing follows, waves Smithy ahead of him and quickly follows,
closing the door and latching it if possible, after which he jumps away
from the door as if he expects something to shatter it from the other side.

[Michael New]

Smithy backs up the stairs at the request of Cal'Shir and the others. 

"I didn't get a good look a it..  So, what's going on?"

[Don Alley]

Talking to Shyam in mid sentence, Quentin was looking right her with his hand outstretched when she ebbed into her vision state.

Realizing there was nothing he could do, he ensured she was steadied, a task Tempus was doing well, and scanned the area very briefly.

He then studied the woman's face and expression, both to better recognize the effects of the state, and possibly read her lips and get insight into the vision. He wasn't sure if her visions were interactive, or if her face would yield any clues. He knew some drugs would cause a semi-consciousness and that trained professionals could read the lips of the subject. These hallucinations often had very real basis.

[Leslie Lock]

Coming out of the vision in a scream, turning to the ceiling as if it
was coming down on top of them it take a few seconds for Shyam to
realize the giant hadn't arrived yet.

Gasping for air, "We have to get out of here, something is coming.
Somethign huge."

[Michael Briggs]

Her warning is accented by a tremor...

[Leslie Lock]

With the ground shaking beneath her feet, Shyam starts to back towards the door.  "We don't have time, we can't be inside when it get's here!"

 

[Michael Briggs]

There is another tremor, this time louder and definitely not thunder.

[Don Alley]

Quentin feels the shaking of the ground punctuate Shyam's statement.

Normally a vision or dream would;'t be an influence on his course of action, but the timing of this coupled with past visions being proven caused him to take it more seriously. Until they saw for themselves, they had only her info to go on.

Quentin follows her hastily to the door and out, not bothering with the slow, theatric ramp-up to all-out fleeing.

The situation called for running away, and that was exactly what he planned to do.

[Michael New]

"Yes, she seems to know what she's talking about!"  Smithy yells as he runs for his horse.  He is going to untie it and then mount it and move away from the site, looking for a hill from which to gain a vantage point.

[Andrew Airmet]

"Let's get out of here!" Tempus yells as well.  He runs for the horses, only stopping to pick up Synxol's body, muttering a quick explanation that he could handle the extra weight while running.  With that, he's out the door to help with the horses.

[rpgamer]

Angel quickly cast a spell upon himself, then flies out the front
door. Seeing Tempus already picking up the feyman's body he yells
encouragement to the others on the way out. "Everyone out now! Shyam,
lead us away from the approaching creature! Scouts, find the easiest
path for her. Everyone, try to stay together! I'll warn Diedra then
catch up!"

The cleric flys near Diedra's hut and yells out a few times until he's
sure she or her worg got the warning message. Next he joins the others
as they retreat to a safer place.


OOC:

Standard action:
Cast Fly (Cleric-Travel 3)
Mana: 52 / 55 (3 spent)
Duration: 9 minutes
Fly speed: 40' (with med-hvy load), +4 fly skill cks

[Bob G.]

Cal'Shir sees the fear in Shyam's face and like the others, runs out the
door for cover away from the buildings.

[Erek]

Seeing Shyam in the fit of a vision, Keryth wonders what evil will
befall the group next. His thoughts are ironically rewarded a few
moments later when they feel a tremor shake the building. Watching
everyone flee the structure, Keryth shakes his head slightly at the
misfortune of the situation, before joining in the fleeing party
members.

Once outside, Keryth focuses on the ancient relic he holds in his
right hand. Half hoping that his father's sword may give him some
brief guidance as it had done before, half hoping this was not some
large demon approaching. Seeing the main bulk of their group rush to
the horses, Keryth does likewise. An odd little smirk crosses his
features as an idea that the creature may be friendly comes to mind.
He quickly shakes away the absurd notion and begins to head off in
their best possibly escape route. Not going more than a few strides,
Keryth waits for the rest of the group to follow.

[Michael Briggs]

There is an instant response from the ancestral blade in the elf's hand.  The spirits of his ancestor stir as though a great battle is about to ensue.  Keryth feels a longing from the sword to clash with this mighty image, but hears a voice in his head.

'Run," it says softly, but definitively.  'You will not survive this battle.'

[Erek]

The sudden voices of Keryth's ancestors entering his thoughts elicits
a tiny rush of adrenaline, causing an involuntary shudder. The blade
gives him all the reassurance he needs to be gone from this place as
fast as elvenly possible. "We will not win this battle," the words
roll off his tongue as though he was but a small child reciting a
verse. Shaking off the tingling feeling, Keryth glances about,
affirming that everyone is with them.

[Leslie Lock]

Shyam runs out of the house with what appears to be no clear direction
to the others. The only thing she knows is to get out of the path of
the thing that was coming. She knows the direction the creature was
coming and that it would stomp on first the mill then then shed.
While it would likely haunt her later, there was no thought of saving
the horses this time. The fear from her vision told her to flee.