2012-10-29 - Including Behind The Scenes Footage
Tyrus stood up and scooped up his Handy Haversack on his way out of the chambers which had been provided to him in the Temple of Nephe. It had been at least 30 minutes since he heard from Brannock Genji with the bad news that he'd been unable to find the others, and he could bear it no longer.
Fifteen minutes later he was standing at a font in the temple of Somellas and reading aloud from a scroll, wishing there had been a surefire way to find out what was happening that would not have cost him quite so much. As the final words to activate the magic left his lips his eyes shone with a pearlescent light and he could see Gerrant, Ulfgar Firehands, Sero Flek & Juxhil standing in swampland dotted with the toppled stones of an ancient building. He could make out the susurration of Draconic, and he thanked Nephe that he had prepared Tongues earlier that day.
The sinking feeling he got when he heard Sero Flek mention "Fetching their leader" lasted just a moment before it was replaced by a sense of urgency. He raised his gaze and beckoned the novice who had sold him the scroll over...
A few minutes and another 1,000 gold pieces later, he was wriggling his toes in a newly rented pair of boots which he was under very strict instructions to return unscathed. As he listened to the hulking Lizardfolk respond to Sero Flek in increasingly negative tones, he set his mind to recalling what he could of Lizardfolk society and formed a mental image of the sort of shaman that would be heeded by others of its kind. Finally it appeared that it had run out of patience as it hefted the warhammer it carried and began to advance on the elf and his companions.
Tyrus took a deep breath and hoped he was doing the right thing as he activated the magic potential locked into the boots he now wore beneath his greaves.
In the air above the swamp, Brannock Genji followed the raptor-like creature he had spotted and it lead him pretty much straight back to the Lizardfolk camp, stalking its way through the high ground and in amongst the Lizardfolk who seemed to be unsurprised by this. Eventually the raptor disappeared into one of the larger huts.
Back at the ruins...
The smaller Lizardfolk eyed the party cautiously as they began to move into flanking positions, their huge well-armored leader advancing menacingly with his warhammer at the ready.
Suddenly another Lizardfolk appeared, seemingly out of thin air about half-way across the area, garbed quite differently to those about to fight and facing them. This one wore robes festooned with various talismans and knicknacks. He immediately and emphatically starts speaking Draconic, saying "Halt, these monkey-men are not to be harmed, they have been sent to gain you favour with Imthaikalus". At this, the Lizardfolk all stopped in their tracks staring at the newcomer, the smaller ones seeming wary, maybe even fearful. The larger Lizardfolk (who will be referred to as Brutus) looked less afraid and more confused.
Juxhil: He's saying they shouldn't attack us. Sero Flek responds in Draconic. Ulfgar Firehands mutters to the others “Careful about the new one, he doesn't look like much but...” Another short exchange between Brutus and Tyrus in the guise of a Lizardfolk followed, with Gerrant prodding Sero Flek for a translation. Juxhil:“This is... quite confusing. Sero Flek This new guy likes us... I think I swayed him.
Brutus turned on the newcomer, angrily accusing him of "decietful", while Tyrus stated calmly to the other lizardfolk that should they stand down, and Imthaikalus will grant them mercy.
At this point something in Brutus “snapped” and took a swing at this strange new arrival. Tyrus immediately responded by casting Calm Emotions, which seemingly had no effect on Brutus. The huge Lizardfolk swung his hammer hard, smashing it into Tyrus' chest, acid spitting and crackling from the surface. Gerrant's attempt at attacking bounced off the lacquered black armor, so Juxhil did her best and managed to bury an arrow in Brutus' neck. Sero Flek greased the floor under him as Ulfgar Firehands Hasted everyone except for the disguised cleric. Summoning all of his anger Tyrus screamed at Brutus "YOU'LL NOT SURVIVE THIS MISTAKE YOU FOOL, THIS WILL BE YOUR DOOM!" in Draconic, arcane energies coiling in the air between them, leaving Brutus seeming visibly shaken.
Brutus roared his defiance, goading his comrades on: “You guillible fools, kill him!”
Retaining a scratchy Lizardfolk accent, Tyrus told the party “This one is the problem, the others are nothing!”
The Brutus stepped out of the grease and took a swing at Gerrant, the sizzling hammer narrowly missing his head. Gerrant responded by attempting to trip him and instead found that it was he who found himself pushed prone. As he stood back up Brutus clobbered him for 18 damage. Sero Flek responded by attempting to grease the warhammer Brutus was holding but that failed to loosen his grip sufficient to cause it to fall from his hands.
Tyrus cast something, making a light mote appear which shot off into the sky, then drew his morningstar, and Ulfgar Firehands ran around the back of Brutus, casting [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\enlargePerson.htm Enlarge_Person] as he did so. Gerrant took a step back and quaffed a potion of [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\catsGrace.htm Cat's Grace] and Sero Flek greased the floor under the Brutus's new position, dropping him prone.. Tyrus stepped out of the grease and shouted in Draconic “[http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\command.htm FALL!]”, in an attempt to pin him there a little longer.
Meanwhile in the air above the swamps south of Pithfield...
A ghostly hand appeared in front of Brannock Genji and started beckoning, but almost immediately after Brannock Genji began to follow it, it abruptly disappeared.
Back to the action...
Juxhil stepped toward the other Lizardfolk who were still standing by the sidelines looking undecided and told them “Leave or suffer Imthaikalus' wrath.” while the now huge Ulfgar Firehands swung at the Brutus twice, the first just nearly hitting and the second connecting solidly.
Brutus shook off the blow, standing up and sliding his way out of the grease towards Ulfgar Firehands with his warhammer swinging, pounding him for 19 damage. At the same time the other Lizardfolk decided to heed Juxhil and slink off into the shadows. Gerrant gathered himself and unleashed his Stunning Fist technique, which hurt (but unfortunately did not stun) the juggernaut while Sero Flek stepped forward with his whip, hoping to yank the warhammer out of Brutus's hands. The brutish Lizardfolk was much stronger than he bargained for, and instead Sero Flek had to release his whip in order to prevent it from being delivered straight into Brutus' hands.
Sero Flek: I wouldn't try to use that, you probably couldn't handle it.
Brutus: Silence, Worm.
Tyrus cast [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\sanctuary.htm Sanctuary] on Ulfgar Firehands and hissed “You have about a minute” in his almost comically heavily-accented Common.
Ulfgar Firehands tried to step away from Brutus past Tyrus, but the enormous warrior was too skilled for him and the dwarf was pounded to the ground unconscious. Gerrant attempted to flurry his Stunning Fist attacks but missed each time.
It was at this time that Sero Flek decided to make like the other Lizardfolk and exit the locale.
Tyrus noticed him tensing and screamed in a mix of Draconic and Common “IF YOU DO WHAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO DO I'LL TEAR YOUR **DRACONIC** UNTIL IT **DRACONIC** AND I PROMISE I'LL HUNT YOU UNTIL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO DO SO YOU **SEVERAL DRACONIC WORDS**”
At this, Sero Flek decided not to cut and run entirely, but dropped his rapier next to his discarded whip and backed up 30 feet, drawing his light crossbow and firing at Brutus as he did so.
Tyrus stepped forward and planted a scaly hand on Brutus, and for just a moment the light filtering through the trees and ruins seemed to dim as he chanted [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\bestowCurse.htm something gutteral] in Draconic. Ironically, it was at this time that one of Juxhil's shots went wide and thudded into his back, lodging there but apparently doing no damage.
Brutus turned to face Tyrus screaming the Draconic for “IMPOSTER!” and swung twice with his Warhammer, narrowly missing both times.
Sero Flek said “Looks like it's about time we took our leave, eh Matilda?” and bolted, covering a full 240 feet in roughly 6 seconds.
Tyrus stepped between the monk and the dwarf and hissed at the sorcerer to trust him and end the effects of his [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\enlargePerson.htm Enlarge Person] enchantment, yelling to Juxhil “Come with me if you want to live!” as he clamped his gauntleted hands around the wrists of Gerrant and Ulfgar Firehands. Juxhil ran over and grabbed him as he turned to Brutus and hissed “This isn't over!”.
Suddenly, the party couldn't see the ruins anymore. It took a moment for them to realize they were standing in Eathe before the temple of Somellas, with a growing crowd of surprised onlookers turning to witness their arrival. A couple of the city guard who happened to be included in that number fingered thier weapons nervously, eyeing Tyrus who still had every appearance of being a Lizardfolk half dragging a badly injured dwarf. Gerrant almost unconsciously interposed himself between them. Tyrus took a few moments to heal Gerrant and Ulfgar Firehands, said “There's No Place Like Home” and disappeared.
Tyrus reappeared inside the temple, returning the boots and allowing his appearance to change back to normal, before sneaking back to his own chambers. He resolved that if at all possible he would not tell the others what he had done, though they might surely ask questions if they realized he had somehow nearly bankrupted himself while they were away. He had acted to protect them as best he could and was glad he had taken action, but given that they had decided to go to the Lizardfolk encampment without contacting him or Brannock Genji he had an uneasy feeling that they might resent the intrusion.
Meanwhile in the swamp...
Sero Flek finds himself in the swamp, with no haste, no sign of pursuit and no sign of his companions. He summons his [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\unseenServant.htm Unseen Servant] and says “Well, that went rather badly.”. He looked wistfully off in the direction of his lost Whip and Rapier, then thought better of the option of immediately trying to regain them and began making his way toward Pithfield, naming his [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\unseenServant.htm Unseen Servant] Winifred and chatting to her the entire way.
In Eathe.
The others made their way back to Nephe's temple, when they arrived Tyrus adopted a calm mien and asked “Did you get the cows?”
Ulfgar Firehands “Fuck cows.”
Gerrant Sero Flek "Betrayed Us"
Tyrus looked to Juxhil “Is this twue?”
Juxhil “We went looking for cows and found huge hurty lizardmen with huge hurty hammers which were unleashed on Ulfgar Firehands”
Tyrus “He lookth okay?”
Juxhil “You should have seen how unhurt the other guy was.”
Tyrus "They attacked the village?"
Ulfgar Firehands "Okay – we caught a bunch of the wankers... Sero Flek" (he pauses to spit) "spoke to them and tricked them into thinking we were part of their whole thing. We decided to have them lead us to their leader, when we arrived Sero Flek attempted the same trick and it didn't work so well. Some other Lizardfolk appeared and he helped us... not sure why... What I do know is I went down and when I woke up no Sero Flek in sight. Now we're back, and I need to get some sleep."
Tyrus “Riiiight. Can I buy you a dwink?”
Ulfgar Firehands “Not right now.”
Tyrus “Oh. Oh dear.”
Gerrant (angrily, for the first time anyone can remember) “I'll have one.”
Tyrus Did you thee Brannock Genji?
Gerrant No.
At this point Ulfgar Firehands appeared to have some kind of panic attack, looking through his pack muttering and shaking, then suddenly he announced he'd like a drink after all “I can't deal with this”.
Gerrant “With what?”
Ulfgar Firehands "I do not want to talk about it."
Tyrus used a Scroll of Sending to Brannock Genji. “All except Sero Flek are back. Apparently Sero Flek ran away when Ulfgar Firehands was badly hurt. Maybe wait in Pithfield or return to Eathe, your call?”. Brannock Genji replied “Good result all around then, see you in Eathe soon.”. At that, Tyrus took Ulfgar Firehands, Gerrant and Juxhil to one of the Temple's private rooms, ordering 3 casks of ale. Even Juxhil & Mr Sniffles started drinking, Tyrus nursing his and keeping an eye on the others.
Brannock Genji dropped Aidadiq off in Pithfield and then headed back to Eathe, stabling Bhetsy Buzzcot and making his way to the Temple. Tyrus explained what he had been told (Juxhil interrupting at one point to state “It was a good plan right up until the fighting”) and Brannock Genji poured another round. Mr Sniffles came over to Gerrant and Juxhil and began squeaking, at which Gerrant stuffed Mr Sniffles into his tunic.
Brannock Genji asked Gerrant & Tyrus what is wrong with Ulfgar Firehands, their response was “He doesn't want to talk about it.” So Brannock Genji decided that this was a good time to shove Ulfgar Firehands off his stool. When Ulfgar Firehands clambered back on, Brannock Genji shoved him off again.
Brannock Genji moved in close to whisper to Tyrus “I'm losing patience, I suggest you cast [http:\\www.d20srd.org\srd\spells\zoneOfTruth.htm Cone of Truth] on the dwarf as we don't have time for this shit”
Tyrus responded “It isn't right to force him to speak, he'll come around when he's ready. He almost died today, cut him some slack.”
Gerrant surprised both of them by dumping his ale over Brannock Genji and told him “Don't be a shit”, then went to refill from the barrel.
As Brannock Genji stormed out he knocked Ulfgar Firehands backwards off the stool again. Ulfgar Firehands threw one of his throwing axes, missed entirely and it embedded in the ceiling. Brannock Genji heard the thunk and eventually managed to get it down, then offered it handle first to Ulfgar Firehands, not letting go, instead he lifted Ulfgar Firehands upright.
Ulfgar Firehands glared at Brannock Genji “Fuckin Bards, fuckin' Clerics, fuckin' liars! Can't be trusted, gimme my fuckin' axe”.
Tyrus did his best to hide his discomfort on hearing "fuckin' Clerics", suddenly remembering Mr Sniffles approaching the others and squeaking almost insistently...
Brannock Genji “Soooo, not a big fan of Sero Flek at the moment are we?”
Grumbling noises were heard from Gerrant.
Brannock Genji “When is it going to be a good time?”
Ulfgar Firehands “Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll get answers”
After that, not much was said... some more grim and determined drinking was done, and everyone slowly retired to bed at their own rate.
Note: Mr Sniffles may well still be in Gerrant's tunic.
