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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 1, 2013 16:35:09 GMT -5
Why doesn't Friedrich want the ring of spell turning? Is there something else he wants? Mary already has two rings, so she will need to decide among protection, shooting stars and spell turning.
To repeat this is only a proposal, nothing is set in stone, nothing has been given to anyone yet.
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 1, 2013 21:38:27 GMT -5
Could we get a list of the magic items everyone currently has? It might make it easier to figure out the distribution of new items. Thanks.
Actually if I could get everything on my characters sheets that would be helpful. I need to work on encumbrance and basic provisioning. A link to a spreadsheet would be great!
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Post by Bolo on Sept 2, 2013 16:10:43 GMT -5
A man on foot arrives at the entrance of the pavilion and calls out "Hello? Excuse me? Is anyone there?" He repeats this, once in Common and once in Shayic. He has a slight accent in both languages.
He is dressed in white, in the flowing robes that serve as padded armor in these parts. He wears a backpack. From his belt hang a small pouch and a dagger in a scabbard. A shield is slung on his back. A silver pendant in the shape of a cat hangs from a thong around his neck.
He is followed at a short distance by what appears to be an ordinary domestic cat.
He calls out again: "Hello? Hello?"
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Post by Ginger on Sept 2, 2013 16:33:15 GMT -5
A man on foot arrives at the entrance of the pavilion and calls out "Hello? Excuse me? Is anyone there?" He repeats this, once in Common and once in Shayic. He has a slight accent in both languages. He is dressed in white, in the flowing robes that serve as padded armor in these parts. He wears a backpack. From his belt hang a small pouch and a dagger in a scabbard. A shield is slung on his back. A silver pendant in the shape of a cat hangs from a thong around his neck. He is followed at a short distance by what appears to be an ordinary domestic cat. He calls out again: "Hello? Hello?" As previously stated, Colby set up an ominous Magic Mouth spell on the pavilion. The man steps within 30 feet of the pavilion he hears, in Shayic, "Remain where you are and approach no further. Please wait for an audience. Ignore this warning and risk instant annihilation." It should be loud enough to alert whoever is around, which depends on what day this is.
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 2, 2013 16:52:26 GMT -5
Mamnoon is on guard duty for the most part. He flies invisibly around camp checking for any intruders hoping to surprise anyone who is approaching the camp. Since it is only a single man (and a cat), he will land behind the man and state "What are you doing here? And be quick about. And keep your voice, my master must not be disturbed."
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 2, 2013 17:08:01 GMT -5
Dan is going to spend his time working at the Shrine of the One God. Assuming the priests don't object, Dan will set up a regular schedule of prayers and preaching after which he will provide a Lesser Orison of Healing. He is fine if they would rather do the preaching since this is their congregation (and his Charisma is detrimental to the task). He will offer whatever other services are needed at the Shrine. As he spends time in the city he will also hope to hear rumors of anything of interest to the party.
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Post by Bolo on Sept 2, 2013 18:13:10 GMT -5
The man is noticeably startled by the voices from nowhere. He halts as soon as he hears them. Looking around for the source of the voices, he says "Are there adventurers here? I heard there might be. I would very much like to meet some adventurers."
When he realizes that he has not, in fact, been instantly annihilated, he becomes somewhat bolder. He says "I am Haidar son of Labwa, and I would like to become an adventurer. Is there anyone visible here who I could speak to about that?"
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 2, 2013 18:36:19 GMT -5
"Who told you there were adventurers here?" Mamnoon will respond as he materializes. "Why do you think they would want to talk with you?"
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Post by Bolo on Sept 2, 2013 19:43:04 GMT -5
Seeing Mamnoon, Haidar is noticeably excited.
"It was just a rumor, respected sir, that I heard in a tavern in the city. I have been looking for adventurers ever since I completed my training in Heirakonpolis. I don't know whether they would want to talk with me, but I would like to talk with them, because I want to join them in their adventures."
With evident pride, he says "I am not only an acolyte of Bast" -- he raises the silver cat pendant to his lips and quickly kisses it -- "but also a prestidigitator."
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Post by Ginger on Sept 2, 2013 19:54:14 GMT -5
We'll tell Haidar that he needs to stand in front of the pavilion with all of his possessions for three days, while we berate him or ignore him. Then, maybe, we'll think about it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH-mUOdxnKgAlso, Dan referred to Haidar as a "man" but are his features at all demihuman?
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 2, 2013 20:07:05 GMT -5
Mamnoon will mutter under his breath "Must have been that halfling." Addressing the would-be adventurer, "Wait here while I get Master Paavo."
Paavo will stop his scimitar practice with Basmadoos and follow Mamnoon out of the pavilion.
"Greetings, my name is Paavo Ukkonen. Who are you? Mamnoon tells me you want to be an adventure. You know it is probably not your wisest decision. If our track record is any indication, you'll probably die ... at least once."
While he waits for an answer he will detect evil on this fellow.
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Post by Bolo on Sept 2, 2013 20:10:17 GMT -5
Haidar is not familiar with YouTube, but he does continue to stand in front of the pavilion with all of his possessions.
Those flowing desert robes cover up a lot and make it rather hard to be sure, but yes, now that you mention it ... While at first glance, Haidar appears to be a human of Aegyptian descent, his eyes are of an odd color, and his ears are of an unusual shape, and a careful observer might conclude that he is a half-elf.
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Post by Ginger on Sept 2, 2013 20:16:42 GMT -5
Haidar is not familiar with YouTube, but he does continue to stand in front of the pavilion with all of his possessions. Those flowing desert robes cover up a lot and make it rather hard to be sure, but yes, now that you mention it ... While at first glance, Haidar appears to be a human of Aegyptian descent, his eyes are of an odd color, and his ears are of an unusual shape, and a careful observer might conclude that he is a half-elf. If Haidar hasn't seen Fight Club, we don't want him in the Party. But seriously, we haven't had an elf since Finnious went crazy, so he's a welcome addition.
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Post by Bolo on Sept 2, 2013 20:25:50 GMT -5
"Greetings, Mr. Ukkonen. I am Haidar. I am an acolyte of Bast" [he kisses his pendant again] "and a prestidigitator."
"A few months ago I completed my training in Heirakonpolis, the city of my birth. I have no family there" [he hesitates slightly as he says this] "so I left and made my way to Pentadastion in search of adventure."
"I seek excitement - and I seek to honor the memory of my parents - and of course I seek to do good deeds in the service of Bast." [kiss]
"I know that some adventurers also seek wealth, but my material needs are few, so wealth does not concern me greatly, except in so far as it might enable me to serve my goddess better."
[It's really for the DM to say, of course, but no, Haidar does not detect as evil.]
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 2, 2013 20:56:49 GMT -5
"Can't say as I've heard of Bast or Heirakonpolis, but regardless you seem ok to me. You can hang around camp until the others return if you like. We can always use help with the camels. Once they are back maybe someone will be willing to take you on as a henchman. By the way, I'm surprised to see using a dagger -- most priest only use those for sacrifices and those aren't the kind of priest we like. Can you handle a mace?"
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Post by Bolo on Sept 2, 2013 21:22:08 GMT -5
Haidar looks worried and hesitates before answering. "My faith encourages me to sacrifice a snake at the full moon, if I can find one. Preferably a cobra, the symbol of the evil god Set. Is there a problem with that? I don't have to use a dagger for the sacrifice, if you would prefer me not to. I'm allowed to use one because I am also a prestidigitator, but my clerical calling also permits me the use of a variety of other weapons. Or perhaps I could use magic to kill the snake?" (He looks a little uncertain about that last part.)
"Regarding the mace, Mr. Ukkonen, I have the greatest of respect for my clerical teachers. I honor them for their faith, and they were in most respects blameless. But I must admit to you that in the weaponry aspect, my training was substandard. I have so far learned the use of only one weapon, and I know that an accomplished acolyte should be skilled in two. Would you or one of your companions be willing to train me in the use of a mace? I have a small amount of savings left, and I think I could afford one. Are they expensive? There is a second-hand weapon shop in Pentadastion. Do you think they would have one? I could be there and back in just a couple of days."
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Post by Ginger on Sept 2, 2013 21:33:29 GMT -5
If Haddiq is finished training Ingrid, he'll work with Haidar to teach him proper cleric weapons--mace and flail. Haddiq does not know much of Bast (the DM can correct me if he does), although sacrificing snakes seems like a promising sign. Furthermore. he is skeptical that Bast would grant Haidar his daily spells if he actually fought with a dagger, even though it's allowable as a learnable proficiency.
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 2, 2013 21:43:17 GMT -5
(I didn't know this, but "half-elven characters who choose cleric as one of their multi-classes aren't limited by that class' proscriptions upon weapons usable (PHB p. 17)." So I guess he can use a dagger.)
Paavo will tell him to join Trommer who is also training in mace right now. "You can borrow mine and we'll get you a new one next time we are in town. Just be careful when you are sparring with him, he forgets how strong he is some times."
"Also you might want to be a little circumspect with the snake sacrifices, our wizard, Colby, has a snake familiar so he might be a little touchy about that."
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Post by Bolo on Sept 3, 2013 7:08:28 GMT -5
Haidar is slightly perturbed by the idea of a snake familiar, but he agrees to be circumspect, concluding that he should not judge Colby before meeting him.
He joins Trommer and diligently sets out to learn the proper use of a mace. Between training bouts, he overhears Trommer mentioning wound-binding treatments. He asks if Trommer can also train him in the use of such treatments. He thinks this skill would be a useful adjunct to his clerical healing ability.
In conversations with party members over the next few days, Haidar gradually reveals some backstory:
Haidar Son of Labwa
Labwa was the daughter of a mid-ranking priest of the cat goddess Bast, in the great Aegyptian city of Heirakonpolis. She was fascinated by magic from an early age, and her father paid for her to be trained as a magician. He hoped she would rise in the hierarchy of the college of magic and bring honor to the family. But Labwa was a rebellious girl, and upon completing her apprenticeship, she ran off with a party of adventurers.
Labwa and her companions were moderately successful for a while, and Labwa rose to the 3rd level in her profession. But one dreadful day, while sheltering from the afternoon heat of the desert under a makeshift canopy, the party was surprised by a horde of ogres led by one of the vile minions of Set. Seeing that the group was hopelessly outnumbered, Labwa cast an Invisibility spell on herself and escaped with her life. All her companions were slain, and their camels and belongings were carried off by the marauders.
After much hardship, Labwa found her way to an oasis. She arrived there weak, emaciated, and diseased, her robe in tatters. She had been forced to abandon most of her belongings in the desert sands to lighten her load. She traded her few remaining valuables for food and water and safe passage to Heirakonpolis with a merchant camel convoy.
Labwa's family took her in and nursed her back to health, but they were scandalized when it became clear that she was pregnant by one of her adventuring companions, an elvish warrior, one of those slain by the ogres. The child was a boy. Labwa named him Haidar.
After Haidar was weaned, Labwa's father seized him and took him to a temple where orphans were trained as priests of Bast. The boy's parentage was concealed from him, and he grew up knowing only the life of the temple.
When Haidar was 12, Labwa was permitted to attend his coming-of-age ceremony, but she was allowed no direct contact with her son. She could only watch the ceremony from the back of the temple, one of many worshippers in a large congregation. By this time she had fallen out of the regular practice of magic, but she secretly prepared herself to cast a Message spell during the ceremony, and by this means she revealed herself to her son.
Young Haidar was not allowed out of the temple, and Labwa was never again allowed in. But once a week, Haidar stood by the window of the upper-floor dormitory of the trainee priests. There he enjoyed brief secret conversations with his mother in the street below by means of additional Message spells.
Throughout his teenage years, Haidar dreamed of becoming an adventurer like his mother. While the temple trained him for a clerical career, he volunteered for extra instruction from a senior priest, a half-elf like himself, who combined his priestly calling with the magical skills Labwa had begun to learn long ago. With hard work, guidance from his half-elvish mentor, and secret help from his mother in their brief weekly conversations, Haidar excelled in his magical studies.
One night, when Haidar's training was nearly complete, Labwa failed to appear below his dormitory window for their weekly conversation. Instead a stranger was there, another woman. To Haidar's surprise, this woman cast a Message spell just as Labwa had. "Your mother is dead," she whispered, "killed in a terrible accident. All her family has forgotten you, but she made me promise to let you know if anything happened to her."
"But who are you," whispered Haidar back, in sorrow and astonishment.
"I was an apprentice together with your mother. We were close friends and confidants. When she ran off to be an adventurer, she wanted me to join her, but I was a year younger, and I had not yet completed my studies."
The woman paused, seeming to reflect on what might have been. Then she continued: "After Labwa's tragedy in the desert, our lives took different paths. When you were taken from her, she became depressed and withdrew from her friends. But I had known her for so long, and we had been so close when we were young, that she entrusted me with your secret. I cannot offer you help you in your career, and I will not even tell you my name or where I live, but I swore to Labwa that I would tell you of her death, her love for you, and her blessings in the name of Bast."
The woman paused again. "Labwa told me that you wish to be an adventurer, as she was. I believe that is a dangerous and unwise choice, but it is not for me to advise you. For her sake, I wish you success." And then the woman turned away and left.
Keeping his sorrow to himself, Haidar completed his studies as both a prestidigitator and an acolyte of Bast. As soon as he could, he sought out a party of adventurers to join.
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 3, 2013 9:55:10 GMT -5
So what do we have that we can entrust to young Haidar's keep while he adventures with us. Any chance his slight half-elven figure would fit into Tzila plate mail? Probably not. Do we have any extra armor or is that all in Barb-el-Shay? Would the ultralight plate mail fit him? Maybe we can send to Colby and have him stop there on is way back from Devonshire. Paavo would be fine giving up the rod of terror. Do we know how that works? I couldn't find it in the usual places. I am sure there is at least one surplus wand. Dan can offer him Feldspar's wand (flesh to stone, requires touch attack), but something distance would probably be better (negation, fire-extinguishing, lightning bolt, frost, etc.).
I say we advance Haidar 200 gp (start an account for him) for general equipping which he can pay back after the next distribution.
Youssef will quiz him on what spells he has. Since Colby and Mary were so free with sharing spells with Youssef, he will do the same for Haidar. Youssef will explain that it is a generous benefit offered by these foreign spell casters. Youssef will ask if Haidar has consider the exciting specialization of Elemental Magic. He will regale Haidar with stories of the many times Youssef has saved a fellow party member from certain death with an elementary application of Air magic called Lasting Breath.
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 3, 2013 10:57:57 GMT -5
The snake is alteration/evocation. The raven is conjuration/summoning. Dan will attempt to cast dispel magic from maximum range on these urns, first the snake urn and then the raven urn. He'll make sure everyone in camp is aware of what is going on and at least Paavo, Youssef and Mamnoon will be present. He will have Find Traps up during the procedure to check if they are still trapped.
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Post by Bolo on Sept 3, 2013 11:07:43 GMT -5
Haidar is more than happy to discuss spells with Youssef. He has the following spells: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Sleep, Jump, and Charm Person. He would be delighted to share any of these and is keen to know about other spells that Youssef can offer him.
Haidar is very grateful for Youssef's suggestion about specializing in elemental magic, but he thinks he should get a little more adventuring experience under his belt before he makes such a consequential decision.
Haidar asks for Youssef's advice on combat tactics as a low-level magic-user in a high-level party. Haidar has a theory. He recognizes that any damage he can deal directly is likely be a relatively minor contribution. But if he can cast spells that disrupt the casting of enemy spellcasters, that could be significant. For example, he has heard of the spell Magic Missile. If he could learn that, he figures that a Magic Missile aimed at an enemy spellcaster at the beginning of every round could be quite effective. What does Youssef think of that? Has he ever heard of that spell?
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Post by Bolo on Sept 3, 2013 11:24:35 GMT -5
Haidar asks the clerics in the party for a run-down of the party members' religious affiliations. Are there any beliefs or practices that he should be aware of and sensitive to? Do any of the clerics conduct regular services or rituals for the party?
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Post by Ginger on Sept 3, 2013 11:34:06 GMT -5
Haidar is more than happy to discuss spells with Youssef. He has the following spells: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Sleep, Jump, and Charm Person. He would be delighted to share any of these and is keen to know about other spells that Youssef can offer him. Haidar is very grateful for Youssef's suggestion about specializing in elemental magic, but he thinks he should get a little more adventuring experience under his belt before he makes such a consequential decision. Haidar asks for Youssef's advice on combat tactics as a low-level magic-user in a high-level party. Haidar has a theory. He recognizes that any damage he can deal directly is likely be a relatively minor contribution. But if he can cast spells that disrupt the casting of enemy spellcasters, that could be significant. For example, he has heard of the spell Magic Missile. If he could learn that, he figures that a Magic Missile aimed at an enemy spellcaster at the beginning of every round could be quite effective. What does Youssef think of that? Has he ever heard of that spell? He should start thinking outside of the box. I know one apprentice who wanted to cast Mount spells above an enemy so the horse would fall on him for more damage than a single d4+1 magic missile.
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Post by venger on Sept 3, 2013 11:52:57 GMT -5
And they all became fast friends........
Let's streamline the getting-to-know-you process. The DM can't take any more roleplaying. We've possibly exceeded the quota for the year.
If you want to exchange spells, figure out how best to equip this new character, etc. you are strongly encouraged to do so as players with full knowledge of the party's roster and capabilities.
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 3, 2013 12:13:43 GMT -5
Youssef will mention that Elemental Magic is a specialization that must be chosen at the earliest phase of your magic user career. You can't choose later to specialize.
Youssef will let Haidar read through the spellbooks. Haidar can try to learn any 1st level spell (percentile rolls). Magic Missile is a fine spell and particularly good against enemy clerics. Other magic users tend to ward themselves using Shield, Mage Shield, Globe of Invulnerability, etc. from attacks that may disrupt their spells. And of course they are likely to use magic items that have spell like functions when possible since those can't be disrupted. Youssef will explain about Projected Image, which allows high level mages to cast spells from a remote location through an image of themselves.
Youssef suggests the best thing for a low level magic user is to keep your head down and look after your own skin. The occasional utility spell that you can offer is likely to be just as appreciated as a single magic missile. We'll see about getting you some magic items that you can use to attack from the back of the party. Just be careful not to hit any of the fighters that are in melee with the enemy. They are won't take that well. If Mary is willing to part with the wand of paralyzation, that would be an excellent choice for Haidar.
Regarding religion, most people are adherents to the One God. Paavo is a holy warrior of Ukko, a northern deity which, if you believe the sainted Fizzi Fanini, is just another aspect of the One God. Ingrid worships some dwarven deity, but she doesn't proselytize so I am not sure exactly which one. Trommer and Nordel have some nature reverence as part of their belief system. For the most part, people are happy letting others believe what they want so long as you aren't in others faces about it.
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Post by venger on Sept 3, 2013 12:53:09 GMT -5
Last Sunday, you asked me to get you a cup of water. I did so and did not feel the at all slighted by the request :) You're forgetting I'm a powerful DUNGEON MASTER and you're just a 0-level human. Actually if I could get everything on my characters sheets that would be helpful. I need to work on encumbrance and basic provisioning. A link to a spreadsheet would be great! I'll post a link to a complete inventory this evening. And I'll redo the "party accounts" to current. And I'll take a crack at the spell books written so far. It should be loud enough to alert whoever is around, which depends on what day this is. Circumstances did not necessitate rolling up a new character until after Day 15. Haddiq does not know much of Bast (the DM can correct me if he does), Only what you can read in the Deities and Demigods. The peoples of the south are a strange lot, who worship strange gods - ancient and new. (I didn't know this, but "half-elven characters who choose cleric as one of their multi-classes aren't limited by that class' proscriptions upon weapons usable (PHB p. 17)." So I guess he can use a dagger.) SO IT IS WRITTEN! Paavo will tell him to join Trommer who is also training in mace right now. I'm not going to impose training costs/times for a proficiency that a character should receive upon creation. Dan will attempt to cast dispel magic from maximum range on these urns, first the snake urn and then the raven urn. He'll make sure everyone in camp is aware of what is going on and at least Paavo, Youssef and Mamnoon will be present. He will have Find Traps up during the procedure to check if they are still trapped. Repeated attempts eventually dispel whatever trap is on the snake urn... there's a clerical scroll inside with two spells of Neutralize Poison. No luck with the raven urn. Haidar can try to learn any 1st level spell (percentile rolls). We can do this in session for any spell he wants to memorize from the party books that he doesn't already possess. Regarding religion, most people are adherents to the One God. Paavo is a holy warrior of Ukko, a northern deity which, if you believe the sainted Fizzi Fanini, is just another aspect of the One God. Ingrid worships some dwarven deity, but she doesn't proselytize so I am not sure exactly which one. Ingrid bristles a bit. She worships Moradin, the Forge-Father, Patron of All Dwarves! Mechanically, this is a factor for training at the different tiers of clerical spell-casting: 3rd level, 5th level and 7th level spells. Clerics of the One God have an advantage in that they can train or be trained by not only clerics of their own monotheistic faith, but of any of the creator gods/heads of the pantheon (Ra, Zeus, Ukko, Odin, Moradin, Corellion Larethion, Anu, etc.) That's reflective of the insight Fizzi Finnini offered. Pantheist clerics are going to have the "Perrin-Problem," whereby they will need to find a cleric of like faith in order to be trained at those tiers.
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Post by Wolfgar on Sept 3, 2013 13:32:04 GMT -5
Circumstances did not necessitate rolling up a new character until after Day 15. On no! :o Repeated attempts eventually dispel whatever trap is on the snake urn... there's a clerical scroll inside with two spells of Neutralize Poison. No luck with the raven urn. I'll add the scroll to the magic item table. Paavo will use the red mace and the gauntlets and attempt to break the urn open from a good distance.
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Post by venger on Sept 3, 2013 13:42:14 GMT -5
Smash!
The potion inside didn't survive the Dispel Magic barrage anyway.
A huge ghostly raven's head manifests from the urn to attack the closest creature, decapitating on a successful hit! THAC0 of 13.
Fortunately there's nobody within range.
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Post by Friedrich on Sept 3, 2013 14:32:50 GMT -5
Why doesn't Friedrich want the ring of spell turning? Is there something else he wants? Mary already has two rings, so she will need to decide among protection, shooting stars and spell turning. To repeat this is only a proposal, nothing is set in stone, nothing has been given to anyone yet. It's just that, all things considered, I don't think it's even close to fair to give up the shield brooch. He doesn't have very much good stuff. Surely you can understand, right.
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