[Game Thread] Prologue: Zelkor's Ferry

[pianoman90]

Father Mightily Oats Father Oats stared daggers into the man across the table from him as he carelessly knocked the drink off the table and it dripped down his leg. He shook it with disgust, stirring the robe he wore about his body just enough for the sharp-eyed observer to spot the armor and sword strapped to his lean frame. He was about to reprimand the In his eyes at leastyouth, when a newcomer joined them, and spoke. He listened half-heartedly, still lost in his righteous indignation, but he did calm down somewhat. He resolved himself to mutterings under his breath about the 'callousness of youth' and 'not really worth the bother to teach anymore'. He turned away from the gathering group for a time, looking out across the tavern and keeping his ears out for more talk of Rappan Athuk. It seemed the room was abuzz with talk and shared knowledge of the dreaded place, and Father Oats soaked up as much Dice diplomacy: 1d20+2 (16)+2 Total = 18 knowledge as he could. He spotted the hulking figure of Zelkor and overheard mention of his name from the other tavern regulars. He called out to the man to come over and tell to them what he knew. "Ho Zelkor! I hear you are an expert on the dungeons of Rappan Athuk? What goes on over in the depths of that horrid place?"

[Ulfskar]

Amandil walked proudly through the town of Zelkor's Ferry and didn't stop to talk to anyone. He had a destination and needed little help finding it. Opening the door to the tavern he quickly noticed the group of gathering adventures and made his way over. vedui' Pausing and looking around at the blank faces, Amandil corrected himself. "Greetings, I am Amandil."   I have a few rolls... Dice d100: d100 12 Dice int: d20+4 (4)+4 Total = 8 Dice Cleric: d20+3 (2)+3 Total = 5 Dice wizard: d20+4 (15)+4 Total = 19

[Quarterpound]

DM Text Illidris overhears the following secrets:

DM Text Father Oats overhears the following secrets:

DM Text Amandil overhears the following secrets:

The room hushed as Father Oats spoke up to Zelkor. The beast of a man turned slowly to address the old man. All eyes were on the bristly man as he spoke.

"Here's one for you, holy man.

One hot, sticky summer a score of years ago, a terrible beast came out of the wilderness and fell upon the surrounding lands. It razed towns and ravaged farms, slaughtering entire clans.

Golarion's finest warriors gathered, throwing themselves at the beast one after another. Entire adventuring groups lost their lives in the swath of destruction it carved. It killed many of the finest warriors and baffled the most potent wizards.

Finally, the beast was overpowered and slain by the adventurer Mailliw Catspar and his comrades.

Triumphant, these brave souls tracked it back to the Dungeon of Graves—and were never seen again.

Some say that the monster's mother avenged the death of her favorite son and tortured Malliw and his companions for a full year before devouring their entrails.

Others believe that Orcus himself, impressed by the destruction the beast had wrought upon the world, captured the souls of its slayers and began rebuilding the creature.

I believe, and I have my sources, that the beast's black soul transferred to Malliw, drawing his and his companions back to its lair, where it could regenerate and wait for its next opportunity to complete its destruction of our world. "

[Ulfskar]

Amandil Istar Listening to the hum of noise and conversation in the tavern was rather relaxing. Finding a place to sit down, Amandil reflected on some stories he had heard while continuing to listening to the tales being thrown across the room to see if he could Dice Knowledge Local: d20+4 (15)+4 Total = 19 gather any more information.

[Quarterpound]

[baahk36]

Vashtyr Vashtyr eyed the woman who approached him with a calculating gaze. His eyes took her in, lingering on some of the more interesting areas, before he spoke. "Oh I'll absolutely share a drink with you. Pull up a chair. You can join us too old man as long as you promise no more lectures." With that Vashtyr motioned for more drinks to be brought. He had come here to descend into the dungeon that had killed so many people before him. Perhaps this would finally be his lucky day. Besides, if he went in alone who would tell the tale of his glorious death sufficient to overawe those who sought to linger on his failures?

[Insacrum]

Tyzvalia Dorcan Tyzvalia grabbed the water, beer, and food as it was provided, and returned to the table just in time to hear Zelkor's rant about the demise of Malliw Catspar. It was all interesting to Tyzvalia. It seemed that the adventurers and protectors of this area were at a standstill with the residence of the legendary Rappan Athuk. Those who ventured into the dungeon too far, never returned. And those from within the dungeon that ventured too far from it's unholy grounds, were eventually overcome, and smited. Finally seating herself, with drink and food, Tyzvalia noticed a newcomer to the two she had earlier befriended. "I apologize for the lack of hospitality. If you wish, you can take of this water," she adds at the end pushing over her water to the new elf. It seemed that the elf's concentration was elsewhere though, as he seemed to be focused on the information and rumormongering going on in the tavern. Turning to the morose elf with drink, and the aged human, Tyzvalia decides that it was time to begin the introductions within the group, "I am Tyzvalia Dorcan of the Dawnflower. I would ask of what brings your travels here; but I assume that we all come here for one reason or another, having to do with the Dungeon of Graves." With her initial inquisition complete, Tyzvalia begins to eat from the food in front of her, awaiting responses from the others. OOC I think I'm done with the rumors. I've done the initial d100, along with the d20+Int, and Diplomacy. Is there any other that I'm missing?

[austarrowsplitter]

Amos Lightspring the Nephilim Amos, spotting a small group of adventurer-looking types gathering, approached and asked, "Pardon me, lady and gentlemen, but would you mind if I joined as well? I do promise not to lecture you for drinking, though I shall not partake myself. But, and pardon me if I am wrong, but are you all adventurers as well? Ah, and I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Amos Lightspring, oracle and mage. It is a pleasure to meet you." The young man had his hands folded humbly in front of him, and his hooded white robes hung loosely over his somewhat scrawny frame. He smiled and bowed slightly at the waist as he introduced himself, before awaiting a response from those he was asking to join.

[Ulfskar]

Amandil Istar Loki (companion) A large *CRACK* followed by a *POP* could be heard coming from Amandil's direction as you notice the exquisitely crafted composite longbow vanish to be replaced by a small dinosaur sitting at his feet.

[Ulfskar]

Amandil Istar Loki (companion) Amandil found that his new companion was getting restless sitting in a tavern doing nothing, so the two of them decided to wonder outside and see if they couldn't find something for it to play with. Loki was after all a friendly dinosaur with harmless un-poisoned teeth... Who wouldn't want to play with it? Wandering around the town looking for some rats, mice, cats, birds, small dogs, unattended children...play toys Amandil slowly made his way towards the Necromancers shop to get a better idea of what he had to offer.

[Quarterpound]

The Necromancer's was a dismal place. His black sign was faded and it smelled of compost.

Inside, a crooked man with watery eyes and three hairs almost fell over backwards, startled by the noise of Amandil entering his shop.

"What'dye want, interloper?!"

[Ulfskar]

Amandil Istar Loki (companion) Smiling at the arrogant old man as he enters the building. "Calm yourself Necromunger.Necromancer. In a dismal place as this I was hoping to find another learned being, however I may have come to the wrong place. Or am I mistaken?

[Quarterpound]

The man waved his hands in the air, dismissing the feigned insult.

"I am a man who knows secret things. Whether or not I share them with you depends entirely on two things... your coin and the flavor of your blood."

[pianoman90]

Father Mightily Oats Father Oats listened to Zelkor's story with some degree of skepticism. Of course he remembered the stories of the beast emerging, it was one of his own acolytes who left to fight it. The poor fool should never have gone however, he joined the long list of the dead from that terrible creature. But the rumors as to this Malliw? Surely they cannot be true-likely as not they escaped this terrible life of fighting and violence and moved to the countryside, hung up their weapons and became farmers or some-such. That would be what an honest man would do, certainly what he planned to do after this adventure. Thanking the man for his story, and pushing a gold coin into his hand, he turned around to address the others once again. Seeing as introductions were in order, he spoke his name loud and clear. "I am Father Mightily Oats, an oracle in the service of Desna. I do fully intend to delve into the dungeons across the waters, as my goddess commands it. It would be most fortuitous to travel together, even if half these stories are true, we will have a rough time of it. My goddess can protect me against the undead-what of your own preparations? That is, of course, apart from drinking yourself into a stupor.." This last comment was once more directed towards the vexing elf who had tipped the drink on his foot.

[Insacrum]

Tyzvalia Dorcan Tyzvalia was shocked when the cracking and popping occurred next to the robed elf. The presence of the large lizard was also troubling. But, unlike most elves she had met, it seemed that this one was impatient in his mentalities, as he quickly turned and left the building, perhaps to meet up with others in another area of the town. Turning back to the group gathered in front of her, she listens to each others introduction, attempting to remember each name, although if they were going into Rappan Athuk, their names might not need to be remembered long. "I'm not sure how well my deity will be in protecting me, but she has armed me for combat within the 'Dungeon of Graves'. I pray that it isn't my fate to also place my grave down there." OOC Ulfaskar, are we now going to try and make as many references to Vin Deisel movies as we can? Sooner or later, I'll get the peter panda dance from 'The Pacifier' in here!