** Part I: Fire and Ash **

[spike]

obscure knowledge: referred to as Necrodermis, some explorers retrieved the first specimen after a two year voyage across the sea of planes, presumably having acquired it near one of the many random gates in the deep.

Necrodermis is a material of unknown origin and chemical or molecular structure that possesses the extraordinary ability to regenerate almost all damage instantaneously, "flowing" back together as if it were a liquid while closing holes, mending gashes and tears, or even reattaching severed pieces with little delay. The material is also adaptive in some unknown fashion and can learn to repair itself given enough time from nearly any form of damage, even a blast powerful enough to reduce it to its constituent molecules or atoms.

[Chris1234]

The Lorian says, "Thank you, Uriel. Is there anything else? If not, I should be about my business. But if you have the energy and resource it could be useful if you were able to give some of my associates healing if they need it." She gives his arm a gentle squeeze of encouragement, accompanied by a smile, akin to a promise made without actually agreeing to anything. "But first, just precisely who was the 'they' that paid you so handsomely for this task of testing me?"

Karlane uses her Healing Touch to restore {2HP} herself to full health and then looks round to see if anyone is seriously injured.
If she sees no one with serious injury she gathers up Valtor and says to the rest of the group, "Back to the task in hand. You all have an ambush to prepare while we go ahead and prepare the next stage."

If there are no objections, she takes to the air with Valtor (Wind Walk), briefing him again en route as they move swiftly {60"} parallel to the road, aiming to spot the the decoy caravan at a goodly distance, and to remain unseen themselves. They seek to skirt the decoy, keeping low and wide and, when well clear, will move ahead, again parallel to the road, to seek the actual arms caravan, backtracking a little, settling maybe 30 minutes ahead of when the caravan will arrive at that point.

If nothing untoward, she leads Valtor to guard the entrance (off the road) which coming into being when she dismisses the last portal formed (at the decoy ambush site) and makes a new one here.

If still to plan, she returns to fetch the fellow that remained at the Safehouse, and then checking that he's up to date with the plan and timing, she leads him to the ambush site for the actual arms caravan and then returns with Valtor through the same (actual arms caravan ambush site) portal back to the assassins' base and they fly back to the decoy ambush site, again keeping low and parallel to the road.

[SARRMATT]

[OoC] I guess this probably would happen while Karlane was in another location? Possibly 20-30 seconds after turn 2 of the battle? Enough time for the scarab to have done its work to field triage his wounds and for his world to stop spinning.

Whisper leaned his back into the tree breathing raggedly in pain as his mind flashed back to a memory of what was or what might have been. Angry at not knowing which that memory was and angry at those who had fired the volley that had nearly taken his life, 'Half alive! Fuck's sake! Wait, did we get led into this on purpose? Has Valtor manipulated the group to clean out a safe house for him? Seems like something the old Valtor might do, maybe this one is cut from the same cloth.' He poked his invisible head around the corner of the tree and learned that combat appeared to have ended and the group was scattered about the area. Whisper picked up the arrow shafts that had been imbedded in his body, clapped his hands together to dispel the invisibility, and then pointed to the webbed elves. With both parts sarcasm and anger in his tone Whisper spoke his mind, "Great place for an ambush guys! Hey Valtor, your hidey hole better not need to be cleared out first like this spot. What's up with these two assholes? On your knees you couple of shits! Legs crossed and hands on your heads or there won't be any remains from you left to rise again as zombies."

[OoC] Do the two elves wear any armor or markings that would identify them as military, are they dressed like bandits, or are they just a pair of lovers that got taken unawares while on a frolic through the woods? Does Whisper recognize the elf who put a couple of poisoned arrows into him? Do the arrow shafts bear any markings?

[spike]

Valtor scratched his head, and came to your side then said 'relax my friend, I believe you're suffering from some delusion' he chuckled a hearty laugh 'you are a curious one' he mused.

The elves approached and, perplexed, looked to one another not knowing what Whisper was talking about. 'On our knees? We're on them already' they said, then the she-elf placed a hand on your wounds and they disappeared. She said 'ah, strange those look like my arrows, did I do this?" she asked incredulously, taken aback.

Valtor: 'Aye, but you were not in your right mind. The evil spores of that tree yonder was your master, and you its slaves. Somehow the things influence must have been negated once our boon companion Karlene destroyed the blasted tree. It pleases me that you have survived the ordeal'

When the elves spot Nym they drew their weapons, and the she-elf began chanting immediately heated words of power 'By Correllon's blessed bow, a dark elf! In our periphery!' she unleashed a spell that fizzled when it struck the dark elf. Nym raised his hand and spoke 'Me no enemy, surface cousin. Had I been, I wouldn't have came so openly upon thee. My blades are sheathed and I have no quarrel with you. I am with these folk, they freed me'

The male elf looked at Valtor's pet goblin and pointed his thin beautiful sword at it 'and what are you doing with THAT 'thing'? No elf in their right mind would keep such as company'

Valtor said 'not all is as it seems, imperial scouts. I've the ear and the blessing of her majesty, so show a wee bit respect. We are not in the black forest mind you. This is no ordinary Goblin, had it been I would have crushed him like a puny insect. It is Lord Tyranthis of House Phraygath who was placed in this form by a special poison with no antidote. I am in the midst of procuring special ingredients required for his restoration. His family has been staunch allies of elvenkind and I keep him protected from enemies seeking to finish the job'

The elves said 'what of this wizard? He's the look of a man said to be cruel and evil, Altradeaus, a vampire. Though that is not the case for surely the twin suns of Scarlor are bathing him in their radiance. Have you reinstated him to mortality? You ARE a most curious elf!' he sheathed his sword and said 'Kyllia, stand down. I know of this elf Valtor, though we've never formally met your reputation procedes you. You've brought honor and glories to our people and to our empress. '

[Chris1234]

"Time to get going, Valtor!" prompts Karlane, as the two of them have Windwalk as required to make a fast trip to the actual weapons caravan and, after some pottering around, potentially to Valtor's riverside hideout.

[spike]

The elves said to Karlene, 'priestess, we thank you for aiding us. We were scouting this district when we ran afoul of this ancient evil tree, and would surely had perished if you hadn't destroyed it thus. I see you wear our cloak and boots of our people, then accept this as a token of our people's gratitude. It is a imperial scout's ring of protection, what good it did for me! I won it for valor, but I wish for you to keep it as a gift for your courage' she slides it onto Karlene's left finger, 'it will protect you to the second level of enchantment, and it imbues added protection to you in times of trouble or battle'

[Chris1234]

Karlane replies to the elven speaker in fluent Elven "Thank you, I accept this gracious gift from you on behalf of your people, "with appropriate {OOC: Etiquette(11)}, but simple, body language and a courtly curtsy. "I am Karlane. Might I know your names?"

After any reply she continues, "If you are too sorely tired or have pressing matters elsewhere, then you are free to depart of course, but please mention nothing to any bar your queen of what I am about to tell you. However, if you have energy and motivation, you could stay to offer assistance to my colleagues. They seek to take down an elite force of those that press the the forest kingdom. If this is successful then we expect to wrest a shipment of weaponry from them which, in itself may weaken the cause of those that would despoil your realm."

If they show no interest (or have insufficient strength) to assist the group ambushing the decoy train, she bids them a polite farewell. On the other hand, if there is interest (and capability) then she tries to ascertain any information or influence that may her her own cause in future such as rapid passage through the elven kingdom, if necessary and also what, if any, types of weaponry the elves have a shortage.
{OOC: Possibly relevant: Intelligence Gathering (18) }

After this exchange Karlane Windwalks away with Valtor {in the manner, and for the purposes, previously described} leaving Whisper to continue any investigation or exchange of information that he had in mind before the group prepare the ambush (under the direction of Sarancen) for the decoy caravan.

=======
{OOC: Does Karlane know what the 'extras' on the Imperial Scout's Ring are "...in times of trouble or battle..."? Possibly relevant: Obscure Knowledge (16), Photographic Memory (18)}

[SARRMATT]

"Wasn't there something we were going to deliver to elves if we came across it? Gosh my memory is for shit these days, I can't recall it but one of you may." Whisper half feigned his inability to recall whether or not the weapons were supposed to go to the imperial elves. He gladly accepts the healing gifts while admitting to the elves, "I am of House Altradeus and will hopefully remedy that affliction on my family yet again if I'm given the time to do so. You have little to worry from me."

[OoC] Is Yellow Musk Creeper a spell component? If so is there any left to harvest? It's probably expensive to come by.

[spike]

Elf #1: : the male elf spoke 'I am Tethir and this is my youngest sister, Ilrune. You have manners, I am impressed. We will aid you in your plan. I am skilled in bow and blade, my blade spells death in the elven tongue, and is five thousand years old. Irune there is a ranger and priestess of Corelon Larethian. She is eager to prove her mettle, but doubly so now to aid her rescuer'

Ilrune said 'you're the strangest of strange rescuers I would never have expected, but I know Elsmyrian warrior maidens would never journey alongside persons of lesser principles, is that not so? A drow lord, a vampire turned to a ordinary man, one of our more capable agents, and a black cloak, peculiar pickings indeed!'

ring of protection: +2 to AC, saving throws, half damage from magical fire, cold, or electricity.

Karlene and Valtor fly off. Valtor says 'that way' and in little time she see's a body of water and a cluster of sea caves. 'Land us atop of that ledge in the sheer cliff wall' he points to a long series of stairs carved into the side of the cliff. Once there he guides you into a cave, through seven lesser caves and through a curtained doorway, the curtain disguised to look like the rest of the cavern wall. Once through, he guides you through the wall. 'It's an illusory wall my dear, you'll have to focus before you can disbelief it'

Once through, you find an impressive series of interconnected spacious caves, each luxuriously furnished, and even two bathing chambers complete with a marble toilet, and a huge cabinet bear a chill cantrip for storing of food. He shows you his laboratory, filled with alchemy apparatus, books, scrolls, tomes. A room with giant aquarium grafted int the cavernous walls, and last a ginormous underground cave with a huge pool in it. He snickered at you then uttered a word beneath his breath, when: a large galleon materialized into existence, having been invisible. The elf turned to you and said 'That's my frigate, the Wraith. She's a Nyrian vessel, worth her weight in gold. Top of the line, Nyrian ships are hard to come by, even in Nyr! They are too costly to build, and once built they are bidded for in devious bidding wars that can result in bloodshed. Trust me, I had to kill two who were trying to outbid me. Worry not,the world shant miss the likes o' them scum'

Overall the cave complex is large enough for an army to come, stay, live, dwell comfortably for a very long time, maybe longer. For in the large cave where his ship lied were several other caves that served as store rooms and spare bedrooms. 'Well, my hideout, nothing terribly impressive, but it has its purposes. I call it the crystal cave. To tell you the truth, this used to be a drow spy outpost before it was cleared and sanctified by an army of men but a century ago. I had it cleansed since by a cleric. Its evil reputation has worked in my favor, for none wish to actively seek such a place, much less tresspass'

[Chris1234]

{OOC: @SPike - Have moved Karlane & Valtor to the Kalrane thread so that the decoy ambush with WHisper and the group can continue in this thread. Happy for you to delete this post.}

[SARRMATT]

anything at location 2? Otherwise beetle works and mage rests to regain spells

[spike]

Whisper and the others were lead by the two elves to a more sensible location, nearby was a elvish waypoint surrounded by thick meticulously sculpted shrubs, in the center was a shrine to Corelon Larethian, who stood with a bow in his hands. They said 'rest easy, none can see you when you are here my friend'

Whisper felt a peculiar peace wash over him, a tranquility that exuded from the shrine. He forgot all of his troubles and worries and only felt the quietness of the surrounding nature.

The two elves took perimeter watch, Nym did likewise in the trees above. Azonia and Sarancen rotated around the inner part of the garden, though Sarancen slept and snored rather loudly, and seemed to be talking to himself in his sleep and chasing something 'come here you saucy vixen!' he was muttering.

A rolling mist came into view, and Whisper thought he was dreaming. He saw what appeared to be himself, except with crimson orbs in his dark sockets, and a large set of pointed eyeteeth. He seemed to grin then, pointing a finger at you 'so, you are my mortal twin!' he said with a accusing tone, his voice seemed to be powerful, like a microphone was embedded in his throat, and he balked then 'you look like a miserable fool, and of weak constitution' he said more to himself than anything, 'still, it is amusing that you exist. I have such great plans for us!' he casually said.'Do you wish me to effect the dark trick?'

After the dream Whisper is nudged awake by Azonia, the Elsmyrian shouted out 'get all ready, time for work' and she proceeded back to the ambush staging site.

Azonia said to Whisper 'get out your little friend, and I mean the insect' she said sarcastically, then turned to Sarancen 'black cloak, coordinate. I'm going over to make sure there's some added rope vines for easy climbing and swinging'

Nym and the elves took some crossbows from Sarancen, and they attached them to tripwires on either side of the road. Whisper's insect creature began digging several pits in a span of mere minutes, sliced wood and shaped the pieces as a master carpenter might, and also sharpened rocks into spear-like pointed ends here and there using some sort of ruby red cutting beam.

The insect felled two tree's with its cutting beam and cut them into impaler spikes, ramming spikes, and drop logs which it suspended over the road, studded with spikes.

Sarancen had the thing cover strategic areas with soaked oil, he also drew several lines across the road and explained to Whisper 'when they get here, you light this up with a cantrip from afar, blocking escape from the rear, and the left and right side will be a wall of flame. If they brave either, they will have smoke in their faces and confusion in their hearts. Elves, one of you on opposite sides with bow, target any spell-casters only. The drow elf will guard you both.

Sarancen went over the details of the trapped areas, and he explained many of them. The whole entire area was littered with them, there was no escape. If any were to leave the road, they would be dead within 5 paces, captured, softened up, and the like.

[SARRMATT]

Whisper understood his role, while he did not have a cantrip ready that could light the flammables ablaze he could his innate ability.
[OoC] Are cantrips interchangeable or do they require like 2 hours of rest or something? If they can be changed out he'll swap 2 acid blobs for something like a spark(not sure what the cantrip version is). Otherwise he'll use the 10% charge option of his innate ability not just on the oil but those nearest. Is he to be invisible at the start of the ambush? He has 2 of those and 1 web.

[spike]

The cantrips are interchangable.

Also @Chris: you get x3 Osirons per day: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spellLists/clericSpells.htm) 0 level cleric spells.

[Chris1234]

The cantrips are interchangable.

Also @Chris: you get x3 Osirons per day: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spellLists/clericSpells.htm) 0 level cleric spells.

{OOC: @Spike - Thanks! I think these will import from 3rd into 1st Ed. Do they have to be prayed for in the morning? i.e. 3 slots that are fixed for the day? Does Karlane get cantrips?}