Civilization IV: Officially Over (see latest post)

[SuperVaderMan]

SA) Walks On Wind will, once again, attempt to create her Vortex spell, hopefully in time to do something about the hobgoblins near Feather's Foothold.

[WhirdCheese]

Rages will go on the strike force.

[Alaen]

A) 4 (Davecom3, Badge, M0rtimer, Jibjib)
B) 8 (Feytala, Badge, M0rtimer, Jibjib, Martin, D34dlock,kida, Alaen)
C) 7 (Davecom3, Feytala, Burns, M0rtimer, Martin,kida, Alaen)
D) 1 (D34dlock)
E) 1 (Burns)
F) 1 (Burns)
G) 8 (Davecom3, Feytala, Badge, Jibjib, Martin, D34dlock,kida, Alaen)

So many dungeons

Lurks will join the strike team, eager to test his new scope.
Hope I dont die again

[Davecom3]

Only 3,4, or 5 depending how you look at it.

[Davecom3]

The Sand Dragon's Breadth, Level 4 of 4 (5 goblins still alive, all players may vote)
Room 1: The Sand Dancer's Hole: Sneak by the Sand Dancer,Assault her Directly,Focus on Magic(2),Focus on Melee(1),Parley with the Lamia(2)
Room 2: Sand Dervish Throwdown: Focus on Offense(1),Focus on Defense(1),Full Court Press,Rely on Magic(1),Sneak By the Dervishes(2)
Room 3: The Reverse Marble Hallway: Take the Sandstone Path(1),Take the Granite Path(2),Take the Marble Path(1),Shatter the Stone Gong(1),Look for Alternate Route
Room 4: Sultans and Scythetraps: Speak with the "Sultan"(3),Disable the Xorn's traps(1),Assassinate the Sultan,Trigger the Scythes(1),Avoid the Room
Room 5: Infernal Vault: Release the Jail Warden(1),Release the Demon Prisoners,Steal the Jail Keys,Loot the Contraband Lockbox(4),Ignore the Room
Room 6: Opalescent Shadows: Fight the Shadows,Turn the Shadows(4),Trigger the Ghost Trap(1),Shatter the Opal,Turn off the Lights
Room 7: Adventurers!: Full Court Press,Parley with the Adventurers,Fight the Adventurers,Sneak By the Adventurers,Kill Them In Their Sleep(5)
Room 8: The Beer Statue: Turn it On,Break It(1),Desecrate the Altar,Dedicate the Altar to Ol' Mags(4),Drink the Beer
Room 9: The Grotto of the Destroyer: Focus on Offense(1),Focus on Defense(1),Full Court Press,Rely on Magic(1),Call down Ol' Mags' Pride(2)
Room 10: The Treasure Room: Loot the Gold Chest,Loot the Black Bags,Collect the Loose Gems,Open the Opaque Glass Case,Unlock the Safe(5)

Black Ruby
Room 1: Getting In: Sneak In(6),Dimension Door In,Fight your way In(1),Try to Socialize your way In
Room 2: Defeating the Guards: Poison Their Food(4),Send them Spiritual Nightmares(1),Set up a Decoy(1),Ambush and Assassinate(1)
Room 3: Silencing the Mages: Use Bloodmute Root(6),Out-Cast them,Set up a Decoy,Ambush and Assassinate(1)
Room 4: Reaching the Central Temple: Focus on Finding Traps,Focus on Fighting the Enemy(1),Focus on Sneaking(2),Look for Alternate Route(4)
Room 5: Dealing with the Leader: Full Court Press,Focus him down with Magic,Lead him into a Trap(1),Steal and use the Poison Crossbows(6)
Room 6: It's Smashing: Steal the Black Ruby(6),Smash The Damn Thing(1),Dispel The Ruby,Dissolve it in Serpent Venom
Room 7: The Great Escape: Just use a Teleport Beacon(6),Agree on a "Evac Location"(1),Come out Same Way In,Dig Your Way Out

[Athedia]

First I wish to apologize for not posting in a while. Finals were last week and I have spent the last half week in hibernation mode. I am good to go now though.

The Sand Dragon's Breadth, Level 4 of 4 (5 goblins still alive, all players may vote)
Room 1: The Sand Dancer's Hole: Sneak by the Sand Dancer,Assault her Directly,Focus on Magic(2),Focus on Melee(1),Parley with the Lamia(3)
Room 2: Sand Dervish Throwdown: Focus on Offense(1),Focus on Defense(1),Full Court Press,Rely on Magic(1),Sneak By the Dervishes(3)
Room 3: The Reverse Marble Hallway: Take the Sandstone Path(1),Take the Granite Path(2),Take the Marble Path(2),Shatter the Stone Gong(1),Look for Alternate Route
Room 4: Sultans and Scythetraps: Speak with the "Sultan"(4),Disable the Xorn's traps(1),Assassinate the Sultan,Trigger the Scythes(1),Avoid the Room
Room 5: Infernal Vault: Release the Jail Warden(1),Release the Demon Prisoners,Steal the Jail Keys,Loot the Contraband Lockbox(5),Ignore the Room
Room 6: Opalescent Shadows: Fight the Shadows,Turn the Shadows(5),Trigger the Ghost Trap(1),Shatter the Opal,Turn off the Lights
Room 7: Adventurers!: Full Court Press,Parley with the Adventurers,Fight the Adventurers,Sneak By the Adventurers,Kill Them In Their Sleep(6)
Room 8: The Beer Statue: Turn it On,Break It(1),Desecrate the Altar,Dedicate the Altar to Ol' Mags(5),Drink the Beer
Room 9: The Grotto of the Destroyer: Focus on Offense(1),Focus on Defense(2),Full Court Press,Rely on Magic(1),Call down Ol' Mags' Pride(2)
Room 10: The Treasure Room: Loot the Gold Chest,Loot the Black Bags,Collect the Loose Gems,Open the Opaque Glass Case,Unlock the Safe(6)

Black Ruby
Room 1: Getting In: Sneak In(7),Dimension Door In,Fight your way In(1),Try to Socialize your way In
Room 2: Defeating the Guards: Poison Their Food(5),Send them Spiritual Nightmares(1),Set up a Decoy(1),Ambush and Assassinate(1)
Room 3: Silencing the Mages: Use Bloodmute Root(7),Out-Cast them,Set up a Decoy,Ambush and Assassinate(1)
Room 4: Reaching the Central Temple: Focus on Finding Traps,Focus on Fighting the Enemy(1),Focus on Sneaking(2),Look for Alternate Route(5)
Room 5: Dealing with the Leader: Full Court Press,Focus him down with Magic,Lead him into a Trap(1),Steal and use the Poison Crossbows(7)
Room 6: It's Smashing: Steal the Black Ruby(7),Smash The Damn Thing(1),Dispel The Ruby,Dissolve it in Serpent Venom
Room 7: The Great Escape: Just use a Teleport Beacon(6),Agree on a "Evac Location"(2),Come out Same Way In,Dig Your Way Out


A) 5 (Athedia, Davecom3, Badge, M0rtimer, Jibjib)
B) 9 (Athedia, Feytala, Badge, M0rtimer, Jibjib, Martin, D34dlock,kida, Alaen)
C) 8 (Athedia, Davecom3, Feytala, Burns, M0rtimer, Martin,kida, Alaen)
D) 1 (D34dlock)
E) 1 (Burns)
F) 1 (Burns)
G) 8 (Davecom3, Feytala, Badge, Jibjib, Martin, D34dlock,kida, Alaen)

SA: Looks-to-Leaves let's those in the Oasis care for the garden, asking Reaches if she may be allowed to travel to Feather's Foothold to see what useful plants lay there.

[Feytala]

Of course Reaches allows Looks-to-Leaves to travel to Feathers Foothold

[Aegis J Hyena]

Alright, time to work on the next post; will do it in bits and pieces over the course of the day. Should be up later tonight or if I get lazy, tomorrow morning.

EDIT at 4:30 PM: About 1/4 of the way done. Just finished the basic writeup and the Valley of Strong Strength. Next up are the dungeons; I'll do them in between League of Legends runs.
EDIT #2, 6 PM: Just finished the Sand Dragon's Breadth. Two goblins survived (talking to the Lamia was a bad, bad idea). They're also very very lucky and rich goblins because they beat the odds on some rolls I didn't include in the writeup.
EDIT #3, two hours later): Done with the Draconic Temple. One more later (the Black Ruby) and then I'll post it either late tonight or tomorrow morning.

[Aegis J Hyena]

Next post Friday. After that I -think- that's all the local dungeons done, so I'll award all the EXP then.

The Time Period: 990.03
Incoming Situations: Feathers Foothold Aspect Bonus (991.02), Desert Prey Cats migrate back to the area (991.06, 993.09), Talks in Rhyme is visited by "Other Things" (992.12), Swift of Feet and Stops and Stares return (990.04), Heir comes of Age, Goblins return from the Sand Dragon's Breadth (990.08), Smells Fishy has his sight restored (990.09), Shadow Cactus Cloth Enchanted, Norf Scout Team Arrives (990.11)

Statues and The Dead

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Zokktef Steeltooth (Killed by Dragon Cave-in)
Talks To Self (Killed by a Level ?? Dragon)
Remains Unseen (Killed by a Level ?? Dragon)
Speaks Softly (Killed by a Level ?? Dragon)
Thinks and Thinks (killed by a Level 15 Banshee)
Throws Like a Halfling (killed by a Level 7 Ogre)
Briar Skies (killed by a Chaos Backlash)
Toxic Jecca Mampuna (Killed by Multiple Wild Surges)
Takes Care of Others (Killed by Over-Fertilization)
Dies Explosively (Killed by an Animated Bandage)

Cast of Passive Characters (Players):

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Donnigan: Rides Many Things

1. Passive: No longer regenerates SAs or FHs
   Master Animal Trainer, Expert Mounted Combat Artist, Mediocre Butcher
   Major Mutation: Can create 5 copies of self made of water every 24 hours, lasting 1 hour per copy (5 for 1 hour, 1 for 5, etc)
   Mutation: Monkey Hands for feet (cosmetic, clumsier than normal monkey, can walk normally)
   SA 13/15, FH 1/3

HerdsCats: Licks-Salt

1. Passive: No longer regenerates SAs or FHs
   Master Woundbinder, Expert Treasure Hunter, Mediocre Treasure Sculptor
   Mutation: Changes Gender Randomly
   SA 7/15, FH 2/3

I'mBob: Kills Traps

1. Passive: No longer regenerates SAs or FHs
   Master Shadower, Expert Hunter, Mediocre Herb Collector
   Major Mutation: Voice of The Titans (Amplified voice, strong enough to shatter stone)
   SA 10/15, FH 2/3

Dusk: Travels The Dust

1. Passive: No longer regenerates SAs or FHs
   Master Digger, Expert Survivalist, Mediocre Stone Collector
   Mutation: Command of finger sized or smaller pebbles, cannot dig new tunnels with this power
   SA 7/15, FH 2/3

Partial: Head Of Stone

1. Passive: No longer regenerates SAs or FHs
   Master Warrior, Expert Armorer, Mediocre Metal Miner
   SA 10/15, FH 3/3

Cast of Characters (Players):

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Nolandking: Experiments-Too-Much

1. Master Alchemist, Expert Herbalist, Mediocre Gardener
   SA 4/15, FH 0/3

Davecom3: Smells Fishy

1. Is Permanently Blind
   Master Druid, Expert Zoologist, Mediocre Explorer
   Major Mutation: 100% Spell Reflection
   SA 1/15, FH 0/3

Lokthar: Plays-With-Air

1. Master Engineer, Expert Stoneworker, Mediocre Astronomer
   Mutation: Campfire Heat control (one only)
   SA 1/15, FH 1/3

Madmartin26: Sails-The-Horizon

1. Captain of the Desert Talon
   Currently establishing Feathers Foothold
   Carries a Strange Blue Elemental Stone
   First Mate to the Desert Wind: Draws-Lines-In-Sand: Warrior with a Wizard Lock touch
   Master Explorer, Expert Warrior, Mediocre Sailor
   Inventor of the R.A.C.E.
   Captain of the Desert Wind
   SA 1/15, FH 0/3

Rogbull: Bearing-Gifts

1. Goodwill Ambassador to the Zhenkanti
   Master Diplomancer, Expert Clayshaper, Mediocre Meditationer
   SA 8/15, FH 2/3

Athedia: Looks To Leaves

1. Master Gardener, Expert Alchemist, Mediocre Mage (Earth Elementalism)
   SA 2/15, FH 1/3

Burns: Swift Of Feet

1. En Route to the Draconic Temple
   Master Assassin, Expert Alchemist (Poison), Mediocre Chaos Studies
   Is now a Clockwork Dragon
   Is now a Mindcrafter
   Wields Sai +3, +4 vs Cold-using and Aquatic Creatures which outlines foes hit in Faerie Fire (+3 to hit thereafter)
   One 50% success action per 3 months (regenerates in .03, .06, .09 and .12) this roll cannot be modified in any way

Moose: Makes Ideas Come To Life

1. Master Inventor, Expert Meteorolomancy, Mediocre Tinkerer
   SA 0/15, FH 0/3
   Inventor of the Sand Dancer
   Inventor of the Sunfire Wheel

Feytala: Reaches For The Stars

1. Chieftess of the Clan
   Master Mage, Expert Inventor, Mediocre Diplomancer
   Inventor of the Cold Iron Shrapnel Mines
   Mutation: Sticky Teeth; can bite as a Grapple, cannot be dislodged, teeth regrow if broken off
   Major Mutation: Extreme Life Expectancy (175+)
   Ol' Mags Gift: Wings Feytala has a six foot wingspan with feathered beige wings. They immediately draw attention.
   Ol' Mags Gift: Dispel Magic 10' Radius Three times per day Reaches can Dispel Magic in a 10' radius as a 10th level caster. This affects ALL magic.
   Ol' Mags Gift: Animal Mimicry Reaches has 100% Animal Mimicry and can mimic any animal she has ever heard.
   Familiar: Obsidian, the Dire Winged Wolverine
   Ol' Mags Gift: Gaia's Blood If the blood of the pet is spilled, plants grow and wounds heal (direct application)
   Ol' Mags Gift: Step Sideways Seven times per month the Dire Wolverine can Step Sideways and enter a special Spirit Realm, along with anything it carries or who is riding him.
   Ol' Mags Gift: Sonic Immunity The Dire Wolverine is immune to all sonic effects and spells (like Command, Dominate Animal, etc).
   SA 1/15, FH 0/3

Astrosteve: Explosive Personality

1. Master Demolitions (Tunnels), Expert Scaffoldist, Mediocre Prankster
   Inventor of the Minor Cave Explosive
   SA 6/15, FH 3/3

M0rtimer: Cursed Hands

1. Master Swordsman, Expert Builder, Mediocre Diplomancer
   Wields a Sapphire Sword of Greater Weight
   SA 4/15, FH 1/3

Lozlo: Hunts In Odd Places

1. Master Hunter, Expert Tracker, Mediocre Survivalist
   Armed with a Greenwood Yew Bow that creates its own arrows; its owner is granted Ambidexterity and the bow only has to be owned, not wielded, for this benefit.
   SA 1/15, FH 0/3

Nikohl: Talks In Rhyme

1. Master Tactician, Expert Diplomat, Mediocre Visionary (Seer)
   Currently Under a Incoherent Babbling effect
   Mutation: Second pair of shoulders reduces movement speed by 10/round.
   Major Mutation: Water to Acid Transmutation Touch.
   Major Mutation: Necrotic Death Touch but 80% to die as well.
   SA 4/15, FH 1/3

Loki: Prays Constantly

1. Master Priest, Expert Clothworker, Mediocre Storyteller
   SA 7/15, FH 2/3

Corverous: Beats Rocks Together

1. At the Valley of Strong Strength
   Master War Leader, Expert Soldier, Mediocre Miner (Gems)
   SA 0/15, FH 1/3

Kelten: Tortures Dolls

1. Master Voodooist, Expert Priest, Mediocre Mage
   Soul Dolls created: Sailor Doll (controlled by Sails The Horizon), Botanist Doll (Controlled by Looks to Leaves), "Microclones" of Cursed Hands, Swift of Feet and Talks in Rhyme (Controlled by their namesakes, Swift of Feet is self-aware and free-willed)
   SA 1/15, FH 0/3

D43dlock: Gathers Rocks

1. Master Geologist, Expert Sand Dancer Driver, Mediocre Alchemist
   SA 4/15, FH 1/3

Ttwig: Thinks Quickly

1. Master Engineer, Expert Alchemist, Mediocre Smith
   SA 5/15, FH 2/3

Kida: Dies By Fire

1. Master Ranger, Expert Farmer, Mediocre Hunter
   Mutation: Has Giant Strength (19), can bulk up to 22 (may be fatal)
   SA 7/15, FH 0/3

Alaen: Lurks In Shadows

1. Master Spy, Expert Marksman, Mediocre Tinkerer
   Wields "Subtlety", a crossbow with a 50% headshot rate
   SA 1/15, FH 2/3

Badgeaddict: Stops And Stares

1. Teller of the Clan
   En Route to the Draconic Temple
   Master Lantern Mage, Expert Necromancer, Mediocre Mutation Studies
   Carries a Faceted Rune Ruby that can answer -one- "metagaming"-ish question (requires SA) truthfully, then it shatters.
   SA 2/15, FH 1/3

WeirdCheese: Rages Loudly

1. Master Barbarian, Expert Meditationer, Mediocre Teacher
   Major Mutation: Breath Weapon: Fire Ants
   SA 3/15, FH 1/3

Jibjib: Makes Waves

1. Major Mutation: Free Action, as the Ring
   Master Hydromancer, Expert Architect, Mediocre Cook
   SA 2/15, FH 1/3

SuperVaderMan: Walks On Wind

1. Master Air Elementalist, Expert Metalworker, Mediocre Birdwatcher
   SA 3/15, FH 1/3

Alavar: Character Available
Blue Eyes: Character Available
LooksAtYouFunny: 20% to a Character

Cast of Characters (Living NPCs):

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Telvek The Earth Slasher, Trelborok Zhenkanti Family Lord, intelligent
Ziktar the Blonde, pompus foulmouthed Zhenkanti Rhezkendal Family Leader, warlike but intelligent, "valkyrie opera singer" build
Na'han, Klyenti Matron
Slashtooth, Yaptrap Head Shaman
Queguna, Zhrindil "ambassador" to the goblins
Blip Wavesplat, leader of the Yoodles
Zorlesh Draxxil, leader of the Lidepkanti
Gox Googa, Gluuma Overlord
(Unnamed) Heir to the Tribe

Known Knowledge:

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Things That Matter:
Norfs: Viking Dwarves resistant to lightning, highly agile, acrobatic
Zhenkanti: Giant Bears-Of-The-Desert, talons for hands, nomads
Zhenkanti are divided up into three tribes: Rhezkendal (warriors and craftsmen), Zhrindil (Mages and Priests), Trelborok (merchants, traders, bards)
Rhezkendal Zhenkanti ride sticky-tongued, venom spitting velociraptors
Lidepkanti: "Ancestors" of the three Zhenkanti tribes, decided to return to water after not liking land
Yoodles: 4 Armed Sea Horses With Legs
Sand Dancers: Single-seater Wood seats encased in a glass pod with Cactus Cloth sails; each weighs about 30 pounds
Sky Coasters: Single-seater wood seats encased in a glass pod with Cactus Cloth sails; very light, very little defense
Ravine And Cavern Explorer: Sand Dancer built for heavy cavern exploring
Chaos can be manipulated, very taxing, can only use what you already have and cannot introduce new Chaos
Goblins with mutations that die end up as undead with a demon template
Sandstorm Golem spell courtesy of Throws Like a Halfling
Fear Elemental "Oh Shit" button at Stops and Stares' Command, attuned to him from Looks to Leaves
31 Tarred Feather Goblin Golems available, 11 Diggers, 11 Consumers, 9 Warriors
Library (+18 bonus to many research rolls, maximum bonus 27)
Skrugling Poison Inverts IMEs
Razor Sand Pictomancy: Paint Clones that come to life (as Mirror of Opposition)
Cadaverine: Hard mineral completely magically inert
Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind (but still explorable): Pogitite: Calcified-over Greenwhite Plant, very dense, perfect for weapons, dissolves in blood
Sandrat Skin + Pelto Nut Toxin = Leather Paper
Prey Cat Skin + Pelto Nut Toxin = Resilient Leather or Leather Paper
Cloxin Tuber: Staple of Goblin diet
Pelto Nut: Grows in shade, nuts can be used as sling stones, toxin can be pressed out of the nuts
Greenwhite Plant: Highly toxic acidic mushroom
Desert Applefungi: Highly Nutritious
Brightglow: inedible, but very bright light, seems to "eat" darkness
Shial Weed: inedible, a metal-eating fungus, very rare, normally not found in deserts
Animator Puffball: inedible, animates corpses and objects, no intelligence
Iceheat Fungi: Poisonous, increases body heat 30 degrees
Bloodmute Root: Mutes those bleeding
Soulrend Fungi: inedible, adds fear to spells (currently out of supply)
Goldsight Root: inedible, transmutes eyeballs to gold
Left-Hand Potion: Drink to gain powers based on what you're touching at the time
Transmute Silver to Metal Potion: Turns Silver to random metals, sometimes more than one in the same ingot
Teleportation Beacons: Made of Chaos Crystal and Sandglass; range 1350 meters, one target, casters only
Briar Dome Buffs: +2 to Turn Undead, 10% Lie Detection, 10% Magic Damage Resisted, Insomnia, Anti Familiar Field, Pollen Poison
Bluestain Juice: Alchemy + Cactus + "Tequila" = Rage Enhancer
Mabo Boars: Giant black boars, 7 feet tall
Soul Dolls can be enchanted, takes on life of location enchanted in; can be Skrugling Venom-soaked bombs
Mobile Turrets/Ballistae; anyone coming within range of the dome gets shot at at least five times; mobile on a track around the dome; armor piercing
Cactus Farm provides defense / wall of spines
It is possible to trade large amounts of Cactus Cloth for Rhezkendal Velociraptors... requires SA/Reaction Roll)
Trading various unknown-to-the-Zhenkanti roots to the Zhenkanti is possible... (requires SA and Reaction Roll)
Sealing the Corrupted River with Zhrindil help is possible... requires SA/Reaction Roll)
Potential Exploratory Locations: Fleggok Hills (8 weeks north), The Pools of Disease (7 weeks southwest), Zhenkanti Main Camps (six weeks from center of desert), Olzosghandror Ruin (north 9 weeks), The Fungus Tunnel (Guarded by the Rhezkendal, 7 weeks west)
Sembogu Mine: An oven with its dungeon compacted in a glacial avalanche; no sign of precious metals, Klyenti are neutral
Small human village of about 200 on the northeast edge of the desert, draconic activity detected
Desert temple at the southern border by the ocean, draconic activity detected
Valley of Strong Strength: 6 months to the southeast of Gleed Tower
Things that Don't Matter or are Flavor Footnotes: Gloaches explode if fully exposed to sunlight
Sand Dragon's Breadth: Complete
The Maze of the Obsidian Pig: Complete
R.A.C.E.s have cool-looking tinted windows
Mixing Cloxin Tuber with depression sand = quick drying mudstone, effectively cement [out of proper sand to make any more cement, though)

Societals:

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Trelborok Zhenkanti: Positive
Rhezkendal: Neutral Positive
Zhrindil Zhenkanti: Hostile
Klyenti: Neutral Positive
Razor Sand Orcs: Hostile (War)
Midnight Flash: Hostile (War, Driven Back until 997.11)
Yaptraps: Neutral
Yoodles: Positive

Random.org Rolls made:

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Mystery Aspect increase (7-15): 9
Mystery event roll (-33): ...
Experience Pot increase (3-7): 3
{Passive} Cursed Cloth Enchanting [12 Successes needed] (62+): 25 (Failure) +18 (Sorcery 6) +18 (Library) = 61 (Failure) [8/12 with 7 rolls to go; drops by 1 on a non success, 2 on a success, lose one extra roll on a failure]
Smells Fishy's Vision Quest (85+): 97 (Success) +18 (Spiritual 6) +18 (Library) = 100+ (Success, no crit)
Smells Fishy Something Interesting (80+): 61 (nope)
Makes Waves's Airheadedness (72+): 34 (Failure) +18 (Library) +21 (Sorcery 7) = 73 (Success)
Makes Waves Something Interesting (80+): 40 (Nope)
Sails Sociability (60+): 39 (Failure) +12 (Social 4) = 51 (Failure)
Gathers Rocks's Knowledge Recording (50+): 40 (Failure)
Walks On Wind's Attempt #999999 at Vortex (80+): 53 (Failure) +18 (Library) +21 (Sorcery 7) = 92 (Success)
Looks to Leaves' trip to Feathers Foothold (75+): 79 (Success)
Blindness Curing Attempt w/ Obsidian's Blood (80+): 69 (Failure) +18 (Spiritual 6) = 87 (Success)
Blindness Duration (50+): 37 (Reduced to Six Months)
Swift of Foot explores clockwork body (50+): 39 (Failure)
Gluuma Reaction Roll: 72 (Positive) +12 (Social 4) = 84 (Very Positive)
Altar Conversion in the Sand Dragon's Breadth (90+): 53 (Failure) +18 (Spiritual 6) +12 (Dungeoneering 4) = 83 (Failure)
Altar Backlash (50+): 70 (No backlash)
Ol' Mags' Pridecall (80+): 63 (Failure) +18 (Spiritual 6) = 81 (Success) you lucky lucky fucks
Stops and Stares Temple Conversion (78+): 16 (Failure) +18 (Spiritual 6) +12 (Dungeoneering 4) = 46 (Failure)
Altar Backlash (70+): 18 (*SLAP*)
Dispelling the Gravestone (80+): 22 (Failure) +18 (Spiritual 6) +12 (Dungeoneering 4) +18 (Personal 6) = 70 (Failure)
Stops and Stares Lower Level Temple Conversion (78+): 82 (Success) +18 (Spiritual 6) +12 (Dungeoneering 4) = 100+ (Success, no crit)
Altar Backlash (90+): 41 (No backlash)
Couatl Riddles (60+, 70+, 80+, 90+): 16, 95, 53, 64 (1 success) +12 (Dungeoneering 4) +18 (Personal 6) = 46, 100+, 83, 94 (3 successes)

Warcamp Battle: Hobgoblins: Starts at 80; -18 (Warfare 6) -18 (Tactics 6) -9 (Sorcery 3) = 35+: 43 16 24 29 42 (2 successes)
Warcamp Battle: Goblins: Starts at 80; -15 (Warfare 5) -15 (Tactics 5) -21 (Sorcery 7) = 29+: 22 50 75 18 6 (3 Successes)
Warcamp Vs Scouts Result: Goblins chase down scouts, prisoners taken

Experiments-Too-Much SA Regeneration (75+): 84 (+1)
Smells Fishy SA Regeneration (75+): 15 (+0)
Plays-With-Air SA Regeneration (75+): 10 (+0)
Sails-The-Horizon SA Regeneration (75+): 48 (+0)
Bearing-Gifts SA Regeneration (75+): 3 (+0)
Looks To Leaves SA Regeneration (75+): 13 (+0)
Makes Ideas Come To Life SA Regeneration (75+): 65 (+0)
Reaches For The Stars SA Regeneration (75+): 14 (+0)
Explosive Personality SA Regeneration (75+): 33 (+0)
Cursed Hands SA Regeneration (75+): 14 (+0)
Hunts In Odd Places SA Regeneration (50+): 57 (+1)
Talks In Rhyme SA Regeneration (75+): 47 (+0)
Prays Constantly SA Regeneration (75+): 100 Critical (+2)
Beats Rocks Together SA Regeneration (75+): 73 (+0)
Tortures Dolls SA Regeneration (75+): 80 (+1)
Gathers Rocks SA Regeneration (75+): 77 (+1)
Thinks Quickly SA Regeneration (75+): 11 (+0)
Dies By Fire SA Regeneration (75+): 88 (+1)
Lurks In Shadows SA Regeneration (75+): 26 (+0)
Stops And Stares SA Regeneration (75+): 43 (+0)
Rages Loudly SA Regeneration (75+): 48 (+0)
Makes Waves SA Regeneration (75+): 74 (+0)
Walks On Wind SA Regeneration (75+): 43 (+0)

Towns and Villages

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Oasis Hearth: 998 -12
2/3 are adults (851)
100% are Immune to Poison
20% have Minor (non-story-worthy) Mutations (258), are cut off from Ol' Mags
Species Mutations: Thick Skin (+1 AC), Biolumenescence no these don't cut off from Mags
.03% (38) have Story Worthy Mutations (requires SA to "Introduce one") and are cut off from Ol' Mags
Introduced: Draws-Lines-In-Sand: Warrior with a Wizard Lock touch, now a member of the Desert Talon aboard the Desert Wind
Population increases by 85% per year (Base 70% + 15% [Home And Family 5] +/- 20% [random deviation]; 9% die due to old age starting in 990.06 due to desert harshness)
80% of 851 adults (680) are Fit To Fight
90% Warriors (612): 306 Melee Swarmers, 306 Shield Bashers (Metal Weapons provided by the Rhezkendal)
0% Ranged, but can swap out as needed
15 goblins are the Desert Talon, the best of the village and first line of defense (7 HP, +2 to Saving Throws)
Sails and Reaches forming Feathers Foothold
Beats Rocks at the Valley of Strong Strength
Stops and Stares and Swift of Feet At the Draconic Temple
Talks in Rhyme, Takes Care Of Others, Smells Fishy, Dies Explosively Inside the Obsidian Pig
Desert Talon wield Resisthril weapons; Sails has Resisthril Scale Mail and cutlass
Desert Talon, Stops, Reaches, equipped with Weighted Leather
10% are Heavy Warriors (85), answering to Bearing Gifts
1% are trained as Assassins, answering to Swift of Foot (9)
10% Casters (85): 15 Greater Earth Elementalists (Level 2), 20 Arcane (Level 1), 20 Relmish Pictomancers, 25 Divine (Level 1)
Goblins have 5 HP, an AC of 14 and a +0 to damage on average
Heavy Warrior Goblins have 7 HP and a +2 damage on average
Reaches For The Stars has 13 HP, an AC of 16 and a +2 to damage on average

Feathers Foothold: 200
2/3 are adults (132)
100% are Immune to Poison
Population increases by 85% per year (Base 70% + 15% [Home And Family 5] +/- 20% [random deviation]; 9% die due to old age starting in 990.06 due to desert harshness)
80% of 132 adults (105) are Fit To Fight
90% Warriors (93): 45 Melee Swarmers, 45 Shield Bashers (Common iron/steel weapons)
0% Ranged, but can swap out as needed
10% Casters (11): 2 Greater Earth Elementalists (Level 2), 5 Arcane (Level 1), 0 Relmish Pictomancers, 4 Divine (Level 1)
Goblins have 5 HP, an AC of 14 and a +0 to damage on average

The Poorly Locked Chest, Oasis Hearth:

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Inside the chest we have: A rabbit's tooth spring-dagger, three pieces of tigereye gem jewelry (600 each), fourteen tigereye gems (40 each), Light green Goblin Clan belt, Iron Boots with severed human feet still in them, coal torch, gold throat band (75), coal golem's diamond fists, one amethyst (100), one tiny freshwater pearl (5), Cold Iron Mace of Spiky Spines, Mithril Chain Mail (plywood chain illusion), a cape of long red human hair, 4000 silver coins, a pair of Soul-powered Reptilian Battle Axes, and a Cat'O'Nine-Tails of Life Draining.

The Poorly Locked Chest, Feathers Foothold:

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Strange Blue Translation Stone

Carried within the chest of Swift of Foot: Four Teleport Beacons, Strongbox of ?Enchanted Gold Ingots, ?Royal-Looking Coral Rod, ?Snarling Wolf Potion, ?Cup of Magic Mouths
Treasures Found in the Obsidian Pig: 50 Diamond Marble Globes, Eight ?Frostfire Spikes, 30 feet of "Golden Vinyl", ?Cloak of Spirit, Fist-sized Amethyst/Bloodstone Crown, 12 emeralds, 9 garnets, one ?Aquamarine, ?Enchanted Chef's Hat
Treasures Found in the Sand Dragon's Breadth: Strange Pink Stone Globe, 12 bolts of Dwarven Stonecloth, ?Opal Dagger, ?Obsidian Primal Bone, one waterskin of Corrupted Elemental Water, four diamonds, four emeralds, a ?Strange Ring of Hardened Granite, a ?White and Brown Robe, six ?Potions labeled "Blackflea Juice", ?Small Occult Book, thirteen very large human skulls, a ?Willow Wand, nineteen very small blue steel rings interlocked as a necklace, one pair of tan leather breeches and thirty demon hides (demon cow leather from the lower planes), Overflowing Adventuring Pack, locked Wrought Iron Safe


In Storage in the Temple:

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1. Multiple varieties of all known mushroom/fungus spores
2. Several stone containers of Gloach Waste Light, Pelto Nut Toxin, Multihued Gloach Light
3. Multiple Zhenkanti-sized barrels of Fresh Water
4. Fifteen Ingots of "Resisthril"
5. Five boxes of Desert Applefungi
6. 22 Briar Sap Teleportation Beacons: Range 1350 Meters, each beacon is "locked" to a specific individual and one may not have multiple beacons
7. Heaven Splitter
8. Chaos Crystal Wall Hanging
9. Toy Ring (Artifact granted by Ol' Mags, powers unknown)
10. Oracle Skull (8 Uses Remaining, can be used as a "fluff" action instead of an SA)

[/list]

The Aspects and Experience:

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Experience Pot: 14 (Caps at 126; average level is 4.9 rounded to 5, +4 = 9, *14 = 126, increases by 2d3+1 per month)

Food And Water: Level 3, 25.5/34 [Tertiary] [+.25] {Total: .5}
Perks: Clean Food
Home and Family: Level 5, 3.25/57 [Tertiary] [+.25] {Total: .5}
Perks: Scent Marks, Animal Traps
Village Defense: Level 4, 18.5/45 [Tertiary]
Perks: Inner Shrine to Ol' Mags, Regeneration Aura (2 every 2 rounds)
Dungeoneering: Level 4, 27.5/45 [Tertiary]
Perks: Danger Sense, Treasure Finding I (10%)
Warfare: Level 5, 29.5/57 [Secondary]
Whirling Cross Slash attack: Melee, +3 Armor Piercing Bonus to hit
Perks: Minor Sandstorm, Tandem Casting
Tactics: Level 5, 12.75/57 [Tertiary] [+.25] {Total: .5}
Perks: Sorcery I (+25%), Social I (+25%), Home and Family I (+25%), Tactics I (+25%), Food and Water I (+25%)
Technology: Level 7, 32/84 [Primary]
Perks: Sandstone Mold, Sandglass Forge, the R.A.C.E., Interlocking Parts, Tunnel Chisel
Personal: Level 6, 15.25/70 [Secondary] {Next level: HP +1}
Bonuses: AC +2, HP +2, Will +1, Damage +1, Fort +1
Social: Level 4, 43.75/45 [Tertiary] [+.25] {Total: .5}
Perks: Word Wise, Commanding Presence
Spiritual: Level 6, 48/70 [Secondary] [Spell Level 1]
Transmute Acid to Water spell: Dilutes 60% to 80% of acid attacks
Perks: Fast Healing I, Divinity Meditation, Enhanced Holy Symbol
Sorcery: Level 7, 75.25/84 [Primary] [Spell Level 1] [+.25] {Total: 1.25}
Chaos Lance Spell: Damages Physical Materials, more damage the more targets hit
Vortex Spell: Draws target in then blasts them out, inflicting damage
Perks: Elementalism (Earth), Elementalism (Air), Greater Elementalism [Earth]
Mystery: Level 3, 25/34 [Tertiary]
Perks: Bound Event, Fated Luck

Current Questplots: 0/3
Dungeons Yet to be Awarded EXP: The Obsidian Pig, the Valley of Strong Strength, The Cadaverine Vein, The Black Ruby, The Draconic Temple, The Sand Dragon's Breadth
(I'll award everything at once in the next post)

The Situation:

You've sent spies to the Zhrindil, but they were caught and not one of them escaped alive. They did manage to get a report out before they were slain, saying that the "lost" Zhrindil have begun sprouting barbs and hooks from their fingers and horns from their heads. -Something- has got their minds and souls, and whatever has them is not going to give them up (if it's possible to save them at all). You're not sure what the dark force behind the Yuan-Ti wants with the Klyenti, or if it just wants to spread chaos in the "upper world", but in any case, they wiped our your spies and will be at the Klyenti's doorstep very soon. You're pretty sure the Klyenti can take care of themselves, since in the past they've been able to repel (most) assaults by the Zhrindil. For now, there's so many other things to do that the Zhrindil are kind of off as a side thought.

While Looks to Leaves heads to Feathers Foothold to search for samples of aquatic plants to add to the ever-growing gardens (finding nothing this month, but the Yoodles are more than happy to share next month), she has an epiphany about how best to mix some of the roots and herbs she already has. She'll need some aquatic samples to test her theories but if she's right she'll be able to make either an instant kill poison, or a poison that mimics the effects of Sunset Fever, except it affects humanoids only. Gathers Rocks records all the knowledge he's gathered into the library (it's not good enough for a +1 bonus to the library's bonus, though) and a ritual is performed in the temple in order to restore Smells-Fishy's sight by using the divine blood coursing through Obsidian's veins. The ritual works and Smells' sight will be restored in half a year.

Smells Fishy has decided he wants to undertake a vision quest to look for a proper spirit animal or familiar. Given that he is currently blind and he can only see "with his heart", going into the spirit world would be the best way to go about doing so. He Steps Sideways (with the aid of Obsidian) and for what seems like days he follows wherever his heart tells him to go. He can't be sure how long he's traveled (or even in what direction he's traveled) but when the "safety" spell expires (that would yank him back to the physical world after being in the Spirit World for so long) he hears the sounds of a farm and a pair of older voices discussing what to do about "one of the lame animals". He hears the speakers notice him and offer a bit of help (Smells looks a little burnt since he was still a glowing supernova while in the Spirit), and the speakers offer to listen to his tale over "Kelvoc Juice and Bogga Leaves" --- something that is distinctly koboldian.

He finds he's nowhere near Gleed Tower, but instead he is about seventy five miles north of the Pools of Disease, on a small farm on the outskirts of a minor kobold tribe. The elderly family here raise meat and milk for the tribe, and the kobolds live and forage in the lands to the north of the Pools. The conversation about lifestyles goes on well into the night, when Smells hears a squawking and feels something grab his right shoulder. There's a flash of white light, and Smells finds himself "spiritually connected" (he can't really explain it) to the family's pet falcon, being able to see through its eyes. It'd landed on his shoulder in curiosity and immediately there was the connection. He's still blind in the physical world, but he can see out of the eyes of the bird and telepathically communicate with it. The kobold family is more than happy to let their beloved pet go with him, seeing it as a sign from Ol' Mags (or Kurtlemak) that something special is going on. In the morning they arrange to have Smells head back to Oasis Hearth on ostrich-back, which will take a month and a half (he can keep the ostrich, too)

Meanwhile, at Feathers Foothold, a warcamp is sent to deal with the Gluuma before they get back to their leader with any meaningful information. There is a spirited skirmish on the shore that the Yoodles watch with interest from the waters; the Gluuma are buff like dwarves and as strong as mountains. Some of the priests at Feathers Foothold say that this tribe is half-bred with something bigger than they are (as a theory) and their theory is proven correct when their leader, a particularly ugly horned hobgoblin by the name of Gox Googa, contacts them via a (very poor) scry. The Gluuma have -not- claimed this part of the shoreline (that's what their scouts were for) but their pride says they must attempt to dominate any creatures they find (they were the first to strike in the warcamp battle once you sent a group out to them). He confirms that one of the parents of the tribe was a minotaur. During the battle, you took prisoners, and Gox Googa wants them back, unharmed. He is impressed by the tenacity of the goblins and is willing to leave you alone if you release the prisoners.

While Makes Waves creates a small bracelet that has a minor Water Breathing enchantment on it (five minutes, then the charm breaks; supplies are limited) and Walks on Wind finally perfects the Vortex spell (a little bit too late to do anything in the warcamp battle, but at least it exists now), Sails The Horizon formally extends an alliance with the Yoodles, who happily accept, pleased to have a friend. The leader of the Yoodles, whose name can't be pronounced above water because the goblins' mouths don't work like that, is given the name Blip Wavesplat. Sails spends multiple days talking with the Yoodles and learning all he can. As it turns out, the last time they were warlike, they nearly took out their own god. "Never again." is their way of thinking; they'll never start something warlike on their own and will only fight in defense of their home.

Naturally, the Lidepkanti are unhappy with this arrangement, it means they have a new potential threat. For now they're lurking in the shadows of the darker waters, not approaching, but not being friendly either. They constantly threaten and make aggressive overtones, and you're pretty sure that they -are- going to attack at some point. They constantly attempt to reinforce the "ours, not yours" mentality with their threats (and one or two giant sharks); when one sympathetic Lidepkanti makes a gesture of friendship, he's attacked by about forty others to stomp out any thought in Lidepkanti society of ever co-existing peacefully. The Yoodles say they've seen dozens of ships out in the deeper waters and offer to share their knowledge with Feathers Foothold... IF you can keep the Lidepkanti off their backs while they go to retrieve it, as their best information is kept at a library that's been taken over by them out on the borders of Yoodle/Lidepkanti territory.

Over at the Valley of Strong Strength, Beats Rocks has essentially told everyone to fuck off, that he'll take part in the nine levels of the arenas, and he will win both glory for himself and his "patron" (who is revealed to be a extremely-scarred human with one cheek completely torn off and scarred over, revealing his jawbone) as well as show everyone that goblins are far tougher than they seem. The patron, named Felgar the Overstrong, is at first livid that Beats came back against Felgar's wishes, but he can applaud the display of bravery (foolhardinesS?) on returning. Felgar offers to train him in between arena matches, as well as feed and clothe him as best he can (which is better than about 80% of the rest of the fighters). The nobles of the Valley are laughing at him behind his back, having taken in the goblin --- they think you're his pet.

Felgar tells Beats, "Live, and we both live happily. Fail, and if you're not killed by them outright, I'll break you into so many pieces we can't count them all. Next month, it's the 9 layers of the arenas, or death."

At the Sand Dragon's Breadth, the goblins have reached the bottom floor.

► Show Spoiler

They're first stopped by a veiled lamia, who draws a pair of scimitars and motions to the piles of skulls about her lair. Thinking fast, the goblins instead speak with her, and ask her to speak of her victories, as the goblins have taken a long time to get down here to hear the tales (they've spread in the outer world). She isn't in a talking mood, however, and assaults the goblins directly. Three out of the five goblins are killed and while she's feasting on their bones the other two sneak through a hole in the wall as she's blocking off the stairs back up. The hole leads above the next room past the lamia where her charmed slaves are relaxing and tossing back booze and other... let's just call them less savory things. The remaining two goblins have no trouble sneaking by, and they can continue.

They come to a long marble hallway where tiles in the floor are made of different materials. There's a sandstone path, a granite walkway, and a marble route. The sandstone feels awfully soft to the touch and the marble is coursing with electrical energy, so the two goblins left take the granite walkway, and fortunately nothing happens. At the end of the corridor is a large stone gong in the shape of a rearing centaur, but the goblins avoid it knowing loud sounds might attract the lamia or her charmed servants. The room afterward is a rich man's room... if by man you mean a Xorn wearing an over-the-top arabic outfit. They try the same thing here that they did with the lamia, telling the Xorn that he "needs better servants"... which sends the sultan into an angry rant about "not paying her enough to let meat creatures live." He regains his wits and does talk a little at length about his own exploits and the two remaining goblins thank him for his time as he escorts them to the next room.

The "Xorn Sultan" explains that his last jailer didn't do his job right, so now he's spending time in the jail cell along with the rest of the prisoners, which you recognize as "undead with demon templates" --- formerly-mutated humanoids of various sorts. The jail warden, an ogre, seems to be untouched; the demons within the jail have not harmed him. The Xorn Sultan yells at the ogre a little bit more before saying that as a further punishment, "these no name goblins are taking your pay." --- and the Xorn Sultan motions to the lockbox of contraband. Inside the box there is a small occult book (radiates strong magic), thirteen very large human skulls, one willow wand (radiates four different enchantments), nineteen very small blue steel rings interlocked as a necklace, one pair of tan breeches and thirty demon hides (demon cow leather from the lower planes).

With the lockbox looted, the pair crawled through a series of tunnels they had to crawl on their hands and knees to fit through, and at several points they had to chisel the corridor wider so they could fit. They emerged in a room with "reverse shadows" that lit up the room with a very bright radiance, and a glowing "lamp" or glowing crystal attached to the ceiling that had faint tendrils of magic going to each shadow. Unfortunately, in the lamia battle, your caster/turner was killed, so you are unable to turn these shadows... but they do not bother you and rather than risk touching anything that might prove dangerous, the pair moves on looking for an exit. They don't find an exit, they find a long tunnel where a group of adventurers have holed up; they obviously tunneled in from some other location. They're sloppy adventurers too, as no guards are awake, and they look dangerous, with all of their gear in tip top condition. The two goblins murder all the adventurers in their sleep, load what they can carry into one of the adventurer backpacks, and wander off as if nothing had happened.

They come to another room chiseled out of the stone, this one looks like it's a waypoint or a rest stop for underground travelers. The adventurers were recently here, and had shut off the outside fountain to let it drain and a "self-cleaning spell" trigger. With them dead the fountain won't be turned on again. The fountain's main piece was a dwarf drinking three kegs of beer at once (just three? Lightweight...) and while smashing the whole thing seemed like a good idea, the goblins discovered that the altar in the main "resting spot" of the waypoint was unaligned to any particular deity. The goblins tried to convert it, found they could not without a priest or a caster, were lucky some random deity didn't eat them whole in retaliation, and moved on.

They entered what seemed to be a huge grotto, and from the moment they entered they could feel eyes on themselves. While passing between a pair of stalagmites that looked like they had faces of death carved into them, a large ghostly skeleton burst up from behind the stalagmites and attacked. Completely outpowered, both goblins joined hands and prayed hard, calling down the might of Ol' Mags to save them. His Darkness heard, and banished the skeleton to the void between dimensions... though there will need to be a sacrifice done (something or someone -very- valuable) when they get back to Oasis Hearth. Passing into the treasure room at the end of the grotto where the ghostly spirit stored the remains of its victims, the goblins went for the largest thing they could find (a large, wrought-iron safe), and since they lacked the means to finesse the combination lock between the two of them, one of the goblins carried that out while the other carried the pack out. With the treasure in hand and themselves very well-weighted down, they manage to escape to the surface after a LONG period of digging new tunnels (Minecraft style?) they can fit through. They will return in 990.08.

Next, we're off to the Draconic Temple, where Stops

► Show Spoiler

... and Stares and Swift of Foot have descended into the temple's heart looking for the dragon.

The first room is the main temple itself, where there are pillars etched with dragon scenes everywhere. The entire place is a museum of sorts, with a central room for collections and paying a tithe before wandering about the other rooms exploring the lower levels, libraries, etc. The priest in residence is surprised to see non-humans visit the temple, but he's not one to question "those who seek wisdom from the dragon and its many forms." When the priest isn't looking, Stops attempts to convert the temple to Ol' Mags. It doesn't work and the altar retaliates, zapping Stops with a bolt of lightning that locks him to the altar for a good few seconds (before Swift sticks a claw in between them to break the circuit). Because of the failure, now the dragon knows you're on the way and reactions will be far poorer than what they could have been. Fortunately, Stops is still standing (probably because of intervention by Ol' Mags, as he really should have had his head explode into fragments). The two descend into the temple basement, stealing food for themselves (more so for Swift, who is as "recovered" as he's going to get at this point, IME-wise).

From there, the goblins explore the temple rooms, looking for a way to reach the dragon. The first room they find is a large room decorated in ornate blue metal tiles. Dominating the room is a huge foot carved of sandstone and stained with purple ink (a big piece of artwork). When nobody's looking, Stops blasts it with a necromantic bolt and exposes a hidden compartment with a large white backpack inside; the backpack contained several healing potions, a Scroll of Restoration, a Scroll of Reincarnation and a Scroll of Raise Dead. Obviously, this is an emergency stash of recovery for use by the temple, and now it's in your possession

The next room has a pair of gems in gold settings set against the wall, a ruby against a bright green background and an emerald against a dark red background. They're weighted so that if one is forced free of its settings, the other one retracts and becomes uncollectable. While Stops really wants them both, there's no easy way to get them both short of destroying the whole area and bringing down the wrath of the wandering priests, so they ignore the gems and move on to explore the other rooms. Deciding that they need a place to hide and re-evaluate their plan to reach the dragon, they duck down into the sewer beneath the temple and find that the sewer tunnel they chose branches into four paths (a maitenence chute, a path marked "sewer water", a path marked "rats" where you can hear multiple squeakings, and a "slimes" path which you really don't want to think about). They take the maitenence path and hide out in the "janitor office" for a couple of hours, then they discover that the office has a secret route that leads to the storechambers beneath the temple...

Following the tunnel, they're attacked by a couple of smoke demons on the way. The battle is pretty even, with the ugly demon imps throwing balls of solid smoke at Stops' eyes (Swift of course is unaffected, being mechanical) while jumping around gibbering stupidly. Stops finally gets off a spell of dismissal, sending the demons back to where they were summoned from. Covered in soot, the pair continue into the lower level of the temple. The room they slipped into from the hole in the wall is a room with tiles that look identical to the blue room from earlier, only these tiles are painted gold. The entire room is a ballroom, though at the moment it is empty. In the center of the room is a large ornamental pit, and as the pair approach, they feel a little bit of a pull from the pit (it's enchanted to be fatally bottomless).

Searching the room, they find two things of interest. The first is the Rogue, a thief that comes through here on a regular basis, trading random things with anyone will trade. The other thing is a large bottle on the bar along one wall. The bottle is pitcher-sized, and labeled with the image of a snarling wolf's head. It radiates magic, and probably holds between nine and twelve doses of whatever potion is in it. Rather than drink it, Stops takes it and sticks it in the chest cavity of Swift (as more and more of his mechanical side flakes away). With the potion safely secure they're attracted to a nearby room where it's an ice-carving gallery, with multiple ice statues in the shape of various human kings (one of them a naked male who is obviously compensating for something given the two handed sword over his shoulder).

At the back end of the ice chamber is a statue of a ballerina (which Stops notices has joints and can be made to move by pressing a series of levers in front of it). Next to the ballerina statue is a large ice block with a gravestone inside it; the gravestone emits an aura of frost that keeps the statues cold. Stops and Stares recognizes this cold as the chill of death, something he can actually try to control. Controlling it on the gravestone is impossible, but he can at least dispel it. The dispel fails, and Stops realizes that there are "passive buffs" or benefits in the ice statues... dispelling these serve as a warning system for the dragon (the spirits within the ice flock to the dragon, buffing him for incoming trouble, if the statues are dispelled/shattered by dispelling the gravestone).

There's a room behind the gravestone, and it looks like a forgotten shrine... probably a less powerful version of the temple altar in the levels above. Not worried about his earlier failure to convert the temple altar, he instead tries to convert this one to Ol' Mags... only to find that it still has its full potency. There's a bit of an internal struggle as the dragon, now fully aware of Stops' existence, tries to possess him from afar by using the power of the altar. The attempt fails and Stops wins out, with the altar slowly "corrupting" (well, in the eyes of humans and anyone who hates goblins, anyway) due to Ol' Mags' influence.

Empowered, Stops and Swift enter the next chamber nearby, which is decorated to be a "Reactant Scene" where you get to interact with the various parts of the scene (think holodeck, but with golems, illusion spells and gnomish clockwork instead of solid scifi tech). There are four pedistals; one for fighting a floating ivory sword, one for a magic duel against a floating wand, a balance where a giant coin spins quietly, and a pedistal where there's a floating cup with a modified Magic Mouth spell. Stops elects to step on the pedistal with the cup, and the cup immediately starts a "who is the worst-named demon" debate. This keeps Stops and Stares busy for a good six hours but he finally manages to out-talk the talking cup (at great expense to his own voice) and the cup drops to the ground, a treasure to be claimed. When he puts his hands on the cup a new one materializes where the first one had been, for the next person to come along and debate against.

The next room is identical to the previous two "tiled" rooms, only that this room's tiles are red. It's an identical chamber to the gemstones-in-settings room you were in earlier, except it seems that the stones in this room were looted... or almost looted. The gems lie on the floor, in between a dazzling wall of rainbow light dividing the room in half. The light comes from a large faceted ruby in the ceiling that appears to have several gemstones suspended "floating" within. Stops replaces the gems and the Prismatic Spray turns itself off; this was an anti-theft trap that caught the last person trying to steal the gems. The room beyond that is another art gallery, this one dedicated to paintings of bugs (and artwork made of smashed bugs, their entrails and exoskeletons all over the place). One thing in particular catches Stops' eye, a small statuette radiating magic of a fly. The statue is solid jade, with eyes of molten brass. Stops lifts it off its pedistal and it goes into Swift's chest cavity.

The final area is dominated by a long hallway, first blockaded by a large stone feathered, winged serpent set along the corners of the room. The stone serpent stretches from the entrance of the room all the way to its end and back. As Stops and Swift enter the room, it begins talking and rapid-firing off a series of riddles. This time Swift shines and answers them (only getting the first one wrong when he mispronounces a word) and a few minutes later the stone serpent slithers out of the corners and coils itself at the end of the room, motioning to the huge stone gate at the end of the hall. As the two approach it, the gate opens without a sound (and the stone statue seems very much surprised), going downstairs into a larger room... the lair of the dragon. We'll get to him next month.

Finally, we flash back to the quest to get the Black Ruby to bring to the temple in Oasis Hearth so Ol' Mags can smash the ruby and make sure no more demons are spawned down there in the foul depths of the Yuan-ti and Naga.

► Show Spoiler

Well, at least until the Yuan-Ti make a new Black Ruby, anyway.

Leading the charge is Reaches For The Stars; she's had enough of the serpentine threat and will be there personally to oversee the stealing of the ruby. At her side is Experiments Too Much, slingshot and soul dolls soaked in Skrugling venom at the ready. Also along for the ride are Cursed Hands, Lurks in Shadows and Rages Loudly, along with several other goblins to help them out in finding and getting the veiled jewel for the glory of Ol' Mags.

First, they need to get in. This isn't terribly hard, as goblins are small and Yuan-Ti are huge. Using the cracks and holes in the ravine walls, the goblins give the Yuan-Ti the slip and are nearly discovered when a slither of naga (what would you call a group of naga?) cross their path on the way to something or other. Following them at a distance, the goblins discover a large stone building carved from rock not of this world but plainly leeching evil and disgusting toxins all over the place. Obsidian Steps Sideways from the spirit world to the physical to get the jump on the naga, and he reports that the spirit in this area is black, almost as if reality had been leeched away or destroyed. In the ensuing battle to take out the naga in the way, Obsidian is bitten multiple times and the various poisonous bites force him to retreat back to Oasis Hearth to recover; divine blood or no, he'll have to sit the rest of this one out.

But he got the job done and the goblins are on their way. They slip into the toxic building, where the place is swarming with guards of all kinds... from mages to warriors to everything in between. Reaches and Cursed Hands get the idea of adding something to the buffet table... a small box marked "special spices" for their food (since spice of any kind is a valuable thing)... only the box is more a toilet for the goblins than anything. Sure enough, the ruse works, and that night the guards are all... "busy with other priorities" thanks to the goblin "spices". With the guards incapicated, the goblins move on to the wizards guarding the altar chamber where the Black Ruby lies. This is where the other goblins shine; while Rages Loudly rages at the mages to annoy them (one seals him in a cage of flowing runes), Lurks in Shadows headshots the wizards while they're in the middle of casting. While he is reloading Subtlety, Experiments Too Much is flinging venom soaked soul dolls at the mages, and where they land, he triggers them to explode in a shower of magical energy.

This energy doesn't do much physical damage, but it does spray the venom around, and when it gets into the (minor) wounds left by Rages, that's all she wrote. Let's just say that death by inverted IME is... painful, to say the least, and while the Yuan-Ti are skilled in the way of poison, this is one poison that they are not used to. With the mages down they have reached the central temple area, and rather than go in the direct route (especially when an alarm is raised), the goblins search for cracks, corners, and other places to hide. The Yuan-Ti rush out to meet an expected enemy and find nothing, and while they're confused and searching for whatever it was that tripped the alarms, the goblins make it into the main altar room where the Black Ruby lays suspended in a column of blood-red light.

Standing at the back of the altar is the Yuan-Ti head priest, and he is just as surprised as you are to see the room inhabited. Nonetheless, you win the first round and immediately begin to deal with him; as Lurks In Shadows fires off a shot (missing) and Experiments Too Much flings a doll or two (which also misses, comes to life and begins to sprout claws to tear into the high priest's robes) Cursed Hands lands a wonderful critical hit using the Whirling Cross Slash. The head priest knows what the dolls have been soaked in and is forced back against the wall as he puts up a shield of magic forces in order to keep his wounds clean of Skrugling venom, and that's when Reaches and Rages do a doubleteam attack. Reaches grabs the gem and uses the Mace of Spiky Spines as a baseball bat; the gem rockets into the high priest's eye and Rages slices at the head priest, smashing through his shield and stuffing a doll directly against one of the wounds. The head priest opens his mouth in a silent scream as the poison takes effect, then Lurks In Shadows fires again and headshots him. The arrows from Subtlety are not strong enough to pierce his head, though.

Knowing that the high priest -will- likely recover enough from the Skrugling poison, Reaches plucks the gem from the priest's eye socket and gives the command to run. Without Obsidian to give them a quick and easy shift to the Spirit World, she pulls out a teleport beacon and activates it, focusing the spell first on herself (since only a caster can be attuned to it), then expanding the spell in a "shell" around them. The Yuan-Ti head priest is left seeing the goblins escape, and roars LOUDLY as the guards come rushing back in just as the goblins teleport out. You're going to have Yuan-Ti guests very soon at Oasis Hearth, whether the gem is shattered (next month) or not.

WILL YOU...

A) Divide your population evenly between Feathers Foothold and Oasis Hearth?
B) Release the Gluuma prisoners (after interrogation, of course)? They have not tried to escape since their capture, accepting their capture gracefully.
C) Trade libraries with the Yoodles to increase the sum of Goblin Knowledge?
D) Team with the Rhezkendal to teach the Zhrindil a lesson kill the "Lost" Zhrindil? If you don't do it this month, they'll go off on their own to chase 'em down.
E) Abandon Oasis Hearth and send the remainder of the tribe to Feathers Foothold, given Ol' Mags' warning about the Norfs?
F) Ask for a non-aggression treaty with the Gluuma?
G) Head for Sembogu Mine to assist the Klyenti?

[WhirdCheese]

How we going to deal with the Norfs? We have 8 months to prepare. For now
BCF

[Arch Lich Burns]

D, c, f

[Feytala]

Yay, are we cool or aren't we ?^^

A)
B) 2 (Feytala, Cheese) (Yeah, I love people who are not trying to kill us.)
C) 3 (Feytala, Burns, Cheese) (I also love Knowledge. I am still patting myself for the library-idea.)
D) 1 (Burns)
E)
F) 2 (Burns, Cheese) (Ha. Well. It's this or G. One month later won't hurt.)
G) 1 (Feytala) (We can learn more about the possesed Zhindril without putting our own home in immediate danger, improve Beaver-relations (We still want down that glacier, remember ?) and maybe find some interesting things... Whats not to like ? Besides : I worry more about the Norfs than the Zhindril and Hobgoblins combined... And the Beavers are near enough to help us.)

When the situation calms down again, Reaches sends her daughter back to Feathers Foothold... And officially asks sails to act as her godfather... With Throws dead and his unique connection to the tribe, the fact that she trusts him and that he kept his body and dream uncorrupted besides so many difficulties Reaches seems to think, that there would be no better mentor, adviser and protector to her heir, than Sails-The-Horizon.

SA : Not forgetting her divine mission (and also hoping for being lucky just one time) of finding and ruling all the goblins of this world, Reaches takes a visit to Feathers Landing and (Hopefully with the help of Sails) tries to get to know if the Yoodles know something about the disappeared third goblin tribe of the Citoxe Desert lands (With the First transformed into Golems, the Second enslaved by their own skin and the fourth being the Sandswept Wind Clan by itsself) : The Dae River Dodgers.

[Davecom3]

BCG

[BadgeAddict]

B,C,F

[madmartin26]

B, C, F

Sails is surprised but very happy with Reaches' suggestion that he be the heirs godfather, and accepts immediately. When he gets the chance, he continues teaching the heir everything he knows, and also spending time with her, trying to fulfill his role as a guardian and make her happy.

He also assists reaches in asking her question by coming along and translating for her(Or she could use Tounges, but this is probably easier for her), and adds a question of his own. Now that he knows the Yoodles have information that could help him achieve his dream, he asks how he can best 'keep the Lidepkanti off their backs'. Would a diversion somewhere else work, or would direct defense be best? If his assistance in getting them into their library helps the trading of knowledge as well, then that's great, but Sails is mostly concerned with the ship knowledge.

[CroverusRaven]

Beats thanks Felgar for his support and accepts his offer. Beats Rocks promises that unless something kills him, he'll not give up fighting.

[ttwig]

i am pretty sure that my SA got missed for last month

[D34dlock]

B,C,D

[WhirdCheese]

Sa: Rages attempts to gather a few soldiers interesting in being paratroopers.

We have the sky coasters but have never (to my knowledge) used them. Now imagine airdropping 30 barbarians into the enemy's rear flank.

[Feytala]

As far as I know, that is because they have a very short reach and are somewhat slow... But I may be wrong, the where invented quite some turns ago...

[Jibjib]

BCF

SA: Waves will go to Feather's Foothold, and spend the month on the shore near the Yoodles, trying to improve his water breathing charm to permanency, at the expense of being able to recreate it.

[Davecom3]

If it doesn't cost an SA, Smells-Fishy will take the time to let the hawk get a general overview of the area between the Pools of Disease and Oasis Hearth on his way back to the tribe, while trying to keep the hawk from getting too close to any populated area along the way.

[nikohl]

SA: Rhymes tries to sort out his speaking problem/gribbly worm visitor situation, via visions or communing with the Orb. If he has time, he'll also contemplate the Robe of Spirit that he took from the sorcerer.

[Kelten]

A, C, D

[Nolandking]

A) 1 (Kelten)
B) 8 (Feytala, Cheese Davecom3, BadgeAddict, madmartin26, D34dlock, Jibjib, Nolandking)
C) 10 (Feytala, Burns, Cheese, Davecom3, BadgeAddict, madmartin26, D34dlock, Jibjib,Kelten, Nolandking)
D) 3 (Burns, D34dlock, Kelten)
E)
F) 6 (Burns, Cheese, BadgeAddict, madmartin26, Jibjib, Nolandking)
G) 2 (Feytala, Davecom3)