The Plague of Neverwinter

[Swift]

DungeonMistress, Devon_Aidendale, Samuel_Rorg, Lord_Nasher, Aarin_Gend - played by Swift
Jigen - played by Jigen
Jafar - played by Jafar
Drakken - played by Striker

The Plague of Neverwinter: Chapter 1 - Trouble in Neverwinter

<DungeonMistress> You are gathered in King Devon's throne room
<Devon_Aidendale> Greetings, and thank you for coming here on such short notice
<Jigen> What's the gig?
<Devon_Aidendale> There has been a deadly plague spreading throughout the land, turning people into zombies upon death.
<Jigen> Nasty

* Drakken is an Argonian Nightblade from Elder Scrolls

<Devon_Aidendale> Our sources tell us that it originated in Neverwinter. I need you to journey there to investigate the cause of this plague. We don't want it to reach here.
<Jafar> We'll do what we can, your...uh...Royalness
<Jigen> Journey INTO zombie plauge-ridden NeverWinter? You've got to be kidding me.
<Jafar> All we got to do is stay alive, right?
<Jigen> Sorry big guy but my price just tripled
<Drakken> Heh, more Zombies..
<Devon_Aidendale> Erasmus will set the portal up shortly. I believe we can negotiate a reasonable deal here
<Jigen> Let's hope so
<Drakken> Yes, this does not fit into my usual skill set, there will be an extra gratituties expected.
<Devon_Aidendale> I'm offering 5000 gold here upfront, while Lord Nasher himself will reward you accordingly
<Jigen> 5G's in gold? Yeah that sounds like triple my price alright. You just got yourself a Ninja
<Drakken> It'll work, on behalf of my... order, we accept.
<Devon_Aidendale> Then that's settled. Meet back here before noon. I suggest you get your things ready. Dismissed
<Jigen> See you at noon

* Devon_Aidendale nods
* Jafar nods
* Jigen raises two fingers together in salute
* Jigen just gathers his stuff from his room at the tavern and waits outside Devon's office till noon
* Drakken already has his electrical Fang, magical hide armor, gauntlets, and bow of shadows on him.

<Devon_Aidendale> I trust that you're ready?
<Erasmus> The portal is ready, Your Majesty
<Jigen> Fire the baby up and let's go
<Erasmus> Just step through the portal now. Samuel will brief you on your mission

* Jigen takes a deep breath and jumps through
* Drakken merely steps through the portal
* Jafar walks in
* Samuel_Rorg greets
* Drakken clicks in greeting

<Jafar> Hello

* Samuel_Rorg inspects the group and thinks 'Not a mage among them? What was the King thinking?'
* Jigen clutches his stomach and only offers a slgiht wave in greeting
* Jafar thinks "Not him again"...
* Samuel_Rorg eyes Jigen
* Jafar sees the look Samuel gives them

<Samuel_Rorg> You might want to check yourself with a healer, just down there
* Samuel_Rorg resists rolling his eyes in front of them

<Jigen> I'm good, my gut and teleporters just have this little misunderstanding
<Samuel_Rorg> Alright then. Now to business. This plague is magical indeed, but no one has discern how the plague is spreading. What is certain is that it originated here, in Neverwinter. You're now in the Many Starred Cloak Tower
<Jigen> Do you have a shortlist of wizards powerful enough to create something like this?
<Samuel_Rorg> We're working on that. For now your mission is two-fold. The first is to find out who's responsible for this plague
<Jigen> Uh-huh
<Samuel_Rorg> We believe that once that's done, getting the cure should also be achievable. Since its very likely the culprit has the cure with him
<Drakken> Or not.
<Jafar> You haven't been able to figure out a cure?
<Jigen> Hey if I was cresating this massively evil zombie plauge I'd want to be sure it couldn't affect me
<Samuel_Rorg> Nope
<Jigen> If they did what the ###### would they need us for?
<Samuel_Rorg> That's what we're thinking too. Since we don't have a cure at the moment, be careful not to have any contact with the plague victims. We don't want to risk contamination. Which also means stay away from the Temple of Tyr. That's where the patients are kept
<Drakken> My species are quite resistant to disease, but I shall take precautions.
<Samuel_Rorg> Should anyone of you have the misfortune of getting infected and becoming a zombie, rest assured that your sacrifice will not be in vain
<Jigen> Unless we fail, of course
<Samuel_Rorg> Now follow me. Lord Nasher will want to speak to you

* Samuel_Rorg leads them out of the Many Starred Cloak Tower

<DungeonMistress> You see people moaning and crying in despair in the streets as you make your way to Lord Nasher's fortress
<Jafar> This is awful...
<DungeonMistress> The guard salutes you and opens the door

* Jigen keeps his eyes on the fortress (and his footing)
* Samuel_Rorg leads you to Lord Nasher's chambers

<Lord_Nasher> Troubled times, eh?
<Jigen> Wow a Lord and a master of understatement

* Lord_Nasher glares at Jigen

<Drakken> I have seen worse.
<Jigen> It's a wonder you're still single
<Lord_Nasher> Have you done talking yet?

* Jigen nods

<Lord_Nasher> Good. Your trap needs a rest

* Jigen shrugs

<Lord_Nasher> This isn't the first time Neverwinter suffered a plague this deadly. But this one might just kill us all if nothing's done about it
<Jigen> So what's your best lead?
<Lord_Nasher> Aarin Gend, my spymaster, has a few leads
<Jigen> Where do we find him?

* Aarin_Gend steps out of the shadows

<Aarin_Gend> Right here
<Jigen> Spill, what do we need to know

* Jafar jumps

<Jafar> Don't DO that!
<Jigen> .... Do what? Oh right, the sneaky spymaster routine
<Aarin_Gend> Sorry about that

* Aarin_Gend chuckles to himself

<Jigen> Okay, let's start with your #1 suspect and work our way down from there?
<Aarin_Gend> My sources tell me that the plague could have been spread through the granary, since this plague seems similar to the one that took place in Lordaeron some time ago
<Drakken> Zug Zug
<Jigen> Okay a plauge in the food suggests your enemy doesn't just want to scare or cripple you, but annihilate every LAST one of your people. How many of your enemies want to see that? And don't say all of them
<Lord_Nasher> Neverwinter does have many enemies
<Jigen> Yeah but I imagine most just want to see you taken down a notch, who wants you all dead down to the last woman and child?

* Lord_Nasher shrugs

<Drakken> What about Luskan?
<Jigen> You have so many you don't know? What kind of foreign policy are you running here?
<Aarin_Gend> You'll have to pardon him. I think his spirit has been crushed by all this. Yes, Luskan is a likely suspect. I wouldn't rule the Luskans out
<Jigen> Cool, who the ###### are they? I'm from Julianes people I don't know your politics
<Aarin_Gend> I see. The Luskans and us used to wage wars for years. But that's not what you're here for
<Drakken> Heh, I just happened to be well versed in many place's histories.
<Aarin_Gend> I need you search every corner of Neverwinter. My spies might have missed out on something important. It's possible that there are enemy agents here to spy on us

* Jigen 's ears prick up

<Aarin_Gend> If you find these agents, find out everything you can from them
<Jigen> Really?

* Jigen grins and cracks his knuckles

<Aarin_Gend> I suspect so
<Jigen> Fun
<Aarin_Gend> You'll be provided with assistance to help you in your mission
<Jafar> Who?
<Jigen> What kind of assistance?
<Aarin_Gend> Anyone you want to pick. There's a halfling thief, a half-orc sorceror, a kobold bard, and an elven cleric
<Jigen> For me it's a toss up between the sorcerer and the cleric
<Aarin_Gend> They've all been paid to help you, so don't hesistate to make full use of their services
<Jigen> Oh so we get all of them
<Aarin_Gend> The streets of Neverwinter are overrun with zombies, so stay sharp
<Jigen> Always
<Aarin_Gend> Any questions before I send you off?
<Jigen> So our best bet is the Luskans or whatever they were called?
<Drakken> They are pirates
<Jigen> Ah. So who is our best suspect?
<Aarin_Gend> I do have a feeling it's someone else behind it, but I'm not sure at this stage
<Jigen> Hmmmm
<Aarin_Gend> I'll remain here and wait for me spies to report back to me of any new developments. If you discover anything, report to me immediately
<Jigen> Oh one more question, where are our lodgings?
<Aarin_Gend> You'll be staying in one of the guest rooms. Make yourselves at home
<Jigen> Sweet
<Drakken> Then I shall flood the lower floor.... I am kidding.

[Swift]

Linu (first part) - played by Striker
Tomi_Undergallows, Deekin, Xanos, Linu (second part) - played by Swift

Part 2 (The Henchmen)

* Jigen drops his pack off in his room

<Samuel_Rorg> If you're ready, follow me. I'll take you to meet your henchmen
<Jigen> Hehe, Henchmen it sounds so cool

* Samuel_Rorg taps foot

<Samuel_Rorg> Ready?
<Jigen> When you are

* Samuel_Rorg takes them to meet the henchmen

<Xanos> The so-called heroes have finally arrived. Kept us waiting long enough
<Jigen> Was it as good for you as it was for me?
<Xanos> I am Xanos, the great sorcerer. Some day I'll be the greatest ruler too
<Jigen> Xanos the humble, got it

* Jafar rolls his eyes

<Jafar> Show me, don't tell me
<Tomi_Undergallows> Oh pipe down, halfwit
<Xanos> Don't mock me
<Linu> *sigh* This is no way to behave you two.
<Xanos> Someday you'll regret treating me with disrespect
<Jigen> Does he ever shut up?
<Tomi_Undergallows> Nope. The name's Tomi, by the way
<Deekin> Me Deekin!
<Jigen> Jigen, what's your guys skills?
<Deekin> Me heard about you before in stories!
<Jafar> Heh heh, we're famous...
<Tomi_Undergallows> Well, I'm a thief. I make my fortune off other people
<Jigen> 'Undergallows' seems an unfortunate name for one of your profession
<Deekin> Deekin was wondering if he could work with you guys, help carry hi- urm, I mean to adventure together!
<Linu> My name is Linu.

* Linu stumbles slightly, trying to bow.

<Xanos> Haha!
<Jigen> I'd offer my hand but... *shows the shuko spikes on his palm*
<Drakken> I have found that too many companions hinders my effectiveness.
<Xanos> I agree, which is why you should pick the best

* Xanos beats his chest

<Jigen> Well you're gone

* Tomi_Undergallows rolls eyes

<Jafar> That rules you out
<Xanos> Hmmph! You're making a big mistake, I'll promise you that
<Jigen> My money's on Linu what about you guys? Is he still talking?
<Deekin> Deekin wants to come along and write epic story on you guys!
<Jigen> Who's your favourite Jafar?
<Drakken> Jafar
<Jafar> Well, Linu seems to be the most level-headed one
<Drakken> he would be my favorite Jafar.
<Jafar> Very funny
<Jafar> I think having a Cleric around would be handy
<Drakken> Yes, healing would be useful
<Tomi_Undergallows> I'd disagree with your assessment
<Drakken> I only know a few basic healing cantrips.
<Jigen> Drakken who's you pick?
<Tomi_Undergallows> Especially with her being such a clumsy oaf
<Jigen> I like how these guys sell themselves

* Linu ignores Tomi

<Jafar> Well, at least she's not pointing out everyone else’s flaws
<Jigen> Agreed, and best of all, she's quiet
<Drakken> For practical purposes, a healer is our best choice.

* Jigen glares at the rest of them

<Deekin> Deekin can sing, can cook, and can write epic tale!
<Jafar> What can you cook?
<Jigen> Sing? Write? Listen to him, can you say linguistically challenged? Actually that's a good question. Deekin, CAN you say linguistically challenged?
<Deekin> Liguistically challenged
<Jigen> Well I'll be ****ed

* Jafar considers applauding, but decides not to

<Jigen> Back to jaffy's question: What can you cook?

* Deekin gives a foul smelling pot to Jafar
* Deekin beems

<Deekin> Made it this morning
<Jigen> I am SO glad he gave it to you and not me man
<Jafar> I'm sorry, I ate before arriving

* Deekin looks crushed
* Jafar gives the...substance to Jigen

<Jigen> Ah crap! And I better not have just guessed the secret ingredient

* Deekin looks at Jigen hopefully
* Jigen hesitates before tasting the... substance
* Jigen pauses to consider the flavour
* Jigen hands back the pot and with a straight face says

<Jigen> Thank you Deekin and congratulations, now if you would just wait of us over there *points in the opposite direction to where they're going* to dismiss the others we'll be right with you
<Jafar> What’s wrong? Did it need salt?
 
* Jafar chuckles

<Jigen> A little yes

* Jigen wait for Deekin to be out of earshot

<Jigen> Last chance Undergallows, make you pitch snappy
<Deekin> Oh boy! Deekin so happy!

* Deekin walks away

<Tomi_Undergallows> The last time I ventured Neverwinter, this place was full of deadly traps. I can help you disarm them
<Jigen> Hmmmmm. Okay... time for a gridiron huddle
<Drakken> I am well trained in that field as well.
<Linu> No offense, but you'll just pick their pockets when they least suspect it
<Jigen> I'm still going with Linu guys what do you reckon? I say Linu too
<Tomi_Undergallows> Aw, come on, Jafar! Surely our previous adventures count for something, hmm?
<Jigen> If he gives you a hug makes sure you have your hand on your purse
<Deekin> sings "Doom doom doom, doom doom doom!"
<Jigen> Ahh the doom song, hit it G.I.R.
<Drakken> My position has not changed.
<Jafar> Another time, maybe
<Jigen> Welcome aboard Linu
<Tomi_Undergallows> Fine. I'll wait here in case you change your mind, which shouldn't take you too long anyway
<Linu> Thank you

* Linu bows
* Jigen nods

<Jigen> Okay so we have our team

[Swift]

Shadowy_Form, Fat_Guard - played by Corsair
Guard - played by Swift

Chapter 2 - Deekin (part 3)

* Tomi_Undergallows summons a Shadowfiend

<Tomi_Undergallows> Bet ya didn't think I could do this

* Tomi_Undergallows steps into the shadows

<Jigen> Meh, I've seen bigger

* Tomi_Undergallows crepts behind Jafar and surprises him

<Linu> We don't have time for games. Let's move
<Jigen> Okay, what was our first clue again? oh right those Luskans. Well the Luskans are pirates right, let's check out the docks
<Linu> Well, I'd suggest we head down to Beggar's Nest first, wait, do you hear something?

* Deekin runs after them

<Deekin> Boss! Wait! How do you want Deekin to describe you in his story?
<Jigen> Crap he's afterus RUN!

* Deekin chases after them with his tiny feet
* Linu follows the group

<Jafar> I thought we agreed to take someone else!
<Linu> I don't really see what's the harm in telling him he's not part of the team!
<Jigen> We have he's just gotten bored of waiting for me to dismiss the others
<Linu> After all, he's harmless!

* Shadowy_Form follows silently, clinging to the shadows.

<Jigen> If we tell him he's only going to start crying like a little kid, and I just can't deal with that right now
<Jafar> Ok...I guess we can let him come
<Jigen> Oh fine
<Jafar> Besides, he might be a good writer

* Deekin cheers as he finally manages to catch up with the group

<Deekin> Huzzah! Boss, how you want Deekin to describe you?
<Jigen> Tall, dark, handsome, how else?
<Deekin> Ok Boss! It's just.... Deekin want you to stand out in the book

* Deekin scribbles it down

<Jigen> Don't worry, if it's based on facts, I will
<Deekin> You is kind to Deekin, like my second Master
<Jafar> Who was your first master?

* Deekin takes out worned book of "Shadows of Undrentide" and "Hordes of Underdark"

<Deekin> Deekin's Old Master be firece dragon
<Jigen> That must have been entertaining
<Deekin> Old Master make Deekin sing to him, and always threaten to eats Deekin up. Old Master has funny humour
<Jigen> How did you escape?
<Deekin> Second Master helps gets me freedom
<Jigen> Yeah how?
<Deekin> She kills Old Master, and now Deekin free!
<Jigen> Should have guessed
<Deekin> So Deekin can go be big Hero like Second Master! Second Master be star in my books!
<Jigen> She have a name?
<Deekin> Deekin always calls her Boss. But now Deekin calls you Boss
<Jigen> Just like you call us Boss?
<Deekin> Huzzah!
<Jigen> You do distinguish between 'this boss' and 'that boss' in your poems right?

* Deekin nods virgoriously

<Jigen> As in, by using their names right?

* Deekin opens book and points at the text

<Deekin> Deekin does that, yip yip

* Jafar looks at it

<Jigen> What's the name bro? Sorceress Swift? I've heard of her, she's supposed to be hot!
<Deekin> You know Second Master? You is cool like Second Master
<Jigen> Only by reputation Deekin. So are we going to the docks or the seedy side of town?
<Linu> I suggest that we visit the Beggars Nest
<Jigen> Any objections?
<Jafar> Might as well
<Deekin> Nope!
<Jigen> Drak?
<Drakken> I have no objection|
<Jigen> Then let's roll

* Linu accidentally steps on Drakken's foot while following the group

<Linu> Oh! So sorry about that!
<Jigen> I think we just found the downside in that henchwoman

* Drakken merely stares at Linu for a moment.
* Linu lowers her eyes embarrassingly

<Jafar> Oh, don't worry. I've met clumsier people

* Linu looks up at Jafar

<Linu> Thank you. That's very kind of you

* Jafar chuckles

<Jafar> Well, it's the truth

* Samuel_Rorg walks to group

<Samuel_Rorg> I see that you picked a cleric and a kobold

* Samuel_Rorg mutters "Let's hope her cleric skills outmatch her clumsy nature

<Samuel_Rorg> Are you ready?
<Jafar> Yep
<Samuel_Rorg> Good. Where are you starting your investigations?
<Jafar> We're starting at Begger's Nest
<Deekin> We is going there!
<Samuel_Rorg> Tell me again why the kobold is coming along
<Jafar> Is something wrong with him?
<Deekin> Deekin wants save Neverwinter like Boss!
<Samuel_Rorg> It's just... well... can he do anything at all?
<Jafar> Would you like to try his cooking?
<Samuel_Rorg> NO!
<Jafar> Pity
<Deekin> Deekin not likes you

* Jafar holds back his laughter
* Jafar thinks "It's not like you could do any better"

<Linu> Stop being mean to him. I'm sure he'll be able to assist us in the investigations
<Deekin> Deekin going to write that you have pointy hook nose in my book! And you be big stupid wizard!

* Samuel_Rorg sighs

<Samuel_Rorg> Whatever. I'll take you to the gates of Beggars Nest now. Follow me

* Samuel_Rorg leads them to the gates of Beggars Nest and greets the guard there

<Guard> Halt! State your business

* Fat_Guard stumbles against the other guard.

<Fat_Guard> More beer on the side!
<Guard> Would you watch it, fatso?

* Fat_Guard wakes up.

<Fat_Guard> Guh@

* Guard glares at his partner

<Fat_Guard> Oh, I wasn't asleep right there! I got the key somewhere in here.

* Fat_Guard sticks his hand inside his jacket.
* Fat_Guard begins digging.

[Swift]

Zombie, Lord_Ravkos - played by Corsair
Zombies - played by Swift

Part 4 (Day of the Living Dead)[/b]

<Fat_Guard> I can't find it!
<Samuel_Rorg> These people are here to assist us in the investigations. Let them through
<Fat_Guard> I can't find the key!
<Samuel_Rorg> Fine... I'll do it then!

* Fat_Guard reaches in his pants and pulls out a dirty iron key.

<Fat_Guard> Aha!

* Fat_Guard hands it to Jigen.

<Samuel_Rorg> Oh good, you've found the key
<Fat_Guard> There ya go. Just stick it in they keyhole and put it in my pocket when you're done.

* Fat_Guard falls asleep again.
* Guard slaps his partner

<Guard> You idiot!

* Fat_Guard wakes up.

<Guard> You don't go about giving people the key!
<Fat_Guard> You're a bigger idiot!

* Fat_Guard slaps the other guard.

<Guard> Trust me, nobody's a bigger idiot than you!
* Fat_Guard pulls out a club.
* Samuel_Rorg casts Silence on both

<Fat_Guard> Ah! My chicken clu..

* Fat_Guard works his mouth.
* Drakken yawns
* Fat_Guard begins lip-synching oaths of vengeance.

<Samuel_Rorg> Neverwinter must truly be desperate to enlist such pathethic guards

* Samuel_Rorg turns to the others
* Fat_Guard synches "Just use the key and go away!"

<Samuel_Rorg> Go in, and watch your step

* Jafar opens the gate
* Fat_Guard falls asleep again.
* Deekin follows after Jafar
* Shadowy_Form follows Deekin silently. Invisibly.
* Linu nearly trips as she enters Beggers Nest
* Samuel_Rorg rolls his eyes

<DungeonMistress> The place smells of death and decay
<Beggar> Spare a coin, friend! Give me something to keep me together for another day!
<DungeonMistress> A group of zombies attack the beggar
<Beggar> Gaaarrgh!

* Beggar’s arm flies out of the monstrous pile and hits Jigen in the face.

<Beggar> Aaarrgh!

* Drakken vanishes into the shadows with a wave of his hands

<Zombie> Laaaangh.. Brains.
<Jigen> No brains for you

* Zombie walks towards Jafar, held out in a Frankenstein posture.
* Deekin takes out his crossbow and sings, empowering all of you with his bard song
* Jafar draws his sword

<Deekin> Doom doom doom, doom doom doom!
<Linu> Goddess take you now!

* Linu turns undead
* Jigen palms the nearest zombie with both hands and rams his knee into its chin
* Zombies fall backwards, disintegrating to dust

<DungeonMistress> A short distance away, an even bigger group of zombies approach the group

<Zombies> Grrr... arrgghhhhh
<Jafar> Okay...bad situation
<Jigen> Pity we don't have Delor here

* Zombie seems to be stronger than the rest of the group, and weathers the anti-dead firepower.
* Zombie picks up a discarded sword off the ground.

<Jigen> You take the ugly one

* Zombie slashes upwards at Jafar's face.
* Jafar parries
* Zombies attack Jafar and Jigen
* Deekin fires a volley of bolts at the zombies
* Jafar slashes the Zombie
* Jigen leaps into the fray, kicking, palming and breaking limbs willy-nilly
* Zombie dodges to the side, avoiding the blow.
* Linu turns undead again

<Jigen> Since when could she do that? Scary

* Zombie is knocked backwards by the firepower again, driving him into a weak spot.
* Jafar stabs the Zombie
* Zombies fall backwards and die, only to be replaced with even more zombies
* Zombie the first cut tears off its fingers, causing it to drop its sword. The second rips its head from the precarious perch.
* Zombie dies again.
* Deekin casts a spell, knocking the nearby zombies off their feet
* Lord_Ravkos points a finger at Jigen and begins uttering a chant.

<Lord_Ravkos> Nimin, Namares, Nekztor! Ebu, Soleno, Solatska!

* Jigen looks up at Ravkos at the last moment
* Lord_Ravkos sends a blue fireball out of his hand.
* Linu charges forward to hit Lord Ravkos with her mace, only to be hit by the fireball

<Jigen> Crap!
<Lord_Ravkos> Silence, elf-woman.

* Linu stumbles to the ground

<Jigen> Hitting a Girl? NOW you're going down

* Lord_Ravkos pulls out a huge two-handed claymore.
* Lord_Ravkos raises his sword above his head, prepared for the killing blow on Linu.
* Deekin casts mage armour on jafar and jigen
* Jigen flips over the zombies and closes to striking distance with Ravkos
* Shadowy_Form jumps forward, a sword darting out, tearing a hole through Ravkos' chest. It ignites in blue fire, then is pulled out.
* Drakken reappears behind Ravkos, plunging the Fang into his back, sparks fly from the zombie
* Lord_Ravkos grasps at the sword, shock clearly visible. He topples bkackwards, dead.

<Jigen> Cheers guys, I'll mop the rest of the filth

* Jigen turns back t the zombie horde

<Zombies> Grrrarrgh!

* Shadowy_Form sheaths his sword, the blue flame flickering out.
* Linu gets up and casts Heal on herself
* Jafar attacks a zombie
* Zombies attack Drakken and Jigen

<Jafar> *sigh*...what a pain

* Jigen elbows the first zombie under the chin, shattering it
* Shadowy_Form points his finger at a zombie, a blue and red mist blasting one apart.

<DungeonMistress> three zombies die
<Jafar> Who's the party crasher?

* Linu turns undead
* Jigen follows up with a side kick into a another zombie knocking it out of the way
* Shadowy_Form throws back his hood.

[Swift]

Dmitri - played by Corsair

Part 5 (Old Friends)

<Shadowy_Form> Geez, it's been a while since I did that. That was sure fun.

<DungeonMistress> The zombies disintegrate into dust

* Jigen runs a hand through his hair

<Deekin> Who is you?
<Jigen> Good question
<Linu> That looks like an undead!
<Dmitri> I'm insulted. I didn't think I was that ugly.
<Linu> What are you then?
<Dmitri> Dmitri Borgov, son of Dmitri, Boyar of Mordavia, Paladin of Mordavia.
<Jafar> Wait a second. The same Dmitri who died in the desert?
<Dmitri> The same.
<Linu> So you *are* an undead after all!
<Dmitri> Essentially, yes.
<Linu> Goddess take you now!
<Jigen> What was it like to die?
<Dmitri> Yeah, that already happened once. Oh, it wasn't fun at all.

* Linu attacks Dmitri

<Dmitri> Oh, geez! Crazy elf-chick!
<Jafar> Hey, hey hey!

* Jigen grins and joins in
* Drakken chuckles
* Dmitri holds out his hand and raises Magic Ward.

<Jafar> Hold on a second
<Dmitri> If I were really that crazy, I would've killed all of you by now, I've been trailing you for hours.
<Jafar> Let’s hear his story before we do anything rash

* Linu stops

<Linu> I'm listening
<Jigen> I've noticed
<Dmitri> Okay..when I died in the desert, which wasn't fun, by the way. Very painfu, dying.
<Jigen> You said
<Dmitri> Even after you're too far gone to be saved, the pain keeps wracking you.
<Jigen> Get to the point
<Deekin> Ooh, this sounds like good story
<Dmitri> Anyway, after I passed to the Elysian glades, it was pretty cool. Did you know eight generations of my fathers play poker together every Saturday?

* Deekin takes out his pen
* Jigen draws his sword

<Jigen> I said get to the point
<Dmitri> Anyway, long story short, when this plague thing started, the walls around the Halls of the Dead began to erode.
<Deekin> Can you go overs again? Deekin want to write this

* Deekin scribbles down furiously

<Dmitri> To animate a body, you have to draw a spirit out of the hells. Usually, the spirit is one of the evil spirits who go insane. But it wears on the walls for a while. I was assigned to hold a specific gateway that had opened, but there were too many of them. I got trampled, essentially, by the hordes trying to return to life, and got dragged through.
<Deekin> Deekin confused. What he talking about?
<Dmitri> Now, the only way to get back in now is to get killed again.
<Jigen> Doesn't sound like a problem
<Jafar> He WAS on our side, y'know....
<Dmitri> I didn't really want to do that, I didn't enjoy dying in the first place, and I would've preferred being still alive. So I made the best of it. I followed your tracks as best as I could and made my way to a wizard who could open a gateway to follow you.
<DungeonMistress> While you're busy listening to Dmitri's story, Jafar danger sense starts acting up
<Dmitri> And here we are..
<Drakken> I took some time to get to the rooftops.  Other than buildings, all that could be seen were more Zombies and Undead.

* Jafar looks around

<Dmitri> Uh oh..

* Dmitri pulls out his sword.

<DungeonMistress> You don't see anything
<Jafar> Somethings wrong...

* Jigen returns his blade to its sheath

<Dmitri> Yeah, I noticed that too.
<Jigen> Let it come, just be ready
<Dmitri> You guys didn't bring any torches, did you? Guess I'll have to make do.

* Drakken pulls out his bow and notches an arrow
* Dmitri's sword ignites.

<Dmitri> So..what happened to Swift?
<Jigen> She's busy
<Dmitri> Interesting.
<Jigen> Where's the danger comming from Jafar?
<DungeonMistress> Jafar senses an evil presence very near to them
<Dmitri> Judging by what I'm feeling, I wouldn't be surprised if a Lich or a Vampire Lord jumped out right now.
<Jafar> I don't know, but it's too close for comfort
<Dmitri> Heck, a Dracolich would be in keeping with my luck these past few weeks.
<Drakken> Perhaps it is the newcomer...
<Jigen> Hush... let it come
<Dmitri> If that were the case, Linu would be dead by that zombie.
<Deekin> Deekin not sees anything

* Jigen pulls back into the shadows

<Linu> Could it be invisible?
<Jafar> It might be...
<Dmitri> I hope not. It's bad enough when you can see them.
<Linu> If it is, is there a way to counter that?
<Dmitri> How should I know? You're the cleric!
<Linu> Precisely. I'm a cleric. I know nothing about the arcane arts
<Drakken> I can dispell magic...
<Dmitri> My being ex-dead gives me some interesting capabilities, but I can't see magical patterns or anything like that.
<Drakken> Well, I'll just sit here count my scales... 1,2,3,4,5,6... 7, 8...
<Dmitri> Form a defensive position around the little lady and the little monster.
<DungeonMistress> Jafar and Dmitri can still sense the evil lingering nearby
<Dmitri> It's close now..very close.
<Deekin> Urm... Boss?
<Dmitri> Who's he referring to?
<Deekin> Deekin not know why we just standing here

* Jigen watches where Dimitri and Jafar keep stealing glances towards and prepares to ambush anything coming from that direction.

<Dmitri> Do you want to be world-renowned for fleeing the scene of a battle, Deekin?

* Jigen emerges from the shadows

<Dmitri> And you want to write up our stories, right?
<Jigen> No he wants us to investigate this disturbance rather than stand around here
<Dmitri> Oh, I thought he wanted us to flee. Alright..I'm going in.
<Deekin> That's right, Boss!
<Dmitri> Anyone with me?
<Deekin> You know Deekin so well!

* Drakken takes to the rooftops again

<Drakken> I will see what can be seen again...
<Jigen> Drakken and I will cover you guys from the rooftops

* Jigen joins him

<Dmitri> Jafar, stay here and protect little lady and little monster, or do you want to go in with me?
<DungeonMistress> Drakken sees that another wave of zombies are approaching the group
<Deekin> Hmmhf! Who is you calling a monster?
<Dmitri> Linu.
<Jigen> What I wouldn't give for a firearrow right about now
<Jafar> I'll stay here
<Deekin> You is very rude to call pretty elf lady a monster!
<Dmitri> Alright, stay here and protect the great historian and klutz.

[Swift]

Abomination - played by Corsair
Abomination1 - played by Swift

Part 6 (A Nightmare on Beggars Nest)

* Dmitri walks into the shadow, blade ready.

<Dmitri> You know, this isn't that much different from the River Styx.
<Drakken> I left my firearrows at home, this time.
<Jigen> Damn, jump down there and kick some more arse?
<DungeonMistress> The zombies are accompanied by a few large undead creatures
<Dmitri> Don't you still have those old shurikens, Jigen? What the heck are those things?
<Jigen> Yeah but they don't burn, and they're not too useful against zombies
<DungeonMistress> Judging by their looks, they appear to have body parts taken from different creatures
<Dmitri> Oh, good lord. Not another Gort. Nah, Gort wasn't this messy. He looks like he's oozing everywhere.
<Jigen> I like how he talks to himself. And he says he's not insane
<Linu> What in Moonbow's name is that?
<Dmitri> Being dead effects you, Jigen.
<Jigen> Evidently
<Dmitri> Tell you what, we'll get together sometime and talk. If you make it past the Styx.

* Linu stares at the abominations
* Dmitri points his left hand at the head of the first abomination and mutters an incantation. The clouds break and a beam of extremely bright light comes out of the sky.
* Zombies walks forward menancingly

<Jafar> I don't like how this is shaping up...

* Zombies attack Jafar

<Dmitri> Hmm...Dmitri Borgov, the Hero that Died and Rose again.

* Linu turns undead
* Dmitri rushes one of the abominations and hurls his sword at it's eyes.

<Deekin> Deekin wonders how many zombies there is

* Drakken puts his bow away. Ready's the fang and the wakazashi
* Jafar dodges and attacks a zombie

<Drakken> My skills are not suited to this encounter.

* Drakken casts jump
* Deekin sings
* Abomination wailed as the light burned away one of it's many arms, then screamed as Dmitri's sword punched through it's loosely sewn belly and tore into it's tiny brain.

<Dmitri> Crap. My sword is stuck.

* Jigen jumps down from the rooftops, planting a boot either side of one of the zombie's head, shattering his collar bone before flipping of and landing in the middle of the horde
* Dmitri crawls inside the abomination, looking for his blade.
* Drakken leaps from rooftop to rooftop, searching for anything unusual other than 'zombies'.

<Dmitri> Yeah, this is the last time I ever decide to go on an adventure. Can't believe i'm crawling inside a giant undead monster looking for my sword. Ah, there we go.

* Dmitri pulls his sword out.
* Jigen kicks a zombie into a wall before sandwiching its head between the brockwork and his knee
* Dmitri rushes a second abomination.
* Abomination turns, accepting the charge of the paladin. It swung one of its arms, catching Dmitri with it's sickle-like blade.

<Dmitri> Aaargh!

* Dmitri fell forward, the blunt blade knocking the wind out of him.
* Abomination raises its cleaver for the kill.
* Dmitri rolls out of the way, the cleaver tearing a huge chunk out of the road.
* Zombies fall back and disintegrate into the dust
* Jigen smashes into the abomination with a flying kick, knocking it away from Dimitri

<Dmitri> Thanks!
<Jigen> Get away from her you b1tch!

* Abomination swings a huge mace in its third arm at Jigen.

<Dmitri> Her? Her?

* Dmitri runs after Jigen.
* Abomination1 gets up clumsily and swings a meat cleaver in the air threateningly
* Jigen ducks the mace
* Abomination1 charges forward at Drakken
* Abomination swings all three of it's arms simultaneously, accidentally lopping it's sickle arm off with it's cleaver.

<Jigen> Heh, this thing kills itself
<Dmitri> Well, he obviously didn't win any awards for intelligence.

* Deekin fires a volley of bolts at the abomination

<Deekin> Huzzah!

* Abomination swings an upwards cut with it's cleaver, the arm overbalancing and driving the axe-like blade deep into it's head.
* Linu attacks the abomination
* Abomination continues forward, jerking the blade out of its skull.

<Dmitri> Dear lord!
<Jigen> Oh...kay, well that was interesting

* Abomination1 swings his meat cleaver at Drakken

<Jigen> I say we leave it alone and wait for it to do our job for us

* Dmitri swings his broadsword at its leg.
* Jafar shoots a fireball from his ring at the abomination
* Abomination1 dies
* Abomination the monster tries to jump out of the way, but overbalances and falls over.
* Abomination’s mace arm snaps and slams into the monster's skull, caving the weakened bone in.

<Dmitri> Messy.
<Linu> We have got to get to the bottom of this fast
<Dmitri> We're looking for a powerful necromancer, and a master seamstress.
<Linu> There's too many of them
<Dmitri> Well, on second thought, maybe not a master.
<Jigen> The Lady's right, no use kicking around here racking up experience points unless we know where to use them
<Dmitri> What about the graveyard? If I wanted to operate a necromantic cult, where would I be? I don't suppose any of you have ever operated an evil stronghold? Hey, I got an idea! Deekin!
<Jigen> I've broken into a few
<Dmitri> Deekin! You're asleep again, aren't you?
<Jigen> He can't hear you he's still singing
<Dmitri> Hey, Deekin!
<DungeonMistress> All the monsters here are dead, but the evil presence that Jafar and Dmitri felt still remains
<Deekin> You want Deekin?
<Dmitri> Yes. Do you have a book about the Wailing Death?
<Deekin> No. Deekin don't have that
<Jigen> He's a writer, not a librarian
<Dmitri> He had Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark with him. I thought maybe he'd like that one since it was similar.
<Jigen> Two books does not a library make
<Dmitri> Somebody named Sharwyn wrote it, I believe.
<Deekin> Deekin met Sharwyn in Waterdeep! She be pretty, but die a lot
<Dmitri> Die a lot, eh?
<Jigen> Huh? How does someone die a lot?
<Dmitri> Besides me, anyway.
<Jigen> You occidentals are weird

[Swift]

Shade - played by Swift

Part 7 (A Shady Spy)

* Drakken casts detect magic

<Jigen> You died once dude, once does not a lot make
<DungeonMistress> The Shade is visible to everyone
<Dmitri> Yeah, good point again.
<Shade> I've been discovered!

* Shade attempts to flee

<Jafar> There! Get him!
<Jigen> AHHHHH MORE TALKING SHADOWS!

* Jafar chases Shade
* Dmitri points a finger at the Shade and utters the incantation for Slay Undead.

<Linu> No!
<Dmitri> Dang it, lady!
<Shade> Argh!

* Shade dies

<Linu> We could have used it for questioning!
<Dmitri> Oops. Don't you have a spell like.uh.. Speak with Dead?
<Jigen> Well that was a brief but poignant encounter

* Jafar mutters with disgust

<Linu> This was obviously one of the spies that Aarin talked about!
<Drakken> Heh, a Paladin with poor judgement, no surprise there.
<Linu> No wonder they couldn't find it
<Dmitri> Jafar would've done the same thing if he remembered.
<Jigen> The enemy has spirits to do their spywork, that's nasty
<Dmitri> He might not be dead.
<Jafar> When I said "get him", I kind of meant CAPTURE him
<Jigen> Really? So why was he trying to run it down
<Dmitri> Because he forgets his abilities at inopportune moments! Ahem.

* Linu sighs

<Dmitri> I am DEAD proof of that.
<Jigen> And remembering them did a hell of a lot of good for you
<Linu> Hopefully we'll find another spy to capture
<Dmitri> Yeah? Well at least he didn't get to report back to his masters.
<Jigen> Yes and hopefully some people won't be so trigger happy next time
<Linu> But we're still in the dark as to who that is
<Drakken> Yes... you should leave the interrogation to me.
<Dmitri> I said don't you have a spell that enables you to speak with the dead?
<Jafar> Nothing we can do about it now
<Jigen> Nothing to it, but to do it, let's move on
<Dmitri> Called, quite conveniently, Speak With Dead.
<Jigen> Obviously she doesn't otherwise she wouldn't have this conversation

* Jigen draws sword

<Linu> I didn't pray for that spell today
<Jigen> I can always send you back to Elysia and you can ask it

* Linu looks sheepish

<Dmitri> A priest without all her spells. That's like a gambler playing without a full deck.

* Linu stares at Dmitri

<Jigen> Maybe she thought all the healing and combat spells would be more useful
<Linu> I do have spells, mind you! It's just I prepared several healing and turn undead spells because our mission is dangerous
<Dmitri> Well, this guy isn't exactly going to get a welcome reception in hell.
<Linu> But since we might have to speak with the dead, I'll pray for that spell tomorrow
<Dmitri> Why don't we just wait next to his..uh..corpse, I guess.
<Jigen> If you mean me, don't worry, the number of spirits lined up for me when I get to tartarus could fill stadiums
<Dmitri> For what?
<Linu> Maybe we should report this back to Aarin Gend
<Dmitri> Your torture?
<Jigen> They'll try
<Dmitri> Why? So he can laugh at us?
<Linu> Let him know how we're progressing, and what sort of spy we're up against
<Jigen> Let him now we've encountered s[pies, it means the enemy is onto us, he'll want to know that
<Deekin> Deekin like that plan!
<Dmitri> Of course you do, my little monster.
<Jigen> Oy! He's MY little monster thank you very much
<Deekin> Who is you calling Deekin a monster! Deekin is Hero
<Dmitri> Hero Monster, then.
<Linu> So, shall we go now? Before we get swarmed by even more zombies?
<Deekin> Deekin not monster!
<Drakken> Would be wise.
<Jigen> Dmitri stop teasing the kobold, it's a very unpaladin thing to do
<Deekin> Thank you Boss. Deekin likes you
<Jigen> Thank you Deekin, but I'm not 'that way'
<Dmitri> Thank god.
<Deekin> You is funny, Boss! I know you not Kobold
<Jigen> Homophobia is also a very unpaladin thing to do
<Linu> I think we should get moving now

* Linu glances around nervously

<Jigen> Okay, it's clear there's nothing here, let's move out
<Linu> Good
<Drakken> Yes, lets
<DungeonMistress> The group reaches Nasher's fortress
<Guard> Back so soon? Do you have anything to report?
<Dmitri> Yeah, we've got dead dead.
<Guard> Who are you? I don't believe you arrived here with them before
<Jigen> Some random we picked up in the nests

* Drakken casts mark

<Dmitri> Essentially, i'm one of the dead that walk. Restless dead.  Zombies.

* Drakken concentrates and uses his ring of homecoming and vanishes
* Guard turns hostile torwards Dmitri

<Guard> Attack him!
<Dmitri> Don't make me kill you.

* Guard starts slashing at Dmitri

<Dmitri> Man, and I thought it would just be a good party trick.

* Dmitri parries the slash.

<Dmitri> You couldn't slice a tomato.
<Jafar> Hey, stop!
<Linu> Dmitri, stop it!
<Jafar> He's on our side
<Dmitri> Stop what?
<Jafar> He's not the same as the others
<Dmitri> I didn't do anything, the guard just got a testosterone overdose.
<Guard> What? An undead on your side? Am I hearing right?
<Linu> Stop trying to provoke the good guard!

* Drakken returns with a quiver of fire enchanted steel arrows

<Jafar> It's a long story...
<Dmitri> You know, you'd think an undead wouldn't be so articulate. Not to mention ***y.
<Jigen> Children if you don't start behaving I'm going to separate you
<Drakken> This is why I usually work alone.
<Linu> I'm not sure why we're even bringing him along anyway
<Dmitri> If I were really an undead, you'd all be dead, because I ate your brains. And that's just cold hard fact.
<Jigen> I say we send him back to that shade and let him come back with the info we need
<Jafar> You didn't, and you wouldn't
<Guard> The rest of you can go in. The undead stays outside
<Jigen> YES!
<Jafar> Fine with me
<Jigen> See you loser whom I've always hated
<Dmitri> Jigen, bite me.
<Guard> I don't trust him
<Dmitri> That's nice.
<Jigen> I can't because I'm inside and you're not sucker!
<Guard> Listen here, try anything funny and the entire army will be upon you
<Dmitri> Note to self: Don't tell anyone you don't breathe again. Try anything funny?