@BenKii: Farewell. :-)

(Well, I don't know if any of you are into discussing things but:
She said she locked herself up in here and waited over 500 years for that prophecy to be fulfilled. But _80_ years ago -while she was supposedly voluntarily locked up _in here_- she did a lot of magic _somewhere on the surface_. Does that even work over long distances? With places and people you don't even see? _Unless_ she was actually up there, but why didn't she get killed by those Hags then, if they wanted that staff so badly? The kids spent 80 years as rats? They didn't age a bit and they don't remember where they -used to- live? Does that fit DnD?

Tanea isn't in it for wealth. She just wants to go home.
Personally: "Bottomless wealth"? There _has_ to be a catch. And why would someone whose "powers are of healing and imbuing positive energies into the world" feel the need for "bottomless wealth"?

Something just doesn't seem right here. What am I missing?

"Dispel Magic" didn't work last time. Could have been a failed dice roll. Should I try once more?
Have Roy, Strigon or Yeenwi a skill or something to detect something on her, that helps her "hide behind an illusion" or something? ... Is it that staff? Tanea can't just go and grab Cassandra's staff and anyone else going hostile towards her could end up dead because of her initial threat ... *sigh*

Could the kid's names somehow reveal a password for the Bridge Painting?

Any ideas? Am I making things too complicated again? Should we all just leave, even though she might break out into evil laughter and say something like "I love it when a plan works" = but "in evil", not good-.)

(Note to self: -Unless I change my mind for some reason.-
Remember to ask who opened that door for the rats -or closed it after they had left the room-.)

Holes in a DM/GM/ST/whatever title, is common. There's just too many variables that players create, or ideas that they come up with that can throw a wrench in a game. That's one of the reasons why I didn't ask too much information on what effects/duration my spells had. I figured I'll just let it all play out.

However... a few things that cross my mind are, there was a dice roll for when Roy cast Reflect Spells. I don't know if that was for reflecting the Mage Armor spell, or if there was another effect on Roy, or another effect was being targeted. Like I said, I don't the details of the spell itself. However, I would assume that Roy would have felt some sort of "push back". That's what immediately made him start questioning. It could have been something entirely different though. Who knows? It's hard to strip out the metagaming aspect of it, which is why I avoided reading what was going on in the other tunnels.

The other thing was, I was under the impression this adventure would end with one survivor. Much like the Highlander, there can only be one. Maybe Roy should start blasting all his saved up spells to whoever's left in the room with him?

Evil grin... nah, Roy's a good Orc...maybe... Muhahahaha!

(Thanks Doc. I'm glad to be of assistance during the best and most fun giveaway ever created. :-) )

Epilogue

"Cap'n Kii!? Where've ye been? Ye've been missing for nearly four months sir!", exclaimed Chief Engineer Donnely.

"Four months!? It only felt like four hours to me.", responded Captain BenKii

"Captain, what can you tell us about what happened to you?", asked First Officer Kyper, "Last contact we had with you, you were leading an away team on Toril IV when Ensign Jeffries reported seeing you vanish into thin air."

BenKii took a deep breath, "It's kind of a long story." The Captain told the story of being trapped in a dungeon similar to the Earth classic board game Dungeons and Dragons. How he met a group of adventurers, fought foul Hags, helped some people along the way. "....then Cassandra transported me to the bridge of the Ragnarok. I still have no idea who or what was responsible for me ending up in that dungeon."

"I may know something about that", a disembodied voice spoke.

Suddenly, in a bright flash of light, the inter-dimensional being known as "Q" appears on the bridge.

"Q!" exclaimed the Captain, "I should've known it was you pulling all the strings! You're the one responsible for the dungeon and killing all of those people!"

"My dear cap-i-tan, you give me too much credit. I may have brought you to that dungeon but it was my dear friend The Doctor who orchestrated that little charade. He's a swell old chap but he's got a penchant for games that borders on insanity. Anywho, my dear friend Doc was going on and on about how he wanted to play a game of DnD in reality. I suggested why not put one of those pesky do-goody starfleet officers in his game, that'll spice things up a bit. And would you know it, he loved the idea and wanted me to hand pick the perfect one for his game. You should be thanking me Captain, it is an honor to be chosen by a Q."

"Why me? Why not visit you're old pal Picard? Surely you're not done pestering him with your antics."

"Ugh! Pi-card! That old sack of bones is no fun anymore. Not since he retired to that vineyard that no one bothers to buy wine from. Chateau Picard! How unoriginal! Now, I think you've sold yourself too short. You did a fine job in that game! Plenty of entertainment! Heroics, comradery, that Federation bravado that led you to that moment of stupidity. Splendid performance just splendid! However, you were a bit short in the romance department. Tsk, tsk, tsk, you've got a long way to go before you match the likes of Kirk or, dare I say, Commander Riker." a visible shiver as he says Riker's name. "Really, I can't see why you'd be complaining. You survived didn't you and were handsomely rewarded for your efforts by Cassandra? I don't see you putting down those pots of infinitely respawning gold."

Captain BenKii looks down remembering the pots Cassandra handed him. "Ok, maybe it was a little fun."

Q smiles ear to ear and says, "Well, until the next time my dear cap-i-tan. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of each other." With a flash of light, Q disappeared off the bridge.

*The next day*

Captain's Personal Log Stardate 73387.5
Cassandra has safely returned me to the Ragnarok and I have resumed my duties as Captain. My thoughts continue to drift back to that dungeon. I found it oddly fun even though it was dangerous. Q had said it was all a game devised by someone named "Doc". Was anyone there actually real? Were they all created? Or were they brought there like me? I may never know but am glad to be back on my ship.

On board the bridge of the Ragnarok, BenKii sits in his captain's chair when the door to the turbolift opens. First Officer Commander Kyper walks out onto the bridge to speak to the captain. "Sir. It's good to have you back."

"Thanks. It's good to be back."

The Commander hands BenKii a datapad, "We have a new recruit who would like to introduce herself."

Out of the turbolift walks out a strangely familiar face. She approaches the Captain, "Ensign Tatiana reporting for duty sir."

The Captain had a strange feeling about Tatiana like they'd met before. He quickly looked over her file on the datapad and her name stuck out. "Ensign it says here your name is Tatiana but that you went by Tanea at the academy."

"Just a nickname, sir. Someone at the academy had a hard time saying my name and it came out Tanea."

The Captain couldn't believe it. She looked almost like Tanea from the game he was in but it couldn't be her. Was this another trick or just a case of coincidence? "Umm, Ensign, go ahead and take a seat at helm."

"Yes sir."

The Commander noticed something was off with BenKii, "Captain, is something wrong?"

BenKii was taken aback for a moment, "No, no, I was merely remembering someone. Someone I hope to meet again in the future." And with that he turned his attention to the Helm. "Ensign, set a course for Starbase 12. Ahead warp factor 2."

"Aye sir."

The Ragnarok revved up its warp coils and within a blink of an eye sped off into space. Ready for another adventure.....

The End

(Well, I don't want to jinx it or anything, but I wasn't really sure if Tanea would actually make it ... anywhere. Her "skills" are (Edit not is *sigh*) all wrong for a "warzone".

I just thought that dice roll was to determine whether Roy makes it to the safety of the trees or not. Hm. I still read it that way.

Oh, so the masters do "think/act/create on the fly" sometimes. That means maybe Doc used the fact that our "alignment sensers" left to build up tension about whether or not Cassandra is nice or just cunning.
Must be complicated to adjust the thought out scenarios depending on people's expectations and maybe surprising actions. So maybe I really just think too much about it. Hm ... Where to go from here? ...)

(By the way: I was surprised to read Roy's "stirrings" came from his human ancestor. I would have guessed it came from the Orc-line. But then again: Humans vary. :-D )

In tabletop games, I don't know how many times we threw a wrench into our DMs plans. He/she would have everything setup, the direction we were supposed to go, and right hooks to get us into the adventure, then all of a sudden someone would do something completely expected and derail the adventure. Most DMs have dealt with it enough to be able to roll with it. The few times that I ran a game... yeah.. no. Haha, good times though.

Human ancestor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLyOj_QD4a4

I originally was going have Roy do a charge in battle at the beginning, but then I started getting wanting Roy to survive.

I Strigon, drow necromancer believes its time to leave for home with all the memories and loot we have acquired.

I would like to ask if Cassandra will open up a portal that leads us to our home or do we have to journey on foot ?

Current Situation:

2 TURNS LEFT TO ESCAPE

Cassandra's Throne Room:
Cassandra answers everyone's questions and gives everyone pots of infinitely respawning gold. Cassandra asks if Tanea would care for the halfling children. Captain BenKii is transported back to his ship. Cassandra asks where everyone else would like to go. Tanea, Shins A'Hoy, Strigon, Roy Jenks and Yeenwi think of where they wish to go.

Current Actions Summary:

4 - sasuke12 - Strigon - Drow Necromancer -- (Protection from Acid, Death Armour, Levitate)
I Strigon, drow necromancer believes its time to leave for home with all the memories and loot we have acquired.
I would like to ask if Cassandra will open up a portal that leads us to our home or do we have to journey on foot ?

58 - FlockeSchnee - Tanea - Halfling Shaman -- ( Summoned Ice Elemental )
1. Tanea is still in "protective mother goose mode" and will aid in defeating a threat and protecting everyone with her from any potential threat with the spells at her disposal (and her staff/dagger) if and as needed.
2. Tanea asks Cassandra: "How did the rats open the door of the room the paintings were in? Thy children seem to have memory issues. How did that happen? They spent 80 years as rats ... will that have lasting effects? I'm not sure my little village can provide the proper healthcare for them should they require more then just slightly advanced help. We have a few members who possess the knowledge of herbs and healing, but nothing to deal with the more serious and complicated issues. My sister Sanna was very sick for a long time, because of that. And ... do you know, if Shins (pointing to him) will require more advanced help? ... This is probably embarassing, but: Is the Ice Elemental able to walk though that portal too? Otherwise I don't quite know how to take Shins with me. I don't know if sending him to his home in this condition would be a good idea. Maybe his home has noone to take care of him until he is well again."
3. The Ice Elemental lays the Bridge Painting face down on the ground, but remains carrying Shins.
4. Tanea offers to give the bone dagger and the necklace back to their rightful owner (Cassandra). If she doesn't want them back, Tanea will keep them for now and she asks Cassandra: "This dagger ... what can you tell me about it?"
5. If the children and Shins can get proper healthcare in Tanea's home village, she asks Cassandra for a portal leading there otherwise she will ask for a portal leading to one of the bigger settlements of Halflings.
(Should leaving occur right away, Tanea will make sure, the pots -if she got any- will stay where they are, just like the Bridge Painting. She will not take either with her/them.
She will also say farewells to Strigon, Roy and Yeenwi before she/they leave.
And the Ice Elemental will keep carrying Shins and leave with Tanea and the children.)

38 - ZyloxDragon - Roy Jenks - Half-Orc Battemage -- ( Protection from Elements, Magic Shield, Reflect Spells )
Roy will grab the two pots at his feet... smiles. "Very well, send me back to my home. I believe this should be payment enough." He then eyes the staff. "Would you perhaps be willing to part with the staff?"

Haven't taken turn yet:
76 - Lemon_Curry - Shins A'Hoy - Halfling Thief
74 - runnerex - Yeenwi - Drow Necromancer -- ( Death Armour, Levitate )

(Sounds fun. I never played a tabletop game like this. This game has me thinking I might have missed out on something good. But the DnD universe is huge, with whole books of rules and I'm not sure, I would be able to come up with enough characters, who are different from each other, to actually make it worthwile learning about all this -and not bore/anger the other players-.
So, that's Leroy Jenkins. Well, at least he managed to father a child -or multiple- before his unfortunate demise -and everyone elses-. - It's funny how they had a plan, but noone seemed to actually do anything besides dying.
And it's good that Roy survived. He added spice to the soup which is our tunnel's story.)
--------------------
Tanea, Halfling Shaman (female)
BenKii interrupts my thoughts by rushing to me, confessing his love and asking me to join him on his travels. I'm happy and sad. I don't love him that way and from what little I understand of what BenKii and Cassandra mentioned about BenKii's world, I can't go there. I barely know my own world. I would have died without my companions and I have the feeling BenKii's world might be even more dangerous. Or maybe equally dangerous just in a very different way? I don't know. I wonder, if we will ever meet again - and who each of us will be when we do.
BenKii, Yeenwi, Strigon and Roy ask Cassandra questions and I listen, while I see the Ice Elemental return with Shins and the Bridge Painting. Remembering Gilius working powerful magic to bring Rufus back to life (and seeing that noone else seems to want to do it) I sigh and shoo the kids away from Gertrude's body so I can ... use the bone dagger to ... make sure Gertrude stays dead. Meaning ... I mutilate a corpse. As if killing someone wasn't enough. In the last ... what was it? Hours? I had more "excitement" than I had in my whole lifetime before ending up here. I still feel a little numb and I suspect there is exhaustion waiting to wrestle me down, but for now, the presence of the children keeps it at bay. They can't stay here. There could be any kind and number of bloodthirsty creatures on its way - purposefully or just by bad luck.
After I dealt with the threat of Gertrude returning to the living, while mumbling apologies and feeling ... I can't describe it, I turn to Cassandra and ask her questions. The village the children lived in is no more. Cassandra's sisters "visited". They seem to be the only survivors. Cassandra will return to her secluded forest after opening portals for us so we can go home. I'm surprised to learn, that the burning painting showed a Gold Dragon. I'm a little sad and a little relieved not to have seen/met him or her. I think of Sanna and the kind of story she could tell with all that happened here. I will be the one telling the story and she will be listening, when I get back home. I sigh inwardly. My storytelling skill ... is lacking. Oh, the story Sanna could tell ... I shake my head. There are more important things. We are not out yet! The tattoo and the Bridge Painting remain a mystery, just like the reason for the children to react to Origi and me by leaving the painting, but Cassandra asks me to take the little ones with me and to keep them safe and raise them in the Halfling ways.
I gather the children and ask them questions. Their beaming smiles lighting their little faces while telling me their names make me happy. But when I ask, where they live, they look around blankly. That's worrying. They may need more help/care then the rather small community I live in can provide ...

Tanea, Halfling Shaman (female)
--------------------
58 - FlockeSchnee - Tanea - Halfling Shaman
1. Tanea is still in "protective mother goose mode" and will aid in defeating a threat and protecting everyone with her from any potential threat with the spells at her disposal (and her staff/dagger) if and as needed.
2. Tanea asks Cassandra: "How did the rats open the door of the room the paintings were in? Thy children seem to have memory issues. How did that happen? They spent 80 years as rats ... will that have lasting effects? I'm not sure my little village can provide the proper healthcare for them should they require more then just slightly advanced help. We have a few members who possess the knowledge of herbs and healing, but nothing to deal with the more serious and complicated issues. My sister Sanna was very sick for a long time, because of that. And ... do you know, if Shins (pointing to him) will require more advanced help? ... This is probably embarassing, but: Is the Ice Elemental able to walk though that portal too? Otherwise I don't quite know how to take Shins with me. I don't know if sending him to his home in this condition would be a good idea. Maybe his home has noone to take care of him until he is well again."
3. The Ice Elemental lays the Bridge Painting face down on the ground, but remains carrying Shins.
4. Tanea offers to give the bone dagger and the necklace back to their rightful owner (Cassandra). If she doesn't want them back, Tanea will keep them for now and she asks Cassandra: "This dagger ... what can you tell me about it?"
5. If the children and Shins can get proper healthcare in Tanea's home village, she asks Cassandra for a portal leading there otherwise she will ask for a portal leading to one of the bigger settlements of Halflings.
(Should leaving occur right away, Tanea will make sure, the pots -if she got any- will stay where they are, just like the Bridge Painting. She will not take either with her/them.
She will also say farewells to Strigon, Roy and Yeenwi before she/they leave.
And the Ice Elemental will keep carrying Shins and leave with Tanea and the children.)
--------------------
Starting equipment: Staff, 2x heal potion; 1 potion used.
SINCE TURN 10:
19 spell casts available; 6 spell casts used, 13 remaining;
new equipment: bone dagger, necklace (sorry, forgot about the necklace all those other times)
Summoned Ice Elemental on Turn 16

Man I'm totally bummed that I didn't get to stay here and leave with BenKii. Stupid teleporting hag and her stupid teleportation that put me in a crash course with a god damn BEHOLDER.

(Have faith Roosevelt. I know you can beat that Beholder. :D)

(imo, Og'rialt has the only thing to truly kill the beast. I'd suggest doing what you can to help him out so that mirror reflects its own Death Ray back at itself.)

Roy will grab the two pots at his feet... smiles. "Very well, send me back to my home. I believe this should be payment enough." He then eyes the staff. "Would you perhaps be willing to part with the staff?"

Still better than fighting a squid with penguin XD