I had been avoiding escorts, having heard that the bandits had developed some new tricks. Turns out I shouldn't have worried; Sympathy rocks. Unfortunately, the first round I had 111 prepped, to get rid of that pesky ghost wolf. After that, however, it's a piece of cake.

>> n
[Icemule Trail, Snowy Forest]
A massive tree lies on its side across the trail -- branches piled against it to make it easier to clamber over. You judge its girth to be about head high on a tall halfling -- or perhaps a bit higher. You also see a ghost wolf.
Obvious paths: south
>
A human bandit leaps out of his hiding place!
A human bandit slashes with a troll-claw at you!
AS: +422 vs DS: +357 with AvD: +23 + d100 roll: +98 = +186
... and hits for 15 points of damage!
Wild slash scratches the back of your hand.
>
A halfling thug leaps out of his hiding place!
A halfling thug swings a scimitar at you!
AS: +394 vs DS: +357 with AvD: +28 + d100 roll: +44 = +109
... and hits for 2 points of damage!
Quick feint to your right foot.
Little extra damage.
> incant 111
You gesture at a human bandit.
You hurl a roaring ball of fire at a human bandit!
AS: +404 vs DS: +305 with AvD: +40 + d100 roll: +25 = +164
... and hit for 21 points of damage!
Minor burns to chest. That hurts a bit.
The roaring ball of fire strikes a human bandit, blossoming into a much larger sphere of flame upon impact.
... 5 points of damage!
Minor burns to left eye. Foe blinks back the tears.

A burst of flame from your roaring ball of fire flies off and hits a halfling thug.
... 10 points of damage!
Burst of flames to left eye bakes eyelid.
The halfling thug is stunned!

A burst of flame from your roaring ball of fire flies off and hits a ghost wolf.
... 45 points of damage!
Tremendous strike!
Vapor rushes from the neck following the blow!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
>
The cuts on your left hand close and the bruises fade.
>
An elven mugger leaps out of his hiding place!
In an awe inspiring display of combat mastery, an elven mugger engages you in a furious dance macabre, spiralling into a blur of strikes and ripostes!
An elven mugger swings a mace at you!
AS: +436 vs DS: +351 with AvD: +33 + d100 roll: +59 = +177
... and hits for 22 points of damage!
Stomach shot lands with a hollow thump.

An elven mugger swings a mace at you!
AS: +436 vs DS: +351 with AvD: +33 + d100 roll: +16 = +134
... and hits for 13 points of damage!
You hear a buzzing in your ears from that blow!

An elven mugger swings a mace at you!
AS: +436 vs DS: +348 with AvD: +33 + d100 roll: +41 = +162
... and hits for 17 points of damage!
Blow raises a welt on your left arm.

An elven mugger swings a mace at you!
AS: +436 vs DS: +346 with AvD: +33 + d100 roll: +52 = +175
... and hits for 22 points of damage!
Stomach shot lands with a hollow thump.


!>
A ghost wolf claws at you!
AS: +133 vs DS: +343 with AvD: +27 + d100 roll: +12 = -171
A clean miss.
The wolf scampers south.
!>
A human bandit slashes with a troll-claw at you!
AS: +422 vs DS: +343 with AvD: +23 + d100 roll: +85 = +187
... and hits for 17 points of damage!
Slash to your left leg hits high!
Kinda makes your knees weak, huh?
!>
A halfling thug stands there, dazed and confused.
!> incant 1120
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Sympathy...
Your spell is ready.
You gesture at a human bandit.
Closing your eyes and expanding your mind outward, you attempt to instill a sense of sympathy into those within the area...

CS: +448 - TD: +366 + CvA: -10 + d100: +66 == +138
Warding failed!
An elven mugger's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +45 == +108
Warding failed!
A human bandit's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

CS: +448 - TD: +346 + CvA: -10 + d100: +41 == +133
Warding failed!
A halfling thug's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

You open your eyes, feeling less focused.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
!> stance defen
Cast Round Time in effect: Setting stance to guarded.
!> look
[Icemule Trail, Snowy Forest]
A massive tree lies on its side across the trail -- branches piled against it to make it easier to clamber over. You judge its girth to be about head high on a tall halfling -- or perhaps a bit higher. You also see an elven mugger that appears sympathetic, a human bandit that appears sympathetic and a halfling thug that appears sympathetic.
Obvious paths: south
!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a human bandit.
You concentrate intently on a human bandit, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +7 == +70
Warded off!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!>
You feel more refreshed.
R!>
A human bandit slashes with a troll-claw at an elven mugger!
AS: +422 vs DS: +334 with AvD: +15 + d100 roll: +73 = +176
... and hits for 7 points of damage!
Hard blow, but deflected.
Not much damage.
R!>
A halfling thug swings a scimitar at an elven mugger!
AS: +394 vs DS: +334 with AvD: +30 + d100 roll: +86 = +176
... and hits for 18 points of damage!
Minor puncture to the back.
R!>
A human bandit's eyes cease to glow.
R!> stance defen
You are now in a defensive stance.
!>
A human bandit slashes with a troll-claw at you!
AS: +422 vs DS: +489 with AvD: +23 + d100 roll: +9 = -35
A clean miss.
!>
A halfling thug lunges forward at an elven mugger with his reinforced shield and attempts a shield bash!
[Roll result: 152 (open d100: 70)]
and an elven mugger is knocked over by the blow.
... 5 points of damage!
Jarring blow to the elven mugger's back.
!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a human bandit.
You concentrate intently on a human bandit, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +71 == +134
Warding failed!
The human bandit shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop his body.
The human bandit is smashed for 42 points of damage!
... 20 points of damage!
Good blow to left leg!
The human bandit is stunned!
... 15 points of damage!
Nice blow to left arm!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
(Forcing stance down to guarded)
R!>
Suddenly, the winds begin to gust. They whip around you screaming, relentless in their fury. Brought by their chill touch, waves of painful cold course throughout your body!
R!> incant 1106
!>
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a human bandit.
You concentrate intently on a human bandit, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +49 == +112
Warding failed!
The human bandit shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop his body.
The human bandit is battered for 33 points of damage!
... 5 points of damage!
Strike glances off the chest.
... 5 points of damage!
Blow connects with abdomen.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!>
A halfling thug's eyes cease to glow.
R!>
An elven mugger's eyes cease to glow.
R!>
[Roll result: 73 (open d100: -15)]
A halfling thug feints to the right, but you aren't fooled for a second.
R!> incant 1120
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Sympathy...
Your spell is ready.
You gesture at a human bandit.
Closing your eyes and expanding your mind outward, you attempt to instill a sense of sympathy into those within the area...

CS: +448 - TD: +366 + CvA: -10 + d100: +63 == +135
Warding failed!
An elven mugger's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +99 == +162
Warding failed!
A human bandit's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

CS: +448 - TD: +346 + CvA: -10 + d100: +74 == +166
Warding failed!
A halfling thug's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

You open your eyes, feeling less focused.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
!>
A halfling thug slips into hiding.
!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a human bandit.
You concentrate intently on a human bandit, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
d100 == 1 FUMBLE!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!>
An elven mugger stands up with a grunt.
R!> incant 1106
A halfling thug leaps out of his hiding place!
A halfling thug swings a scimitar at an elven mugger!
AS: +394 vs DS: +334 with AvD: +30 + d100 roll: +6 = +96
A clean miss.
!>
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a human bandit.
You concentrate intently on a human bandit, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +66 == +129
Warding failed!
The human bandit shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop his body.
The human bandit is smashed for 41 points of damage!
... 10 points of damage!
Light strike to abdomen.
... 5 points of damage!
Strike glances off the chest.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!> incant 1106
...wait 1 seconds.
!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a human bandit.
You concentrate intently on a human bandit, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +57 == +120
Warding failed!
The human bandit shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop his body.
The human bandit is battered for 37 points of damage!
... 10 points of damage!
Light blow to left leg.
... 15 points of damage!
Nice blow to back!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!>
An elven mugger swings a mace at a human bandit!
AS: +436 vs DS: +283 with AvD: +36 + d100 roll: +36 = +225
... and hits for 27 points of damage!
Stomach shot lands with a hollow thump.
R!>
A human bandit pulls out a white crystal and rubs it!
A human bandit looks considerably more imposing.
R!>
A halfling thug swings a scimitar at an elven mugger!
AS: +394 vs DS: +334 with AvD: +30 + d100 roll: +87 = +177
... and hits for 14 points of damage!
Broken finger on the elven mugger's left hand!
R!>
An elven mugger's eyes cease to glow.
!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a human bandit.
You concentrate intently on a human bandit, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +375 + CvA: -10 + d100: +54 == +117
Warding failed!
The human bandit shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop his body.
The human bandit is battered for 35 points of damage!
The human bandit falls to the ground and dies.
The eyes of a bandit momentarily return to normal before going lifeless.
A human bandit seems a bit less imposing.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!>
A halfling thug swings a scimitar at an elven mugger!
AS: +394 vs DS: +331 with AvD: +30 + d100 roll: +76 = +169
... and hits for 16 points of damage!
Slash to the elven mugger's right leg hits high!
Kinda makes your knees weak, huh?
R!> incant 1120
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Sympathy...
Your spell is ready.
You gesture at an elven mugger.
Closing your eyes and expanding your mind outward, you attempt to instill a sense of sympathy into those within the area...

CS: +448 - TD: +366 + CvA: -10 + d100: +66 == +138
Warding failed!
An elven mugger's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

You open your eyes, feeling less focused.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
!>
The bruises around your head fade.
!>
An elven mugger pulls out a blue crystal and rubs it!
An invisible force guides an elven mugger.
!> incant 1106
...wait 1 seconds.
!>
A halfling thug lunges forward at an elven mugger with his reinforced shield and attempts a shield bash!
[Roll result: 107 (open d100: 25)]
, but an elven mugger manages to partially avoid it.
... 5 points of damage!
Blow to the head causes the elven mugger's ears to ring!
!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at an elven mugger.
[Spell Hindrance for some dark cuirbouilli leather is 5% with current Armor Use skill, d100= 4]
Your armor prevents the spell from working correctly.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!>
A halfling thug's eyes cease to glow.
R!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at an elven mugger.
You concentrate intently on an elven mugger, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +366 + CvA: -10 + d100: +65 == +137
Warding failed!
The elven mugger shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop his body.
The elven mugger is smashed for 45 points of damage!
... 25 points of damage!
Strong blow breaks neck!
The elven mugger falls to the ground and dies.
The eyes of an mugger momentarily return to normal before going lifeless.
The guiding force leaves an elven mugger.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!>
In an awe inspiring display of combat mastery, a halfling thug engages you in a furious dance macabre, spiralling into a blur of strikes and ripostes!
A halfling thug swings a scimitar at you!
AS: +394 vs DS: +468 with AvD: +28 + d100 roll: +13 = -33
A clean miss.

A halfling thug swings a scimitar at you!
Amazingly, you manage to parry the attack with your runestaff!

A halfling thug swings a scimitar at you!
You barely manage to fend off the attack with your runestaff!

A halfling thug swings a scimitar at you!
AS: +394 vs DS: +468 with AvD: +28 + d100 roll: +77 = +31
A clean miss.

R!> incant 1120
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Sympathy...
Your spell is ready.
You gesture at a halfling thug.
Closing your eyes and expanding your mind outward, you attempt to instill a sense of sympathy into those within the area...

CS: +448 - TD: +346 + CvA: -10 + d100: +79 == +171
Warding failed!
A halfling thug's eyes begin to glow steel grey.

You open your eyes, feeling less focused.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
!> incant 1106
...wait 1 seconds.
!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a halfling thug.
You concentrate intently on a halfling thug, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +346 + CvA: -10 + d100: +31 == +123
Warding failed!
The halfling thug shudders with moderate convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop his body.
The halfling thug is battered for 38 points of damage!
... 15 points of damage!
Nice blow to left leg!
The halfling thug is stunned!
... 15 points of damage!
Nice blow to right hand!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!> incant 1106
You focus your thoughts while chanting the mystical phrase for Bone Shatter...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a halfling thug.
You concentrate intently on a halfling thug, and a pulse of pearlescent energy ripples toward him!
CS: +448 - TD: +346 + CvA: -10 + d100: +83 == +175
Warding failed!
The internal skeletal structure of a halfling thug implodes inward upon itself, leaving behind no support for his body or life. The halfling thug falls to the ground in a lifeless mass of flesh and fractured bones.
The eyes of a thug momentarily return to normal before going lifeless.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R!> loot
You search the halfling thug.
You discard the thug's useless equipment.
He didn't carry any silver.
He had nothing else of value.
A halfling thug decays into compost.
!> loot
> loot
You search the elven mugger.
You discard the mugger's useless equipment.
He didn't carry any silver.
He had a star ruby on him!
He had nothing else of value.
An elven mugger decays into compost.
!> loot
You search the human bandit.
You discard the bandit's useless equipment.
He didn't carry any silver.
He had nothing of interest.
A human bandit decays into compost.
!>
Could not find a valid target to loot.
!> look
[Icemule Trail, Snowy Forest]
A massive tree lies on its side across the trail -- branches piled against it to make it easier to clamber over. You judge its girth to be about head high on a tall halfling -- or perhaps a bit higher. You also see a star ruby.
Obvious paths: south
!> get rub
You pick up a star ruby.
!> stow l
You put a star ruby in your forest green backpack.
!>
From nearby, you hear an elven traveller yell, "Help!"
!> s
[Icemule Trail, Snowy Forest]
Heavy snow from the upper branches of the wind-blown trees plops wetly on the trail, creating little islands of slippery ice that impede your way. It is impossible to avoid the falling snow which slips down your neck and seeps into your clothing, setting your teeth to chattering. You also see a ghost wolf and an elven traveller.
Obvious paths: north
!>
A ghost wolf tries to bite you!
With no room to spare, you manage to parry the blow with your orase runestaff!
!> incant 213
You trace a sign while petitioning the spirits to bestow their aid with the Minor Sanctuary spell...
Your spell is ready.
You gesture.
A sense of peace and calm settles over the area.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
!> look
[Icemule Trail, Snowy Forest]
Heavy snow from the upper branches of the wind-blown trees plops wetly on the trail, creating little islands of slippery ice that impede your way. It is impossible to avoid the falling snow which slips down your neck and seeps into your clothing, setting your teeth to chattering. You also see a ghost wolf and an elven traveller.
Obvious paths: north
!>
The cuts on your left arm close and the bruises fade.
!>
You feel more refreshed.
!>
The wolf scampers north.
!> pre 1105
You concentrate while murmuring the simple, mystical chant for Organ Repair...
Your spell is ready.
!> cast
You gesture.

Your abdomen feels better.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
> stance off
You are now in an offensive stance.
> n
[Icemule Trail, Snowy Forest]
A massive tree lies on its side across the trail -- branches piled against it to make it easier to clamber over. You judge its girth to be about head high on a tall halfling -- or perhaps a bit higher. You also see a ghost wolf.
Obvious paths: south
>
A ghost wolf tries to bite you!
AS: +133 vs DS: +354 with AvD: +28 + d100 roll: +53 = -140
A clean miss.
A ghost wolf drools with ravenous hunger!
> incant 111
>
You utter a light chant and raise your hands, beckoning the lesser spirits to aid you with the Fire Spirit spell...
Your spell is ready.
You gesture at a ghost wolf.
You hurl a roaring ball of fire at a ghost wolf!
AS: +404 vs DS: +79 with AvD: +70 + d100 roll: +22 = +417
... and hit for 155 points of damage!
The ghost wolf's head wavers as your attack passes right through it!
You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the ghost wolf's body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens.
The ghost wolf falls back into a heap and dies.
The roaring ball of fire strikes a ghost wolf, blossoming into a much larger sphere of flame upon impact.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.<<

Finally got the pesky thing!