Runzyl Steelsong |
Runzyl nods, scratching his bald chin as Trose speaks. "A fine meal is always good before battle. I would imagine that one which imparts stamina to the feaster is doubly so. Depending on the price, this would be a sound decision. I would also like to see the smith, as you mentioned. This blade is the tool of an untrained youth," he motioned to the weapon on his back. "I need one of finely honed steel if I am to honor my ancestors in battle. Of course, this all depends on time. If we are to rest and clear our minds for the coming battle, then a feast and a visit to the smiths would be good. If we must act with haste, then let us not delay another minute. What say you, Lightbringer?"
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Well, Lightbringer probably won't say anything until Monday, so that effectively parks things. Nox is still around - prepare for the tearful farewell scene, also on Monday, and the convenient arrival of the replacement cleric. However, he will surrender his Cannith voucher before he goes.
The bigger skycoaches are trade vehicles, a bit like trucks and vans rather than taxis. No one was really looking properly in the confusion - it was big and blue, and that is all anyone knows here.
Heathy, feel free to chip in out-of-character - you will be in the thick of it soon enough, so you might as well get a say now.
Dragonmann |
Thunderstones probably can be used as sling ammo - but as they are not designed for it, there is a -4 to hit with them. That said, as you are probably aiming at a square (AC 5) rather than a person that may not be a major hindrance.
I'll take -4 to hit with the range increment of a sling. And i think it is targeting a room, not a square, so AC 1
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
You need to put them somewhere as they have area of effect - you can't just lob in a general direction and assume everyone in the room or wherever is affected.
One possible thorn in the plan is that Ezreal is down a spell - you might want him to recharge and get that back. I'm pointing that out in case you have forgotten.
Dragonmann |
You need to put them somewhere as they have area of effect - you can't just lob in a general direction and assume everyone in the room or wherever is affected.
One possible thorn in the plan is that Ezreal is down a spell - you might want him to recharge and get that back. I'm pointing that out in case you have forgotten.
I sit corrected, 20' increment 10' radius... I had those reversed which made most rooms easy to cover... can we get earplugs for a bonus on the fortitude save for the good guys?
Runzyl Steelsong |
50gp.
No offense but... 50 gp for earplugs?! How about upping the penalty to like... -10 to Listen checks. Seems more realistic. 50 gp seems a bit insane, as it should not cost the average person an entire month's wages (or more) for some earplugs. Perhaps reduce the bonus to +1 as well.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
These aren't just cotton wool, they allow you to avoid the serious penalties of a thunderstone. How much are is the cost of good ear defenders? In a quasi-medieval setting? I thought about a similar item and came up with the sunshaders which negate the -1 penalty for light sensitive creatures like orcs in daylight. I think they cost about the same. And let's face it - I want you to think about whether you want to take the risk and not wear them, not consider it a no-brainer to buy them. Your choice.
Runzyl Steelsong |
And let's face it - I want you to think about whether you want to take the risk and not wear them, not consider it a no-brainer to buy them.
I can understand from that standpoint. Runzyl would probably not bother with ear plugs anyway... though, would elves (with their awesome hearing) take a penalty to the save?
Rodergo Xativa |
Ha Ha! Character's almost done; deciding betwixt good domain or exorcism domain.
I think the group insurance plan a la wand of cure light wounds is a good idea. It runs 750 g.p. in the dmg, with the 500 g.p. from the 3k and the leftovers from my starting gold, I can cover the rest of the 250, leaving me about 58 gp for gewgaws and pennywhistles.
Alzo, a scroll of hold person would be 150 gp, if that sounds like a good idea; I read through the adventure thread and remember someone somewhere saying they wished that one of the enemies ended up alive for a change, for interrogation....but I'd need more cash out of the kitty. I just don't know if it's more than a mediocre idea.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
You will get a voucher - it used to be Nox's - giving you 1/3 off one item - I suggest you use that for the wand and save yourself 250gp.
If you are online tomorrow, we can do your introduction and Nox's departure, so you are up and running for when things get going in earnest on Monday. It's about midnight here, so I'm going to bed, but you should think about how you are going to make your introduction. Everyone is currently standing outside the shrine in Rattlebones.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Good character and background. Interesting stats - I generally do clerics as rough tough mofos, but you've gone for an intellectual. Makes sense, in the party context - there is plenty of melee firepower already. This'll be fun - looking forward to getting you into the game, Heathy.
By the way, assume you have the same amount of xp as everyone else - it's fairer that way.
Janosz Frogshanks |
Good character and background. Interesting stats - I generally do clerics as rough tough mofos, but you've gone for an intellectual. Makes sense, in the party context - there is plenty of melee firepower already.
I'll second all that. Welcome aboard!
Dragonmann |
me too--in fact I usually do fighters with bastard sword and cleave. I looked at the thread and noticed that the ruff stuff is handled, so I just have to remember not to act too big for my britches. Thanxs btw...
Not to suggest a rewrite far to late, but if you are looking at not a tank cleric, you might want to look at the cloistered cleric variation...
yay d20srd.org
otherwise, welcom onboard, and remember heal Trose first
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Rodergo Xativa wrote:me too--in fact I usually do fighters with bastard sword and cleave. I looked at the thread and noticed that the ruff stuff is handled, so I just have to remember not to act too big for my britches. Thanxs btw...Not to suggest a rewrite far to late, but if you are looking at not a tank cleric, you might want to look at the cloistered cleric variation...
yay d20srd.org
otherwise, welcom onboard, and remember heal Trose first
I don't think he is cloistered, as such - just not the normal muscle-bound meat-head you normally get wielding a holy symbol.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
As the Watch skycoaches pull away, two men, both wearing the regalia of priests of the Silver Flame, hurry up. The first is a pudgy, middle aged man with a harrassed expression, dressed in a simple cassock, thinning mousy hair plastered to his head with sweat. "Goodness me," he exclaims breathlessly, "Have the Watch gone? Have they caught the blackguard? Lightbringer! Where have you been?"
Spoiler for Lightbringer:
The other man seems cut from a somewhat different cloth. He wears scalemail, with a shield and crossbow slung over his back and a morningstar dangling on a strap from his belt. His holy symbol, hanging from a leather thong around his neck, is plain but well-worn. While relatively young, his face is set in a fairly grim expression and his eyes appear tired and slightly haunted, though he holds himself with great confidence. He cooly assesses the party, seemingly unfazed by the band of adventurers.
Spoiler for Rodergo:
The man you are with is Brother Tobe, the priest of the parish next door. He has been drafted in as an emergency stand-in for Erfan and is currently your main contact. He has mentioned Lightbringer to you - he seems uncomfortable with the idea of a warforged paladin as he isn't sure about the "do warforged have souls?" issue. Your view on that is up to you.
You have been instructed to find out who has Erfan and to try and get him back, if possible. It has been strongly implied that you will receive little help from the Church - budgets and all, plus a show of force in Breland by Thrane/the Church is politically impossible. Your immediate superior is Aris Agan, High Warden in Sharn - effectively, the senior military figure in the Church hierarchy in Sharn, which is more of a honorific position than anything else, though she has control of the temple guard and a few people, like you, on the ground for evil-slaying tasks like this.
The pudgy man stammers, "Er, Lightbringer, can I introduce to you Flamebearer Rodergo Xativa. He's been instructed by the Church to get Erfan back."
Rodergo Xativa |
I step forward to Lightbringer, reaching out to shake his hand. there's a note in my hand.
spoiler for Lightbringer:
the note says,
Greetings, fellow servant of the Silver Flame,
forgive my hasty, and possibly abrasive, introduction. Let us assume that my first meeting with you and your brave comrades is being watched by those who it may be in our interests to keep in the dark about certain matters for the time being. Ergo, assume any and all of my words that seem unseemly are meant as diversionary and not harsh toward you and your comrades.
I suggest that I take your confessional, and soon, wherupon you can "confess" to me the events which have brought us all to our current situation, and we can plan accordingly.
Also, let's perhaps have your friends milling about, making a show of grumbling and complaining about our tedious religious inclinations, to keep those who would steal our sacred confessional away from you, me, and the Sacred Flame.
Well met, Lightbringer. My friend here has told me something about you; let me just say it is a singularly..... interesting honor to meet you.
I am Brother Xativa, a humble servant of the Flame.
Can anyone about here let me know what essentially is amiss?
Lightbringer |
Lightbringer looks up, and when he speaks his voice carries a curious timbre to it. “Yes.” He states in response to Runzyl’s question. “We should head to the tannery as soon as possible. Brother Erfan –“
He is cut off by the arrival of the two priests.
“Brother Trobe, forgive me, I was not present when the events here took place. I have failed in my duties to protect the shrine and it’s worshippers.” He hangs his head in shame. The fact that the duties he described were self imposed rather than ordered on him by the church seems to do little to lessen his shame or remorse.
He looks up to see the Flamebearer advancing, extending a hand in the human custom. Lightbringer is momentarily surprised; with a few exceptions, such as Brother Erfan, most human priests of the Flame were too busy trying to decide whether Warforged even had a soul to take the time to treat them like people. Perhaps this Xativa is different.
He then notices the note, and takes and reads it in some surprise and initial confusion, although after a moment the wisdom contained therein becomes clear.
“Flamebearer,” begins Lightbringer, bowing his head. “As you know, I am Lightbringer. My companions are Ezreal, Janosz, Runzyl, and Trose. The Shrine here has been attacked by gnolls, a young parishioner murdered, and Brother Erfan kidnapped.”
He then turns to Nox, who stands nearby, and says quietly, “Nox my friend, this man is superior to me in the hierarchy of my Church, and it is my duty to tell him of my actions of the past few days. It would be best if no one outside our group were to hear my words,” and he looks significantly at Brother Trobe and the small crowd of worried onlookers. As a paladin, Lightbringer should actually be at least equal in rank to a Flamebearer, but the waters are very much muddied by the fact the Lightbringer is Warforged, and has not actually been officially recognised as a paladin by the Church here in Sharn (let alone back at Flamekeep).
Turning again to Xativa, he bows his head once more. “Flamebearer, will you hear my confession?” Moving away a little from the rest of the group, and speaking most quietly, he proceeds to give Xativa a summarised version of events up to this point, from his point of view.
Rodergo Xativa |
Xativa listens enrapt to the tale of the last few days' transpirings. At the end, he says, "I hear and absolve you, my brother. Say 12 catechisms and drink three sips of the holy water (or slosh it around in your mouth; forgive me, I'm not certain what warforged would do under the circumstances.)"
Then, he whispers in the warforged's ear (area?)"know now that I am you and your groups' creature in this endeavour; it may not be to our mutual benefit to appear so at the time being. If gambling weren't a sin, I would bet any amount of gold that that changeling is about here, right now, observing what transpires.
I think you and your fellows should be off and purchase some weaponry, and purchase me a healing wand; we have a tannery to hit soon. My thinking is that some time late morning would be best, gnolls being nocturnal hunters. Let's hit them while they've been asleep 2 hours or so.
I think I shall perhaps do some straightening up around this place a while, perhaps go and talk to that guard sargent fellow and see if he'll tell me anything he wouldn't tell our friend Trose."
Lightbringer |
Lightbringer gazes after the departing sky coach. “I fear you may be too late to question the Sergeant,” he says. “Although we did get his name, so if you can find out which district his unit is headquartered in, it may be possible.”
“I am loathe to wait much longer to mount a rescue attempt, the Flame only knows what horrors Brother Erfan will endure in the intervening time. However, you are correct, it may be unwise to give the gnolls any further advantage that their night seeing eyes may give them, although I’m sure they will have guards posted whatever the time of day.”
Good point, gnolls probably have Darkvision don’t they?
Rodergo Xativa |
"Yes, my thinking is that we should attack tomorrow, when the sun is halfway to its apex."
I wonder if there's anyone about who I could use my gather information on to find out where this Sargent Croke is headquartered, as well as any material witnesses to interview/give crisis counselling.
Lightbringer |
Lightbringer turns back to the rest of the group. “Flamebearer Xativa wishes to assist us in rescuing Brother Erfan,” which of course should also assist in the rest of the mission. “I believe we should take care of our purchases now, and arrange to meet him again later on.”
"I have heard that as well as gnolls and goblinoids, Daask numbers such creatures as trolls, harpies and medusa amongst their ranks. Although I do not know that we will face any of these, it may be wise to be prepared."
Runzyl Steelsong |
Runzyl hears the exchange between the holy men and remains silently vigilant. When Lightbringer finally addresses the group, the elven warrior nods. "Let us do our shopping tonight then, while the shops are still open. Tomorrow morning we shall go to House Ghallandra and enjoy the feast which Trose mentioned for breakfast. From there we shall venture to the tannery and baptize the dawn in glorious battle. A good night's rest would do us all some good as well, for tomorrow we may dine in the halls of our ancestors."
Janosz Frogshanks |
Janosz' eyes narrows at the mention of possibly facing medusae or harpies. "Those are dangerous enemies - they are powerful and savage beasts, yet they retain a dangerous intelligence. We would do well to prepare for such an encounter; if this feast will help us, I'm fully for it".
Haha! Aberrations are my favoured enemies. Can I get a Knowledge (dungeoneering) check to recall some useful information about them?
Lightbringer |
Haha! Aberrations are my favoured enemies. Can I get a Knowledge (dungeoneering) check to recall some useful information about them?
Aren't they monstrous humanoids?
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Nox has seemed thoughtful and withdrawn over the last few hours, not his usual merry self. He walks over to Lightbringer, his forehead crinkled with a frown. “Friend, it pains me but there is something I must tell you. I cannot accompany you to this raid on the tannery. Our meeting in the Spear of Dhakaan was fortuitous, but I was only passing through while on a pilgrimage to the lands of my ancestors. This whole endeavour is distracting me from my main purpose, and its ramifications are growing before our eyes. Daask, the Watch, the Silver Flame, Jendry, House Cannith, the Lord of Blades, even the kalashtar: where will it all end?”
Nox pauses, stirring a discarded newssheet with his foot while he considers his words. “I will take you to a Ghallanda inn I know of where you can get the sanctified meal you speak of more cheaply – the owner owes me a favour, so I will call it in for my friends. I’ll also give you my voucher that the Cannith woman gave us – perhaps you can give it to our new acquaintance? – as I will not be needing it. Then I will take my leave and head for the Plains.”
He gazes up at the big warforged. “I am glad that I met you all – it has been a most exciting time. But I must continue on my own journey. I am sure we will meet again – may the blessing of Olladra go with you in the meantime.”
Heathansson |
knowledge local roll: 6+2=8 (failed)
To the assembled adventurers: "Does anyone know where this Sargent Croke may be located? I must consult with him, as a representative of the Church. Then I'll return here. Also, is anyone nearby who was a witness to the attack?"
also wondering if any detectives are around studying the crime scene.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
knowledge local roll: 6+2=8 (failed)
To the assembled adventurers: "Does anyone know where this Sargent Croke may be located? I must consult with him, as a representative of the Church. Then I'll return here. Also, is anyone nearby who was a witness to the attack?"
also wondering if any detectives are around studying the crime scene.
Tobe points Rodergo in Laris's direction for a witness. Try a Spot check to see any possible lurking Watchmen.
Rodergo Xativa |
spot check 13+3=16
I approach Laris. "Hello. I am Brother Xativa. I know you have been through a horrible, horrible nightmare, but I need to know what happened if there is to be any chance of helping Brother Erfan."
diplomacy check 12+7=19
Trose - Clone |
With or without Janosz, at his discretion, I return to the enclave. I secure 4 half-orc mercenaries, specifically not house members just muscle, and arrange to have a letter of commondation sent in reference to the good sergeant Croke. I would do the same for the schlep by High Walls, but somehow I forgot to get his name...