Mangroves of the Desert (Inactive)

Game Master Herkymr the Silly

Graghhh ponders what has been discussed and thinks about the items he has recently acquired.
Is there any storm bow with me? and taking note of Mang's reaction, Please don't yell at me. I greet you.

Graghhh has remained hidden from, but close enough to hear the conversation of his fellow travelers. He sees that they have come through a boulder field and there is a wide open stretch of sand and low vegetation a little in front and to the side of where they have halted. He sees that there are some boulders near enough that he can still listen and be close enough to help if needed, but remain out of sight. He remains silent and waits for a response, somewhat anticipating some pain if there really is a storm bow in his possession.

Graghhh thinks about his collection of items and wonders what special powers might be concealed within his stash of goods.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
He wonders what hidden purposes or abilities might be dormant in any of the new items he carries.

As Quinten waits for Mang and Shadara to explain what their bows do, the storm moves closer. Trying to ignore the tremble in his fingers, the teacher reaches into the belt pouch that contains the coins from Richard and Jerram. I'll need to find the coin by communicating with it rather than looking at it. I don't want that Copperhead to know what it looks like. I doubt he'd have any problem killing us once his bow is no longer forcing him to fight, and he's smart enough to recognize that bows would command a high price.

The teacher touches each coin in turn, asking it if it is the one he seeks. The fifth sends a jolt up his arm. So, you want to be found. I imagine that like Risnel, you're eager to fulfill your purpose.

I should have guessed you'd be Risnel's partner! In the tales, you got him out of quite a few scrapes. And into others, but that's part of what makes the stories fun.

I'd ask how many of them are true, but a storm is approaching. Risnel is near, but please stay in the bag for now. The suli who will be fighting this storm with us views his bow as a burden, not an honor, so I'd prefer to keep your form secret from him. I suspect whoever called the storm will pay a high price for information on storm bows, and the suli's affiliations suggest he's a greedy man. So are many of the bounty hunters he could sell information about us to.

Mang Fu Ha Saan looks at Quinten when he is asked about what his bow bound to him is capable of. Probably easier to just demonstrate... He responds in a matter of fact tone. First, a bit of my own powers. Having said this he makes a couple rapid gestures with his hands paired with a short magical incantation. As he finishes he begins growing rapidly in size, his gear growing as well in response to the magic, his skin takes on a look of hot magma with light radiating from in between the patches of cooler skin, from his head a great mane of fire erupts and quietly flicker as tongues of flame seemingly flow up and back from his head as though searching for something to consume. Even his beard seems to take on a great heat appearing as though it were molten with hot embers occasionally falling from it. As the transformation finishes, he stands a 14 foot tall, immensely muscular fire giant. He then brings his hands together in front of him, then quickly spreads his arms out as though pushing against some unseen heavy object.
As he does this, in a circle starting 10 feet away from the group great shards of stone burst forth from the ground in evenly spaced intervals and several rows deep like a formation of pike men. He then walks to the inner edge of the circle and with one hand outstretched lets loose a jet of flame into the stone formation so intensely hot it melts the desert sand into hot glass. He walks nearly the full circle continuously blasting the ring of stone with the flame, stopping only to leave a small sliver of unaffected area opposite the storm. Mang Fu Ha Saan then takes a moment to survey the hellish landscape he created as a barrier for them. Satisfied with what he created, he bends down to touch his palms one over the other to the sand, and as he stands back up a thick tendril of sand comes up, white hot, out of the ground following his hand. Standing his full height, he snaps the rest of the tendril out of the ground forming a white hot 20 foot long whip that cracks thunderously in the air over his head.
Mang Fu Ha Saan then looks to Quinten and Shadara, behold Stone, and Flame, their powers are mighty.

Quinten looks up at the giant warrior and shakes his head. So much power, and he doesn't even look tired. That was impressive. If you'd like, I can cloak the melted areas in an illusion so our enemies won't know to avoid them.

As the teacher reaches out to his grandfather's ring, he notices that his fingers are no longer trembling. He glances at Shadara, hoping she too feels confident. And what about Graghhh? He hasn't made an appearance, but he didn't seem the type to run.

Shadara watches Mang with a bit of awe.
Good to meet you Shuriel, there are many things I would like to ask but I know we do not have time now to discuss it. I will keep my mind clear for you. You are an actual bow that shoots arrows, how does that work on a storm, the winds will blow them aside. How do we fight?

Oh little one, Shuriel laughs you have no idea do you. Sorry I shouldn't laugh but with your inquisitive mind I would think you would have figured it out with the insignias on you, me, and your necklace. Oh wait you didn't see it, look again closely.

Shadara pulls off her necklace and holds it up. She had looked at it several times but is was always dark while seethrough with no internal blemishes. As she holds it up toward the storm in the center of the stone she sees a faint glowing insignia slowly swirling. She turnes it several times but the insignia never changes orientation.

As you know, this necklace looks almost the same as most thunderstones. The prongs on the bow can hold thunderstones. Normal thunderstones can be used in the bow to add a concussive blast to the arrow when it impacts its target. With regular stones you can shoot twice and then the stone will break. This stone however will not break, it draws its power from both of us and the concussive force will detonate at the heart of the storm if I want it to. Also the arrow will be very hard to knock off course by regular means. Go ahead and try it now. I will let it detonate on impact.

Shadara looks at Quinten and Mang. My bow wants me to test it. She takes the necklace and inserts it into the prongs. The bow seems to have closed around the stone to hold it in place. As she pulls out a blunt arrow, in her mind she hears, go ahead and aim toward the storm, it already knows I am here.

She draws the bow back and aims for maximum distance. As a practiced bowman she releases as she exhales. The arrow streaks out further than she expected and is easy to track as it is glowing slightly. It hits the ground and the grass and shrubs are bent and broken in a circle radiating away from the impact point about 10 to 15 feet from center. Almost immediately the report of thundar reaches the parties ears and after they feel a wind blow by them.

She looks back at Quinten and Mang. I am the counterpart to my bow. My bow and the necklace seem to complete the physical form of the pair and I am the counterpart. I don't know what that means but I will need to focus on the storm at hand and may be unable to assist you if you are attacked. I am not sure what will happen, I do not remember much of the lore of the bows.

Quinten smiles as Shadara's arrow streaks across the desert and strikes with concussive force. So your bow is talking to you as well? Good.

Shadara, I don't think you need to worry about protecting us. Our new friend said the storm would most likely focus its attention on you, so I imagine we'll be the ones protecting you. Or trying to, in my case.

Remember, your bow draws at least some of its power from you. Do what you can to make each shot count. We need to disperse this storm, but if we exhaust ourselves doing so, we're likely to fall to an enemy's blade.

After Quinten speaks, a spherical barrier appears surrounding the group. It is almost clear, but partially obscures the view of the land beyond. The objects outside the barrier become a little fuzzy around the edges. The barrier has a blue tint to it.

Wow teacher, that is one type of protection. Don't you think that this is a little more like a beacon rather than a protection? Does it only block incoming or outgoing as well? What happens if I touch it?

Shuriel, same questions. Will this hinder us fighting? Also do you know anything else the other bows might do. If I need to keep my mind clear I need to know what they can do so that I am not distracted by some new effect constantly.

This barrier didn't come from me. Merchant, did you create it?

The storms have moved much closer. Now the outside barometric pressures are changing almost constantly. the winds are starting to hit you sporadically and dust devils are dancing around and occasionally racing across your view. Everything that comes in contact with the main body of the storm though is destroyed. Whether it be the lightning and fire storms rushing down to burn and rape the earth or the wind ravaging the world with hands of a demon ripping and tearing everything in its way only to have it freeze in the icy blasts of cold air that accompany the tearing, the destruction is horrendous and absolute.

The more it destroys te faster and more powerful its movements it seems to live off the destrction. It is now only a few miles off of your location but that wont last for long at the rate it is increasing in speed.

As the storm obliterates the scant greenery outside the barrier, Quinten frowns. I don't have an answer to your questions, but I don't think it matters whether the barrier weakens our attacks. We'll need whatever protection we can get.

If you'd like, I can use Brown Dog to augment your armor. There's a chance the storm will turn my magic against you, but if it's able to corrupt the magic around you, my spell will be a drop in the bucket next to your bow.

Mang, I can shield you and Strong Talon as well if you'd like.

Quinten is offering to cast Mage Armor on anyone who is interested. Remember, Mage Armor grants a +4 armor bonus to AC. The bonus won't stack with real armor, but it is higher than the bonus granted by leather or studded leather, so it might still be useful.

I hope Graghh isn't caught in that storm. Why hasn't he shown himself?

Thank you teacher, lets do it now before the storm is any closer, I will need to focus soon.

Quinten nods and touches Shadara's arm with the wooden dog. She shares my blood. Protect her as you would protect me.

A longcoat covered in leaves from Shadara's homeland appears around her, then vanishes.

The teacher turns back to the storm and reaches into the pouch with the snake-like coin, reassuring himself it's still there. That storm seems to be gathering strength from the destruction it's causing. Mang, can you ask the plants to retreat into the sand?

It wasn't I that created it. MIne do not work for protections. however mine are telling me that we have another nearby that redirects magic he has eaten, the merchant says turning to look to the south east.
Graghh stands from where his naturally blue greyish skin tones have kept him hidden among the stone and low shrubbery. Mang next time give more warning. YOu new I was out there following. Yet you persisted on a demonstration. if Nagrii hadn't absorbed what you threw at us I'd be lying dead or injured now. The scarab is nagriss. She interupts magic by "eating it" then redirecting it to something else. The shield you saw were examples of what she can do." graghh states showing he has been with in ears shot of your conversation most of the time.

I knew where you were, that's why I left the gap right in front of you... My eyes are keen, Graghhh.

Quinten glances at Mang. He's not one to lie, but neither is Graghhh. Mang's magic must have come close.

The teacher looks at Graghhh, trying to ignore the scarab embedded in his neck. Graghhh, it's good to see you. Thanks for watching over us. If you'll permit, I'll shield you as I shielded Shadara.

When the fetchling nods, Quinten steps forward. Keeping his left hand on the wooden dog, he reaches out with his right. I'd use my left, but I don't want Granddad's ring any closer to the scarab than it has to be. The area around Graghhh darkens as the spell takes effect.

The teacher kneels next to the party's charge and reaches out with his left hand. Brown Dog, this young lady's father has funded Dad's expeditions and teaching for years. Protect her. For a fraction of a second, her skin is covered in scales.

Quinten is casting Mage Armor on Graghhh, which should boost his AC to 18, and on the triumvirate's daughter on the off chance she's exposed to shrapnel during the fight.

Quinten stands and turns to face the storm, a few feet in front and to the left of Shadara. His hand rests on the coin that is said to deflect lightning.

I assume you have no others? the now somewhat irritated suli comments. if so, form a triangle with the elf in the middle and sme one as point facing the storm. Hurry the storm is moving fast now it has tasted of the bow. As you form up, the suli finds a place behind shadara but off to the right and positions himself. He draws normal weapons but plans them firmly in the ground in easy reach. His eyes never leave the now racing storm.

Quinten glances at the merchant. He's focusing on the storm. I don't want to trust him, but if he hates his bow as much as he claims, he has little to gain by betraying us. Besides, I doubt I'll be able to watch him and fight the storm at the same time.

The teacher sighs and draws the coin out of his pouch. I am not the man you once protected, but I share his love for exciting tales and his desire to pass on knowledge. Protect me and those I hold dear.

The faint outline of a blue snake appears beside Quinten, a few feet in front of Shadara. It looks upward, then vanishes. The teacher hears Risnel's voice. Wait until you have to call him. You aren't strong enough to keep him here for long.

The teacher nods, then glances at Mang, Graghhh and Shadara. Let's hope they're stronger.

Quinten fidgets. Everyone's quiet. I wonder if they're as nervous as I am.

Graggh and mang take positions in front but to the side of the merchant and shadara. "we are ready now"they say and each of their bows contact telpathically Shadara's bow. "we to are ready lead us now."

As the others take up positions around her, Shadara closes her eyes seeking calm. She begins to hum a tune quietly to help her focus as she was taught in past past when presented with a difficult shot.

Her focus almost breaks as she realizes that even with her eyes closed she can make out the dark boiling clouds of the storm.

Yes you are looking thru me. I am impressed little one, that skill takes much time to learn and master. Open your eyes now you are channeling to much energy. There is much we can do but now is not the time to test abilities.

Shadara opens her eyes and sees the storm Recognition dawns that she could not see other things in that vision outside the storm itself. Unthinking she grabs a blunt head arrow from her quiver and notches it. She continues to control her breathing on a steady cadence. Her eyes scan the storm clouds for anything. After a moment as the storm passes where her test arrow dropped, two darker bulges in the clouds develop and extend down toward the party. She draws back the bow while breathing in. Power seems to flow into her as she is breathing in.

As she breathes out she releases the bow and fits another blunt arrow to the bowstring. In the space of her next breath she repeats the process.

The first bolt misses slightly but draws a scream of rage from the darker of the two bulges. THe second arrow hits it turning it momentarily solid. A creature materializes briefly that stands on two legs and has long thin batwings extending from forlock of the leg to the palm. The head is round almost completely round but other than that it is merely a lump with no other distinguishing features. The other dark blob lifts off flying higher into the storm clouds shrieking the whole way.
The clouds roil and move faster with the screams of the creatures.

Creatures? So the merchant was right. I suppose I shouldn't expect a storm that spews fire to be normal, but seeing living creatures inside it still surprises me. I can't imagine those clouds are comfortable. They must be tough and powerful to reside there.

Keep firing, Shadara. Make them so enraged they feel like they have to tear us apart themselves. If we can draw them to the ground, we'll all be able to attack.

The teacher grips Risnel's gem with his right hand. If her bow needs strength, feel free to give it some of mine.

Mang draws deep into his bows and calls forth a wall of earth and stone surrounding the front of your group with out hindiering Shadara. He then sinks to his knees and begins to meditate closing his eyes as he does this and mumbling sonrthing uncomprehensible.

Seeing that glimpse of a creature in the clouds almost shatters her focus. After that momentary pause she reaches back this time drawing a a regular arrow, aiming quickly for the ascending dark cloud. Once the arrow leaves the string she notches again and fires at the clouded creature that did not retreat. Each shot once lined up draws power thru her as she inhales and leaves her as she exhales and fires. She can feel the energy leaving her but she files it away in her mind so that she can examine it later.

What are these things Shuriel? How many are there, can you tell?
I will do what I can teacher, but I do not have a great supply of arrows.

One of the arrows sinks into what must be flesh and the creature screams again. The storm rolls in closer and a bolt of lightning erupts from the clouded area.

The bolt slams into the ground hitting the shield that mang erected and shooting shrapnel all over the area. The heat and pressure of the bolt everyone feels wash over them like a tidal wave.

Mang finishes his "prayers" and draws his weapon taking on a defensive stance and placing himself between shadara and the storm. The "merchant" draws his cloak around him and with a flurry of movement opens it back. A sonic boom erupts from his gesture and rips into the storm area. A hole is opened briefly and inside can be seen at least 2 more creatures momentarily before it seals in on itself again.

Shadara staggers and turns away from the heat and pressure of the blast. A high pitch buzzing erupts in her head. She loses concentration for a moment due to the buzzing in her head.

Is everyone......ok?......I can't hear anything...

Drawing another arrow she struggles but regains her concentration and aims at the clouds over Mang's right shoulder. As she is breathing in and drawing power into the shot and the clouds part showing more creatures. She releases the arrow and draws another while watching one she fired. The arrow passes thru the part in the clouds just as it closes.

She draws the next arrow to her cheek and waits a moment to see if she will get a clear shot.

As the lightning strikes the barrier, the giant blue snake appears wrapped around Quinten, absorbing most of the shrapnel and shielding him from the blast. Thank you!

The snake uncoils itself and moves away from the group. Iiiis will atttracssss the lightning.

Quinten looks at Graghhh. The lightning made it through the bubble he created earlier. I hope he's okay.

When Shadara speaks, Quinten says, I'm fine, then realizes how silly that is and nods. He looks up at the sky, frowning. Risnel, you introduced yourself to me as a bow of winds. Can you manipulate the winds carrying those clouds enough to bring them out of sync and expose the creatures?

Gragas stands back up, wiping the dust from his clothes and grabs his bracer. I bright light burst from it and swirls around the clouds as if fencing them into some nvisible barrier. For a few seconds the clouds dim and become transparent..Now, shoot now!! he yells as the "window" appears.

Mang rubs his bracers together and they begin to crackle audibly as they prepare for what you may assume is another attack or power usage.

Shadara waits focusing on the clouds and trying to ignore the buzzing in her head waiting for any targets to appear. Almost in wonder she she sees what looks like a vortex of light somehow seize the clouds and hold them. As the clouds become transparent she can now see the creatures inside them. With a steady pace from years of practice she breaths in and out releasing arrows on her exhalations. Aiming each shot at a different creature. With each shot, her body fills and releases power. She notices that her strength is slowly draining with each shot. In the back of her mind she mentally counts the number of arrows left in the quiver.

5 more shots Shuriel, what do I do once I run out of the standard arrows.

As the now-transparent clouds smash against the vortex of light, trying to dissipate it, Quinten raises the gems in his right hand and breathes in. Wind rushes downward from the clouds toward him. Most flows around the bubble that Graghhh formed earlier and strikes the ground, but some breaks through, filling his lungs and almost knocking the gems out of his hand.

The teacher staggers away from Shadara and coughs out gusts of wind. He loses his balance and falls as sand pelts him.

As his coughing subsides, Quinten opens his eyes to look up at the clouds. They're moving slower, but not by much. I need to find a safer way to get rid of the wind so I can steal more of it.

The teacher stands, frowning in thought. I think I have an idea, but the burning in my lungs needs to subside before I can try it. Hopefully, the light will last long enough for Shadara and Mang to wound the storm demons.

The ground under the creatures erupts suddenly upward blowing house size chunks of stone into the air and spewing forth magma and burning away the mists. Several of the creatures are caught in the eruptsion and visible harden and shatter. Only 3 remain visible. One has arrows in it from shadara.

Graggh gives a shout and more bubble like apparations appear this time around 2 of the remaining creatures. They slowly "fall" to the earth as if bound by the bubbles.

The closest creature turns his flight towards you and with a dive attacks.

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The wind that the demon brings with it knocks Quinten back down as he tries to rise. The teacher rolls to the side, barely dodging the demon's claw as it passes. Before it can turn, Quinten breathes in and exhales a gust of wind that he hopes is strong enough to slam the creature into Mang's wall of stone.

Not waiting to see the result, Quinten stands and backs toward the blue snake. If you want me, come get me.

The coin in Quinten's left hand begins to warm. Behind him, Ismela's scales gleam with life as she looks at the sky, daring the storm to strike her down.

She rolls into a kneeling position not realizing that she has no arrow notched. Clearing her mind as she draws back the string, her focus wholly on the creature that just landed, she breaths in letting the power fill her. She breaths out with a roar letting go of the string and willing the power to leave with the arrow. To her utter amazement a blue arc of light, almost like a lightening bolt, leaves the bow, hitting the creature in the middle of its torso. On contact a concussive explosion knocks the creature off its feet and thru the air, landing in a heap ten feet further away.

The energy of the explosion was directed outward away from the group. Shadara could only tell they by the fact that the shockwave radiated in 180 degrees away from the group. She falls to a sitting position momentarily drained of energy and mind reeling from what she just did.

Gragggh howls at the wind in defiance and grasps his bows. WIth a wordless incantation green lashes out encircling the one shadara has just shot. It struggles for a moment but then appears to fall asleep or in a stupor. The suli-jahn tightens the collar of his cloak and gestures dramatically with a spherical motion of his hand. Warmth envelops each of you as he finishes his motions.

Shuriel... is that what you meant. It did take quite a bit out of me but I can feel my energy returning quickly

Yes, I am impressed little one. However, do not use it again as I need to train you in this. That was a large amount of energy to channel on your first try.

Shadara stands up and feels a warmth wrap around her. Was that you that wrapped me in a warm hug.

Shuriel responds, No, that was the suli, focus now the battle is drawing to a close.

Hearing the words Shadara sets herself, draws an arrow, and clears her mind as she sights in on the closer of the two creatures that have landed in front of them. Regulating her breathing she beings shooting at them again in a steady cadence.

As Quinten backs toward the snake, the demon he hoped would follow him hurls itself as Shadara. Of course, She's the biggest threat, so she's the primary target.

When she pierces the demon with a conjured arrow, the lightning becomes more frequent, and it is all directed toward her. But before it can strike, it is diverted off course toward Ismela. Lightning dances along the snake's body with each strike, then dissipates.

Inside Quinten's mind, Risnel speaks. You've got too much adrenaline pumping through you to notice this, but you're growing weaker. You need to redirect the lightning to help finish this fight quickly.

As Quinten registers the bard's words, Graghhh falls, exhausted, and the bubbles around the two demons vanish. The teacher smiles as a plan forms inside his head. When the coin warms in his hand, signaling that a strike is a fraction of a second away from Ismela, he asks her to vanish, then pictures her reappearing with her body long and low beyond one of the creatures. A few inches above the ground at her original position, the lightning bolt twists to reach her new location, passing through the demon. Then she reflects it, sending it through him a second time.

The teacher's smile widens. It worked! Let's hope that was enough to drop the creature.

The creature struck by lightning begins to smolder as the flames that ignited it dissipates. With a shriek one of the other creatures as well collapses into a helpless heap appearing dead. The third begins to struggle against the bubble it is enclosed in and breaks free. Mang and strong talon both attack as it attempts to take wing again. The attacks are successful as mang calls forth shards of rock to rip up into the demonoid. The rocks erupt through the wings of the creature rendering its flight null.
The suli begins to slowly hum to himself as his somatic gestures begin to make a descant of sorts to his tune.
Shadara is hit by a burst of sound from a fourth creature now apparent to sight. THis creature resembles a large scorpion frog mix. It fills its throat with air and "spits" the sound at Shadara.

Quinten directs two more lightning bolts into the smoldering creature to ensure it is dead. He tries to strike the body a third time, but the only bolts he sees are far beyond the battle, where Ismela can't grab them. The storm must know we're using its force against it. It'll only send lightning here when I can no longer manifest Ismela.

The wind has dissipated, and lightning no longer comes. For now, I'll have to fight using more traditional means.

When Quinten sees the new creature blast Shadara, the bronze circlet he wears darkens as he points at it. Scorpion, await your execution.

As he speaks, the teacher imagines that it is a Yellow Scorpion who stands before him, and wills its limbs to freeze.

If this works, Shadara should have little trouble dispatching the creature.

Character Creation:

20 point buy. No score lower than 8 after racial adjustments.

Races:
All standard races
all uncommon and featured races (except Dahmpir ----possibly negotiable , no drow or drow noble)

Build background for you character prior to his adventuring era by doing the following:
1)pick an Npc Class
2)take 1 level in that class
3)build character exactly as you would a “class” character.
4)Max hit points for the npc class
5)You must pick atleast one craft or profession skill

Using this as a starting point...tell me about your characters background before adventuring
then tie it in with how and why you became the “class” you are now.

+1 Skill point per level to be used in craft or profession from npc class

+1 skill point in any one knowledge skill which you must pick at first level and then may not be changed

STARTING GOLD
150 GP

one magic item (may include weapon/armor/etc) not to exceded 1000 gp BUT IT MUST BE TIED IN SECURELY with your background or I reserve the right to screw with it however I see fit. …..muwahahahahhahaha

We will start in one of the biggest cities in the area. Most likely you will be in this area for first level or so.

UNLESS you tie your stories together some way....you will not know each other.

i don't intend to post on Sundays for the most part and so you are not expected to post either

this means you are saying it outloud
This is when you are thinking it
[http.....} this when you are giving a pic or reference

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Perception_of_Understanding: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Dice of Awesomeness: 1d1001 + 1001 ⇒ (801) + 1001 = 1802

arnie / seth == is brand new to this so I was talking him through some of the process by phone while posting

No problem. I was just rolling my Dice of Awesomeness. As you can see, the results suggest that I am pretty awesome.

hmmm that would be completely true except you forgot to let the DM factor in the penalties for living so far away from him.

IE> 1802-18000 = move closer

He says while planning to move to SL...

I was gonna say, "Yeah, but you're fixing that for me," but I think Matt covered that.

Ha ha, Matt. You're a trox? That'll be an interesting combo for our group. A monkey man monk, a large, bestial druid. At least we've got a ninja with some Charisma.

How much level adjustment will that take?

Pretty sure it's the same CR as the other player races. An Orc with a whip would be able to do about as well as this guy and have the same reach.

With a burrow speed, one minute of what is essentially rage, and free access to improved grapple? An orc Barbarian with Whip Mastery (which requires bab +2 and weapon focus in the whip) and improved grapple could match the racial abilities of your trox. But he's still using medium weapons and has a ten foot bonus to land speed instead of a burrow speed.

But rather than argue the point, I just looked it up. I thought I had seen a high cr when I first saw it in bestiary 4 awhile ago, and I was right. It's a cr 2

Not that I have a problem playing with a monstrous creature, I just feel that level adjustment would definitely be appropriate.

Ya you're right, I forgot about the built in rage and was in the mind of what could do similar damage with the same reach. I went back to the stat page on it because of lingering doubt and it's CR2 like you said and I was going to come here to suggest the same thing.

I think the best way to adjust it without significantly altering anything is to do the same thing we did with my half-celestial wizard. Which was an XP debt.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm

So for this guy I would start out with 2000xp to pay.

so...... I have reviewed the trox and matts suggestion about xp debt but am going to say no. Matt I need another race for your toon.

I will be doing XP different from usual and I will be tracking it personally and telling you when to level and so forth. You will not know until you level that you are going to. Also with combat being so different and lengthy in PBP's It makes the adjustment or debt for xp much more difficult and imo useless for pbp.

Srry matt

seth....I took some liberties

SO A WORD ON FORMAT FOR THIS GAME.

Bold = for words expressed OUTLOUD so all can hear

Italics = for thoughts

Spoilers with names for things said that not everyone may know ... example {abyssal} then text ....those with abyssal could then read it.

comments on mechanics and such need to be placed in the discussion tab
in game play indicate this with an [ooc] followed by something like ??? or clarification. I will then know to look in the discussion tab for and clarify it there.

If any of us have things we want to verify or have considered
post a link so All can look at it. I will be doing this for additional information as it is needed for you all.

Realm works will have the most updated maps and lots of other information as you recieve and achieve it. Keep checking and SYNCH ing it.

AND
FInally let the fun begin.

Start anytime between now and friday. I do expect posts once a day starting friday but excluding sundays.

I also took liberties in assuming I could see the fire. I figured that there's only a few places for water there and a fire at night is visible for quite a distance. Is that alright?

Also, I'm still experimenting with how I'd like to handle formatting the things Jerram writes. Any thoughts or suggestions from anyone?

Sign language would probably be best in spoiler but not sure with the writing unless maybe both I and B to designate the difference and then smaller or just I for thoughts still

Or I could drop the NPC level and have to retake it first thing...

I have no idea what I will do for a race alternative, I got pretty attached to the idea so I will need time.

You could try an orc. You'd lose a few things, but all in all it'd be a minimal change. I think the background would still fit pretty well too. I'm sure there's at least one Druidic tribe of orcs.

I definitely intended to put sign language in spoilers.

As far as writing though, I thought of that, I might try that next time. One thing I do have going for me is that I prefer to write without my thoughts. So I almost never use [i]. However I was worried a straight italicized statement would just get lost in some of the din.

Chose to go with an Oread. The ability scores only differed by 1 point which was nice, I will miss the burrowing speed though... I will just have to wait for wild shape for that.

Matt where are you coming in from on the main map? Also why are you around 5th port?

I cant answer your perc til i know these

I have no idea what's going on and I don't know how to place myself in Realmworks, or even where I am supposed to be. I wasn't told what we were supposed to be doing.

I have no idea what's going on and I don't know how to place myself in Realmworks, or even where I am supposed to be. I wasn't told what we were supposed to be doing.

Just let me know where your character was coming from like beors pass...or other so i know which direction you are coming to 5th port from/

Also decide upon a reason you are coming to fifth port.

At that point I can work you in quickly

srry for confusion

I guess coming in from Tidal Sands makes sense given my story, that is a large desert right? I am coming to fifth port because my back story specifically mentions a quest to end the magical storms.

got it

Just want to make sure, was my intro a problem with where my background came out. Since Seth hasn't replied yet, I could write a new one of it is a problem.

it works fine. I am just waiting on seth and some others.

I made the assumption that the city was walled but I could not find anything supporting that? I have a way to recover from that assumption in game but wanted to ask first before proceeding any further.

the outsides are not walled for the most part. although there is a scattered rubble of old stones and roads and buildings that has been mushed and rumbled to gravel

However most of the buildings are made of stone so I could easily see what you were trying for if you were close enough to see buildings which i will leave up to you yes or no/

** spoiler omitted **

play it how you see. If i have a question i will query an explanation

Clarification of map / fifth port facing.

The area that you see is facing south. Meaning that when you enter the city you will be headed south.

I NEED TO KNOW WHICH SIDE OF THE MAP YOU ARE COMING IN FROM EAST OR WEST. This will help me make sure things are placed properly and thus dismissing my possible confusion.

I will be house sitting tonight until sometime tomorrow. I will not have access to Realm Until then so I will post tomorrow when I get home.

I made the assumption that the city was walled but I could not find anything supporting that? I have a way to recover from that assumption in game but wanted to ask first before proceeding any further.

No wall specifically seen there are areas where the rubble and or houses and building seem to almost form a wall. Roads seem to all converge to a certain area by the docks which is patrolled by guards.

Seth and Jeram -- this interaction for the most part is character to character no real need for me to get involved so far. Ill monitor if i need to add or insert info i will.

Shadara : a bluff would be what you wanted here. Bluff is verbal disguise while as disguise is for physical deception.

I took the liberty of rolling it for you with a mod due to the sense motive you already had.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

I need to be hearing from Pete and from Unk.
Thanks for staying on top of things guys. It makes my job so much easier and more pleasant. I can focus on story and not the other details.

I am glad that I am able to play/DM again. Its been a long time

By the way, has anyone else noticed how terribly in trouble we are?

Monk
Ranger
Ranger
Ninja
Druid

4 martial type characters, and a magic character built more for martial activity than casting (14 Wis).

Not saying it's something we need to fix (or even can at this point), but it'll definitely create a challenge for us.

I need to be hearing from Pete and from Unk.

Thanks for staying on top of things guys. It makes my job so much easier and more pleasant. I can focus on story and not the other details.

I am glad that I am able to play/DM again. Its been a long time

And thank you! I'm glad to be playing again.

I would happily play a psion telepath. ;P

I need to be hearing from Pete and from Unk.

Thanks for staying on top of things guys. It makes my job so much easier and more pleasant. I can focus on story and not the other details.

I am glad that I am able to play/DM again. Its been a long time

Ok thanks I was not thinking for some reason. Also I also say thank you for DM'ing again. I have missed this.

Ok I am going to say this because I think that people may be a little confused. If I get punished for a meta-game then so be it. Mang and Unk: if you are trying to tie your role-play off of my part of the story you may have an issue. I am not in the city and I am not coming at it from the eastern side. With the size of the city, if you are in the city you would not be able to see or hear me at all.

If you are commenting on a completely different set of circumstances then I do apologize. It reads to me that the last comments you posted are in direct correlation to what my character is doing.

Not trying to upset anyone but just wanted to make sure that you were reacting to the correct situational information.

There is no confusion on my part, I was placed into your scenario in a previous GM update.

My apologies. I was not reading any updates that were for other players that were hidden.

Clarification from ooc

I did not realize that i had placed Matt in the scene already. I have found a way to remedy this that fits with something I wanted to introduce later with Matt's toon. I will just intro it here and find away to make it easier to identify in the future. Thanks for discussing it and helping me catch my mistake.

Chris, make sure you are reading all of the posts since your last posting. This should make it so you are only responding to the situation that you would be in. I know that this can be confusing because one of the advantages of a PBP is that I can run several storylines consecutively. Makes it good for me not so clear all the time to my players.

Tim, in coding, is there a way that I could designate a color of text? This may help me make things clearer in the future.

Clarification from ooc

I did not realize that i had placed Matt in the scene already. I have found a way to remedy this that fits with something I wanted to introduce later with Matt's toon. I will just intro it here and find away to make it easier to identify in the future. Thanks for discussing it and helping me catch my mistake.

Chris, make sure you are reading all of the posts since your last posting. This should make it so you are only responding to the situation that you would be in. I know that this can be confusing because one of the advantages of a PBP is that I can run several storylines consecutively. Makes it good for me not so clear all the time to my players.

Tim, in coding, is there a way that I could designate a color of text? This may help me make things clearer in the future.

I will check and get back to you after a little testing.