Tal Bernard Mainz |
Wow, go grocery shopping and have supper and 12 posts later, I like it.
Tal looks up from his mental preparations as the door is opened. There before him is a spiked devil. Sure that this is some trap set by his opponents Tal puts his hand on his longsword ready for anything. When the devil moves aside and reveals Lady Chammandy Drovenge Tal doesn't know how to respond at first. Still keeping his guard up he listens politely to the woman. When she is finished he responds cautiously, Yes my lady. I am known by Drovalid to most people now. I figure I might as well embrace the persona as long as it benefits me and mine. As for the incident in the play, Tal looks at pollux pointedly, yes the rot grubs and the aftermath still bother me. There are many things I can handle in life as long as there is a sword in my hand a shield strapped to the other. Willingly placing a burrowing parasite that explodes the brain for the pleasure of a crowd is not one of them. I have need of releasing some tension that defeating some simple devil in the play could not fulfill. I am hoping this summoning contest that Rance has set up will provide that outlet now and possibly in the future as well.
Tal mentions the demons part to bolster himself and his friends and also to see if the spiked devil laughs.
If you are here for the show then I am hoping you are placing bets on me. If not here for the show then what may we do for you at this time. We are about ready to go 'on stage' again and little time to bandy words with such a lady as yourself.
Caldazar |
Caldazar still needs to level
The close bearded once was cross-dresser remains relatively quiet and reserved as discussions flow between Lady Drovenge and their sacrificial tin can man. A slight smile does cross his face as he remembers when recently their paths crossed another of house Drovenge... and his small part in seeing a noble cast down. A nascent chuckle is quelled though as he also remembers those companions of the time that were no longer with them.
Strangely to the devotee of Milani he feels the loss of the fanatic in service of the Rough Beast more keenly... at least Meraxilar could be relied upon to act in a manner in keeping with his deity. He did not trust the Sarenran, and though Tal had shed blood beside him he felt no depth of kinship. As for Pollux... the less said the better, though Caldazar coughed as unbidden a peculiar taste of cloves began to well up within his mouth.
Tired and rough eyes regarded the spectacle that would unfold and he merely sighed "Peace Tal, your blade will drink deep soon enough... save your voice for the adulation that might follow your victory" a taste of scorn finding it's way onto one word spoken before deadpanning "If you perform well enough Krona may bless you with another kiss."
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Glad to have you back Caldazar. We missed you. Just keep those lips away from Tal.
Tal winces at the mention of the kiss but concedes the point to Caldazar. Taking his hand from the blade and crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, he waits to see what the lady wants to talk about. Thanks Caldazar for putting me in my place. However It wont by 'might follow the victory' though. And I will never need nor want your lips that close to me ever again.
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Sense motive on what exactly made her turn cold? 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Never mind
Tal returns his attention to the lady and smiles at her. Your not going to tell our competition are you? Tal remembers the rebuke from Caldazar and wipes the smile off his face and tries to be a bit more contrite. Sorry, I jest. I am afraid I never was good at the social graces as Caldazar just reminded me yet again.
To answer your question though it is quite simple. I have face lemurs before in the play and found them lacking. This gives me great confidence already. Second, I trust my companions abilities explicitly to counter whatever is thrown our way. Last, is the nuances of the combat itself. Our opponent is not allowed to target me directly with his offensive spells. This means that should I find myself outmatched I simply have to survive the creature before me as it is summoned and will not last that long. I trust my armor and shield to protect me enough to outlast his spells. Any other questions Lady Chammandy?
TarkXT |
"You plan to outlast them? Sounds boring really, and not as effective as it sounds. The old wizard practically floods the arena with far more hulking and dangerous versions of what you fought in the play. This si not a paid priest meant to put on a show, he relishes victory, savors it. Addicted to it. So if he has to run you over to do it. He will." Tapping an unfolded fan underneath her chin for a moment thoughtfully she adds. "You may stand a chance though, if you are careful and cut them down quickly before you are overwhelmed. We shall see. I look forward to seeing your performance."
And with that she turns to leave.
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Thank you for your words of wisdom my Lady. If what you say is true about him flooding the arena then I will have the glorious fight that I seek. Do not fear for if they are lemurs and the carnage will be great indeed. I shall wade into the fray with blade gleaming and bathe it in the demons blood. I will try to give them the show they so crave if I feel the combat is well enough in hand. Is there anything specific that I could do in the arena that would give you the excitement that you seek today?
My tactics earlier were if they summoned much more formidable. Believe me, I want the crowd to have their fill. Otherwise this whole 'show' is for naught. Perhaps, if I would be so bold as to look for you in the crowd, I will take my cue from you as to how the performance is going.
That is about as much as Tal is going to concede to the Lady at this time. Find out what she wants from the 'show' and try to appease her. Anything else isn't much of an option right now.
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Tal sighs as he hears Caldazar. I understand what you are saying and wish it were that easy Caldazar. Yet we both know that we are bound to please the nobles and the city in order to get anywhere. I know you disagree as that is your path that you follow. To me it is easier to cater to the wants of a select few in order to further our goals than to fight everyone all of the time. If we were to do that then by the time we a finished the would be nothing left of Westcrown but ourselves. That is not what I thought our goal was. I thought it was to free Westcrown from the terror of the night. That is the reason we are here. Not to plea the public or cater to the nobility but to gain access to a statue that we hope will answer the questions we seek about Delvehaven.
At this point Tal gets a bit heated, If you think that my means are deceitful, well too bad. I am looking at the larger picture here and doing my best to keep our heads above water and not drown in the politics of this place. I have not the training nor patience as the rest of you so I am doing things the only way I know how...with my blade and shield to further our cause. If you have better ideas than put words to it instead of critiquing mine.
Caldazar |
Flatly and in level tone "You showboat in the arena... your opponent may very well kill you. You focus, and do what needs be done without pandering to the bloodthirsty bastards in the crowd... that gives you the best chance of walking out of here. Don't underestimate what you may need to face in there."
Pollux |
... we are bound to please the nobles ...
Pollux pulls himself to his full insignificant height and declares in a regal manner: "We have been bound to please nobles before."
Pollux wraps his arms round himself turning his coat into a gaberdine straitjacket.
"We are bound now but to a different pleasure." he seems to be having some difficulty with the coat.
"I wonder if they will notice the difference?"
With a mighty tug Pollux frees one arm, overbalances and falls down.
"Hmmm the city seems to have been turned on its end. I wonder if it is happier now?"
Barring events Pollux will take a short nap. He will dream of absolutely nothing.
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Tal smiles to Caldazar in agreement. I will be completely focused on the coming combat rest assured. I will not be taking anything for granted. It won't be until I know the extent of the opponents abilities that I would even try to attempt anything to please the crowd. As for pleasing the crowd, the reason I was saying those thing to Lady Chammandy because that she was here for a reason. What that reason is I do not know but I want to find out. Ifit means catering to her if its possible during he fight I will do so. Above all else though will be my safety and the success of our fight. Only then will we get to the statue to continue our mission.
Tal watches Pollux tangle himself and then fall to the ground. Hoping he hasn't been knocked unconscious just prior to the bout Tal rights Pollux. Pollux, wake up, we need you here shortly. Pollux?
Uh a little help here guys.
TarkXT |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
omg I found the text I think I'm about to cry. NO, alcohol has little to do with this.
After about a half an hour of waiting you are fetched by a devildrome official and marched towards the top of the arena, a grand domed cage with spikes facing inwards on all the bars, another means for bloodshed. The dome is perfect save two long barred tubes that run from the top for the summoners to take their place in the arena. Tal is led through a side entrance where he is told to wait by cage his friends will be in until the champion finishes casting his first summon spell.
When you see the champion you are taken aback. As he climbs down the ladder to loud cheers and applause the wizard you expected looks like an actual brawny gladiator oiled up adn clad in leather and belts meant more to make him look good than offer solid protection. His gleaming skin is tempered with what appears to be shards of granite adhering to his skin.
Rance stands in the center upraising still slick with gore from the nights previous battles and announces the fight.
"Esteemed Ladies and Noble Gentleman! Tonight we present to you our main event! In the east corner! The reigning champion! The caller of hell! The caller of the mindless damned! MANTRITHOR THRAX!"
Upon the calling of his name the gladiator wizard raises his arms uplifting an oversized silver goblet. The crowd goes wild at his wild smile.
"AAAAAAAannnnnddddd in the west corner! Straight from the bloody stages of the nightshade theater! Here! For you! Tonight! To challenge our champion! THE! SIX! FOLD! SURVIVORS! OF LARAZOOOOODDDD!!!"
Whether or not a function of your familiarity or the sheer excitement Rance puts into the announcement of your challenge you are met with thunderous applause not unlike that which you encountered very recently udner different circumstances.
"Champion! Are you ready!"
Thrax nods.
"Challengers! Are you ready!?"
Tal nods.
"THEN DUELISTS! CALL FORTH YOUR HERAAALLLLLDDSS!!"
Thrax begins casting immediately and as instructed the group in the cage and Tal wait for his summon to finish.
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
13.6
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 Caldazar
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Trevor
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Pollux
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Tal
16
Good guys first!
You can reach through the cage and touch a target adjacent to it. You can offer advice with a DC10 charisma check to give either a +1 dodge bonus to AC ora +1 attack bonus.
Trevor Culexis |
Trevor provides the following blessings upon Tal before the battle starts
Remove Fear +4 Vs. fear (10 minutes)
Tear them apart Tale, best chew through them before they can surround and wear you down.
Charisma for +1 attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
He then blesses Tal's weapon with Bless Weapon Auto confirm crits against evil and can penatrate DR
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Without any foes yet in the pit Tal stays by his comrades to gain another round of blessings and aid from them. Turning to the crowd he panders to them since there is nothing else to do. Feast your eys on Drovalid, torturer and survivor of the six trials. Surely nothing that this cretin can bring forth is worse then the hell I was brought through. I, with my companions, have succeeded where none have before and we will slaughter our foes this day and stand triumphant on their bloody remains.
Tal drinks his potion of enlarge doubling his size as clashes his sword on his shield, crouching low in anticipation, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Pollux |
Pollux nibbles on a twice baked biscuit.
Castor glares at him.
Pollux hands castor a grape.
1.Distance from our cage to platform?
2.Does the platform block LOS/LOE?
3.What is the penalty for violating he rules by directly attacking a summons?
4. Would castor delivering a touch spell should Tal foolishly move out of range violate the rules?
5. If we can see Mantrithor "the Rock" Thrax can the monkey ID the exact spell? spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
And just to get it out of the way. Taking 10 on Kn. planes to Id whatever the blockhead brings to the party. Knowledge planes total +23. Readying reach rod. {Hey that's an alliterative innuendo! Hey I just found Pollux's porn name!}
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Thanks for the heads up on the map. Tal will keep his round 1 actions though to get the enlarge and next round of buffs if possible.
Pollux |
...Tal drinks his potion of enlarge doubling his size as clashes his sword on his shield, crouching low in anticipation, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Yea! The tin man unfolds! Now eight can surround you at once!"
{Assuming most generous (for tal) placement with his center on the down-right corner of -c-11 and assuming the corners of the cage block the up and down left most squares means 8 attackers max 4 of whom (the top and bottom pairs) flank. Gutsy move Tal.}{Thaks for the note re: map Trevor. I missed it}
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Oh Tal isn't going to stay put. Next round he is moving up to lay the smack down. He just wanted the reach first and another round of buffs. I fully expect Tal to get surrounded so he can use cleave. That is the plan anyways. I just want to stay within 30 ft of you guys for any short ranged spells you guys might have.
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Computer is being funky tonight and not showing me the map.
Tal nods his head and runs over to the other side of the dome not wanting to waste any more time of the buffs from Trevor. If not able to run then he will double move as far to the opponent as he can get.
Thanks for the buffs Trevor. Will try to put them to good use.
TarkXT |
You, them's lemures alright. Big, beefy lemures. There was no mention of a "Penalty" associated with attacking the summons. However you imagine that it would involve a match loss and a certain amount of disgrace.
As Tal rushes in to face the horde it suddenly more than doubles as the champion finishes his summon and casts another spell over the horde and witha barked command the lurching horde rushes Tal Provoking an AoO from him
And suddenly the confident warrior finds himself surrounded and being clawed up.
1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 20 Lemure 2
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 9 Lemure 4
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14 LEmure 3
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 16 Lemure 5
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 24 LEmre 1
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Looks like Tal takes 6 damage
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Tal smiles as the lemures hurry forward to their end as his longsword flashes in the arena. Their approach allows Tal to use his long reach to attack them before they an even get close to himself. Tal is overly anxious and the blade flies over the lemure's head to no avail. Surprisingly one of the nasty creatures managed to find a way past his shield and armor to rake across the little exposed flesh that there was. It was not a major wound but it brought him to attention immediately.
AOO 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 13 +1 is from Trevor aid and bless, does Tal get a further +1 for high ground?
Damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 6 = 15
Gathering himself Tal strikes at the 2 lemures between himself and his allies hoping that he can clear the way as Trevor recommends. Not wanting to leave himself vulnerable he guards himself as he attacks.
First attack on #2 with cleave and combat expertise and power attack 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 29 for 2d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 + 4 = 21 auto crit confirm for 2d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 + 4 = 17
Cleave attack on #4 with combat expertise 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 28 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15 auto crit confirm for 2d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 6 + 4 = 20
In a cloud of viscera and flying bits of gore that may even reach the crowd the demons disappear as quickly as they came.
With 2 of the demons behind him destroyed Tal moves back to within 30 ft as Trevor requests provoking as he does so yet raising the sword high acknowledging the crowd around him.
AC 24 still due to cleave, enlarge, and combat expertise. Can I just say wow thanks for the auto crit Trevor. Of course if 38 and 35 damage do not kill lemures we might be in trouble.
Tal Bernard Mainz |
Thanks i had to read it twice to make sure I coded it right since I copy and pasted the attacks. I wanted to make sure that I didn't forget the 'd' on the d20.
Pollux |
{Psst Tal. Attacks look off. +10 base, +1aid, +1 bless -2 Power -2 expertise, enlarge person is a net +0 to hit=+8 I think you missed where Cbt Ex scales like Power Attack. Not that it matters right now, unless i am missing something, which is likely.}
Round 2.
Castor having found a pair of knucklebones attempts to start a floating craps game. His entrepreneurial spirit is stymied by overreaching government regulation and the lack of pips on the remains.
{no further actions your honor}
Tal Bernard Mainz |
I have the trait threatening defender which reduces the penalty for combat expertise by 1. I thought I had it right... 5+5+1+1+1-1-1-2 (str, bab, enh, bless, aid, large, expertise, power attack) 9 for aided attacks and 8 for unaided attacks. Or am I still missing something?
i am hoping that since the 'down with throne' is small that means he whispered it. If not we are going to need another cleric.
Tal Bernard Mainz |
They hire the kicking of halflings so their feet don't have to touch them.