Anarath Coldblood's page

Arctaris, I might not get a chance to post again for a couple of days (my internet access is pretty sporadic on weekends).

In the interest of keeping things moving along at a reasonable pace, here is what Anarath intends to do in the coming rounds (feel free to use these in your descriptions if I’m holding things up by not posting).

Current round: got initiative 1 as described. Is attempting to cast Mage Armour on self, and spot attackers (but probably fails) – on this note, I have Low Light Vision if this helps (any light from the camp fire or moon?)

Round 2: (I presume we’re using the same initiative round to round?) Will continue trying to spot attackers (spot check 8+4 = 12). If he does spot them he will cast Cause Fear on the nearest (Will Save DC 14). If he doesn’t spot anything, he will attempt to hide (untrained: 3+2 = 5)

Round 3: Spot 10+4 = 14 if required. Cause Fear as above if not already cast. Otherwise, ready bow as above.

Round 4: Use bow against enemies not in melee combat if possible.

I notice that you’re posting on the game thread, if it gets to my action before I have to log off I’ll post there. If these rounds have not passed by the next time I post too, I’ll re-post any necessary information into the campaign thread.

Aubrey, I would be ok with the suggestion you made in the game thread – re Arctaris “NPCing” things during action sequences if we can’t respond within 24 hours or so. I wonder if it would be worth us outlining “basic” strategies for our characters in this thread to deal with such situations. For example, “typical” Anarath:

Round One: Cast Mage Armour or defensive spell or action
Round Two: Cast offensive spell – Cause Fear, Disrupt Undead, Acid Splash as appropriate
Round Three: Attack with bow if appropriate or aid companions

Obviously this isn’t going to work in every case, but it might give Arctaris something to go by.

At the hiss and whiz of bolts through the air, Anarath’s eyes snap open. He freezes for a moment in confusion, before rolling away from the dying embers of the fire, trying to extract himself from his bedroll, his fingers already beginning to move in the practised manner of spellcasting. He scans the darkness desperately for the hidden attackers, but his eyes had caught the glow of the fire when he awoke and he is momentarily blinded. Midnight squawks, and with a rush of wings, drops down from the overhead bough to join his master.

(technical: Initiative: 3 – rolled a one, doh! Spot: 5 – another one, dear lord!
On his turn Anarath will cast Mage Armour on himself, sharing the spell with Midnight).

EDIT: oh, if I need a concentration check for spellcasting this round, I get a 16 - not a one this time thankfully!)

Guys, any objection to watch order being Anarath, Dohrlok, Corvin, Gawlak, Greis?

Ten hour rest period, 2 hrs watch each, and with the arcane casters on first and last watch they get their 8 hours rest for purposes of spellcasting.

Am i correct in presuming that clerics dont need that 8 hours rest?

Anarath glances at Corvin, eyebrow raised.

Quickly scoffing down some of his largely tasteless trail rations, Anarath then settles in for his turn at watch, preparing to wake Dohrlok after a couple of hours should his watch proceed uneventfully, then try to get a solid eight hours reverie himself.

I've moved this thread to the new Play-by-Post Discussion forum and retitled it so it'll be easier to find as new discussion threads get posted.

Cool! Thankyou Gary.

Anarath had been largely silent on the walk through the woods, looking around and occasionally back behind them, sometimes commenting on something that caught his fancy to Midnight.

As night approaches, and Greis and the others begin making camp, Anarath spits out the purple berry he had been chewing at for the past half hour, and begins making his own preperations.

He has little expertise at making camp, but is happy to help if someone wants to tell him what to do. He settles himself down on a fallen log, thick with a pale white shelf fungi and picks somewhat despondantly at the cover of his spellbook. "No need to change the selection I suppose," he whispers softly to himself.

Looking around at the lengthening shadows, he suddenly picks up the thread of an earlier conversation. "Watch. Yes, good idea, who knows what is lurking amongst these trees? I don't mind first watch - singles or pairs?"

My theory was this. Horrible thing mauls us all to near death, The last survivors run to a sturdy door and throw ourselves into the room to escape the horror following us. We have pitons to hammer the door shut. Wait--who had the hammer! AAAAHHHHH!

TPK.

You've been watching horror movies, havent you?

;-)

I like the rational though

Ok, I’m going offline shortly.

If things progress before I next get a chance to post, Anarath will advocate negotiation if the group encounters the architect – try to find out as much about the manor as possible, and get those blueprints!

Whilst it might make sense for someone else to use diplomacy, bluff or intimidate to talk to the man, Anarath can try “talking architecture” with him, to try to elicit a response. Knowledge, Architecture check roll: 18, if applicable.

So buying things:

Well likely once everyone chips in their advice we grab one hammer each, one waterskin each, all the pitons, both crowbars, and the backpack. If anyone else has anything to add, that's my thoughts. What's that come to?

Assuming standard phb prices that would be 5sp each for hammers, 1gp each for waterskins, 1sp each for pitons, 2gp each for crowbars, 2gp for the backpack.

Really, a hammer each? What did you have in mind? Anarath won't want to take one.

He has a waterskin, probably wont pick up another.
Pitons, agreed, crowbars agreed (but again, he doesn't want to carry one) - after all we don't seem to have a lock pick expert!

So Anarath will chip in 2gp for a crowbar, and 2sp for two pitons.

Fellow gamers, should we establish a marching order or anything?

Whilst on the forest path, Anarath tends to hang back towards the rear of the group, keeping an eye out into the woods to either side, and occasionally glancing behind him.

"spot roll" would be 14 assuming he is taking ten.

Once their transactions there are complete, the group at the smithy makes their way across the road to the temple, where they join the two dwarves and discover that the clerics there know little of Segwin.

“Well,” says Anarath, shading his eyes and gazing up at the sky. “Did anyone else have any business to attend to in this village? If not, perhaps we should set out towards the manor, before the hour grows too late.”

I'm not sure. Dohrlok's been around, just being laconic I think. Not sure that we've heard from Gawlak in a couple of days.

Well, if its ok, I'll assume we move onto the temple...

Oh and Arctaris, I think you have your threads mixed up...

don't worry, as others can attest to I've been confused all day...

Hey Arctaris. I take your last post to mean that we can move onto the temple of Pelor any time now?

Is it ok with you if we finish up any purchases OOC on this thread, when the others get back on line?

All, Anarath is willing to contribute up to 5gp for purchases that he can be convinced will help the group. Examples include rope (if someone else carries it) and additional lamp oil.

as much as Anarath and Greis are OBVIOUSLY enjoying the shopping trip!

As Anarath had suspected, Greis does speak Draconic. That could come in handy.

Back at the smithy, Anarath fidgets uncomfortably, waiting for Corvin to scour the shelves and tell them what is needed. He's got what he needed, and does not wish to weigh himself down with more gear - but if there is something that Corvin believes the party absolutely needs he will contribute funds if required.

He glances out the doorway, trying to catch a glimpse of the small temple to Pelor.

Well now we're in sync...but out of character...

Darn! You spotted that. I thought I deleted it in time!

I (think) Ive deleted it and reposted as Anarath.

*sigh*

probably my fault. I was trying to move things along, so I said that Anarath will finish up at the smithy and go to find Gries at the tavern - somehow I got there before you! ;-)

I suppose these things will happen from time to time, I think we're all sorted now. We're leaving the tavern, Dohrlok has probably given up on us and made his way to the temple by now, and I'm not sure where Gawlak is.

I'm very much enjoying the roleplaying, but eager to get moving on the quest at hand as well.

Anarath nods curtly. "Agreed. Dorhlok has indicated he needs no more equipment, Corvin seems content with what he's got and I've told you what I have." He turns to the wiry fighter. "Anything else we need Corvin? We can discuss it on the way out." He glances slyly at Greis. "I think our friend is eager to get going..."

Anarath turns and heads to join Greis at the doorway, mentally filing away the fact that Greis has personally employed the warrior. "We may need to cosy up to one of the dwarves for personal protection Midnight," he mutters in Draconic to the bird, before glancing at Greis again.

Ok, Im done now.

Sorry I got out of synch...

"... perhaps it would make sense to review what equipment we have - and what we need. Corvin, as the expert in adventuring," he nods briefly in the warrior's direction, " can advise on what we lack.

I, for starters, have food for several days, a full waterskin, a lantern with oil for a day or so ... and a few other trinkets. I do not have any rope, mirrors, outrageously long poles or such."

While you're sitting down, Im going to post again while we're all together (I think) in the tavern...

"Greis! Before you leave again..."

Sorry Grimcleaver, we're out of sync. I didn't mean to get to the tavern ahead of you!

or give a synopsis of my earlier speech while you were leaving again!

Was there something strange going on here, or had Greis just been delayed on his way to the tavern?

Ripples in the space-time ... no. Obviously Greis was simply delayed.

Anarath looks away for a moment. "Well, enchanted tavern girls aside ... you missed my speech Greis. I think we ought to seek out the mad architect you told us about earlier. He may be the key. Any idea where we could find him? Do you think its worth enquiring ... here? Or perhaps elsewhere in town."

heh

It's cool Eldritch Shiny man ;-)

I just thought it was Corvin being snarky!

My fault for spelling it wrong myself in an earlier post anyway.

So, we gonna get this show on the road? Start making tracks?

"Wait - Dohrlok... before you go. There is something I think we should discuss before we leave, if we are all here now... None of the others who explored the Manor have returned,” states Anarath. “What do we have that they didn’t? What’s our edge?

I’m smart – but not that smart – and I know some Art. Dohrlok, you seem disciplined and tough. Greis is confident and knows some Art too. Corvin looks like he’d be deadly capable in a fight. Gawlak has the gods (or at least one of them) on his side.

So we’re the typical band of novice adventurers. I ask again, what’s our edge? Why will we survive where others … haven’t.

"A suggestion if I may. Greis has told us of Segwin, the mad architect. I suggest we seek him out, try to get these blueprints, find out what he knows of the place. Some of you are good at talking, good with people. I’m not – exactly – but I know a thing or two about architecture. I studied it before …” he trails off and stares into space for a moment, “a long time ago. Maybe I can help get him talking. That can be our edge. Now, how do we find him?”

Headless.

Yep, it was pre 3.5, I think about 2001 or so (but can't remember the issue number). I think James Jacobs may have written the adventure?

Anarath blinks in surprise. "Yes," he states. "I hadn't realised we were sharing. But at least this way we shall be doubly prepared ... for sudden famines, which I imagine will be the least of our worries. As for the matter of money," he smiles sardonically, "there's supposed to be plenty of THAT at the manor."

The raven, Midnight, lets out a squawk which sounds suspiciously like an incredulous laugh.

"Now Corvin, did Greis come in here? He was looking for you. He sounded ... frustrated?"

Anarath has prepared:
0 level: Disrupt Undead
Read Magic
Detect Magic
Acid Splash

1st level: Cause Fear
Mage Armour
Grease

Note he gets an extra bonus necromancy spell at each level due to his specialty.

Once he's finished his purchases he heads to the tavern.

Anarath stares after Greis in puzzlement, a delicate eyebrow raised. Curious. What did the boy expect of a man such as Corvin? From Anarath’s (admittedly limited) experience with these rough warrior types they were usually well enough prepared, and typically looking for something warming to drink. The lad was obviously used to having things his own way.

“Well, I suppose I shall stay for the importance of gathering supplies – my own at any rate,” he stated, perhaps to the bemused smithy, perhaps to himself.

“Good fellow, I shall have a pint of oil and …. Two days worth of trail rations if I may.” He turns to see if his remaining companions still remain. “And you two dwarves?”

Anarath was fast coming to the realisation that this seemed to be a rather … individualistic group.

Anarath has 20gp to spend (but is wise enough not to advertise the fact). He will not haggle if the prices seem within the realm of reasonable.

Indeed!

Well I'm going offline shortly. In the interest of moving things along when the rest of you guys get a chance to post, if we're buying goods Anarath will purchase a pint of lamp oil and two days trail rations - shouldn't have any problems with affording that.

He'll generally leave the question asking to others, but if its not covered by anyne else (or the answers not supplied by Greis), he would like an inquiry made about possible survivers as mentioned in the other thread, and also what is known (if anything) about creatures inhabiting the manor or the region in general.

Oh Arctaris, should we send you daily list of prepared spells via email, or just post that info here?

heh, so I can stop asking you questions you don't know the answers to!

So, where's everyone else been all day? (Or is it all night for everyone else?)

Out of interest, where in the world is everyone posting from? I'm in Sydney Australia, its about 6pm for me at the moment.

Anarath does not answer Greis, but returns his slight bow. He really had been more flustered by that human child than he cared to let on – even to the point where he’d forgotten what the guard had said not a moment before.

Well, to the smithy then, to buy supplies and to ask what is known of the Manor – then perhaps to the tavern afterwards, to ask of any recent groups who attempted to brave the Manor’s dangers.

“We’ll be the only ones to have done so….” He whispers to himself as he walks. Death holds little fear for him, but it would be foolish indeed to throw one’s life away needlessly. Best be prepared as possible. Besides, there are things worse than death.

If and when the time comes to ask questions of previous adventurers to the Manor, Anarath will want to know what, if anything was ever found of them. Did they disappear without a trace? Were bodies discovered in the Manor environs? Has anyone ever made it back to town only to die in a later foray, or from some delayed effect?

Anarath stares at the child, clearly somewhat unnerved by this bold young human. He glances sideways to his companions, but sees no immediate help forthcoming from those quarters.

“It is alright” he half mumbles to the mother, “he is very young.”

He then crouches down to eye level with the child. “Yes, I am a wizard and I am an elf. I shall not tell you what happened to me, it would be better if the years of innocent youth continued in you. The bird is Midnight – be careful, she bites.”

He then stands and faces the mother again, not quite looking her in the eye. “Mother of the bold child, can you tell us where we may find a shop that sells supplies for travellers? Travel rations, rope, lanterns, things of that nature?”

(diplomacy roll 3 if such a roll is required!)

Once we’re in town, Anarath’s primary concern is finding information about the Manor – and in particular if anyone has any ideas on what killed the previous explorers, or what creatures (if any) have been seen in the area. However, as he is not the most personable fellow he is happy for others to take the lead in regards to information gathering.

He may also stock up on supplies – another pint of lamp oil and another two days rations perhaps.

Oh...well then make mine an owl named Alabaster. Grants a +2 to Move Silently and low-light vision.

Hmmm, I was fairly sure an owl granted +3 to spot checks in low lighting conditions or some such. Unless perhaps there's a change I'm not aware of!

Alabaster and Midnight, I like it.

Anarath glances quickly at Greis … interesting … before internally shrugging. The boy had been around, presumably he knew what he was doing.

Anarath leaves his hands in plain view, leaning slightly on his staff, but otherwise unarmed.

As the small band of travellers draw nearer to the town walls, Anarath takes leave of his halting conversation with Greis, and slows his pace so that he falls towards the back of the group. He knows that diplomacy is not his strong point, and knows that there are others in the group who will probably negotiate better with the guards than he - perhaps Greis, who seems personable and has after all been here before.

Anarath will give his name and business if asked directly, but would prefer to leave the talking to others.

He does peer carefully at the town's defences from under his fringe, noting the number and armourment of the guards, and the sturdiness (or otherwise) of the walls.

(Spot check roll 18 including modifiers. Knowledge, Architecture and Engineering roll 15 for review of walls, gate and physical defences)

Anarath hurries away from the two dwarves, nods quickly, nervously as he passes the armor-clad human, and draws level with Greis.

“Greis … isn’t it? It seems you know more than some of us about yonder manor house. What can you tell us? Is it something specific you seek there?”

He brushes the hair from his eyes and glances at Greis.

I enjoyed reading everyone's character backgrounds and descriptions - and it's good to get started! I was worried that I'd miss a lot over the weekend ...

Arctaris, I found the character sheet for Anarath at www.dndadventures.com

Silent until now, the strange looking elf mutters something to the large raven sitting atop his shoulder.

After a moment, he shrugs, glances askew at those adventurers still left standing in the clearing. "Knowledge is power after all," he states, and begins to head along the trail towards the village, after the two humans.

"It seems we have new travelling companions Midnight."

The raven squawks.