DM Grey's page

Yeah, but that's what being a GM is all about. ^_^

Sorry about no update, lunch was short today. Busy, busy, busy. Will update gameplay when I can this afternoon.

CR 3.

Correct. Campre is supposed to be dead and the woman was supposed to escape.

Slayer and Ranger have more skills than warlock and would provide a boost to combat. Nobody has as many skill points as rogue.

The man sits up with some assistance and scoots to sit nearer to Zadok. "I'll tell you everything I can, but please remain calm."

Rubbing his greying beard while looking around at everyone. His lips curve in a hint of a smile. "Five lovely women without a stitch and me carved to within an inch of my life. Less Katapesh and more Nidal don't you think." winking at Jacqueline and beginning to laugh.

"Ohhh Midnight Lord that hurts.... Right, Abandon your Tears. Breathe and focus. Breathe and focus." Sitting up a bit straighter he begins again. "I am Campre Linweigh, orderly at Briarstone Asylum. Hospital for the troubled in Thrushmoor, county Versex of the Immortal Principality." Looking at each of you carefully, "Wherever you think you are, or were, I assure you that you are here. This is no prison. Or place of horror. If you placed yourself here, or were place here, it is because you are unwell and someone cared about you. That's where the magic comes in" turning to Laufey "No coven or witches. Just doctor Červeňák. A wizard who helps calm the most troubled patients."

To Liane, "The Mistress? The Mistress of Madness. The Mother of Monsters. The b&&!& goddess that for now I'm blaming all this on. There are no guards or passwords here. There wasn't any need for any. We cared for those who had lost themselves due to tragedy or need help overcoming some mental abnormality."

"It started with the nightmares a few days ago. Patients screaming in their beds. Suddenly dying. The all of a sudden they went mad. Painted themselves in yellow and turn on us and one another." chocking back a sob. "People started changing, staff and patients both. Eating each other, taking other appearances. They were eating..." Campre stabs a finger into one of the larger cuts, gasping for breath. "Abandon your Tears."

Looking at everyone with slight alarm. "As I think about it. I don't know any of you, and the hospital is not that large."

I don't know. The first adventure says a entity you worked for, a bad guy, and that you where sent to the Asylum as its agents/sacrifice, and that more will be revealed later, but not much more than that. So, your DM is almost as much in the dark about the mysterious mystery as you. ;)

Also, gah you guys are fast! We're moving right along here. ^_^

"As long as you don't hurt her it ought to." The man on the table puts in. "Magical sleep. Short of slapping or hitting her, she should be out for a minute or two." He breathes shallowly, wincing from numerous wounds. We use it all the time.

Struggling meaningfully against his bonds, "With the Mistress taking the place over though, I wouldn't recommend dawdling. Please, get me off of this."

Thanks for the suggestion. Don't hesitate to make others.

And thank you everyone for your descriptive posts. It makes things much more interesting, and pushes me to improve there too.

Round 2

The woman flails at the eagle, whose sharp beak tears into her, "Get out of my head! This is all wrong!" before collapsing into unconsciousness as Liane's spell takes hold.

Jacqueline is stable and the X unconscious. Laufey still has a standard action to use and Liane & Li haven't acted yet. Laufey, none of the implements on the table are meant to be used as weapons and so have the improvised weapon penalty. Additionally, their nature means they only do 1d2 damage. If you are looking for a more damaging option, you could trying using the smaller table itself. It isn't bolted down or anything.

Please declaire actions for Round 2 and Round 3.

Round 3

map

The woman flinches back and goes slightly pale as Li's blast hits her.

From the more isolated cell comes the groan of iron being stretched and bent. As Laufey's rage builds, the bars bend enough to all someone to squeeze through.

And the two spellcasters chanting continues.

Round 2
Laufy and Zadok can now squeeze out of their cell. Zadok and Laine's spells will also come into effect this round.

Fifteen, unfortunately making a DD check without thief's tools increases the DC by 10. Your check would have made it otherwise. Unless you roll a 20, it is impossible to open. I didn't realize this until checking the skill after your roll.[/ooc]

Okay, things took an unexpected turn here. Bars provide cover from attacks. NPC can only reach the first row of squares in a cell and would have to unlock the doors to get at any of you. Likewise you can reach any of the squares in front of you, but not the tables.

Agitated by the moans, shouts, and general commotion, the woman wheels on those making the most noise. In a stern voice, "Quiet! All of you pipe down. You will all have your turn soon enough.

Jacqueline's aim is surprisingly good. The sharpened trowel gashing the woman's face. Her expression twists with insane fury, and something more. Her features warp until a perfect copy of the white-haired woman stands before you. Ignoring the patch of frost Li's strike left on the cell bars, she looks at the silver blade, "This is unacceptable. Residents are not permitted to have weapons. Give it to me!"

The false Jacqueline reaches through the bars, suddenly clawed hands digging deep into the magus' sword arm. Wrenching as though trying to tear the offending limb off, she slams Jacqueline's head into the cell's bars, releasing her as unconsciousness causes the offending blade to wink out of existence.

Jacqueline takes 13 damage from the claws and is now dying. Please make constitution checks to stabilize. And please don't die!

Initiative order is:

Li
Zadok
Laufey
Laine
X
Jacqueline (Unconcious)
Fifteen

Jacqueline and X have acted in this round, everyone else still has actions to declare. Wasn't expecting combat to happen so soon.

No fingertip lockpicks yet Fifteen.

Laufey, your quick look doesn't show any weaknesses. You don't have time to take 20 at the moment with combat happening.

Heh. Kinda funny that DM Grey used to be part of the Kingmaker PbP I'm currently playing through. Just realized that while I was perusing through his aliases.

And a game that I'm applying for with Loup Blanc as the GM has him playing in the Savage World XCOM game I'm also playing through.

Ain't Paizo small :P

Indeed. I was wondering if/when you'd notice that. ;)

I think the map link should work and be editable by everyone, but let me know if there are any issues.

A few tatters wave as the spell impacts, but little else.

Looking at the woman sitting on the ground, the monster tilts its head slightly. Stabbing down, it leaves the blade embedded in her skull. Turning to face the tattooed woman, it speaks a single word. "Wake.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Map

You wake lying in a grimy cell, the damp stone uncomfortably chill. Your equipment, even your clothes, are gone. You are naked and alone, except for one of the people you recognize from the dream.

Sturdy bars separate you from the main room. "Wake up, damn you!" A man lies strapped to a table in the center, shouting at you and the other cells. His body is a mess of oozing lines. An unsettlingly thin figure in a bloodstained doctor's coat circles the table casually.

From a smaller table, she picks a blade that looks like it came from a pruning shear. One of a dozen makeshift implements. As you watch, she makes another shallow cut across his chest. Drawing forth a scream of frustration and pain.

Neither womens' attacks touch the creature. Their attacks going wide from fear and injury.

Reaching out for the cold woman, it gives her a kiss, and tears her face away when it draws back. It utters its first sound, "Mooo"

Jacquiline and Li are down.

The roiling cloud plunges down the other path. Eddies of fog continue to follow you, but at a much slower pace.

Your pursuer emerges fully from the mist. Each step is deliberate, but it continues to gain on you. Head turning toward the talkative woman, it reaches for her and her companion, tearing bloody furrows in their backs.

Jacqueline takes 8 damage and Zadok 9. Zadok is staggered

Tatterman

The alley walls sag, battered brick slumping over the path, nearly blotting out the bruised twilight sky. Again the grimy cobblestone path splits. This time one route curves uphill, while the other recklessly descends. Behind, the yellow fog and the relentless sound of pursuit grow closer.

Two withered claws reach out for the warrior, and tear her throat out in a spray of blood.

Laufey is gone. Choose a path or fight.

Icy what you did there. ^_^

Apologies everyone, connection issues at work. Paizo kept timing out when I tried to post. First gameplay is up, and since the reception was Thursday not Saturday like I originally thought, I'll be on this weekend.

You may notice the gameplay post is a bit different than what you might have been expecting. Don't worry, it's all part of the story and I can lay all the blame and credit on Mr. Schneider for writing the adventure this way. ;)

Your heart is pounding. You are running. Fleeing.

You recognize the city, maybe. Maybe it's the mist that's making everything look strange. It's all around. A wall of sickly yellow fog, tumbling through the alley’s canyon of crumbling, gray brick walls like some jaundiced flash flood. Ahead, the unfamiliar alley splits, curving to the left and right. Behind, from the silent swell of mist, emanates the sound of footsteps—slow, but somehow keeping pace with the careening, hungry wave.

Roll for iniative and declare your first action. You have all your equipment.

Just dotting in to get in the habit of posting in the evening. Votes seem to be for starting ASAP. Laufey, Fifteen, and Samy; once you guys report in and ready. We'll start. If you can do that before 9am-ish central time tomorrow morning, that will be when first game play post goes up.

Laufey: I'd allow it, but not for trading out the first level power. That'd give you the rage powers of a 4th level barbarian right out the gate. 4th level on, absolutely. Either of those trait/drawback combinations is fine by me.

Li: I think the different drawbacks would work. I'm thinking when in Vigilante mode her shadow sort of drains into her hands to form the mystic bolts. What traits were you thinking of taking?

It looks like everyone's crunch is just about settled. So, just a few more things. When would we like to start? We could probably start tomorrow morning if that's doable for everyone, or wait until monday. Either works for me, but I probably will be gone for the weekend at a reception.

Also, what content are is everyone comfortable with? By default, I tend towards Game of Thrones-ish territory, though no Ramsey/Reek scenes. That is, if the ghouls get you it will be messy, bodies in an open grave may be naked, and evil cultist's victims are usually not tied to an alter looking like they wandered in from a Maybelline ad. If that alright with everyone?

Short lunch today, but quick answers. No Samy, drawback neither required nor recommended, just allowed if you are interested. About into the wind... not sure.

Zadok, yep, that'd be fine.

Li, stats look good. Let me think about the different drawbacks.

Laufey The way I usually treat knowledge skills is that each character gets different information based on their own class/skills/background. A fighter is more likely to know if a creature has DR, while a wizard will first get information on spell-like abilities. This helps encourage non-skill monkey/high-int characters to take knowledge. Lore works the same way, but more or less with a +5 bonus built in. So there would be overlap, but there would be a definite advantages in getting the lore(witchcraft) skill. Depending on how many ranks you put it, it might also provide a circumstance bonus to use magic device/spellcraft checks on witch based items/spells.

Pride seems fitting, though it wouldn't be much of a drawback to her. I'm guessing you're looking at Berserker of the Society? Hmm, potent benefit for not much loss. Let me think about it.

Li Might I suggest the Empty Mask drawback instead? I think it would be fitting for a vigilante who doesn't remember who they are, but has two identities. Also prevent duplication. within the party.

Samy Name changes are fine, and other details too. I prefer something like this:

(Race) HP: 10/10 | AC: 19 (11 Tch, 18 Fl) | CMB: +1, CMD: 12 | F: +4, R: +1, W: +4 | Init: +5 | Perc: +7

(Class) Speed 30ft (40ft unarmored) | Spells: 1st 2+1/2+1 | Active conditions: None.

These are the numbers I'll need to refer to most often, and it's nice to be able to take in the state of the party at a glance. Particularly if there are any conditions.

Doomkitten Indeed. -_^

Alright everyone!

Please finish up crunch and alias, and report in here. Once everyone is ready, we'll decide when to start gameplay.

The bell tolls for the witch's daughter,
The bell tolls Fifteen.

The bell tolls for the forgotten,
The bell tolls one and many.

The bell tolls for love lost,
The bell tolls true and false

Purely for fun

As the last of the day withers in darkness, let us read the list of the lost. May all the gods have mercy on their souls...

Laufey Gemshrike
Fifteen
Chania Paros
Zadok
Li Huli Jin
Jacqueline Artorias

Thank you all for applying and apologies for not being able to run another game to fit more in. I know some of you have applied to Tom's game as well, and hopefully another GM will swing by to drag the rest away.

Recruitment is CLOSED! No new submissions will be considered, but feel free to keep updating/changing things if you've already posted something more than 'dot'

Theophilus: Sounds good then and thanks for the important items.

Seth: Yep ;)

Monsieur: Thanks for the reminder.

Doomkitten: Still, as of this typing, 4 hours to go-ish. You're fine. Kensai and mindblade are kosher.

Varis: Thanks for the text. I'll evaluate both.

Zayne: Thanks.

Jayson: That seems reasonable, but I'm not too up on Shamans. If it is a problem we revisit it.

Almagafor: A truly evil character, of the Iron Duke no less. Interesting.

Avid: Cunning Caster is fine, as is Alienist. It's okay if he, initially, doesn't believe he is responsible for the summons appearing, but no punching other party members. Thank you for the list!

Laufey: Thank you for improving Avid's list. This is why I didn't give a set recruitment time and announced closing so quickly. There's already plenty to choose from, and probably will be someone before this evening.

Quick update before sleep. Since we have a good number of interesting submissions already, I'm going to close recruitment Monday evening at 6pm central time. I'll announce selection Tuesday.

To answer the posting questions, I'm not looking for people in any particular time zones. I figure I'll post before clocking in at work, player's posts will trickle in throughout the day, then post again after clocking out. Players will post throughout the evening/night/morning etc. Apologies if it sounded as though you need to be in a US timezone or post as specific times.

Pale King: Concept is fine. Occult classes won't have any issues. Just so you know, your character would not remember growing up. They would, in essence, be a child in an adult body in addition to the new powers.

Nutcase: Thanks for the additional information. I'm going to stick with regular classes though.

Grymm: Mind telling me a bit more about her?

Howard Lovecraft: Tell me about him.

Li: Vigilante (Warlock) sounds okay. I'm not up to speed on the Vigilante class, so please don't make anything unbalanced.

@Kamenhero: Oracle works fine too.

Zayne: Yes, Gunslinger is fine. Feeling out the backstory is okay too. In that case though, tell me a bit about yourself and your play style?

Azih: Thanks for the complete Peyton.

Bilbo: I usually have reservations about character with mental attributes less than 10, but it looks like you've put some thought into it. Thanks for the submmission.

Loup: I'd allow Foul Brand, but have it altered to be a Mythos sign. Reflavored Forbidden Knowledge is kosher. Hard and fast rule is your characters remember nothing about the last several years. Before that, you remember vague generalities, such as being a soldier but not what nation/employer you worked for, or isolate specifics, such as the layout and class schedule of the University of Lepidstadt but not what you did there.

Dorian: Concept is okay, as long as the character is functional and doesn't disrupt the party. Eccentric and unhinged is okay, raving mad is not.

Manny: Similar to above, as long as it does not disrupt the party, go for it.

Thurl: Purchase starting equipment as usual, so I know what you want your character to have, you will have opportunities to recover some of it throughout the asylum. Let me know if there is anything piece of starting equipment particularly important to your character.

Xelaaredn: I'm giving tentative approval, but might change my mind later if it looks to be a problem. Mind shooting me the text in a pm?

JDPhipps: Concept sounds interesting. I'd say he knows he's dead, but doesn't remember dying.

Ephiril: Nice use of the tables. Mind giving the text for those results?

Varis: It might matter, but submission looks good.

It's currently dumping and power just flickered, so if you don't hear anything just assume I'm swimming. ;)

Appreciate the interest everyone.

@Nutcase: All paizo races available, No generic classes, I'm just not familiar enough with them to feel comfortable. No templates. Drawbacks will be allowed on a case by case basis. I'm not the biggest fan of them, but this is a campaign where they make a lot of sense.

@Mannygoblin: Igor types welcome.

@Professor: Starting wealth will be standard, but you will initially start out with nothing. You may find all of your starting gear, but don't count on it. If there is anything in your character's possessions that is deeply important to them, let me know.

@Kamen: After thinking about it, I'm not comfortable with a cultist of Yog Sothoth as I don't know what role it might have in the campaign. I'd be open to a cultist of Azathoth though. That one isn't involved in the campaign and wouldn't notice/care what you did. Even has the sun domain like Sarenrae. If the The Primal Chaos isn't to your taste, either of the other concepts sound good.

@Nikolaus Android could be interesting, go for it. I don't think there will be many/any cybernetics available in the campaign as written, though that could be adjusted. As the archetype doesn't apply until 5th level we'll have a while to play before it becomes an issue.

@kamenhero25 I haven't had a chance to look through Horror Adventures yet, so I'll withhold judgement until then.

@bigrig107 no gestalt.

Everyone Yes, background skills.

Also two traits, one must be campaign.

The stars are right.

This is a recruitment thread for the latest adventure path. If you are reading this, I assume you find the prospect of Lovecraftian horror mixed with Pathfinder heroics appealing. If you're not sure, I recommend the Strange Aeons Player's Guide. In fact, even if you are sure, I recommend you read it; because this campaign is a little different. Why you might ask, well if you'd read the guide you'd know, but just to make sure we are all on the same page. Your character doesn't know who they are.

The only memories that remain are but vague hints and gut feelings—hardly clear recollections. A PC may recall only bits of an early childhood in a merchant family, while another might remember being born in Oppara, but nothing else.

So, keep this in mind when making your character. Although they had a past that led them here, neither they nor anyone else knows what that past is, yet. There are; however, three things that do remain with you. A feeling of kinship with your fellow amnesiacs, a vague sense of servitude, and a dread feeling of dark deeds committed.

For character creation and playing, I refer you to the excellent DoomHeroes' Guide to Play By Post gaming and Painlord's Advanced Play-by-Post Play. Please review these even if you are familiar with them.

Recruitment is open from now until I have a group of candidates I like. 24 hour notice will be given before closing and all characters will be considered equally. From the one submitted two minutes from posting this because you've been dying to play and have your spiritualist fully stated out, to the rough sketch submitted at the deadline because you only just saw the thread.

Even though your character doesn't know who they are, you do. Give me some idea of who that is, but don't worry about writing a three page essay. If it turns out the character you had in mind and the character who ends up existing in the game don't quite match, that's fine.

If you have a question about your submission, feel free to ask.

I give no preference to alias vs post submissions.

Player count will be between 3-6.

Thanks for taking a look and let's how long our minds last.

Hello everyone,

I would be happy to run another group through the Beginner Box adventure. I'm about to leave the office, and will have the new recruitment thread up tonight or tomorrow.

Important!
This will be a Play-By-Post game. Meaning that it will be conducted here on the paizo forum via messageboard posts. I will explain more of what this means in the recruitment thread.

Also, we will be using the simplified rules presented in the Beginner Box. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything, I would highly recommend using one of the pregenerated characters presented in the beginner box.

That being said, hello and welcome!

I'd be happy to.

The two other patrons and the barkeep more toward Torvald at the mention of healing. One, a full-blooded Varisian by looks, raises an arm that slowly drips blood. "My flame is just fine, but I'd rather keep it on the inside all the same. A moment later he cocks his head, You serve the Dawnflower?

Torvald, the two remaining townfolk with knives and the barkeep are moderately injured. You don't notice anyone else in the immediate area. The guy who you saved has left the area.

The barkeep, his task handled by Kent, turns to answer Tsakua's question. The Vinders live above their store. It's in the main part of town. Just go down the hill and... the directions are simple enough and it doesn't sound to be very far.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Mary proceeds towards the main square in front of the cathedral, she spots Joy and the older woman moving in the same direction. The grandmother holds the girl tight to her, but keeps one hand free, fingers making the small unconscious motions of a spellcaster who is keyed up.

Thanks Tsakua.

The trip was pretty spectacular.

Tsakua, unconscious and dying. Dead very soon.

You don't notice anything else coming from the gate area. A group of townfolk carrying a collection of knives and other handy weapons joins you and the two smiths. While a couple a wincing, there is much back-slapping and hearty congratulations. Most is directed at Kent and Torvald, but a fair amount comes your way. One fellow with a heavy wooden mallet readies his tool above the goblin corpses. Looking at you, he asks, "What happened over there? nodding towards the wagon that is cheerfully turning into a bonfire.

While several goblin-size figures can be seen running about. They all seem to be children. There don't seem to be any shouts or screams that would indicate anyone being attacked.

Seems you won't have to choose. Critical fumble = backswing = attack hits self instead of target.

It power-attacked itself with a pole-arm. How, I have no idea.

Everyone, combat is now over! Well-done!

The goblin steps forward and, in a moment almost too absurd to be true, the goblin swings mightily and... embeds the glaive-like weapon in its own skull. As the blood swells from the wound, it falls, spitting curses with its last breathe at the being who slew a beloved companion.

Hmm, hadn't thought about that one. If you can avoid the AoO, then a full-run would get you to safety.

Hope it doesn't seem like I'm trying to dictate your actions for you. That really isn't my intent.

*Edit. Ah, alrighty then. Let's see who Desna favors.

Just so you know, full withdraw only moves you back 60ft. The goblin has a speed of 30ft, so it can charge-attack you if you do. Even if the rest of the party runs 4x and you withdraw 60ft. They will still be 120ft away, which is a full run, flat-footed, no attack round.

It may still be your best option, but a lot of people forget that goblins move as fast as people. Mary would know this, both from seeing the goblins and from her knowledge check, and I didn't want to trip you up by accident.

@Mary, As the rest of the group is a two rounds away from you, feel free to post the next round's actions as well. You are ~300ft away, so the fastest they could reach you is 2/3 rounds.

Also, I appreciate Mary's dilemma. Yay it worked! Oh crap.

As its mount collapses, the goblin screams in rage, swinging wildly with both hands. The crude blade cuts deep into Mary's side.

Goblin x: Uninjured
??: Unconcious
Human ?: Injured
Mary: 11hp - 8hp = 3hp

I live!

Thank you for your patience everyone. You're a understanding group of players. I am now settled into the Dallas area, which is absurdly large, along with the rest of Texas. Seriously people, we have stone roads five layers high soaring up into the air. That's just silly. My poor GPS has a nervous breakdown everytime we come to a interchange.

I begin work officially tomorrow, which is also today, which also marks our return to regularly scheduled gameplay. I will be posting in the night/evening, and in the mornings when possible/applicable, though no promises on that one. Until the schedule really shakes down I just don't know how mornings are going to be. We'll just have to see.

As for my silence, I feel you all deserve an explanation. I was swimming and hiking and using Einstein's method of relativity traveling. That is to say I took a very a long time to reach Texas because I hit up sundry relations between here and the northwest. I also enjoyed beautiful Yosemite and various other natural features of awe-inspiring and distracting beauty.

All that is over and done with for the moment though and I am firmly rooted once more in the realm of internet. Promise.

Concerning round 5. All the goblins except for Mary's mounted one are taken care of. She is a few hundred feet away from the rest of you, so it will take a few rounds to get to her. The mounted goblin is currently in melee with Mary.

Round 5

Torvald's shout ends in a burst of flame that envelopes the three goblins. One ducks behind the wheezing one, who has the bad fortune to look up at just the wrong moment, but it doesn't matter. All fall to the ground, overwhelmed by the fire.

Kent approaches the bodies. The unfortunate one seems to have expired, but the other two haven't quite passed into the Boneyard yet.

From stage left, Tsakua rushes forward to meet the blacksmith at the bodies.

Off towards the north gate, an echoing crack reverberates through the town.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The temperamental weapon works this time. A cloud of smoke shrouds the goblin before being dispersed by the breeze.

Goblin and mount spin around wildly as something buzzes viciously past their ears. The animal cringing down for a moment before rushing forward at the urging of its master. Teeth and blade fail to draw blood, though the rat-dog gets close enough to tear a sleeve.

Goblin x: Uninjured
??: Uninjured
Human ?: Injured
Mary: Uninjured

Round 4

The dying man drops clasps hands to his throat, trying desperately to stem the flow. Suddenly a warm glow envelopes him, and the fountain of blood stops.

Enraged two of the goblins slash at Torvald. One manages a minor slice, but the other doesn't come close, to consumed by frustration.

Kent's feet slide on the slick ground, but manage to find enough purchase to power a solid blow that claims another goblin.

The barkeep brings his mallet down on the goblin's head, early a decent cut in the process, but crushing his opponents skull.

The two other knife fighters make room for their friend to fall back while moving forward to bleed the goblins still standing.

Seeing themselves alone, the remaining three goblins, one bent over and struggling for breathe, move backwards toward the stage, where an open area has formed as people have managed to flee the scene.

Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Staggered: Withdrawing
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Injured: Withdrawing
Goblin: Injured: Withdrawing
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin x : Unconscious
Kent: 5hp
Torvald: 13 - 2 = 11hp
Townfolk: Injured
Townfolk: Injured
Townfolk: Uninjured
Barkeep: Iinjured
Spell Effect: Grease

------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Mary tries to ready her weapon again, events continue.

As the lone goblin tries to back away looking pathetic, the old woman stalks forward speaking sharply before thrusting out her hand to produce a overwhelming burst of light and color. The goblin keels over in thrashing spasms. The woman grimly pulls out a small fishing knife and moves closer.

The mounted goblin runs the whimpering dog through, as it's mount lunges forward to clamp down on a ruffle clad arm.

Joy: Badly injured Injured
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Dead
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin x: Uninjured
??: Uninjured
Human ?: Injured
Dog: Unconscious
Old woman: Injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the bodies start to blacken and the scent of burning meat rises into the evening sky, Tsakua looks around the formerly peaceful festival.

As quickly as things started, they seem to be dying down. A few furred bodies lie motionless on the ground. Here and there people help those injured or in a few cases cradle unmoving bodies. The man who was at the podium when this all started rushes from one person to the next. Sometimes immediately moving on, other times, especially with those unmoving, stretching forth a hand that glows with blue and white light.

Quite a few goblin bodies lie strewn about. A lean fellow bends down over one to pull a couple knifes from the corpse, after stabbing down hard to be sure.

The only remaining pocket of activity seems to be directly across from the podium. A knot of men contend with several goblins. As one of them staggers back, another limps over to bathe him in a warm glow like evening fire.

Tsakua: 9hp

I agree! And thank you, the effort you guys make in bring your characters to life is making this really enjoyable.

I will be saying goodbye to the Cascades tomorrow, so no post friday evening or saturday, probably. I'll be able to update Sunday and possibly Monday morning, then it's off to the Oregon coast. Probably be back Wednesday. Thursday begins the great migration to that hot and humid... I'd call it a hole but it's too flat for that. ^_^

I have no idea when I'll be able to post or how long it will take. I might update everyday, or you may not hear from me for about a week. I really don't know.

Hopefully we can get combat finished before then and into a situation where everyone is able to meet and socialize. That's my goal anyway.

Yes, just waiting for Kent.

Torvald Ragnir wrote:

If you have debt from school, also don't be afraid to live cheaply for a year or two and use the money you save to pay down that debt. Doubling or tripling your payments for a couple of years can save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run. 35-year-old you will appreciate today-you's sacrifice. This also lets you get a better feel for the city to decide where you'd really like to live.

Ditto this. Living within your means is one of the best things you can do, no matter what your circumstances.

Definitely. This should be pretty easy as I'm used to frugal student mode and don't have a family to worry about. Plan is to be debt free within the first year. It'll be tight, but I'm lucky enough to have finished with a single small loan and a minimum of other debts.

Thanks for the advice on housing Torvald. Thus far my only criteria for housing have been cost and closeness to campus. I don't really know what I'd actually enjoy in a place.

From what I read of Texas, you might want to be careful there if you are anything but a white man. But aside from that, you should be fine.

As a someone who looks like a prospective member of the Hitler Youth, I should be fine. ;)

Round 3

A chain shirt is fine against human foes, but the goblin blades strike below Kent's armor, carving into flesh once, then twice, again as he rushes toward the goblin holding itself back from the fray.

His fist strikes true however, dropping the goblin from it's perch. It will sing no more.

The other bar patrons don't fare as well. The nimble goblins dive under their knives while retaliating with their own. One of the pair who dispatched a goblin just moments before recieves a shallow slice on his arm. His companion is not so lucky, blood fountains from his throat as goblin blade gives him a second smile. He will be dead in seconds.

The barkeep's mallet has more success knocking back one of the goblins facing him and Torvald. None of the creatures pay much attention to the smith. The glowing man and sharp knives demand their attention.

Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Staggered
Goblin: Injured
Goblin: Uninjured
Goblin: Uninjured
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Uninjured
Goblin x : Unconscious
Kent: 17 - 8 = 9 + 7 - 4 = 12 - 7 = 5hp
Torvald: Uninjured
Townfolk: Injured
Townfolk: Injured: Bleeding
Townfolk: Uninjured
Barkeep: Uninjured
Spell Effect: Grease

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Watching Tsakua cave in the helpless goblin's chest. The fire-throwing goblin pauses a moment on the burning logs. The building flames don't seem to bother it, but the two dead goblins does. Leaping off the wagon, away from the half-orc, it flees east. Toward the narrow ledge between cathedral and cliff that leads to the cemetery.

The fourth goblin, the one Tsakua struck first, is nowhere to be seen.

With immediate threat gone, Banny's attention focuses on his rescuer. No. Not really, but we'll do. Right now we need to find Katrine's family and make sure they're alright. Then I need to make sure the bastards aren't trying to burn down the mill.

He holds out a delicate looking, but calloused hand, the other remains tightly around his girl, before heading in the direction of Ven's stall. Thank you. If I can do something for you, just let me know.

Goblin: Staggered (Whereabouts unknown)
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Dead
Goblin x : Injured (Fleeing)
Banny: Injured
Katrine: Injured
Tsakua: 15 - 2 = 13 - 4 = 9hp

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Mary's musket rises and steads on the goblins. The hammer falls with a burst of sparks... and nothing. The two goblin's races on headless of another shouting voice in all the din.

As their toy cowers behind the old human, the goblins gleefully change their focus. As the first lunges forward with its knife, the sorceress's hand darts forward, swift and light as a bird. Lightning races up the goblin's arm and the scent of burned flesh fills the air. Wisps of steam or smoke rise from the corpse as it falls.

The other goblin draws a little blood, but quickly backs away eying its comrade. It's ears droop and the maniacal grin turns apologetic.

The mounted goblin embeds it's blade in the dog's chest. Leaving it to shuffle back to its master whimpering.

Joy: Badly injured Injured
Goblin: Unconscious
Goblin: Dead
Goblin: Uninjured
Goblin x: Uninjured
??: Uninjured
Human ?: Uninjured
Dog: Badly Injured
Old woman: Injured