Until 31 Oct, DrivthruRPG.com is doing it's Trick or Treat thing, which means if you find a pumpkin on their site, you get a free book. If anyone is interested, here are the places to look and the books.
There is the nWoD core book, Ripper, Little Fears, oWoD New World Order, and two more I forget off hand. Check "Contact US", "Free Stuff", "My Library", the actual "Halloween banner", "Reviews",
"Hottest New Items", and the "FAQ". Most need to scroll down to the bottum.
"Come now, no need for cruelty. Even if the Goblin says that he may leadeth us as such, we can't risk it. T'is too possible that it would be an ambush, concidering this bunch is well organized and uses tactics. And if It truely hath any affection for this Pretty Lady, it certainly wouldn't lead us to her."
"I may be of some assistance in that, should you cast the figment spell upon me, I would be able to captivate them for a time, letting the others move into a position of ideal circumstance and strike with fury."
"We should be on the move though, either way. The longer we standeth here, the more likely another "patrol" is to stumbleth upon us in the planning."
@Emyralda (side talk while we are waiting, not a secret, I just do not want to distract from the combat):
Soth-Loren asks Lady Emyralda to walk to the side for a moment (when we are not in a combat situation). He seems a little ore perturbed and unsure of himself with wat he is about to ask, like he is unsure how to say something. "I have, there is a dispatch I needeth to send to a people like unto your people. It is, . . . 'tis import. If thou where to send a letter from the field, how wouldst thou do so, milady? How can I know she shall recieve it?"
Walking to Emyralda, Soth-Loren places a hand on her shoulder as if to pull her away for a moment. Whispering, "We should learn as much as we may from the beast. How many more Goblins hold lair? Who and what is this "pretty lady"? What defenses are in place?"
Prepairing to cast a spell, Soth-Loren stops and looks about a moment before trying to touch and release the little fox. I'll instead burn a Channel Energy, to heal everyone, and maybe one of the Goblins isn't actually fully dead, just down and out.
2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6
As he does that, he will also do a quick scan of the area, just lookig for any other threats or anything out of the ordinary.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Whispering to the others as he passes, "We needeth to keep one alive this time fr questioning."
I will just double move (60ft) to close with it, (if I can reach) and draw my blade on the way. I'm not attacking, just getting as close as I can. "Surender, fiend, and we shalt let thee live."
I'd still like to try a Detect Magic scan. If they are 60 ft away, even with a waterfall blocking sight, all I might be able to sense is the presence or absence of magic in the area (60ft cone), not what is actually radiating it, what school, or anything like that. But, if I can not, no worries.
Something else I try to do and have players do is to link an uncommon spell to the SRD or some other source we can quickly read.
I tend to prefere that people make a roll, post it, then edit their post and base their other flavor and responces on how the actual roll turns out.
Side note, the Paizo Dice roller is terrible. I have seen an entire 5 man group all roll a Nat in, in a row, and I have nevr seen so many very low numbers in my life. It loves "rolling" 1-5. Loves it.
"It soundeth as though thou hast a good raport with the other temples of this city. Perhaps, with the understanding of the loss of the other High Priests so recently, and the difficulties thou hast, we might speak with them and work out some sort of deal on thy behalf. Would yo allow this, milady? I was meaning to travel to the Temple dedicated to Abadar, anyhoe, milady. I'd be happy to discuss this with them. Certainly in their wisdom, they would be understanding, and possibly even willing to offer thee aid.
Out of curiosity, was any sort of raising of the High priests attempted, and if not why?. . . If I may ask?"
Taking her head into his shoulder, Soth-Loren both attempt to tend to her tears as well as begin to walk her towards a more secluded area of the temple, lest others see and become even more disheartened at the state of affairs here. "Be strong, milady. These people look to thee to hold them up, and you must find a greeater power, a true faith within thee to banish these dark tidings and rise, both thyself and all those that dependeth upon thee up. Thou sayest that thee are unworthy, unprepared for the task that is lain at thy feet. . ."
"I say that thou hast a more noble spirit that this, and that thy potentual is still blossoming just as thy Dawnflower bloometh in great glory and specticle for all other to see. Though I followeth her not, though my lord doth count her as a trusted ally, so shall we account thee an ally and one to be aided as we are able. I would be happy to find out why this has transpired and to prevent it from doing so again. Thou say it was a poison, sent by a sort of needle? Perhaps we could begin there. That, to me, rings of a professional assassin, and certainly can not be a common instrument in these parts.
"And that must not be allowed to come about, mistress. Hath anyone made any attempts at thee? Any sort of threat or indication that thou art in danger? Has the temple any enemies?
Might I ask, who hath stopped attending? Anyone of note, or is it more the common man, fearful of rumor-mongering?"
I’m Jenya, the acting high priest. What may I do for you today?"
Taking a knee in reverence, both towards the locate as well as the person, "Hail, mistress. I am Sir Soth-Loren, son of Brightblade and recently arrived at thy modest city. I come with the intent of prayer and of the tithing, but would also seek thy wisdom in order to help thee."
Once bidden to rise, "And milday, the brave Emyralda. She does also seek to aid thee. We where made to understand that there have been two murders recently. Targetting those of authority in this sanctuary. We, would like to help, if thou wouldst allow it, mistress."
Emyralda replies with a smile, hooking her arm through his as they head down the street.
Soth-Loren almost jumps in embarrasment at the show of affection, obviously unused to such a beautiful woman being so personal with him, stammering, "I, . . .um. Wha,... what if people see. I, do not, . . " as he looks about and noticing that no one really seems to mind, though a few are obviously smirking at his almost youthful innocence.
"I was thinking of petitioning at the temple, I might also inquire after these high priest's murders. Lady Emyralda, wouldst thou be interested in these matters of faith? I would be honoured at they graceful company, as well as Darian's if he should wish. I agree that library research will likely take a significant portion of the day."
"Although they should not attack as such, there is something behind them that is holding them together."
"This was our belief as well. Hast thou heard of any clues what might be directing them? Or even where they might be based out off?"
DM Cobalt wrote:
"As for other matters, I will ask the Gernerals if they have need for your group, and when. Here in Cauldron, you have powerful patrons who would support such groups as yourself. Give me your names, and I'll put out the word for you."
"That would be splended of thee, my friend. I am Sir Soth-loren, son of Janos Brightblade from the Empire of Taldor"
Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10.
"Perhaps this" sliding over 10 gp from the money we just recieved,"shalt aid in the putting out of our names, mifriend. . ."
DM Cobalt wrote:
He forwns slightly as a thought crosses his mind. "Many things happen here in Cauldron. Folk sometimes go missing, and the Temple of Sarenrae has had the last two High Preists murdered mysteriously. General Azrinae would like to get to the bottom of those two things, as much as General Golbez would like to solve the problem of the goblin attacks."
Turing towards Darian, but speaking aloud towards everyone, "That seemeth a perfect task for us."
"A pleasure, Mr. Estaban. One wonders if though knowest of any other tasks in need of the doing? My companions and I", motioning towards Darian and Lady Emyralda, "are ready to be of service to those in need of such a service."
"Milady, thou art of course welcome, and I'm certain we shalt enjoy thine company. Perhaps, later, Darian might help to train us at a bit of swordplay?", with a nod toards the man.
"T'is was a pleasure to meet thee, but I feel the time to retire for the evening has come. If thou wouldst excuse me, I am going to head to my room. Till the morn."
I might like to go to either the temple of Abadar or Sarenrae, and obviously avoid Iomedae at all costs. I'm interested mostly in inquiring about any help they might need and making a donation/tithe. I don't mind exploring the city in character or just saying we turned in the ears an got paid. I would however, like to rest before we do so, and honestly I'm not particularly sure what we are doing here anymore. I'm going to look trogh the campaign notes and check the map. :)
I am assuming that we entered through the West Gate? Do we have any idea where to go to turn in the ears? Also, what is the 5-sided building across the street from the D.L. Inn (14)? In the sense of, what would we have seen as we enter the inn and believe it might be.
"You say someone or something is directing the goblins? Did you see any sign of who or what it could be? Did the goblins bear any kind of distinctive markings or... I don't know... heraldry, for lack of a better word?"
I'm partially making things up and partially guessing. I don't know for sure that someone was controlling the goblins and I'm not sure there are any more goblins to kill, honestly.
"No heraldic markings nor blasphemous symbols that I can recall, milady. It was more akin to the facts that they seems both organized and unorganized at the same time, if that maketh any sense. Whilst their overall methods of attack where undiscplined, and I might even say more barbaric than a goblinoid aught to be, they held an ambush with great precision, and awaited our advancement with boulder, primal magic, and archer at the ready. T'is almost if it it where coordinated with such mastery as to only appeare as savage. Thanfully, Heaven's wrath was with us and cultured might was there to save Ze,. . . the caravan's peoples."
"I would avoid underestimating their ambition and cruelties,friend. Someone, with some mind for tactic and skill at marshelling doth direct them, and we knoweth not what numbers or capture
d arms they may hold."
"May the dangers be few, and the rewards many, though I doubteth that shall be the case. In our last enounter, they rode wolfish creatures, and had many warriors amongst them, though they faught wthout honor, nor with any sense of nobility or tactic. They seem to desire weak opponents over true battle."
"Shuffling the cards with a skill that you might have though not possible for one of her age, she lays out three columns of three cards each. "The first column is the past, the second is the near present, and the last is the future. The cards will show things both good and bad, although some will not give a meaning that can be read."
Gran turns over the first column, revealing the Peacock, the Desert, and the Lair. "The first two cards are unclear, but the last warns of a love at its most treacherous. Some love in the past, either yours or another's, will work mischief upon you."
Her gnarled hand hovers over the center column of cards, and then slowly turns them face up. "Ah!" she gasps. "All cards here are portents! This first card, the Tangled Briar, is misaligned! It reveals that old evils endanger the present!"
"This center card, the Twin, is yours, Rogar. It shows a duality of purpose and nature. This is a strong fate for you, that you may have two paths to tread. It also affects your companions, perhaps in ways they are unaware of yet."
"This last card is also misaligned. The Cricket is a card of smooth journeying, but misaligned it shows that the journey goes poorly."
"This last set shows glimpses of the future." Again her nimble fingers turn the cards, showing their faces. She peers at the revealed cards, her face shadowed.
"This central card, the Winged Serpent, is unclear in that position. But the other two cards are warning about your future."
"This top card, the Cyclone, is also misaligned. It indicates a renewal after a blustery trial. There is hope in this card."
She points at the last card. "This card though, the Avalanche is an indication of unrelenting, unthinking disaster. It is an ill omen, although not as strong as it could be."
"While these fates are not set in stone, they will occur if steps are not taken to prevent them. Though the future seems dark," she says tapping the Avalanche card, "Not all is blackness." her finger moves to the Cyclone card. "This is what I have read for you, but as to the true meanings, only you can say." With a sigh, she leans back in her chair. "Could you call the boy for a cup of tea for me. Readings always leave me a bit tired."
Standing to speak with the serving girl, Might I bother you for wine rather than this, motioning at the ale. Something beholden to, . . . a better time, if thou hast it. And I would indeed like a room. Miss Terra would require one with a desk, I imagine, and I would need one with at least a window to observe the rising sun in it's majesty, Madame. Master-Warrior Darian, needest thou a ahaven with room for thy practice?
Onc she leaves, Soth-Loren returns attentively to the conversation at hand Looking at each of the three newer adventures in the eye, What is it that thou seekest in life? Dust tou hold to any faith strongly? Who art thou, truely? We all, every man holdest thy own secrets, and I am not asking thee to impart such personal a discussion, just that I would like to know thee more.
"Indeed?" he says softly, either in responce to the idea of trackers or his name, you are not sure. "Come, let us find a table that we may talk. Art thou natives of this Cauldron, that may likewise serve us as guides?" Soth-Loren will wait for Terra to take a seat and help her push her seat in and the other ladies to be seated before himself being seated.
If we have already gotten a room and stowed our traveling gear . . . Soth-Loren wears a vey fine set of clothing, albeit one that is somewhat outdated and with the looks of someone from Galt perhaps. He does still wear more than a few holy symbols of Ragathiel, which I don't know what they even look like, and a single pin of Desna caringly, but speaks cooly. Without much expression. More grim than cold or unfriendly, his accent is thick think eastern european. His long dark hair has a single braid like the Vistani are want to wear as decoration, with some colorful patern woven in fo a silk cloth. He currently has no weapons nor armor.[/ooc]
Just for ease on both the GM and for healing, would everyone mind placing there HP, AC, and Saves (and any other common info) on the Race andClass section of their charactr sheet so it apperas next to the avatar. It helps a lot when combat starts to have an idea without needing to open up the character sheet.
"At least it is no succubi demons. . ." with a cold look at Darian. "Still, one must wonder how Leviathan becomes drunken. I'll secure lodgings, if you wouldn't mind finding us a place to sit and dine. I would like to inquire about a temple in the city. Let us not forget our warnings of the peoples of this city, not to be trusted."
"I also would not at all mind being rid of these dreadful goblin ears as quickly as possible."
Following Darian's lead, Soth-Loren walks a while, the hint of a smile on his normally grim face, noticable for the first time. "I wonder what this Cauldron is like? Dust thou think I aught to buy a dog as well. I have always been fond of larger dogs. Perhaps a wol. . .",
new adventure awaits. . .
Accepting the gift for with as much care as it was give, he fells embaraces for a moment, wishing he had something to offer her in exchange. Then, without even thinking, he removes his ring, a sign of his participation in the Crusades, and also a Holy Symbol, stringing th ring around the necklace of the holy symbol, the places it in her hand, "Perhaps, He will also guard and protect thee when thou travelest through darkness and shadows, where light is hardest to see, at times. Until we meet again, fair one. . ."
