"Tonight!? . . . Well . . . There were some things I was wanting to take care of, but I guess they can wait some more. Though I have a feeling that things are going to play out a lot more complicated than the simple plan you presented.'
"Now if done tonight, how and when do we move your kin? Is Marcum ready to hide you or ship you out?"
"I would like to know because I will have to think on what my plan will have to be."
"We take it where and to whom?"
Linkah shrugs, but shakes his head. "If we makes this right, them we tell 'em. Corum knows we haves a chance...but likes ya said Marshy, who'd miss me if I goes a missing? Capn just find another halfling. After...then we tell vem all, then we get out of here the lot of us halflings. We takes the key ta Marcum's then we comes back." He glances at Drogan and Beckett. "I'm thankful for the hand if you're offering."
"I know the area fairly well," Agidor chimes in. "His shop is on the south side of Dog's Teeth. I can map it out well enough."
He reaches into his pack and draws out a bit of parchment with music on the front. The back being blank he sets about making a map of the nearby area.
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"I say if we go we tonight we roll deep. We go in there together, we come out together. We don't have to go in obviously as a group. Beckett can trail, the two bards can be drunken bravados wandering the area and are doing a great job working on their disguise right now. Linkah and I go in as planned. Anyone else have a better idea than that?"
Lavios and Jak watch from the shelter of the little shack and food stand, the driving rain pounding Dog's Teeth giving them generous cover. Their vision is obscured as well, but not so much that they couldn't see the bobbing lanterns and gathered peoples outside the tannery. Over the course of an hour there have been the arrivals of of a few tiny river skiffs dropping off more people. The latest has deposited 2 dwarves and a cloaked human who are now conversing in front of the tannery.
"Lotsa folks, my boy." Jak observes, dry washing his face. "Strange to see 2 dwarves in this area, especially with half-orcs right there...couple humans that I can see. Something important is in that building. Something that would bring them together..."
Jak holds up a hand before Lavios can respond, the constable's hand drifts to the hilt of his short sword.
"What do we have here?" A smooth voice queries like fine silk drawn across steel.
Lavios' grip on his crossbow shifts slightly as he makes to spin and seek out the source of the voice. But having grown up in the wilds of the Verudan Forest, he knew the sound of a longbow's draw...The creak of wood and the tension of the string. Then the soft squish and slop of quiet feet now making themselves known.
"Easy there, boys. Let's keep your hands out to the side as you turn around. Nice and slow..." A second voice warns along with a second bow string being drawn.
Lavios turns his head slightly and spies Jak holding his hand as way from his weapon. Over his shoulder the Inquisitor sees something he isn't expecting; a tall lithe figure holds the corner of the shop, longbow drawn and aimed at Lavios. The fine features of the armed man's face along with the craftsmanship of his bow marks him an elf.
Then the second figure comes into his vision. A man in soft leathers and woolen breeches taking a knee and aiming his own longbow at Jak. This one bears the frame of a human, but the upturn in his ears may mark him a half-elf.
It's the second one who continues speaking. "Seems you're spying on something far too dangerous for you. Speak your intentions quickly, or we silence you and your story remains untold."
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Lavios stands up slowly, gingerly turns around, and puts his crossbow and sword on the ground. He takes a step forward, towards the archers.
"Sirs, you came in at the wrong time, we stumbled in, thinking that I saw my family here after they went missing a few days back"
Lavios comes closer to the archers
"If you mean no harm, me and my friend mean no harm"
The rain continues to pour down, lapping at the canvas and wood above their heads as Lavios turns to face the two strangers. The man kneeling before them is garbed in soft leather armor and there are hints of serviceable clothing underneath a roughspun cloak. The elf, beneath his rain-soaked cloak bears the boiled and layered leathers attributed to his race in their fine detail and craftsmanship.
But Lavios' eyes find the tip of their arrows as the elf's arms tighten as he brings his bow back to full draw. "My common is passable, human," He hisses, words still of a silken quality that makes them sound like music, but for the dangerous point of his arrowhead. "You were told to turn, not move forward...I'm sorry..."
In the barest of light available, Lavios sees the kneeling man's eyes open a bit wider in understanding. He lowers his bow, letting the draw down slowly then holding up a fist to belay the elf's shot. "No. Stay your hand."
"એક ફૂલ, હેલિયોસ શું ન." the elf replies in warning, shifting to the native tongue of his woodland kin. "તમે અજાણ્યા માટે બધું જોખમ?"
The man kneeling stands slowly and puts his body between the elven archer and the other two. "I said stay your hand." His voice is more firm, lent a weight that causes Lavios and Jak to take note. Then he raises his free hand and draws back the hood of his cloak to reveal the face of a man with fine features, beautiful for a human. But that beauty's origin is apparent in his ever-so slightly pointed ears. A half-elf stands before them. Beneath his cloak the basket hilt of a rapier sways at one hip while the coiled length of a scorpion whip adorns the other. "My name is Helios, Helios Sunchaser." He raises a hand to his chest in greeting. "It's been a long time since my eyes saw a follower of Gozreh."
Behind him, the elf lowers his bow out of necessity, green eyes surveying the situation thoroughly. Then his eyes come to rest on the weapon at the ground. The crossbow, finely made is one thing of note, but the trident laying next it is quite another.
"By your bearing and weapon I make the guess," the half-elf says, locking his arrow in his forefinger alongside the bow. "We can't linger here too long. If you say your family could be held in Farn's, light above I believe you because only a fool spies on those men up there." He indicates the gathering of humans and dwarves and half-orcs in the distance.
"અમે તેઓ મળી છે તે જોવા માટે, અન્ય લોકો માટે જોવા જોઈએ .." the elf says behind Helios.
"Common, please, my friend." Helios says over his shoulder.
"We should see to the others," the elf responds in his silken accent.
Helios nods, eyes never leaving Lavios'. "How are you called, and how can we be of assistance?"
"શું ન!" the elf warns angrily, but he's already turned his attention to the corner at the rear to watch the north.
"He's a bit touchy this evening. We too are looking for someone inside that building."
"Jak," the constable offers to the half-elf.
"Well met." Helios then glances to Lavios. "So, servant of Gozreh, how may I call you and how may we be of assistance?"
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Lavios glares at the duo and listens closely to their words and how they say them.
I'll trust them for now, but if they try to pull anything, my trident is going through their necks
Lavios smiles at them
"Glad me and Jak have some companions. My name is Lavios."
Lavios offers his hand to Helios
"You said you had someone in here? Well why don't we go in? You and your friend could give ranged support while me and Jak get up close with these bandits"
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Beckett nods.
"That is fine with me, although my skills do not extend to stealth, I will do my best to... um... blend in."
A smiles comes across his face.
"Although I also admit to not being concerned. I had anticipated doing this myself. The task should be much less difficult with so many strong arms to draw upon. And should it prove to be too much for us..." Beckett shrugs. "Better things await down that path as well."
Marsh nodded along with Beckett's words until he gets to the part about better things awaiting down the path. At that moment his eyes wax out of the conversation and affix on a spot on his ancient and marred table top.
"You walk with purpose, that can be protection in and of itself. . . Thank you for doing this. Linkah and his group are good people. I promised them I would be here when they got back and see this thing through. I used to be like you son, a long time ago and in a different place, but my sword has been riding heavier as of late and no longer sings in my hands. I hate to admit it, but I am not what I once was. I can feel myself fade. . . Old age and trickery often out do youth and skill, but strong arms and keen eyes are welcome when it's time to do real work."
"Whatever you may think of me, I am still a man of my word."
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Beckett nods with respect.
"By the Dawn's Early Light... does everyone over the age of thirty speak in riddles??"
"I have no cause to believe otherwise, my friend."
"Although, if he were truly like me... how can it be that he still draws breath? Given my vocation, how much time could I have left on Golarion? A few years? A few months?"
Beckett glaces down at the covered key.
"A few hours?"
Beckett's smile grows cold.
Marsh appears to return to a business like attitude.
"Now does anyone have something they must see to before we depart? If so speak now."
"Linkah, a visit from your uncle could go a long way for Beckett being able to conceal himself."
"Miranda, please meet me at my room after I leave my table."
"Agidor, Drogan. Do either of you play violin or fiddle?"
Drogan taps the drum's side, "Sadly, no. I've got no gift for strings."
He holds up his hand and wiggles his fingers, "Don'tave the fingers for it. Agidor might. Granted a've never seen him do it, but that's never stopped 'im before. You looking for a certain tune?"
Marsh looks a bit disappointed and then shakes it off.
"No . . . no particular tune in mind. We have to use the talents we are given don't we. Some are given fingers suited to the harp, but most are not. Is it true that your drum is associated with an actual dragon? It looks as though it is made out of wood to me."
Marsh stiffens himself.
He is right. Lock it up.
"Quite right, Mr. Beckett, I digressed too far. Agidor already knows this, but the Dog's Teeth makes the Fen look like the High District. Marcums lies between Tarik's and the tannery. Tanneries are foul enough on their own, but it is rumored that more than hides and tallow are rendered at this place."
"Most people there will go cloaked, to avoid both the eyes and the wetness of the place. Linkah and I will go in together as planed because that is what is expected. We will be cloaked and I will carry a basket of soiled linens. With luck we shall be mistaken as a washerwoman with her child."
"The fame of the two bards will be good for them. They should be able to travel in plain sight. Cloaked of course, but if challenged most will belive them to be moving from place, looking for after hours companion ship, or simply going to meet Marcum. Agidor, if Marcum has you use a particular approach or manner when in the area, lets discuss that. I think keeping things familiar and smooth will be prudent. People will be watching for out of the ordinary activities and appearances."
"Now Mr Beckett, if I were you I would use a different tactic. If you decide not to shave I would remain cloaked. Try to remain close on Linkah and my tail so that you can keep observation of us. You are not the most stealthy so I would walk center of the street like you own it. If challenged I would be confident and use the questioners query to your own advantage."
"For instance if they demand your coin bag act not suprised, but respond with something like, "Did you arrainge for me to have something for you?" This will place second thoughts and doubts. Or if questioned, "What are you doing in the area." you might answer, "If you haven't been informed, then perhaps you should forget you saw me here. Unless you want to find yourself involved." If you are an unknown then others will give you a wider bearth for they do not know what or whom you might represent."
"Does anyone have any concerns with this plan? We are at the mercy of the tides so the hour of our timing has alreay been predetermined."
Likelihood is we're all going to die. But what a death it'll be right? I'm in.
"Well let's not hope for trouble, but it brings up a good point. If things do go badley stand and fight if you can . . . If things go really badley . . . I will stay behind, you just try and get out alive. It's just a practical thing mind you, they will know where to find me anyway and you all are . . . Younger, faster, more apt to get away. Disappear into the city and all such business. Well enough of that talk. Anyone else? Linkah?"
Hey guys, I'm working on getting the Gameplay Thread activated, but the site's giving me some problems. I emailed tech support so hopefully we'll get this cleared up soon! If they don't respond, I may just set up a new thread. Up closer inspection, the Gameplay thread here had an errant character that might be canceling my posts.
Jeff
In the spirit of using this for ooc discussion, thought I'd toss out a question or two...
1) Not that it's happening now, but in cases where play is held up - especially during combat - how are you guys with me botting characters? In essence I would roll dice, execute attacks or roll defenses when a player is unable to post or is onvacation. Botting v Also means I go out of the way to make sure you're character is not in danger while yyou're out. Opinions? Preferences?
2) Rolling Initiative: Would you guys prefer if I roll initiative at the onset of every encounter? If I do this, then a set order would need to be established so there's no 'shuffling' the rolls. Thoughts?
More to come, just getting things out for group discussion.
Jeff
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... how are you guys with me botting characters?
Sounds great to me. Hopefully it won't be an issue, but should it come up, I think it would be a reasonable solution to keep things moving.
... Would you guys prefer if I roll initiative at the onset of every encounter?
Sounds great to me as well. Initiative rolls are not a big deal to me. However that may be because Beckett is kind of built to go towards the end of a round.
Thanks for the reply, Master Beckett.
Mr Drogan brings up a good point over on the Gameplay Thread; if you notice you've posted something in error, whether it's the wrong alias or a misspelled word, you can go back and hot the 'Edit' button and change anything. The tools you received will remain the same. Paizo had it set that way to prevent roll result 'farming'.
Jeff
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He murmered to himself old words and his hands began to glow.
Drogan, I don't know why that wording struck me as so cool, but it did. Old words do have great power don't they!?
Drogan is up and then the DM can close the round.
Hey guys!
Let's give a warm welcome to Nosatrub (Nosa) Shieldarm, paladin of Iomedae. He'll be joining in on the rp very soon, so shout a hearty "well met"!
Hi everyone!
I'm greatly excited to join this awesome campaign! This will be my first ever Pathfinder adventure and my first ever play by post. I beg your patience as I get used to a completely new system and style of play. I've played rpg's in the very, very distant past so hopefully some of that will come back to me.
I am really loving what I have read and hope that I can add something to the game.
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Zat is right, mein freund. Zere vill be no line schtepping!
Welcome and please ask questions. Give us some backstory on your PC if you had a chance to make one up.
Quick physical description
Nosa is quite tall and hard muscled from devoting his life to training. He is 6'3 and 215lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes that burn with fire when injustice or evil is being done. He walks with a quiet confidence that his faith will protect him in all that he does. Nosa is also very young (20) and unaware of the world and how it works having never left his adopted home town of Vigil.
The story of Nosatrub in brief.
Nosatrub (Nosa)was born in Ustalav in the town called Grayce where he lived with his blacksmith father and former priestess mother.
When he was very young, a horde of undead set upon the town and devoured all that he knew and loved including his parents.
While watching from his hiding spot, 3 great knights rode into the town, emanating light and driving back the darkness. Indeed, it looked as if no darkness could touch them. One of them, a man named Veras Shieldarm, found Nosa in his hiding place and told him that Iomedae had sent him to find the lad.
Veras took Nosa to his hometown of Vigil in Lastwall. He adopted him as his own and trained him in the ways of the paladins. Nosa was the perfect student, he drove himself to become a righteous weapon of Iomedae, determined to destroy the undead and rid the world of evil.
Nosa became especially adept at fighting while using armor and with the longsword. He trained with both to be able to become one with them.
When his training was nearing completion, Iomedae visited him in a dream. She called him to service saying that he would be her "shieldarm" and that he must go to Absalom. Veras confirmed this by telling his son that he had the same vision.
Soon after, Veras sent Nosa on his journey. Nosa had hoped his father would accompany him, but he refused saying it was Nosa's test to take. Veras blessed his son and gave him a helm to wear and represent the family. It was a simple knights helm with a row of spikes that ran from front to back and was adorned with the Shieldarm family sigil. An eagle perched on the sword of Iomedae. With pride Nosa accepted the gift, "I am truly a Shieldarm this day."
He set off on his journey south knowing that he could charter passage to Absalom via Cassomir.
Here comes dumb question #1.
How do you do the dice rolling? Is there some type of rolling software on the site? Do you just roll the dice at home and post the results?
Okay, time's been tight lately (as can probably be seen by that round Jeff had to bot for me), so I'm only just now getting to check this section of the boards again.
1)Karl - Yeah, man. I didn't want to get into actual words or getting too bogged down in specifics, but I'm still getting used to Pathfinder spellcraft, and when it said that cure light wounds had a vocal component, and that my boy's power flowed out of his charisma, I thought it would be like reciting long-forgotten poetry.
2) Welcome, Nosa. Always fun to have another player on the field. When in doubt, below the text block that you enter posts in there's a little thing that says "How to format your text." If you click the "show" button next to it, it gives you a bunch of the short hand for the formatting options.
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Background looks great!
Here comes dumb question #1.
How do you do the dice rolling? Is there some type of rolling software on the site? Do you just roll the dice at home and post the results?
Not a dumb question at all. Jeff has written up a great guide that should get you started.
http://www.innroadsministries.com/wordpress/paizofaq/
Feel free to practice some dice rolling, spoilers, ooc and such here in this thread, if you like.
Cool.
Here is me practicing bold
How about some italics?
Just as an fyi to all involved. I'm a school teacher so I won't be posting at all during the day. I'll do my best to be around most evenings so that I can keep a consistent presence. There is, of course the normal life things that may get in the way as well, but I fully intend to be as active as I can.
No worries. That's the beauty of playing play-by-post I'm finding. We'll deal. Heck, Jeff had to bot Drogan for me earlier this week for a turn because I was away at a wedding. We'll roll with it.
Thanks for understanding!
And let me just say to all involved, I just discovered Innroads and Game Store Prophets just over a month or so ago and am really digging all that you are doing. Being a Christian and a Geek at the same time, it's great to know that there are so many others out there. Keep doing all that you are doing!
Sorry for hijacking the thread. I'll keep it all business :)
It's the discussion thread. You're all good. And besides (Mike Perna here) I always love hearing those messages when people find out about us.
That being said- it'll be interesting so see Jeff work his magic getting your character into the story.