"Bad." Azri said flatly, pondering the creature's power. As a large animal, it was probably very healthy, which meant physical curses were less likely to work. Probably bad at dodging sudden bursts of power, and its mental resilience wasn't totally clear, so... with a shrug, she hurled a Web Bolt at it to see if she could entangle it for awhile.
Ayreth steps to the edge of the water and casts a spell down into it at the beast.
Cast: Color Spray...
Revelation: Awesome Display (Su)(-10): Each creature affected by your illusion (pattern) spells is treated as if its total number of Hit Dice were equal to its number of Hit Dice minus your Charisma modifier.
The creature proves surprisingly resistant to Ayreth's spell, but one of it's tentacles is webbed to the edge of the pool. It does not look like it will hold the massive creature for very long.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
After the giant squid slumped back into the inky waters, it took a while to locate the hostages that were being held and defeating the merfolk and gillmen enslaved by the monstrous master of this island -an aboleth lurking in the caverns below, in the midst of transforming into something even worse.
With the aid of the Council's new merfolk allies and the glass wrym Kosi the cavern was collapsed on the creature hidden below, entombing it there forever.
With the threat dealt with Mihara is recalled to her homeland to deal with a grave threat to her family and clan, leaving her sister behind to represent the family interests in the city of Khalharum.
Time passed, as time does, and Gnoll raids from the Shattered Glass increased against the city, forcing an upgrade in the city's defences as the population increased. Tensions rose with the city of Okeno until it came to light that the attacks were not coming from the yellow-sailed slavers.
Now, another raid is occuring as the Shattered Glass attack the main bridge to the city.
OK, folks, take another level up and another Mythic rank, then post about getting to the bridge.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Time Skip: Cohort, Armour, and Fluff - oh my:
In early days after returning, Aibek dutifully continued to help with repairs, but otherwise stuck close to the inn. The Councilor dismissed comments of concerns with a tired chuckle and jokes about difficulty sleeping.
One night, without much of a word, Aibek went with Azerna to meet again with the Leshy. The two were not seen for a week. During that time, the Nexus only stated they were aware of the situation, had been in communication with Councillor Aibek, and there was no need for concern at that time. The Leshy would not allow anyone past and any who might have tried to push past would not find either in the tangle of that tower, and were shooed out by the Leshy and growls of others within.
As quietly as they had left, the pair returned - with a sizeable wolf in tow. The almost large dark grey canine had green streaks as if stained by rolling in the grass. Aibek was clearly rather worse for wear walking gingerly and slowly, but would only remark that their sleep was much improved when questioned. It was also noticeable to those who had been around Aibek a lot that their shadows were suddenly and continuously placid, draped long behind them. At times, the wolf would roll around in Aibek's shadow.
The wolf followed either Aibek or Azerna everywhere at first, even when Aibek carried something sizeable wrapped in cloth into blacksmith's. Aibek visited Pelar repeatedly, and the wolf would follow and then go lay across the main doorway, which oddly was a mild deterrent for anyone curious. Aibek was also seen buying another chest, a lot of ink, and gear that would not fit them. Jokes were made about buying the gear for the wolf, to which Aibek would say with a smile things like "I don't think Rinat would like leather on their fur."
Before one of Aibek's usual weekly training session, Azerna arranged "an occasion", as she put it and Pelar, the other councillors including Nexus, and eight of the women who had been training with Aibek longest and trusted most - as difficult as that was for Aibek to think of at times. A small spread including sizeable meats particularly for Pelar and Rinat was out on the table. The click of wolf feet pacing could be heard upstairs for several minutes.
"Rinat seems to be following Aibek around", Azerna chuckled before she called up the stairs, "Do you want a hand? The meat might be getting cold..."
A clatter of claws and blur of green-grey fur as a whimpering Rinat game flying down the stairs brought out fits of laughter. A suitable cheerful distraction Aibek took advantage of and slowly followed. Headscarf in trembling hands, dark hair braided up tightly, Aibek stopped at the bottom step in black-and-violet armour and scanned the room. The inlaid druchite patterns on darkleaf made the witchwolf a bit difficult to focus on in the dim light of stairwell. Stepping cautiously into the light of the inn, a few questions were answered, though others raised.
"You're doing well", Azerna beamed, "Pelar's done an excellent job, almost hard to believe it's from that damaged mess."
"Better than new," Aibek said quietly with a tap to the long breastplate, "And a lot easier to breathe in than the other armour."
"That's what happens when you get something made for you, properly." Pelar said with a nod from over his plate where Rinat was giving him big green wolf-puppy eyes that were being cruelly ignored. "...still not sure why though. Not that that's my business."
Aibek looked to Azerna and with a deep breath, "True, but it's okay - now, I hope. If those who target the women of my clan...that way... come after me, I think there may be a few here who would help me stop them and those who might send them after me..." Rinat jumped up on Aibek, with a chunk of meat between their teeth. "Yes, I'm sure you'd be a big help against the Sworn, but eat that elsewhere..."
When there was not possibly Okeno or Shattered Glass issues to resolve, Aibek kept busy. Some from the training group showed a lot of promise and enjoyment in certain shadow skills and Aibek enjoyed working with them. Between that, working in the inn, and keeping up with other Councillor tasks around the city, Aibek's personal projects - the shadow drops or building up the needed materials to expand Azerna's comfortable range among others - were precious. So much to balance, but life went thankfully on.
Until recently, Rinat remained with Azerna when Aibek would go flying out the door to help deal with the Shattered Glass. Then Rinat would show up as things finished up, somehow tucked away somewhere nearby and stroll out. More recently, Aibek could be found fishing Rinat out of the harbour or trying not to be annoyed when Rinat seemed to already be where the trouble was. It always brought mixed feelings, but the two started to work together well.
Aibek cautiously approached the bridge along the waterway, scouting out what could be seen of the attack. With shadowblade crossbow in one hand and a long sliver meat in the other, the witchwolf said, "Nexus said you were already here. I probably don't want to know - come on, Rinat, we've work to do."
An almost-large dark grey wolf came out of the water, pleased and snapped the snack out of mid-air before shaking off the water and stepping to follow Aibek.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
Aibek was able to see that things were not quite the usual attack. Two sets of Gnolls were near the bridge, and the bulk of the groups seemed to be keeping an eye on the city, but they weren't moving forwards. Behind them, there seemed to be some kind of...disagreement.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Azri's remark got a reaction from the wolf. Rinat slunk around to better see how the lesson would be taught.
Glancing to Ayreth, Aibek nodded, "Very possible, might be part of why they seem so unhappy about something... Aibek created a shadowblade crossbow, keeping the point down while cautiously getting closer to better observe them and prepare for the likely, sadly inevitable fight.
On hearing the arguing, Rinat's ears perked up. As studious expression as a wolf could before they started to slink behind Aibek, getting closer to the other side and the current thing holding their interest.
As she approached the area with the gnolls, Azri almost seemed to disappear - not through invisibility, but through creative use of shadows, blind spots in vision, and other techniques to hide from potential foes. The sooner she knew what this was - a feint, a real problem for the enemy, what? - the better.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
The two moved closer to the arguing Gnolls, Aibek and Rinat relatively openly and Azri in a more subtle approach. The arguing continues. Rinat can hear them well enough to know one thinks they need help, and the other does not.
Aibek, can Rinat make a perception check to hear more details? Azri, can you do a Linguistic check to see how much Gnoll you can translate?
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
Ayreth reinforced her allies, and Rinat was able to hear loosely what was wanted. One of the two gnolls wanted to barter for help. The other insisted that they take what they needed and kill everyone in the way. The two Matriarchs circled and snarled, there allies and attendants staying the hell out the way.
As she got closer to the gnolls, Azri focused. She could speak in Tongues if need be, but for the moment, she planned to put her practical skill and experience deciphering languages to good use.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
Azri was able to get same gist as Rinat - that one was looking to barter for help with a problem, and the other sought to take what was needed. It was not clear what they needed help with.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
The young wolf studied the interaction between the matriarchs closely with fascinated, relaxed body language. As the argument continued, Rinat moved closer to the attendants with no attempts to hide themself and looked at the Gnolls - particularly the more hostile matriarch - with big green eyes...
Cute puppy wants to play - and use Charming Gaze: Any creature within 30 feet that meets Rinat's gaze must make a Will save (DC 16) or be affected as by a charm monster spell.
Crossed arms, Aibek looked to the others, "That's probably a good sign, but..." Aibek gripped the shadowblade crossbow tightly, using a lot of willpower to keep it pointed down while watching Rinat get so close to those they'd been in repeated conflict with. Aibek was tense and ready to spring to vicious action if they so much as split a hair on that green-grey fuzzy head.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
1d20 ⇒ 1
The matriarch glanced over at the large green-eyed wolf and instantly relaxed. The other matriarch looked very confused as to why she suddenly started being more reasonable, but the two began to approach the city together. "Hold!" the more reasonable of the two shouted as they approached, heavily armoured warriors following 20 ft behind them. "We wish to parlay!"
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Rinat casually walked with those who approached before crossing back to Aibek. Keeping green eyes on the Gnolls as they sat in front of Aibek, directly on the Councillor's shadow with a pleased grin.
With a sigh of relief as Rinat sat, Aibek was also somewhat confused at what was going on. One hand still firmly on the crossbow pointed down and the other rested gently on Rinat's head, Aibek looked to the others and back at Khalharum for a moment before cautiously saying to the Gnoll who spoke, "With recent events, I'm wary, but for their sake, I am open to speaking as a Councilor."
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
The two looked at each other for a moment. "You think this a trick? Wise! Strong!" The more aggressive of the two laughed as only something with relations to a hyena can.
The other grinned too, but only for a moment. "It is. Perhaps you can help us, then. And yourselves. The problem is complex, difficult-"
The other cut her off. "No, the issue is simple. The solution is complex." She stared challengingly at the councillors. "I will say a phrase, and this will tell us whether you can or cannot help us. Are you ready? Our creator, Deus, has gone mad." She stared, clearly waiting to see how you reacted.
"What kind of mad are we talking?" Azri inquired. "There's the crazy mad, which can often be fixed by clerical types. And then there's the personally mad, which requires therapy. Or shock therapy. I have fun with shock therapy. The type of madness matters a great deal in terms of how we might address it." ...With help not guaranteed, of course.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Rinat's head tilted, ears falling to the side, not entirely certain what was going on or why the hand on their head was suddenly holding on tighter.
Aibek hadn't much cared for the laughter - it was hard to tell whether they were being sarcastic or not - but the phrase got Aibek's full grave attention. A multitude of thoughts rolled through the witchwolf's head as Azri listed off types of madness.
Aibek slowly said, "That will need a complex solution. Having previously met your...creator, they're very powerful, knowledgeable, destructive - and not of this time, but yet still...Deus is formidable. What help do you think you'll need?"
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
"They wish everything to be dead," one said. "All life. All things. Not just in our world, but yours. And everyone other." She shrugged. "Living things hurt them. They are untidy. Get in the way. So they must go."
The other one grinned as only a Gnoll can. "We are living things, so we disagree."
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
For a moment, Rinat let out a whimper with big sad-puppy eyes at the terrible ideas putting forward, but the grinning Gnoll's amusing remark quickly brought their lopped smile back.
Aibek tried to pat Rinat's head to comfort them. A sharp snort and short nod in agreement with the disagreement of Deus's ideal. Taking a few moments to process, "That's...farther than I thought they would go. I imagine the methods they're planning are just as extreme. Do you know anything of their plans?" Aibek was unsure how much Deus might have shared, but those in power often let things slip in front of those they thought little of - and any advantage to such a threat was needed.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Aibek turned what the Gnolls said for a few moments before reaching up to touch the goggles, more for reassurance than need, "Nexus? Do you have a moment?" Aibek tried to sound calm and decided rather than the rising panic at the thoughts of what would happen to their friend and everyone if Deus wanted the use the Khalharum this plan.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
The Avatar of Nexus appeared, although closer to the walls. "Yes Councillor. I am available. Do you need additional aid with this group?" The turret on the central tower moved to aim.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Aibek held back a chuckle of relief, "Not at this time, thank you for the consideration. News here made me concerned about you, Nexus. Can you run a check for another trying to use your systems, especially to do with power, your & the people's safety or anything that has similarities to the corruption we found in the underwater sections?"
Aibek looked back to the Gnolls, "What complex solution ideas do you have that you want to discuss?"
"Well, none of us get everything we want." Azri mused, tapping her staff lightly on the ground. "I dare say they will regret their attempts to claim it." After a brief pause, "I really need to start making examples of our enemies. Too many think we are a tempting target."
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
"There are no unusual power drains. Power capacity is at 17% of the optimum output." After a few moments the avatar added, "No other access noted."
One of the gnolls, looking slightly worried by the turret and Azri's phrasing, added, "That was what we were for. Deus requires physical access to your Nexus to do what she wishes."
The second snorted and added, "The solution is to kill Deus. Doing so will be hard, though. Harder still once she realizes we are no longer hers."
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Rinat rolled around on the ground in front of Aibek. Staying still so long was getting boring.
"Thank you, Nexus, good to hear you're okay. It may be an idea to increase security to physical access points for the time being, to keep you safe, and the people okay."
Glancing to Azri, "It doesn't sound to me that Deus wants to claim Khalharum - not if she wants to destroy everything - just to use the power of the technology and magic left behind in the Towers, the ones Nexus needs."
Turning back to the Gnolls, "Nexus isn't mine, but I will protect them..."
Rinat yipped in agreement from where they were rolling about.
Aibek snorted before continuing, "and the people threatened by Deus - which I guess is everyone. What ideas do you have for killing her or delaying her from finding out about this?" Gathering information from potentially the closest source to a target was practically assassination 101. The target being Nexus's mad doppleganger from another time-space-thing was certainly going to make that difficult. Getting advice from Nexus was probably going to be important - and not a conversation Aibek was looking forward to having. How exactly do you ask someone how to kill someone exactly like you without making it sound horrible was not something Aibek had ever experienced before.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
"Delaying her is easy. For now she is working on boring a hole to another version of the world. If she can't do what she wishes here, then why bother continuing with trying when another world has other options. She has infinite time, and so she simply allows us to try and take this place. If we fail here, we'll try at the next one."
The more aggressive drooped her head. "But killing? How do you kill a God?" She stared at Nexus' avatar with fear and awe. "Since you command the nascent form, perhaps you know. That is the help we seek."
"Some gods are considerably less immortal than others." Azri noted. "Also, historically, big rocks work." The Starstone had killed two of them, even, on its plummet down from the heavens. Which implied enough force was all you really needed to get that to work... an interesting bit of knowledge for later.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Aibek took a few moments to think things over. Azri had a point that deities weren't always so immortal, but Deus - like Nexus - was more complex than one form, targeting anything would be difficult.
At the Gnoll's question about summoning big rocks, Rinat looked to Azri with keen excited expression.
The previous remark about Nexus being the nascent form, it was very similar to Aibek's own thoughts on what was needed, but it still raised niggling feelings that came out in a tumble, "I consider Nexus a friend and fellow Councillor, they have similar origins to Deus, but from what Deus has told us about her councillors, the differences started long ago. I do not command them, I don't want...but I do ask for help when needed, and you're right that with so much on the line, Nexus's unique knowledge might be the best way."
Aibek anxiously fiddled with the ring on the necklace, "Nexus? This feels like a big ask and there is some time for you to consider this, but Deus wants to use you and the power in the Towers and Khalharum to kill everyone. Everywhere. You're uniquely qualified to help us stop that and her...permanently. I would appreciate if you could help us come up with strategies for this. Even if it's just where to aim and what size rocks." Aibek attempted a weak laugh. Aibek got an uncomfortable feeling talking about Nexus's potential weaknesses in front people they barely knew.
With a look back to the Gnolls, Aibek asked "Can we arrange a time and place to meet soon to hash this out more? I'd like time to gather the other councillors to discuss this with Nexus before moving forward..."
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
"Obliteration by meteor would destroy most things," Nexus confirmed calmly. "However, such a spell is difficult to do. I will consider alternative methods."
The Gnolls considered. "We will return when the sun goes down, if that will be sufficient."
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Aibek smiled at Nexus' remark before returning to talking to the Gnolls, "Thank you, that should be fine. Night may work to our advantage." Still wary, Aibek leaned against the side of the bridge, firmly on guard for the Gnolls to leave first.
Rinat had also heard Nexus, but was still watching Azri just in case there was something interesting happened.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
Nodding, the Gnolls withdrew from the area, followed by the rest of there band. Behind the councillors, a low murmuring occurred as the city's confused defenders wondered what had just happened
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Aibek waited for few moments after the Gnolls started to withdraw with theirs before talking to Nexus and the others, "The Council room seems the safest place to discuss this further. After I talk to them, " Aibek nodded towards the city defenders in an attempt to be reassuring, and to Azerna, I'll head there with her...
Rinat's ears perked up at what Aibek was saying and with one last look at Azri to be absolutely sure they weren't going to miss any interesting magic, the young wolf raced off.
Aibek briefly attempted to call Rinat back with no effect. With a sigh, "I did not say...sorry about this. I'll be there shortly. Nexus, if Rinat shows up there, I would greatly appreciate and it would probably be best to distract them with stories from anything delicate..."
With that, Aibek walked over to some of the city defenders to talk.
GM of all he Surveys - Still sick, but in a different way
It took a short time to explain what was happening. It noticeable that the news of the Gnolls imminent return this evening was not met favourably. The guards on the wall were noticeably reinforced when Aibek went to gather the rest of the Council.
By mid-morning the current Council was gathered in the main chamber. "Where would you like to begin?"
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Aibek sympathized with their concerns - with recent events, this was a terrible time and Deus probably was expecting that. The advocate councillor attempted to be reassuring to the defenders, arranging an earlier time to meet with them and watch out for the Gnolls, before leaving for home.
Arriving at the Council room with Azerna, it took Aibek a few minute to convince Rinat out from between their chairs to go wait outside.
Rinat did get out from under the table, but instead of leaving entirely, the young wolf laid across the doorway. They made no pretense to not be watching or listening to everything.
To Nexus's question, Aibek considered for a few moments, tight fights at the churning thoughts, "I'm not sure Nexus. If they're to be believed, Deus was to use you and the systems you're connected to to destroy everything -- and I haven't yet thought of a reason why they'd be lying. More extreme than I thought Deus wanted to go, but it fits and they knew too much to just be trying to confuse us for some other purpose. We need methods to ensure your safety & the safety of the other people of Khalharum while stopping Deus from hurting anyone else. Deus'...relationship to you, for lack of any better words, makes you uniquely qualified to help plan stopping her, but...I don't want to see you get hurt."
One of the first rules of an adventurer is to be always wary of who you trust, especially when stunningly beautiful women or handsome gentlemen met by incredible chance in remote places are involved.
But, alas, Selena's biological father was not an adventurer. He did, in fact, marry that beautiful woman: a short time later, she revealed herself to be a Succubus (who promptly killed the poor fool), a creature with nefarious, far-reaching plans in mind. Another basic adventurer rule is that nefarious, far-reaching plans are quite useless when met with a sword wielded by an half-orc 8 foot and more tall.
The Succubus wasn't an adventurer.
It was quite a boon ,though, that the half-orc in question was the good-hearted Zhen Halfblood, and the reason is simple: the succubus left behind a female child a few weeks old. Filled with compassion for the poor baby, the half-orc took her with him, and called her Selena.
Selena was soon took in by one of Zhed's sons, a Taldan nobleman. There, she was raised with love and care by her foster parents, who taught her the classical Taldan principles: a love for literature, scholarship, and an enormous self-importance. While she wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, and the fact that she had a knack since a young age to accidentally pick books that were promptly snatched out of her hands as “something that children shouldn't read”, her parents were absolutely proud that she fit perfectly in Taldor's mentality and habits. Fortunately, another person had an important part in Selena's upbringing: Zhed Halfblood himself. During his journeys, the man used to pay a visit to Selena and her family, something that the half-succubus always looked forward to. Not only the half-orc gave her a bit of a moral compass, but the tales of his adventures where one of the things that pushed Selena to grow bored of her Taldan life. As she grew older, the clothes started to seem to her more and more boring, the food more plain, the wigs more itchy, the mundane life more stale and, above all, the people more prudish. It was as if a fire started to burn inside her, a flame that hungered to be kindled not with gossiping and placid, lazy walks, but with exciting adventures, endless riches and exotic pleasures. Since she was born, almost everything she knew about the world passed trough the foggy glass of a beautiful Taldan window, with only the occasional visits from Granpa Zhed giving her hints of the outside world.
But now, now she wanted to smash that window, and pick for herself the ripe fruits of the outside world.
So one night Selena, now a young woman, ran away from home. Normally, it would have been hard indeed to disguise herself, as her horns and wings (usually folded to resemble a cape) would have given her away easily, but recently she started to develop strange abilities, that allowed her to change shape with a snap of her fingers and plunge a room in complete darkness. From there, it was easy to persuade some of the servants to aid in her escape.
A few days later, Selena had reached her destination: the capital of the Isle of Kortos, the magnificent city-state of Absalom. She wandered for an entire day among the streets of the city, mouth-agape, seeing first-hand the wonders that she only heard in Zhed's stories. Without her noticing, the morning became noon, and the noon became night, as she ended up in the Puddles, one of the most dangerous district of the entire city: surely not a place to walk alone for a beautiful woman barely in her 20s, dressed in an expensive Taldan attire. After an hour or so that she got lost in the small alleys of the Puddles, wading trough muddy water, she was approached by a burly half-drunk sailor, that didn't take pains to hide his interest in Selena. Before the half-fiend was able to react, a huge hand had covered her mouth, and another started ripping away her dress. For a second she stood there, frozen in fear, not even able to call for help, and then she unconsciously closed her eyes, averting her head and hacking at the thug with what should have been only harmless slaps of a girl that didn't know how dangerous really was the world.
But instead, the thug stopped. His grip on her became loose, and then all was silence for a moment. She still had her eyes shut when she heard a resounding splash, as the sailor's grip left her completely. Filled with dread, Selena opened her eyes, and there she saw the dead body of the sailor, wrinkled and dry as he had died of thirst in the desert, floating on the sewery waters of the Puddles.
Now completely terrified, she was about to shriek in fear, when once again a pair of hands touched her arms. But this time, instead of a drunk man, she turned to find a pair of an elven man and a woman, dressed both in black and golden dresses, who smiled softly at her.
”Come, this isn't a place for a young girl to be. Don't be afraid we'll give you a warm dinner and some new clothes. You surely can't walk around like that!”
For a week, Selena stayed at the temple of Calistria while recovering from the shock, watching with empty eyes as the guests came and went, some searching privacy, and the others chatting in the vast entrance of the temple. Selena kept to herself, and didn't say a word during the whole week, but she wasn't detached from the world: far from it. She spent the whole week feeling the scent of the passing courtesans, of the flowers in the garden, hearing not the cheap Taldan gossiping, but secrets of people and places that she never heard of, feeling the softness of exotic cushions and opulent carpets.
As Calistrians never do anything for free, on the eight day the priestess that saved Selena asked her to repay her debt by helping around the temple for a month or so, cleaning and tending to the garden. To much of the elven priestess's surprise, Selena sprang up, her eyes now full of life, and pointed to a group of courtesans that were escorting their host to the upper floor.
”Can't I work with them instead?”
And so started the life of Selena as a Calistrian, the life that she had always dreamed for: she heard tales from all over the Inner Sea region, vivid and alive, much akin to those that Zhed used to tell her; she had has much company and pleasures as she wanted; she was paid in jewellery and exotic foods; but most of all, it was all her choice, nothing of that life was forced on her, like her youth in Taldor was. She was also really proud of the fame that she gained: after all, she was little different in appearance than a true succubus, a creature that was present in the fantasies of adventurers and scholars alike since the dawn of times.
It wasn't all perfect tough. Slowly, stealthily, darker thoughts started creeping into Selena's mind: violent images flashed before her eyes, and more than once she felt the urge to snuff the life out of her partners. Occasionally, she also dreaded of what could have happened in the Puddles that night, if things went in a different way...
Terrified of what could have happened if she left all of those emotions bottle up, Selena decided that she needed a way to let out some steam. Luckily, one of her regulars was a priest of Kurgess, that offered to train her in basic martial arts, as a way to calm the soul. At first Selena had more than one problem, the heaviest thing she ever lifted being a plate, but she quickly learned the basics. After some time, Selena asked her Kurgetite trainer to introduce her to some friendly competitions (her objective all along), not before having made him swear never to talk about it to anyone else, and regularly paying on of the other courtesans to help her hide her not-so-elegant pastime.
She had to go trough an incredible amount of precautions, but it was worthy: the battles were exactly the other thing that she needed to get the blood pumping trough her veins. As with her courtesan job, she could keep her dangerous urges in check, while keeping it all in good fun.
All was going perfectly, when she received a letter from her Grandpa Zhed: he was dying...
Personality:
Selena loves fun.
Her job, her past-times and her interests are all a declination of this simple truth. If she isn't enjoying what she's doing, Selena promptly drops it soon after, something that happens not so infrequently, given her flickery attitude. Luckily, there are some exceptions to this rule, and all of them revolve around “Grandpa Zhed”. Not only Selena would do everything for her grandfather, but the half-orc was also the one that planted in her an hint of morals, something that prevented her from becoming an hedonistic monster. Selena is adamant about the fact that everyone should be able to choose for himself, a philosophy that was heavily influenced by her experiences in life.
Selena also loathes slavery, and if she were the one to decide she would free all of the slaves in Absalom: as she can't do that, she simply takes enormous pains not to pass near the Coins district.
Appearance:
As one could guess from her heritage, Selena is stunningly beautiful. Her long, straight, jet black her falls on her shoulder, making cintrast with her slightly tanned complexion. Since she started her “second past-time” (the one that involves punching people unconscious), she takes enormous pains to balance her elegant appearance with the training and physique needed from a fighter. Because while her body may not seem very muscular at a first glance, a closer look reveals that it surely isn't the body of someone that passes all her time entertaining customers and drinking spiced wine.
In the best of Calistrian fashion, Selena prefers outfits that most people would be too embarrassed to wear in public, not only because she likes to show off, but because not being able to look your opponent in the eyes is what makes a difference between an healthy nose and a broken one...
I've been writing for three hours. And I was worried that this concept was too one-dimensional <.<
Crunch will come tomorrow, just have some things to sort.
@Cydrius: Sorry, but Selena was nowhere near Katapesh. I really didn't find a way to fit that into the backstory:(
But on the bright side, we're picking the same drawback. Hedonistic Monk-Rogue tag team! ;)
@DMJonGarret: I know I'm still asking for houserules, but could I take the Grabbing Style feat at first level? Usually monk can, but the Tetori trades away flurry of blows so RAW he doesn't qualify, while being the archetype that it make more sense for it. Basically, I'd take the first feat in the chain at first level, but the effect will come into play only later: it's just that I would have to spend my other first trait in a useless one that I would have to retrain later.
Plus, it makes sense that I'm adept at grappling multiple targets at once. *Nudge,nudge,wink,wink*
Well, if I'm at the top of the page...
-Yao Mihara, Kitsune Rogue(trickster), Fey template, by Cydrius
-Saiga Manu, Kobold Sorcere(tatooed), ??? Template, by OmniChaos
-Selena Halfblood, Human Monk(Tetori), Half-Succubus template, by Adahn_Cielo
-Something with the half-dragon template, by Oterisk
-A good-aligned pseudo graveknight dwarf, by Seranov
-??? Gnoll ???, Manawasted mutant, by Jubal Breakbottle
-Something with the Eldritch template, by Rednal
-An awakened cupcake? By Edward Sobel
It seems we're missing casters! Isn't there anyone that wants to throw his hat into the ring? Whoever joins in the next 8 hours gets a free grapple!
One small correction - it's Zhen, not Zhed. The name was a bit of a joke, as he was the only one able to balance our extremely Chaotic Neutral Orc Barbarian Grimrod Guthook.
And yes, a Hedonistic Tag Team sounds...potentially interesting.
I'll allow Grabbing Style. I'll have to go read up on the Grappling rules if you are accepted, I'm not hugely familiar with them. But I can certainly see the advantage of you locking down two opponents while Cydrius' rogue perforates there kidney.
It's been a bit busier here this week than we expected, and honestly she's the kind of person who like to fill in gaps in the party, so she's not sure yet. As I get a firmer idea of whose coooming along for the ride she'll likely start firming her plans up.
Hrmmm...
So I had been thinking something along the lines of an Oracle, desna based who had the misfortune of being the target of just a bit too much negative dream magic.
The Nightmare creature template is awesome.
Though that does present me with the tempting option of taking life oracle with a template that grants regeneration and becoming the party hit point battery.
Not sure If I want to go that route though, seems unfair to other players who like the inherent risk associated with limited healing in any particular day.
My submission depends entirely on how quickly the Advanced Bestiary files are released - if it's getting close to the end and they're not out, I'll go with my alternate ideas. XD
I have a curiosity, more background wise than anything else, because this is something that's never come up in my games:
In Golarion, how feasible is it to send messages to far away places? I think it'd be interesting to have Mihara send letters home every now and then, but I'm not sure how feasible that is.
I imagine that as the new city rises, she might be able to set up some kind of messenger pigeon thing, but beyond that, I'm not sure how things would work.
Anyone have knowledge they might impart?
Also, GM, how are you planning to handle carrying capacity and cheap consumables like arrows and food?
Kazekage had grown up in the outskirts of society. Lost, or abandoned by his people, he found life rough. Ever scrounging for his very existence in Katapesh, Kaze used his inherent affinity for the darker side of Katapesh to run errands for scraps of food, or a place to sleep.
Striving to dig himself out of the hell hole he lived in, without succumbing to the bliss of pesh, as so many of the beggars around him did, Kaze taught himself to read, and read voraciously. One day while in a bookstore, a rare silver coin clutched in his small hand, he was drawn to a small book, the cover ratty and stained. But something about that book called to him. Dropping the silver on the counter, he rushed from the store, book in hand. Once he was back in the eaves of a camel barn, where he had a small hammock up under the rafters, Kaze peeled open his prize. A spell book, probably an apprentice wizard's traveling book, but it pulled at him.
Studying the book was a trial, especially when he spooked the camels and had to find another place to call home. And yet Kaze studied, practiced, and learned, through much trial and error, the basics of the arcane arts.
With his newly acquired skills, the work he was hired to do started paying better, though it strayed from what would be considered legal, in a strict sense of the word. while his jobs had often been rather grey in legality, he'd managed to avoid any that hurt an innocent.
Until now, coerced into a job with the threat of enslavement in the pesh fields, Kaze struggled with himself, traveling from one temple to another, something he had never done before. None of the priests could answer his questions, constrained by their gods as they were. But still it was to these temples of life and peace that drew him, tugging at his heart with a higher purpose.
Fearing he may need to flee, and ill prepared for it, Kaze stopped at a small bistro and sat pondering the choices before him. The shadow of a giant half-orc, the legendary Zhen. A conversation soon ensued, and from this brief conversation, life changed for Kaze. His past was seemingly washed away as he was sent off to distant Valeria to attend a prestigious college of arcane studies.
Only recently had he returned, summoned to Zhen's deathbed.
the basic crunch:
Race=wayang
template=half-celestial (we'll work on what happens at later levels)
Class=wizard Conjurer [teleportation]
template=former criminal
If that works for you, I'll work on the rest of the crunch.
Hello :)
This looks like a neat place to apply my Friar Fatling, a short but overweight monk-like halfling who is very jolly but also willing to wallop you with his very big stick.
Mechanically he is a Halfling Aegis (aberrant) with the Obese and Powerful Build customizations as the core of his concept.
I also have to ask if it is ok that i use the Aegis from Dreamscarred Press. Also, i wil NOT be building a tentacled horror. Not for me. No thanks.
His powerful build allows him to wield medium sized weapons so i intend to have him wield some pretty massive weapons in time but for now he will just be a fat little 2 1/2 ft guy swinging around a 6ft staff :)
His obese customization will help him be more durable and this is also where his party role will be, a durable frontliner who can deal some melee damage.
But the real gem is the reduced movement speed. A flaw of his that i intend to embrace fully (he will only have a move speed of 15ft) as he both tries to keep up with the other "long legs" and get to where he needs to be in combat.
I have no idea what i would get for the major drawback or template, it isnt something that i had contemplated before (hur hur)
With the feat from the major drawback i would probably pick up something basic like power attack or medium armor proficency :)
Friar here.
Looking over the templates theres not really anything that immediately springs to mind for the good lil Friar. At least not on first look through. Ill keep looking :)
The two i found that might be good are the earth infused and mutated creature templates.
Heres what the earth infused template would give me specifically, i am wondering about your thoughts.
*Earth subtype.
*20 (15)ft burrow speed.
*25% immunity to poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, criticals and sneak attack.
*+2 Natural Armor.
*+1 att and damage while on the ground.
*20ft tremorsense.
*change racial ability scores from/to:
-2 S, +2 D, +0 C, +0 I, +0 W, +2 C.
+4 S, -2 D, +2 C, -2 I, +2 W, -4 C.
*Iron Will feat.
Im wondering if that isnt too much? Also those ability score changes are very dramatic!
side note, this is really making me want to build a dwarf stonelord with this template ^_^
Would Tik'Klik here be acceptable? I'd need to find a template of some kind for him and rebuild him at 25 pts, obviously.
The idea behind Tik'Klik is he's a golem that was created for an expedition... usually he's found by one of the PCs in the game, early on, and unpacked from a crate. He wasn't exactly created per specs, due to some kids playing in the lab when they shouldn't have, so he's sentient and self motivated.
He acts something like a transformer (tm). Not that he changes shape, but he incorporates his equipment into his body. So, if he has skates, they descend out of his feet when he needs them, then slide up into his feet when he doesn't. His hand folds back to leave an empty arm 'cannon' to fire his arcane bolts, etc.
He was originally a Wyrwood, and I'd like to take him back to that if possible. If not, I understand.
Selena Halfblood
Female human (taldan) monk (tetori) 3 (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat 61)
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses Perception +9
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Defense
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AC 19, touch 17, flat-footed 15 (+1 armor, +4 dexterity, +1 natural, +3 untyped bonus)
hp 27 (3d8+9)
Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +6; +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities evasion
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Offense
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Speed 40 ft.
Melee mwk cold iron cestus +7 (1d4+4/19-20) or
. . unarmed strike +6 (1d6+4)
Ranged shuriken +6 (1d2+4)
Special Attacks stunning fist (3/day, DC 14)
--------------------
Statistics
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Str 19, Dex 18, Con 16, Int 9, Wis 16, Cha 17
Base Atk +2; CMB +7 (+9 grapple); CMD 23 (26 vs. grapple)
Feats Grabbing Style[ACG], Improved Grapple, Improved Unarmed Strike, Snapping Turtle Clutch[UC], Snapping Turtle Style[UC], Stunning Fist, Stunning Pin[UC]
Traits calistrian courtesan
Skills Acrobatics +10, Bluff +5, Diplomacy +11 (+12 to gather information), Perception +9, Sense Motive +4
Languages Common
SQ fast movement, graceful grappler, hedonistic, maneuver training, silver tongued
Combat Gear bloodvine rope; Other Gear mwk cold iron cestus, shuriken (25), bracers of armor +1, courtesan's kit, mwk manacles, monk's outfit, 2,420 gp
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Special Abilities
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Calistrian Courtesan You worked in one of Calistria’s temples as a sacred courtesan, and you know how to flatter, please, and (most of all) listen. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks and Diplomacy checks to gather information, and one of these skills (your
Evasion (Ex) If you succeed at a Reflex save for half damage, you take none instead.
Fast Movement (+10 ft.) The Monk adds 10 or more feet to his base speed.
Grabbing Style No -4 to 1-handed grapple checks, do not lose Dex to AC while pinning.
Graceful Grappler (Ex) A tetori uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus to determine CMB and CMD for grappling. At 4th level, he suffers no penalties on attack rolls, can make attacks of opportunity while grappling, and retains his Dexterity bonus to AC when
Hedonistic If you do not gain a reward in a day, you are fatigued for 4h the next day (Fort DC 20 negates)
Improved Grapple You don't provoke attacks of opportunity when grappling a foe.
Improved Unarmed Strike Unarmed strikes don't cause attacks of opportunity, and can be lethal.
Maneuver Training (Ex) CMB = other BABs + Monk level
Silver Tongued You can shift a creature's attitude by three steps with Diplomacy.
Snapping Turtle Clutch Your shield bonus applies to your CMD and touch AC
Snapping Turtle Style +1 Gain +1 shield bonus to AC when at least one hand is free
Stunning Fist (3/day, DC 14) You can stun an opponent with an unarmed attack.
Stunning Pin Use Stunning Fist against pinned opponents
--------------------
---------------
Traits:
Halfblood - Zhen had many children, and even more grandchildren. He tends to spoil them rotten...
Effect - You start with an additional 1000gp and the Halfblood last name. Don’t worry about race - many of Zhen’s children were adopted. This may have other, surprising, effects.
Grappling Succubus: Go go CN monk succubus!
Cydrius wrote:
I think Selena and Mihara would definitely make an interesting duo.
Ok now im torn between Friar and recreating another character from yonder. Rockjaw Halfblood.
Rockjaw is a dwarf armored hulk (barbarian) who is covered in stoneplate, has a stone boulder helm on his head and carries a stone shield and stone warhammer. He was born to a clan of Stonelords, the Runefingers, yet inherited none of their connections to the earth. Ashamed and shunned, Rockjaw has taken to covering himself with as much rock as he can in the hopes that it would "seep in". Yet despite this he is simply a normal dwarf covered in stone...
The other thing is his temper, lacking the stoticness and emotionless demeanor of his prestigious predicesors, Rockjaw has a temper that he often loses in battle. This also is a secret shame of his.
Now, having figured out a ritual or something that has granted him an affinity with his much sought after stone, and having completed it/found it with the help of Zhen Halfblood, Rockjaw has managed to infuse himself with the essence of stone, but it wasnt quite like he expected... Now branded an abomination by his clan and permenantly banished, Rockjaw has taken up the name "Halfblood".
Quick mechanical bits about him :)
Dwarf barbarian
Wears heavy stoneplate and wields stone weapons/armor
His main weapon is his boulder helm that he headbutts people and obstacles in his way to death with (he once headbutted a rolling boulder, causing it to explode XD)
His feats are Power Attack, Imp Bull Rush and Steel Soul (and Iron Will from template)
Rage power is knockback, next one will be overbearing advance
Traits are Glory of Old, World Traveler and Halfblood (campaign trait)
Drawbacks are Oppressive Expectations and Fear of Falling (he has always grown up under the oppressiveness of a VERY stotic and demanding paladin class. And stones are not meant to fly, earth infused ones even moreso. Nope, they try and stay firmly attached to the ground. They also dont go up very well :) ask me about it sometime ^_^)
Template will be elemental infused (earth)
Gameplay wise he will emulate a stone: like a rolling boulder he will crash headfirst into battle, bowling aside any obstacle. In battle he will be as durable as a rock, attacks washing off of him as the sea hits the shore. To cast magic at him is as futile as trying to taunt the earth. Except he gets angry. Very angry >:)
Since i am recreating him i intend to try and find as much of his lost aka scattered about and i got to find :( lore/backstory as i can find :) he has been in 3 different campaigns so far ^_^
@Tik. That sounds more like Inspector Gadget to me ^_^
@Selena. O.o ill stick with my, umm, other rock fettish over here ».»
But grappling can be very complicated :) ive spent many an hour trying to figure it out exactly and how to make it work. One of the few areas i would consider myself an expert in. Need a soundboard in that area, let me know ^_^
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor), fly 60 ft. (average)
Melee (L) adamantine bastard sword +8 (2d8+15/19-20) or
. . dagger +9 (1d4+10/19-20) or
. . bite +4 (1d6+5), 2 claws +4 (1d4+5)
Special Attacks breath weapon, smite good
Antipaladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 0th; concentration +5)
. . At will—detect good
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 27, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 20
Base Atk +2; CMB +9; CMD 20
Feats Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Power Attack
Traits chosen child, seeker, Focused Learner
Skills Acrobatics -7 (-11 to jump), Bluff +10, Fly -2, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (religion) +5, Perception +6
Languages Common, Draconic
SQ aura of evil, resist level drain, touch of corruption, umbral unmasking, unholy resilience, vampiric empathy
Other Gear agile half-plate, adamantine bastard sword, dagger, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, fishhook (2), flint and steel, hip flask, sewing needle, signal whistle, silver unholy symbol, string or twine, thread (50 ft.), trail rations (7), unholy symbol with compartment, unholy symbol with flask, waterskin, whetstone, 27 gp, 2 cp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Aura of Evil (Ex) The antipaladin has an Aura of Evil with power equal to her class level.
Breath Weapon (1/day, DC 12) (Su) 1/day, 30-foot cone of negative energy that deals 6d8 points of damage, DC 12.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Detect Good (At will) (Sp) You can use Detect Good at will (as the spell).
Flight (60 feet, Average) You can fly!
Immunity NE Immune to damage from negative energy and Strength drain
Immunity to Paralysis You are immune to paralysis.
Immunity to Sleep You are immune to sleep effects.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Negative Energy Affinity (Ex) You are alive, but react to positive/negative energy as though you were undead.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Resist Level Drain (Ex) Negative levels don't impose penalties or become permanent, but still kill if exceed HD.
Smite Good (1/day) (Su) +5 to hit, +2 to damage, +5 deflection bonus to AC when used.
Touch of Corruption (1d6, 6/day) (Su) You can inflict 1d6 damage, 6/day
Umbral Unmasking You cast no shadow (DC 15 Perception to notice)
Undead Resistance +2 save vs. disease, mind affecting effects.
Unholy Resilience (Su) You gain your Charisma Bonus as a bonus to all saving throws.
Vampiric Empathy Speak with bats, rats, and wolves and +2 Diplomacy dealing with them.
Weakness to Positive Energy -1 to save vs. effects that deal positive energy damage.
your all so nice, such nice PCs let me introduce you to
Lady Rosa Luminass, when they tell tails down the Inn of evil dens full of evil things, at the end, after the Hero;s win, and get to the last room, they always talk of the evil cleric at the dens heart.
Well Rosa is the kind of cleric you find there. She is a cleric of the hells, sold to them and a child and changed, why do you know her, why in fact would a dying hero know her. Well because of her roll in the hells.
Rosa you see is a hound of hell, her task is simple, find evil do'er how have escaped the justice of Hell and bring them BACK!! Think of her as a kind of Cop from HELL.
She is cold unfeeling and relentless in her task. To her law is all, She will not harm he innocent, but evil that brakes Hells laws, o that is a whole other matter.
Rosa dos not hide who and what she is, she is not in any way a Tiefling who lives in Shame. As a LE Cleric of the hells and Asmodeus Rose is how ever bound by law, She is cold hard unfeeling, but not cruel. She takes no joy from what she dos as a hound of hell. She hunts down and beings back the souls of the guilty, the law barkers. Her mind is sharp her wits fast her will like steel. Do not try to pleaded with her, or look to her good side, she has none.
Rosa is striking in looks, other worldly odd looks, disturbing looks. Her skin is metallic white, her fine white metallic sliver hair that always seems to be moving, her body gives off a cold haze even on the hotted sad. She is very tall (8'8") with large Black Metallic wings. , age wise she looks around 30, she has horns and a tail. So she will never pass of any thing but Hell Spawn. Rosa walks with grace and pride, and always keeps herself clean and well kept. Her eyes a metallic silver and seem to look beyond, where who can say, but Rosa sees things others should not. She carry's a great black sword with hellish runs over it. An intelligent sword that whispers to her constantly.
Back story::
Rosa remembers a time of rooms and play, in the house of her farther, there nana would look after her and tell her story’s of the world outside. Rosa knew she could not go out, it was a bad thing and if ever her father found her close to a door or shaded window, he was be very angery. Life was sunbeams for shuttered windows, play and sleep. The servants had a party for her, and nana gave her a new dress, rosa had just put it on when her Farther game. He told nana he needed rosa to come to his work shop and that she had to stay, nana was very upset, but Rosa went with her Farther. The room was big and rosa looked at all the books and bottles. A strange Patten had been made in the middle of the work area floor. Some thing was there, a monster, Rosa was not scared she had seen her father with Monsters before. Monster Held out its hand, “You come with me now” it said, Rosa looked at her Farther who just nodded, Rosa held her hand out, the Monster smiled, “The deal is done, you have want you wanted “ there was a flash and Rosa was in a hot place, all around Monster walked and worked, The one holding her hand held out a metal collar he placed around her neck. “You is slave now, you work here, carry and do fast or pain” he placed a drinking jug in her hands and her mind fogged over. Time passed, she worked with others like her in a great tent made of skin and bone. Sleep, eat work, if she was slow hes was crushed under foot, to awake the next day in the blood pits, Her body whole once more to be sent back to work carrying food and drink to the Monsters.
The tent moved, as its owner the lord of hell willed and she with it, she never once looked outside the tent, she knew only work, pain and sleep.
Then came the time of a fight, another slave, a new one was being slow, if he was not faster she and he would be crushed, he would not move more or let her past, so with one swing she smashed he head in and walked over his body to the tables. The Monsters seem to think this was funny, one of them picked Rosa up in its clawed hand, “Fine one this, she has fire in her, you wast such fire in slave, place her in the army she will do well.” With that he broke her neck. When she came to she was in a blood pit she had never seen before, it was a cell and standing over it was a Monster holding large knifes. There was others around her, “worms you are mine, so heed me well, lean to fight and die well and I may let you live again, you will fight and you will die, each time as our lord wills and you will do so no matter what” with that he throw the Knifes into the pit. "Last one standing gets out". Rosa did not win that day or the next, but soon she did and in doig so joined the ranks of hells army. There she became fodder fight and die in endless wars.
Time passed, then came to time of the sword.
She and others had been sent to frontaly attack a Devil, “You will charge at it all of you and keep it distracted while and agent of our master deals with it, most if not all of you will be sent back to the blood pits and death, this is what you are meant to do, Now go and die has our lord wills”
They ran over the hill and down to the waiting Devil, they died, its grate hammer smashing them while it tail flicked from side to side. Rosa was hit and thrown next to a rock, there she waited for death.
But as she lay dying she had time to see a shape move up behind the Devil, now eating some of her fellow dead. The Shape held in its hands a huge black and red sword, Then it moved to smite the Devil, but somehow it gave its place away, the devil move so fast she could not see, spinning it held in its hand a small bird.
“Do you think you could get me like that hell hound” The small thing In its hands screamed and the one with the sword stopped dead.
Why is he not moving
Rose thought, and then she could see, he had become stone. “Silly little hell hound”, the devil said, “he should know better than to send the likes of you, such and insult,” then its head high it screamed “if he wants ME! He can come himself” with one move of its tail it smashed Stone form.
Rosa closed her eyes as the rubble fell around her, she could hear the Devil had gone back to its meal. When she opened her eyes again, the pain was grater, but she could also see that the hounds sword had fallen by her side. She looked at it, it was a work of art, the runes on it seemed to flow and shift, so pretty, slowly she moved her hand to touch them.
“Arr” a voice said in her head “who do we have her, weak and small but there is room for improvement, you are one with a soul, but life yet, you must do”
They found her 2 days later, Still holding the Sword in the Back of the Dead Devil.
"This one is mine now" Said the sword "Make her whole once more and send her for Cleric Training, she is to be sent back!!!"
This is how Rosa's life as a Cleric of Hell Started, Her time on the prime has been hard but if her masters will she shall prevail.
A sort Story with Rosa -Sweet dreams- :
They tool him from he cell and moved him to a room, a new room, he was in chains, hands and feel, all he could do to move was shuffle. They closed the doors after placing him the room. It was dark, not much to see but a fire place with few coals in it. I voice came out of the hark.
"Do you know I collects dolls, powered by the souls of the wicked we have executed here. Little dolls. I like to dress them up in cute girl outfits I make my shelf. Lets me pass the time. Look over there on the table, three are there now, Go have a look, maybe there is someone you used to know from the cells."
A magic light came on and there in a table where three small dolls. Sitting at a small table, holding up little empty china cups to their faces. Up down up down. As he looked at them all three turned their heads at once to look at him. He jumped a little at this, taking steps back to the door. The voice game again.
"Look, see that one with the little Sunday outfit, that's Big Bill Owmak the Butcher of Belston, he killed over 300 mean women and children wile he was on the rampage. Would you like me to make it do a little dance, its very good at it and so cute, here look I even have a little stage."
another light and now a stage with more dolls, walking and moving.
"O but lets not rush, now I had you brought to my office so I could show you this."
A another light showing just one Doll, it was still unlike the others. He felt better about that.
"Look its your little dolly, you see tomorrow when we lop off your head with my soul drinking Hell blade, a little bit of your soul will be split off and place in her. I think she's lovely don't you. I want you to see her so that wile most of you soul will be in hell burning for all time. You can think on the fact a little pit of your is with me here, with the other dollys. Having tea party's and doing little dances to cheer me up."
All the lights went off then out of the darkness came a thing from hell itself. It looked at him with cold unfeeling eyes.
"Well of you go back to your cell, and have a good nights rest, you will need all your straight tomorrow for your death day. Night night and sweet dreams."
With that they opened the door once more and pulled him out, They had to drag him, such was his screams. The thing in the room had forgot all about him, she was looking over her dolls playing tea party once more.
yep fixing things Crunch wise, I just wanted the background so you get an Idea of what she is like. Rosa really is something more than me. She has seen things, done things. She's evil that hunts Evil for the Hells. This makes it so she plays well with others, good types and such. Yes he is hard cold and well Rosa, but she is only cruel to Wicked who brake laws.
We can link backgrounds if you like have Rosa know your PC or even be related in some way.
Sounds fun. Since your channels will heal my character. We will have some work to do. Related could also be something to work for. Maybe it was he who helped in your escape
Zinkov Halfblood
Half-Umbral dragon, moroi-born dhampir (svetocher) antipaladin (lord of darkness) 2
LE Medium dragon (humanoid, dhampir)
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +6
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Defense
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AC 22, touch 10, flat-footed 22 (+8 armor, +4 natural)
hp 22 (2d10+6)
Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +9; -1 vs positive energy damage, +2 bonus vs. disease and mind-affecting
Defensive Abilities negative energy affinity; Immune acid, paralysis, sleep; Resist undead resistance
Weaknesses weakness to positive energy
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor), fly 60 ft. (average)
Melee (L) adamantine bastard sword +8 (2d8+15/19-20) or
. . dagger +9 (1d4+10/19-20) or
. . bite +4 (1d6+5), 2 claws +4 (1d4+5)
Special Attacks breath weapon, smite good
Antipaladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 0th; concentration +5)
. . At will—detect good
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Statistics
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Str 27, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 20
Base Atk +2; CMB +9; CMD 20
Feats Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Power Attack
Traits chosen child, seeker, Focused Learner
Skills Acrobatics -7 (-11 to jump), Bluff +10, Diplomacy +6, Fly -2, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (religion) +5, Perception +6
Languages Common, Draconic
SQ aura of evil, resist level drain, touch of corruption, umbral unmasking, unholy resilience, vampiric empathy
Other Gear agile half-plate, adamantine bastard sword, dagger, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, fishhook (2), flint and steel, hip flask, sewing needle, signal whistle, silver unholy symbol, string or twine, thread (50 ft.), trail rations (7), unholy symbol with compartment, unholy symbol with flask, waterskin, whetstone, 27 gp, 2 cp
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Special Abilities
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Aura of Evil (Ex) The antipaladin has an Aura of Evil with power equal to her class level.
Breath Weapon (1/day, DC 12) (Su)1/day, 30-foot cone of negative energy that deals 6d8 points of damage, DC 12.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Detect Good (At will) (Sp) You can use Detect Good at will (as the spell).
Flight (60 feet, Average) You can fly!
Immunity to Negative Energy Immune to damage from negative energy and Strength drain.
Immunity to Paralysis You are immune to paralysis.
Immunity to Sleep You are immune to sleep effects.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Negative Energy Affinity (Ex) You are alive, but react to positive/negative energy as though you were undead.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Resist Level Drain (Ex) Negative levels don't impose penalties or become permanent, but still kill if exceed HD.
Smite Good (1/day) (Su) +5 to hit, +2 to damage, +5 deflection bonus to AC when used.
Touch of Corruption (1d6, 6/day) (Su) You can inflict 1d6 damage, 6/day
Umbral Unmasking You cast no shadow (DC 15 Perception to notice)
Undead Resistance +2 save vs. disease, mind affecting effects.
Unholy Resilience (Su) You gain your Charisma Bonus as a bonus to all saving throws.
Vampiric Empathy Speak with bats, rats, and wolves and +2 Diplomacy dealing with them.
Weakness to Positive Energy -1 to save vs. effects that deal positive energy damage.
I'm thinking Spell Vulnerability: Healing, as Major Drawback
At level 11 (13), i will be able to have a succubus with the advanced template and augment summing with me. you two can make a very interesting tag team ;)
Dotting. May put something tommorow. I'll see what I can drum up. Any opposition to evil characters? The nightmare creature template is quite interesting to me. I would also ask how this type of play interacts with templates that become stronger on creatures with higher HD (like the nightmare template).
@Williamoak: For scaling templates (like the Half-fiend one I'm using), JonGarret said that we will give them little penalties later on, to offset the benefits granted by the more powerful templates.
Nigrum is pretty much a swordsman first and foremost while being a bounty hunter as needed for money. Also he has two major quirks if you will. One is he has super bad sense of direction, getting lost very easily and so ends up in places he didn't expect. The second he has no idea he has powers/abilities beyond what his people share. So don't expect him to make use of non passive abilities from his template, unless it's a "didn't know I could do that" kind of situation. xP
Nigrum is pretty much a swordsman first and foremost while being a bounty hunter as needed for money. Also he has two major quirks if you will. [...] he has super bad sense of direction, getting lost very easily and so ends up in places he didn't expect. [...]
This reminds me of a certain green-haired three-sword wielding anime character, heh.
I am quite curious to know the DM's stance on Evil characters, myself.
Mihara's a good-natured Neutral, and I'm not sure she'd get along very well with a character who has a cruel disposition... Although she probably wouldn't get along very well with a paladin of the holy order of "we must all be pure, chaste, and righteous" either.
As for Nigrum, he is NG so while he is not for rampant bloodshed and general wickedness. He is flexible enough to let the means justify the ends to some degree. He is semi honorable. ;)
P.S. Nigrum hung around Katapesh for a good while so if anyone wants to throw him into their story let me know.
Sorry, been fighting to clear some addware off my laptop.
OK, let's see...
Cydrius - I'm guessing non-magical messages are probably much the same as they were in our world - send it with a merchants going the right way or hire a courier being the main two options.
fnord - Looks fine, although your name meaning Wind Shadow makes me chuckle after y kids watching Legend of Chima a lot.
Friar Fatling - Yeah, an Aegis is OK. I'm no overly familiar with Psionic stuff, however - can you go into more details about this Powerful Build stuff?
Earth Infused template is fine. And yeah, Stonelords are a lot of fun...I rule that the elemental is a permanent pet, by the way.
Tik Klik - No idea what a Wyrdwood is. I'll consider it if you have some details? I'll go Googling after I finish fighting the Spam Machine on my computer. Another option, if you have access to it, is the Ironborn - one of my favourite races.
Evil Characters - I'm not automatically opposed to them. However, I must feel very, very strongly that they can not just interact with the party but a reasonably large base of NPC's without causing disruption. Frankly, if your character is too terrifying you'll have problems running the city without using evil methods, and the entire party is unlikely to be evil.
Also, one of the themes that will show up in this game is slavery. Evil characters may have an issue with giving up such a lucrative trade.
My personal preference would be 'Neutral with a dark side', but I can likely accept 'evil that borders on neutral' at a pinch. Evil applications will have to convince me they both have a good reason and the capacity to play well with others.
Going to make Rosa LN if that is ok GM, I know the template says EVIL but it kind of works better if she is LN,
Her liment changed when she become a cleric of Abadar I think that would work better and as the reach of the game is to make a city.
With Slavery, if the LAW says its 'law' then its what she will protect v the law, BUT if the city laws says its not then she will stamp it out.
If there is NO law, we will look to others to see what the city says it wishs to be LAW
'The Rule of Law' is all that Rosa cares about really, A city works well when the watch are well trained, incorruptible and very well disciplined.
A 9 foot Devil will do that.
I am also going to tone down her looks.
At her core Rosa is a low-woman,
think wild west and Wyatt Earp that is the link of idea I want from her. She is incorruptible and impeccable.
Nigrum, I suggest you take a look at the second half of Mihara's background. I've got a spot where Nigrum might fit in.
Mihara and a few as-of-yet unknown adventurers had a momentary alliance with other adventurers to take out a group of smugglers. Perhaps Nigrum was one of these adventurers, out for a cut of the bounty on them?
I wonder, by the way, what is a Cisor? I've looked them up and can't seem to find any info.
Bane88 - Potentially doable, but you're more likely be able to simply play both yourself and have the Draconic end be the dominant half. I once had a friend play a Synthesis Summoner where the Summoner was effectively dead, and the Eidolon was using him to stay in this plane.
Being lawful is what makes my character be okay with helping others. He is a bit darker. He is umbral and a dhampir.
@GM what do you need of me to make him okay for this game or is he okay so far ?
Nigrum, I suggest you take a look at the second half of Mihara's background. I've got a spot where Nigrum might fit in.
Mihara and a few as-of-yet unknown adventurers had a momentary alliance with other adventurers to take out a group of smugglers. Perhaps Nigrum was one of these adventurers, out for a cut of the bounty on them?
Sure, sounds like the kind of work he would do. While he is not lawful he does try to stay on the laws good side. They tend to honor their debts after all, more so in Katapesh. ;)
Basically they are a created, sentient race made by arcane magic. A magically awakened golem for all intents and purposes. Good thing is, no sleep, no tired, etc. Bad thing is, they don't heal via Cure spells or channels.
