Male Human Rogue (Swindler) 2 AC:14 HP 10/10 Perc:+5 Init: +3 F:+1 R:+5 W:+1 SAN: 37/40
Mrkula&DM_DM:
You're lying on your back in a strange place. A cell? It's small and cramped, with a locked gate opening on a corridor. The only light here is a flickering dim orange glow, from a lamp or candle. You spit something out of your mouth -- a wad of cloth? Were you biting it?
Someone very close nearby is screaming.
Your leg hurts.
There's a pale, unhealthy-looking man in the cell with you. As you choke your way to consciousness, he leans forward and slaps you, hard.
Tell me what happened!
I answer, Hells if I now'. Was gonna ask you the same thin. Did u have the...the dream? That thing in the mist killin' u?
I quickly look myself over to see if I have my daggers in my wrist sheaths as well as the short swords on my back...and of course my "tools".
He considers warning the man against hitting him again but thinks better of it until he can figure his way out of this one.
I look around what else do I see?
You were gruesomely, horrifically killed by the thing in the mist. You survived, and have awoken, but was that all there was to it? The lingering effects of this are TBD.
Your interrogation of the young man is cut short when suddenly the ground starts to shake. It's an earthquake! You are slammed to the ground, taking 1d4 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 1 one point of damage.
A moment later there is a grinding crash from somewhere nearby. With a start of horror, you realize that you are indoors, or perhaps underground. What if the whole building collapses? You can hear the stones grinding, as everything sways.
The screaming nearby got louder during the earthquake, with words mixed in -- "No, no! Please, somebody, help me!" -- but now it fades to a low whimpering mixed with gasping sobs.
Another, different voice says, "The Dreamer Below. He stirs in his sleep. Maybe he'll wake up. That would be funny. Don't you think that would be funny, Before?"
Status of the Wizard
Physical 0
-- There's something wrong with you. You don't know what it is, but... something's very, very wrong. Your head hurts, and it's hard to focus your eyes. Your stomach is empty, but spasms of nausea pass through it. Worst of all is the shivering, the constant shivering. You have the shakes; your hands won't stop trembling. You can speak clearly if you concentrate, but otherwise your chattering teeth give you a stutter.
The wizard has the Sickened condition until further notice.
Quote:
The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Mental 3
-- Despite your miserable physical condition, your mind is astonishingly clear and strong. You are immune to Sanity damage for the next four hours, and you take +4 on any Will save whose failure would cause Sanity damage.
Fugue 2
-- Wait, there's something wrong with your memory. You don't remember where you are, or how you got here. In fact, with growing alarm you realize you don't remember anything for... quite a while. Years?
Stuff 4
-- TBD. At the moment, you are wearing a simple outfit of loose pants and a striped cotton tunic. You have no other possessions or equipment.
The man who was slapping you got thrown to the ground, hard. Since you were sitting down, you rode out the earthquake unhurt.
Status of the Rogue
Physical 1
-- Ow, your leg... you twisted your ankle, hard. You don't remember doing it, but you did. More generally, you feel beaten and bruised.
You are at -4 hp. Also, your twisted ankle means you are at half movement. If you can lean on someone or improvise a crutch, this will increase to 20'.
Mental 2
-- Your mind is working normally.
Fugue 2
-- Wait, there's something wrong with your memory. You don't remember where you are, or how you got here. In fact, with growing alarm you realize you don't remember anything for... quite a while. Years?
Stuff 1
-- TBD. At the moment, you are wearing a simple outfit of loose pants and a striped cotton tunic. You have no other possessions or equipment.
AAAA IT WAS KILLING YOU and then suddenly you wake up in the middle of an earthquake. When the earthquake stops, you are... locked inside a cell? Other people are groaning and stirring around you.
Status
Physical 3
-- Whoa, you feel... physically, you feel great. Alert and almost crackling with energy. At some point in the recent past, you were dosed with a powerful stimulant. You have +4 Dex for the next four hours.
Mental 1
-- You're disoriented and distracted. You are at -4 to Wis. Furthmore, whenever confronted with a stressful situation (such as combat) you must make a DC 15 Will save in order to place yourself in danger. If you fail the Will save by 5 or more, you can do nothing but cower. You can retry the Will save each round; once it's made, you can act normally for the rest of that encounter or situation.
Fugue 0
-- You remember... nothing. Totally nothing, absolute blank. Not only do you not know how you got here, you're not sure who you are. You no longer remember your name. The DM or the other players will give you a name based on some characteristic ("Scarface", "Twitchy", or the like). Also, some of your memories are slow to recover. Whenever you attempt to attack with a weapon, use a skill, or cast a spell, there is a 50% chance you are unable to bring those memories to the fore. For a weapon or a skill, you are treated as non-proficient (-4 to attack rolls, no +3 bonus on skill checks). For a spell, you are unable to cast it, but you do not lose the spell or slot. Once you have used a particular weapon or skill, or cast a particular spell, you no longer have to make this roll. You can try to reroll a failed roll after at least ten minutes have passed. Additionally, you don't remember how to read or how to speak any languages but Common.
You are confused (as per the spell) for a round. I rolled for this, above, and fortunately you got the "act normally" result. Like everyone else, you have awakened in a cell, wearing only simple loose trousers and a striped tunic. You may be a bit disoriented. Or more than a bit.
Status
Physical 3
-- Wow, you feel great. Alert and almost crackling with energy. Like the Oracle, at some point in the recent past you were dosed with a powerful stimulant. You have +4 Dex for the next four hours.
Mental 3
-- Your mind is clear, too. You are immune to Sanity damage for the next four hours, and you take +4 on any Will save whose failure would cause Sanity damage.
Fugue 0
-- You remember... nothing. Totally nothing, absolute blank. Not only do you not know how you got here, you're not sure who you are. You no longer remember your name. The DM or the other players will give you a name based on some characteristic ("Scarface", "Twitchy", or the like). Also, some of your memories are slow to recover. Whenever you attempt to attack with a weapon, use a skill, or cast a spell, there is a 50% chance you are unable to bring those memories to the fore. For a weapon or a skill, you are treated as non-proficient (-4 to attack rolls, no +3 bonus on skill checks). For a spell, you are unable to cast it, but you do not lose the spell or slot. Once you have used a particular weapon or skill, or cast a particular spell, you no longer have to make this roll. You can try to reroll a failed roll after at least ten minutes have passed. Additionally, you don't remember how to read or how to speak any languages but Common.
Stuff 0
-- TBD. Right now you have just the clothes you're wearing. You have no idea if they're the right clothes or not.
As noted, you have woken up in cold stone cells. You are not chained or otherwise restrained, but you are locked in the cells.
There are four small cells, two on each side of a wide corridor. Each cell would be comfortable for one person, or crowded for two. Three of the cells contain people, two apiece; the fourth cell is empty, its gate hanging open.
The cells are closed by large gates. The gates are locked. You can just reach a hand or an arm through the gate, but you couldn't possibly squeeze between the bars.
There was an earthquake, but it seems to have stopped. During the earthquake, you heard a loud crash from down the corridor.
The light is dim and flickering, a candle or a small lamp. In game terms, low-light conditions; 20% miss chance and you can use Stealth.
It smells bad in here. Blood and... something else.
A cold voice just said something about a Dreamer Below.
NE cell: Paladin, Mesmerist
SE cell, immediately opposite: Wizard, Rogue
NW cell: Bard, Oracle
-- I look around! [Perception check]
-- I try to pick the lock! [Not possible, you have no tools.]
-- I try to break the bars! [STR check]
-- I try to hide! [Difficult in such a small place, but you could try.]
-- I try to talk to the other people!
-- Other!
What is distracting is that his hair switches between pale highlighted blonde to jet umbral black from moment to moment, and small specks of glittering dust ... no, rather shimmering sand, fleck of his hair as he moves and searches the room.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15while making small movements and walking
HP 13/16 Sanity 38/42 Init +6; Per +4AC 15/10/15 Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2
DM_DM wrote:
Status
Physical 3 Mental 1 Fugue 0
No one else had score of Stuff 2, so taking cue from other descriptions.
Nameless wakes up with her body twisted into awkward angles - her back threatening injury if the spasms hadn't stopped. She sits up on her bedroll, and raises her hand to her face. Moisture. Blood? No, tears. She puts her head down and involuntarily shudders, her hair hanging limply.
Taking in her cell, she sees a woman who looks vaguely familiar. Was she ... ? In the city? I ... I can't recall ... In fact, she can recall nothing. But the prone woman looks so familiar. Nameless stands, walks over to her cellmate and crouches down, hovering over her. Not moving. Saying nothing. Eyes wide, watching her intently - trying to remember, well, anything.
Male Human Rogue (Swindler) 2 AC:14 HP 10/10 Perc:+5 Init: +3 F:+1 R:+5 W:+1 SAN: 37/40
Ghelik slowly gets himself up, with some discomfort. He survey's the area taking in what he sees. His eyes dart around for some place to hide or better...escape. This includes looking around the cell his is in as well as the thing that was in his mouth...
perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
He whispers to his cell mate, Old man, yer not lookin' so good. You got anything to help us get out of ere if so we can help each other?
Do you remember anythin'? Can't remember sh1t from some time ago...like why I am ere.
Diplomacy +6, Religion +4, Perception +6, String +3, Sense Motive +4 Human Paladin of Iomadae Vital: HP 24/24 AC 21/11/20;San 24/24; Will +5 (+1 v evil), Ref +3 (+1 v evil)Fort +7 (+1 v evil) ; Smite 1/1 ;Guilty Smite 1/1 Lay on Hands 3/3
As Vitae awakens Fritz, lets her go, and helps her rise
In my spoiler I saw yo twitching and I was comforting you
Praise her, you are alright. As alright as any of us.
Fritz pauses and looks around 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8, but he cannot see anything beyond the bars and he can't help but still be worried about his companion.
My name is Fritz Fritzman, devotee of Iomadae, may her glory protect us.
Ghelik slowly gets himself up, with some discomfort. He survey's the area taking in what he sees. His eyes dart around for some place to hide or better...escape.
perception 1d20+5
Woo nat 20 on Perception! Okay.
The corridor opens up into a chamber. There are two people in the chamber. One is a slender woman, apparently human, in early middle age. She is wearing a blood-smeared doctor’s coat. The other person is a man, also human, strapped to the table. He is naked, has a number of wounds and is covered in blood. He is the one who has been screaming. Right now he has stopped screaming, but is sobbing and begging: "Oh, no. Please, stop. Please, please."
The doctor-woman circles the table casually, stopping every so often to scrutinize one of the man’s wounds. On a metal-topped table beside her, a number of sharp objects are lying on a bandage. You would expect to see surgical instruments here. Instead, there is a seemingly random collection of objects: a toasting fork, a gardening trowel, a straight-razor, and a long shard of broken glass. At the moment, she is holding one blade of a broken pair of pruning shears.
The light, such as it is, comes from a small oil lamp on another side table. The flickering of the lamp suggests that it might be running out soon. The doctor and the table are 10 to 15 feet from the eastern cells, another 10 feet from the NW cell.
For Gherik, additional details from the natural 20:
The unpleasant smell is rotting flesh. There's a dead body somewhere near here, or several of them.
The doctor-woman is muttering to herself, odd scraps of phrases that you can't quite make out. Bits of it seem to rhyme? "Dreamer Below, let's go. Before, so sore, more. More." Could be a spell or incantation, could be nonsense.
There are several vials on the side table with the lamp.
Male Human Rogue (Swindler) 2 AC:14 HP 10/10 Perc:+5 Init: +3 F:+1 R:+5 W:+1 SAN: 37/40
Don't forget to do your SAN damage and add your SAN score to your character sheet.
Whispers to the old man, So there is a women out there...doing some type of ritual on the man begging. I have seen magic at work...at some point...I am guessing it is all connected. She has keys on her waist. If we can draw her over here and distract her...I may be able to get the keys.
A plan starts to formulate in the young man's mind.
Will post some details of my potential ruse once Mrkula responds.
Will post some details of my potential ruse once Mrkula responds.
I happen to know he's going to be in planes and airports for most of the next 24 hours, so feel free to go ahead and post now. If you want to talk quietly to the other PCs, you can try a Bluff check -- passing messages without being noticed is one of the uses of Bluff.
Male Human Rogue (Swindler) 2 AC:14 HP 10/10 Perc:+5 Init: +3 F:+1 R:+5 W:+1 SAN: 37/40
Continues whispering his plan to the old man, I am wondering if we can find a way to distract her to come over to our cage...something significant enough to examine our cell?
Do you have anything that may draw her over? I was thinking of pretending that something else was in our cell, maybe that would draw her over to check it out? What do you think? I see some others but I don't know if they can help.
Suddenly awaking as though from a nightmare, Kyleen's eyes shoot open suddenly seeing the woman staring quietly down at her. Fear suddenly appears in Kyle's eyes as she claws herself backwards attempting to get away from the strange silent person.
What is she? Where am I? Who am I?
Suddenly finding herself up against the cell's bars, still staring at the silent woman:
Stay back. What did you do to me?
The woman suddenly reaches for her side as though expecting to find some weapon there, finding nothing, she goes into the best defensive posture one can while sitting slouched against cell bars.
HP 13/16 Sanity 38/42 Init +6; Per +4AC 15/10/15 Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2
Assuming Fugue 0 means we still can remember something about The Dreamlands
Nameless doesn't move for a moment, watching the woman closely, unblinking and apparently oblivious to the fact she startled her cellmate. You - were you There? I think ... on the beach ... the mists ... An involuntary shiver traces down her spine and she rocks backwards into a sitting position, legs crossed, head bowed in her hands. She mutters, I'm not ... sure.
Without looking up, she says, I've taken no action against you -- not that I recall, anyway. The pale woman looks up, frowning, and glances around at the cell. She plucks at her cotton tunic and nods to the woman to draw attention to their shared, institutional garb. Nameless wraps her arms around herself, and begins to rock gently back and forth, staring at the floor between the two of them. We're wearing the same, we're wearing the same ...
Do you have anything that may draw her over? I was thinking of pretending that something else was in our cell, maybe that would draw her over to check it out? What do you think?
The pale man frowns. (He's not actually that much older than you -- thirties, perhaps? But his hair is very light, ash blond or prematurely white. Also he's pale and drawn and trembling, and covered with a thin film of sweat.) "Without my books or equipment, I can do very little. I can move small objects at a distance, as if grasping them. Nothing heavier than a large book, though, and only across a room."
The thin woman in the medical coat has been standing as if distracted, muttering to herself. Now she turns to the man on the table and raises the pruning shears. "Back to work, Before. I'm giving you every chance. You can't say fairer. Come on, now." She leans over and begins slowly cutting into the flesh of the man's thigh. He screams in pain and thrashes against his restraints.
Male Human Rogue (Swindler) 2 AC:14 HP 10/10 Perc:+5 Init: +3 F:+1 R:+5 W:+1 SAN: 37/40
DM_DM wrote:
Ghelik the Sly wrote:
Do you have anything that may draw her over? I was thinking of pretending that something else was in our cell, maybe that would draw her over to check it out? What do you think?
The pale man frowns. (He's not actually that much older than you -- thirties, perhaps? But his hair is very light, ash blond or prematurely white. Also he's pale and drawn and trembling, and covered with a thin film of sweat.) "Without my books or equipment, I can do very little. I can move small objects at a distance, as if grasping them. Nothing heavier than a large book, though, and only across a room."
That could prove useful. I don't see books...or any of my stuff in the room...what about light, can you create light?
The young woman sitting on the floor grabs her knees and pulls them up close to her while shaking her head.
No. The beach. The mist. The statue with those strange words. No. No.
She suddenly begins to shiver as though a sudden chill had passed over her, a thin film of sweat suddenly appearing on her face and bare arms.
Male Aasimar Mesmerist 1 (HP 11/11; AC 17/13/14; CMD 12 Fort +2; Ref +5 Will +3/+4, Init +3; Perception +7; Darkvision 60 ft)
Fritz Fritzman wrote:
My name is Fritz Fritzman, devotee of Iomadae, may her glory protect us.
I am Dream.
Vitæ looks at his fellow captor, and deliberately locks eyes.
The eyes are windows to the soul ...
Searching. Seeking. Sensing.
I am Dream.
What is this ... place? Do I Know this man? Perhaps.
Certainly I know men of his ilk. He calls to the Inheritor. Sincere? A ruse perhaps? To what end? To lower my guard? Does he seek information?
He has given me his name ... no, he has given me 'A Name', not to return the gesture in kind would be considered ... ill mannered. Must act normal. Act HUMAN.
I am Dream.
A response is warranted, quickly now.
"I have been called Dre ..., Somnium, you may call me Somnium."
Diplomacy +6, Religion +4, Perception +6, String +3, Sense Motive +4 Human Paladin of Iomadae Vital: HP 24/24 AC 21/11/20;San 24/24; Will +5 (+1 v evil), Ref +3 (+1 v evil)Fort +7 (+1 v evil) ; Smite 1/1 ;Guilty Smite 1/1 Lay on Hands 3/3
well met Somnium. Would that I knew why I was sent. My only guess is that there must be a great evil near.
Fritz detects evil on Vitae, then finding none uses the cone version out towards the hall and screams
Fritz detects evil on Vitae, then finding none uses the cone version out towards the hall and screams
How did you come to be here?
The woman in the medical coat turns towards you, face contorted in irritation, the blade in her hand dripping blood. "Shut up, Before! You'll get your chance."
The man strapped to the table lifts up his head and screams at you, eyes wide. "Help! Please, please HELP! She's killing me!"
HP 13/16 Sanity 38/42 Init +6; Per +4AC 15/10/15 Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2
... wearing the same ...
"BuT bEfOrE, wHaT iF yOu ArE aLrEaDy AfTeR?"
Nameless stops rocking and blinks. She stands up, approaches the bars and yells down the corridor: What if we want to go now? We're all wearing the same - but I can be more! I'm ready for what comes After!
She stands up, approaches the bars and yells down the corridor: What if we want to go now? We're all wearing the same - but I can be more! I'm ready for what comes After!
Diplomacy? +8
The attitude of the doctor (?) is Unfriendly, and diplomacy takes a full minute. You could try Bluff.
The doctor makes an odd gurgling noise, then snaps at you, "Quiet! Your turn will come! I'll test you all, and we'll see soon enough!"
The doctor's features seem to ripple and flow for a moment, and then suddenly the Oracle is looking at herself. Her own face, as if in a mirror, stares back at her. The doctor is still wearing the blood-spattered medical coat, but her hands have become the Oracle's hands as well.
Only for a moment. Then her features flow back to what they were, contorted into a scowl of irritation. "Your turn! Dead flesh. Soon enough!"
Nameless Oracle, please make a DC 12 Will save. If you fail, this bizarre incident will cost you d2 points of Sanity. Even if you make it, you may be questioning your grip on reality just now.
Diplomacy +6, Religion +4, Perception +6, String +3, Sense Motive +4 Human Paladin of Iomadae Vital: HP 24/24 AC 21/11/20;San 24/24; Will +5 (+1 v evil), Ref +3 (+1 v evil)Fort +7 (+1 v evil) ; Smite 1/1 ;Guilty Smite 1/1 Lay on Hands 3/3
keeping the evil detection going
Then there is no reason to be quiet, you plan to torture us all eventually, so might as well keep talking. What are you testing for? Why risk your everlasting soul committing such evils?
HP 13/16 Sanity 38/42 Init +6; Per +4AC 15/10/15 Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2
But I can *feel* it! I'm ready to be tested ... the whispers ... they ...
DM_DM wrote:
The doctor's features seem to ripple and flow for a moment, and then suddenly the Oracle is looking at herself. Her own face, as if in a mirror, stares back at her. The doctor is still wearing the blood-spattered medical coat, but her hands have become the Oracle's hands as well.
Nameless Oracle, please make a DC 12 Will save. If you fail, this bizarre incident will cost you d2 points of Sanity. Even if you make it, you may be questioning your grip on reality just now.
Will Save:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Sanity Loss:1d2 ⇒ 2
Is sanity loss permanent or can it be regained? If there's a chance to regain it in this particular setting, that is ... Edit: NEVERMIND, just re-read the discussion post re:sanity.
No, no, NO, NO NONONONONO! Nameless backs away from the bars, trembling from core to extremities. That ... can't be ... She scrunches up in the back corner of her cell, knees to chest, arms wrapped around them, muttering to herself.
"You see dear? You just *aren't* ready for what comes next."
Remember, at low levels only certain sorts of creatures (evil clerics, fiends, etc.) have evil auras. Once you hit 6 HD / 6th level, you start radiating a faint aura of whatever your alignment is.[/ooc]
Quote:
Then there is no reason to be quiet, you plan to torture us all eventually, so might as well keep talking. What are you testing for? Why risk your everlasting soul committing such evils?
1d20 ⇒ 15
"Candidate! Shut up!" The woman's face writhes in rage. "All of you! Dead moveless meat! So stupid! Trying to cut you loose, but none of you are good enoOOF -- "
The man on the table just kicked her in the back, hard.
Treating as a bull rush attack The doctor is caught by surprise and knocked against 1d3 ⇒ 1 the southeast cell, which contains the rogue and the wizard. She slams against the gate with a rattle and a bang.
-- The rogue goes for the keys on her belt!
-- We both rush forward and try to grapple her through the bars!
-- Are you kidding? She's probably going to grow tentacles and suck my blood. I stay at the back of the cell, as far from her as possible.
-- Hey, how about some diplomacy?
-- Other.
