Lalali? You're holding up the game! :)
OK, I'll recap tomorrow morning.
Also, everyone please try and remember to write in past tense.
Questions?
Game on!
Hamanu...templars...the names rang in Lalai´s head triggering violent images and emotions. Yes, it would be good having them as adversaries. It would be a chance. Pondering what she would do to them, she seemed pretty occupied and absent.
She spent the afternoon walking over the marketplace and meditating in a more quiet corner, finally buying a waterskin, but only filling it with air.
When the time came she went back to the keln, watching Ala´as dance and waiting for all the others to go in. She watched for anyone suspicious, using her powers to read the minds of the people on the marketplace and around the keln.
Then she moved into a dark corner where she would be hidden, manifesting a different power and burrowing into the earth, facing the direction of the keln and the entrance.
Alright, and that is the fifth PC.
Good turn.
Turn 004 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Fabian
On a sidenote: I´m also sick and have a lot of work and appointments to attend over the weekend. This might continue to the middle of next week (hopefully not being sick).
@Lalali: I hope you get well and thanks for letting us know about your posting schedule for the next couple of days.
I found this guide I wrote back in 1999. It was (is) a guide to play Play By EMail games but it is very appropriate for this PBP with turn recaps which we are playing. Give it a read if you have the time and let me know if you have any comments.
Game on!
Fabian
1:
Barega advanced easily through the narrow corridor, sniffing the air. He grew increasingly uncomfortable and slowed as he approached the room; the stink of the arcane was thick in this place. He winced slightly as one of the arcanists approached.
Good, I’m glad you are all here. I am Jaggo. We’ve heard little of you but understand you can be trusted...
Barega looked at Jaggo. "I am called Barega. We have heard less of you." He moved past the man and then proceeded slowly around the room, examining the walls and particularly the font. He paused for a few moments near the curtain, but did not approach it.
2:
The halfling returned to the group after completing his circuit of the room. "This is grave news, about the Mul. He has shown many that the Red Time need not be the end. How did it happen?"
- are the walls and floor made of stone? Can I tell if it looks like recent or old construction?
- what is the fountain like? (Is it unusual for there to be such a thing? Is it decorative, or clearly for drinking, or maybe religious, or what?)
- want to listen or sniff to see if he can identify anything more about the guys on the other side of the curtain (how many there are, what species, what language they are speaking, is it a spell i recognize, etc. perception at +17 and maybe spellcraft at +5).
- will do a detect magic as he walks around, to see what auras there are (e.g. if all of the wizards have illusion on them, that could be a bad sign, etc) and to examine the fountain and the brazier (+5 spellcraft).
- walls and floor are made of excavated dirt and appear to be old
- the fountain and brazier are 'big', 10' diameter, the fountain appears to be for 'arcane purposes'but neither is magical- you perceive that 'the old preserver' may be on the other side (smells vaguely like him but also not like him)
- you don't detect illusion auras on the wizards
The halfling returned to the group after completing his circuit of the room. "This is grave news, about the Mul. He has shown many that the Red Time need not be the end. How did it happen?"
The elven wizard answered, "It seems he was caught by one of rogue bands that make their living catching ex-slaves. Although it's hard to think that one as powerful as he could be captured. But even sorcerer-kings die nowadays, right?"
Valsavis looks to the bearded man then to the shroud from which strange chanting was emanating. With deadly calm, he draws both of his bard’s friends. ”I am called Valsavis and that is all you need know. Why have we been led here? What is this ceremony?”
Despite having left Tyr years before the slave rebellion and the fall of Kalak, news of the those responsible had travelled easily to Salt View, ”Rikus has been captured? Yes, those responsible must be powerful indeed. Where was he taken?”
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Valsavis looks to the bearded man then to the shroud from which strange chanting was emanating. With deadly calm, he draws both of his bard’s friends. ”I am called Valsavis and that is all you need know. Why have we been led here? What is this ceremony?”
Jaggo visibly recoiled at the threat. He raised his hands, "Please. Please. I'll have you all know that I had nothing to do with you coming here. All I know... all we all know is that Korgunard said that he will need us...", Jaggo said as he looked at the preservers gathered. He then turned to the newcomers, "But he also made it clear that he would need your aid. He called you all... resourceful and of good mettle." He gulped, "From the looks of you, you do seem... resourceful and I hope he's right about the other part."
Despite having left Tyr years before the slave rebellion and the fall of Kalak, news of the those responsible had traveled easily to Salt View, ”Rikus has been captured? Yes, those responsible must be powerful indeed. Where was he taken?”
The elven wizard combed back his thick mane, "That I cannot say. Somewhere south of Tyr is all I've heard."
"Put your blades away, you idiot child!" Ala'a hisses Valsavis's boorishness threatens to bring violence. "Have you been living in a cave, so that you think whipping out your knives - rather small ones, I might add - is the proper way to greet strangers?"
Insane, and apparently unable to control himself, she thinks. She watches the human closely, ready for a violent reaction. Better to put him down here, where we have help, rather than have him turn on us while we're alone someplace - or surrounded by enemies.
Assuming Valavis sheathes his weapons, she turns away dismissively.
"With that unpleasantness out of the way, perhaps the adults can converse," she says, turning on the charm as she addresses Jaggo and the other mages. "I am Ala'a, a fire dancer of the Dawnchaser clan. Are you from Urik? I have a friend from the city, a merchant named Marek, that I've been trying to track down. Perhaps you know him? ... I am also curious to hear more of this defiler west of the city. That is Water Hunter territory, isn't it? I'd heard they were at war with House Stel - or Urik in general."
"With that unpleasantness out of the way, perhaps the adults can converse," she says, turning on the charm as she addresses Jaggo and the other mages. "I am Ala'a, a fire dancer of the Dawnchaser clan. Are you from Urik? I have a friend from the city, a merchant named Marek, that I've been trying to track down. Perhaps you know him? ... I am also curious to hear more of this defiler west of the city. That is Water Hunter territory, isn't it? I'd heard they were at war with House Stel - or Urik in general."
Happy to see that at least one of the 'resourceful' group is civilized, a human mage, the woman with a colorful bandana holding back her hair, extended her hand. "Well met Ala'a. I am called Elentha. I'm afraid House Stel is at war with almost everyone, but especially the elven tribes. However, that is not news. The worrisome part is about this defiler, vile and vicious as they already are, that seems to be expanding his realm and is collaborating with an undead spirit. Nothing good can come of that."
Her inquisitive mind at work, "I'm curious how you all met Korgunard. While he's a senior member of our group, he disappears for long periods of time. When was the last time you saw him?"
Barega looked up in alarm as Valsavis as he drew his blades. He took a few steps back and then peered up at the man's face and jaw, squinting slightly. He moved about slowly, sniffing and looking at the man's hands and face. He nodded to himself.
...a defiler and an undead spirit were working together somewhere west of Urik ... region south of Tyr...
...When was the last time you saw him?
"I met him 14 years ago in the Forest, and had not heard from him since. Until two weeks ago."
Barega looked up in alarm as Valsavis as he drew his blades. He took a few steps back and then peered up at the man's face and jaw, squinting slightly. He moved about slowly, sniffing and looking at the man's hands and face. He nodded to himself.
Nothing like that; Valsavis is just a troubled young man (like most adventurers). I never met a happy 'untraumatized' PC. :)
There are lots of things/places south of Tyr. Kalidnay is rumored to be a former great city-state now deserted because perilous shadows haunt its ruins.
Valsavis spun on Ala'a, his eyes pure fire. ”I know not where you come from elf, but in my experience the quick to trust are the first to die. While I will not deny that the old man, this Korgunard, saved my life, that was many years ago. What guarantee do I have that he is even the one who summoned us here? Until I see him for myself, am I out of place in demanding why we've been brought here and for what purpose?"
He couldn’t deny that she reminded him of Shrasa and someplace deep down he felt he would be doing her memory a disservice if he came to blows with Ala’a. After a moment, the fires behind his eyes slowly ebbed and died. He sheathed his blades, giving Barega a strange look as he performed his cursory examination.
Valsavis stared flatly at Jaggo before turning to the Elentha. Begrudgingly, he curtly addressed the mage woman about his past experiences with Korgunard, ”He left abruptly after spending many weeks nursing me back to health. He rescued me from an attack on my father’s performing troupe. Everyone I’ve ever known and loved is dead. My father is the only one I am uncertain about--his whereabouts are not known to me. He probably died with the rest.”
The darkness lifted from his visage and for the first time since entering the room, he addressed the gathering with some semblance of normalcy, ”So, we have a defiler collaborating with the dead to the west and Rikus has been captured by ex-slave hunters and is rumored to have been taken to the south, possibly to this Kalidnay. Have we been summoned here to address these issues?”
Valsavis stared flatly at Jaggo before turning to the Elentha. Begrudgingly, Valsavis curtly addresses the mage woman about his past experiences with Korgunard, ”He left abruptly after spending many weeks nursing me back to health. He rescued me from an attack on my father’s performing troupe. Everyone I’ve ever known and loved is dead. My father is the only one I am uncertain about--his whereabouts are not known to me. He probably died with the rest.”
The darkness lifts from his visage and for the first time since entering the room, he addresses the gathering with some semblance of normalcy, ”So, we have a defiler collaborating with the dead to the west and Rikus has been captured by ex-slave hunters and is rumored to have been taken to the south, possibly to this Kalidnay. Have we been summoned here to address these issues?”
The concern in the old mage seemed genuine, "I'm sorry about your family. These are troubled times we live in."
He then gently shook his head, "No, Korgunard said that the way to save Athas lies not in destruction but in creation. Your... resourcefulness is needed for something else. I'm not clear on the details but your actions will matter."
The pitch and tone of the chanting from behind the curtain changed, "But come, I think we are almost ready to start..."
Valsavis spun on Ala'a, his eyes pure fire. ”I know not where you come from elf, but in my experience the quick to trust are the first to die.
Ala'a laughed loudly, the tone somewhere between mocking and genuine.
"Who said anything about trust? I doubt anyone in this room trusts the person next to them to share the same waterskin, but you're the only person they're thinking about tying up and tossing down a dark hole. I don't know who coddled you so before you came to Urik, but you are not the only one who has known loss - just the only one letting it control you."
She pointed to a carved bone lantern in one corner of the room. "Properly contained, a flame can burn a long time and provide a light in the darkness. Left unattended, it can burn wild and threaten everything around it. Those are the fires the tribe unites to stamp it out ...
"I suggest you spend some time studying the lantern before drawing your blades again."
Gbaji looked about warily as he entered the room. The trappings were all unfamiliar and made him uncomfortable. The closest he had seen to this was in his former master's palace - not a comforting precedent. The group here to welcome them were not much better, although the human man Jaggo seemed alright so far. Valsavis largely expressed what Gbaji was feeling when he drew his weapons. Still...
"Hold on, friend," he said, placing a heavy hand gently on Valsavis' shoulder, "We all came here for a reason, for good or bad. We might as well find out what this is all about before we go for our weapons. I reckon we'll get our chance before long, otherwise they wouldn't want you and me here. It's not like I'm much use for anything else."
Gbaji squinted at the five people there. "So what is this place? And what's back there?" he added, jerking a finger at the curtain.
*****
Gbaji largely kept quiet at the conversation turned, offering his name and not much else. Social niceties weren't his thing. But his reverie abrutly ended when he heard about Rikus.
"What! They got Rikus? But how?" Suddenly Gbaji was as angry as Valsavis. "That man is the reason I'm free! What will happen to Tyr now?" Gbaji slammed his fist into the palm of his other hand, then popped his knuckles as he paced around. "And I'm stuck down here!"
He turned abruptly to the others. "We have to do something!"
Valsavis looked to the half-giant, pondering for a moment the heavy hand on his shoulder, At least this one seemed to have a level head on his shoulders... Unfortunately, the flames of his ire were thoroughly stoked--Val was raging.
Valsavis smirked at the retort, "Coddled? The only thing that coddled me was the crack of the taskmasters whip." He strutted over to the lantern and mockingly pondered it for a moment, then calmly lifted a boot and crushed it under the weight of his heel, snuffing out the flame.
Turning to regard Ala'a, "At first I thought you reminded me of someone whom I had loved and lost, but, no, it seems I was quite wrong."
Stepping towards her, his ranting continued "I prefer to burn hot and bright. If short-lived, so be it. All I want from this life is to see my family's murderers dead. Past that, oblivion take this place." He looked straight into her eyes, "You and yours included."
Children, children... :)
I think you're both playing your PCs admirably well and I did say that I'm OK with a little character conflict... as long as it didn't preclude you from 'being a team'.
I'll have Korgunard speak a little to Valsavis but, more importantly, I'll provide a tangible outlet for Valsavis to focus his anger.
All teams have their problematic members. All good stories have heroes which are flawed somewhat so this is good.
Just put up with each other a little longer and let's see where this goes.
Recap being written now...
Game on!
Turn 005 is up.
Great stuff people!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
OK! that makes it easy then. ha.
[dice=Just so I can know the answer before I think about this tomorrow...]1d20+11
OK! that makes it easy then. ha.
Oh, that's disappointing; I had high hopes for you. What kind of a game is this if the half-giant is more stealthy than the rogue? Will the half-giant make the will save as well? :)
Game on!
Glad you're feeling better.
I'm looking forward to your input.
Game on!
Ala'a stared at Korgunard's golden skin and oddly elongated features. He was undeniably the same man that had saved her from the gith, but somehow alien, as well.
"What do you mean you will entrust us with your being? Do you mean you need us as bodyguards, or something else? And how do you know this dream place exists? Is it here among the city-states, or somewhere else?"
~~~~~~~0~0~~~~~~~
Ala'a watched as Korgunard summoned the elements as part of his ritual.
Strange, to see a mage calling on holy powers, she thought. But he is a preserver - perhaps the ritual helps to cleanse his soul, keep the temptation of defiling at bay.
Knowing little of such things, she simply watched as the ritual continued, curious to witness the end result and learn more of the task the old man would set before them.
1.
If what Korgunard was suggesting was true, the possibilities were profound. Barega had witnessed first-hand this man's character and dedication. Could he justify not taking the chance? If nothing else, he owed the man a chance. Still, he was (at best) skeptical of the arcane.
"It is good to see you again, friend. But I must ask: Transformation and ascention... into what? How exactly will this help Athas?"
2. Barega shrank back against the wall as the room filled with powerful arcane magic, taking some solace from the feel of the earth behind him. He felt unclean, and was beginning to feel that he had made a terrible mistake in going along with this.
He watched the tendrils of smoke that emerged when the man crushed the gem, floating slowly and curling intricately. Ever more slowly...they seemed almost to stop. And then a gentle wind moved them, reforming them into smoothe streams, moving up toward the preserver's mouth.
He watched in slow motion and great clarity, as the individual motes of smoke moved gracefully toward the preserver. As small clouds of moisture rose from the fountain, and moved gently toward the man. As the twinkling reflection of the the flame on the ripples of the fountain seemed to dance free of the water and move...as if they were their own infintessimal creatures. It was beautiful. Barega began to relax -- the tension fell from his small form, and peace came over him...
All thoughts of vengeance flew from Valsavis’ mind as the man called Korgunard revealed himself. While he recognized the man immediately, Valsavis was shocked to see that his entire being seemed to be radiating gold. He appeared to have regained some of his youthfulness as well, for the man that had nursed Valsavis back to good health was much older than the man who presided over them now.
The man introduced himself as none other than Korgunard, before speaking directly to Valsavis, whether or aloud or in his mind, he couldn’t say for certain, ”…your anger, it’s best used in a controlled manner. It’s best focused towards those that deserve it.” The words had a tangible effect. This man had extended the utmost courtesy to Valsavis, and he never even had the chance to thank him. Sure, he never asked to be spared death at the hands of their assailants, but, for better or for worse, he had been spared, solely due to the efforts of this man. Wasn’t he somehow obliged to at least hear what he had to say here and now? I will heed your words, preserver, but I fear I may not be the man who you envision me to be…
Valsavis’ thoughts were cut short as Korgunard mentioned the Veiled Alliance. The Veiled Alliance? The resistance group father used to tell us stories about to lull us to sleep? They’re real? Korganard truly is a preserver, and a rebel no less? He looked upon the golden man with a newfound respect. Yes, he would heed the man’s words. Now he watched the spectacle with much interest… Could he have played a part in the liberation of Tyr...?
Valsavis was caught up in the undulating words of the preserver, The fate of Athas… Transformation to ascend… Entrust my being… A place I’ve only seen in my dreams… Questions flooded his mind as he struggled to grasp these foreign ideas, but his reverie finally broke as he realized some of the others had already voiced the questions raging through his mind. He listened intently, maintaining his silence until Korgunard provided the answers they sought.
I'll see if I can provide answers to 'actions 1' during the day but I will definitely be able to recap tonight.
Game on!
I'll check again in the afternoon and if you haven't posted answers, I'll try to get something together for Valsavis' actions for part 2.
Korgunard's radiant face was contrasting. It was the face of a wise old man but with the energy and drive of a much younger man. He answered them slowly telling them as much as he knew or could.
>"What do you mean you will entrust us with your being? Do you mean you need us as bodyguards, or something else? And how do you know this dream place exists? Is it here among the city-states, or somewhere else?"<
"Ala'a, it's good you've seem to have tempered that flame of yours. I will need the five of you to accompany me in this journey. As you've heard, the ceremony will be taxing and I will need eyes, ears, strong arms, and sharper wits to travel with me. To where is uncertain as of yet but I feel it's somewhere in the Tablelands. Its precise location will be revealed to me during the ceremony tonight."
>"It is good to see you again, friend. But I must ask: Transformation and ascention... into what? How exactly will this help Athas?"<
"It is good to see you too my friend. I'm sorry to have taken you away from your 'hunting' but the stakes are higher. This is the beginning of a transformation into a being of creation, a being of goodness, a being that will create forests and bring back rain. That may the start of a new Green Age, of abundance."
Valsavis finally speaks up, "We meet again, Old One. I feel I must thank you for helping me in my most desperate hour of need. I've spent many nights pondering whether that was a blessing or a curse. I cannot say that my mind is completely settled on the matter, but even so, words cannot express my gratitude."
"You speak as if this ceremony will consume your flesh. You would knowingly make that sacrifice to protect the future of Athas? Is this shell of a planet truly worth it?"
OOC: Time for input! As most of you have guessed, this first adventure is helping out Korgunard to transform into an Avangion (counterpart of a dragon in Athas).
Now, I've read everything I found (there may be more) about avangions and it's not real clear how they would help Athas (other than being 'good' and fighting 'evil'). It's clear that the transformation into a dragon requires hit dice (living sacrifices) and casting defiling spells so we can see 'how' that is destructive to the world.
But how can I make the transformation into Avangion 'creation' and more importantly how can they help rebuild Athas once they've transformed? We can't have this guy just turn the ground he walks on from infertile to a green lush carpet with flowers.
I've briefly looked at high level druid spells and there's no 'make forest'. So I was thinking that an Avangion in Athas could settle in an inhospitable place and gradually make an oasis out of it. Then find a druid to tend to it and then move on to another spot. While I realize that this would be 'very slow', these guys are immortal.
Thoughts?
Gbaji frankly had no idea what Kornugard was talking about. The 'old' preserver seemed to be old no more and his strange golden eyes were unsettling. The talk about ascension made little sense but sounded like a good idea as far as Gbaji could understand it. But his deep-seated loathing of arcane magic and the obvious damage it wrought on the world made him very uncomfortable as a supposed cure for the self-same devastation.
But Gbaji owed Kornugard his life, and had travelled a very long way to be here. And after chiding Valsavis about his attitude, Gbaji now felt a bit embarrassed about voicing his own concerns. So he bit his tongue and kept quiet, even as his doubts grew.
Thinking on Valsavis, he watched the man pace and prowl. Angry and uncontrolled - they either died quickly in the arena, or learnt some caution.
***********
The sparkling motes were certainly pretty, and Gbaji could feel the power throbbing in the air. Somewhat banally, the main effect of it all just made him want to take a piss. He still couldn't banish the nagging doubts, especially as he watched the other preservers ageing before his eyes. But this was nothing he knew anything about. Everyone here was a volunteer. He kept his mouth shut, and watched.
Maybe Barega knows what kind of magic or symbolism is associated with the moons rising together? I am trying to get at something like: if the full moons rising together are associated with birth and life, then maybe this is legit. But if the full moons rising together is associated with black magic and undeath and heart-eating human sacrifices or something, then maybe (culinary preferences aside) that would be an indication that something shady is going on.
Barega, you're entering in to the 'make it sound good' and the DM will buy into it territory. :)
Like I said, this is your game as much as mine. I'll let you know if your interpretation of Athas interferes with mine (story wise).
So feel free to speculate and make a good story out of it.
Game on!
Valsavis finally speaks up, "We meet again, Old One. I feel I must thank you for helping me in my most desperate hour of need. I've spent many nights pondering whether that was a blessing or a curse. I cannot say that my mind is completely settled on the matter, but even so, words cannot express my gratitude."
"You speak as if this ceremony will consume your flesh. You would knowingly make that sacrifice to protect the future of Athas? Is this shell of a planet truly worth it?"
Korgunard nodded, "It's good to know that your flame burns with passion still. I fear I may need that in the coming days."
He looked on Valsavis like a grandfather would, "Sacrifices are made every day and this is no different except in scope. The ceremony will not consume flesh but it will drain the spirit for a time. This planet was once much more than a shell and can be again. And it starts tonight and with all of you!"
Ah, yes. Right there under my nose. I swear I looked at this book yesterday.
You're right, it was the 10th level spells (prolific forestation and prolific vegetation, in particular) that allowed for this to happen. The spells can only be cast by advanced beings, take time, and have 'unique' spell components. All good stuff for future campaign ideas.
Thank you, sir.
Game on!
His questions answered, Valsavis watched the preservers perform their ritual in subdued awe. He had never seen something like this, had never knew feats of power such as this were even possible. His rage was subdued in the face of Korgunard’s awesome power. For the first time that he could remember, Valsavis stood still as stone, cowed by the spectacle unfolding before him. Specks of light reflected in Valsavis’ eyes as he gazed at the shimmering cloak enveloping the preserver.
A sense of calm rushed over him in a cool wave. He looked to faces which had visibly aged in mere moments, and was unfazed by it, caught up as he was in the soothing warmth of the ceremony. Now he had an outlet at which to channel his anger. Now he had purpose.
Keep up the good RPing.
Turn 006 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Fabian
"Irrizak! Karrass veddick!" Ala'a calls out, her tongue twisting around words that crackled from her mouth like a wildfire. They won't understand me, she thought, before noticing that Gbaji, beside her, didn't appear to hear at all.
Must be addled, or still distracted by that spell, she thought, her eyes rapidly flicking over the attackers. She was already moving, legs exploding like coiled sandsnakes as she launched herself past the half-giants, toward the cannibal sneaking around the edge of the room.
Can't let them flank us and get to the mage, she thought, her mother's blade flicking from its scabbard and slicing toward the halfling.
Feinting toward the halfling's head, Ala'a brought Ash-Caller around in a reverse stroke that sliced deep in the cannibal's torso, laying bare the lean musculature.
Ala'a flicked blood from her blade, spattering her opponent in an attempt to distract him. She followed in close, leading with her blade and plunging the sharpened bone into soft, yielding flesh.
"Hassaf, tassarek," she said as she pulled the blade free, but her own ears heard nothing. What is going on?
"Irrizak! Karrass veddick!"
Excellent post! I can certainly work with that, thank you.
No need to search through my Mummy's Mask game, just do something similar to what Ala'a did.
Game on!
Judging by the heat transported through the earth Lalali burrowed her way to a spot she deemed safe.
A slight tremble could be felt at first as suddenly her head broke through the floor and then the rest of her, arms crossed over her chest.
Coming out in a corner near a wall, nobody seemed to notice at first. She shook off some dust as Valsavis and Ala´a were arguing.
Now, now. Those who need knives are too dependant on them. But that are great and grave news at the same time.
She smiled at the play going on, but her expression change to awe when Korgunard appeared. It brought many memories up in her, but mostly she was dazzled by the sight of the glorious man that had saved her.
In the same dazzled manner she watched all of the ceremony and never even thought of asking something.
When suddenly Kargonard fell down, Lalali felt like being violently torn out of a pleasant trance. She could not believe what her eyes saw...the most powerful man she knew, down. She turned around, just to see a picture known too well. Intruding half giants and thugs lead by templars, come to tear apart her family. She gave out a cry:
Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
Instinctively she took a step back and brought Valsavis between herself and the intruders as 5 powerful missiles of fire flashed through the room to burn the templar and the half giants.
@Lalali
I had you use 3 powers before coming in but that's Ok, I'll pay closer attention next time so 35 it is.
Just tell me briefly what will you do if the half-giants win initiative and get up close (draw AoO while manifesting, manifest defensively, withdraw, other?).
The map is 'live' meaning that you can click on it and make it as large as you need it to be. At least I can.
I also need to know your actions for round 2.
So this power is effectively a 'fire ball' (i.e, friendly fire possible, no need to roll to hit)?
Barega, still addled from the effects of the 'ceremony', stared in shock at Korgunard and then at the approaching half-giants. With agonizing slowness, he realized what was happening and began to react...
Look at the size of those giants! He must do something to slow them down. He barked out a few gravelly words, imploring the earth spirits beneath and above the giants to impede them...
Fool! Barega cringed as he watched his fellow "resourceful" defenders sink into the mud. Of course these clumsy Big Ones would sink into the mud. Why hadn't he realized this? Still addled by the vile sorcery, perhaps... He desperately uttered another command, and the stone spirits answered, bearing his fellows out of the mud...
Barega started to say another spell, but found that the words did not emerge. He could hear nothing. But he still could sense the vile stink of the defiler... His lip twitched, and was then pushed out as his teeth lengthened into fangs, and his jaw stretched. He seemed to grow in size, and armor sprouted a coarse fur as it sunk into his flesh. A large predator-cat stood in his place. It looked toward the Templar and seemed to grin, drooling slightly...
@ Barega,
Wow, those are a lot of options. :)
Ok, let's break it down. Soften Earth and Stone can only be cast on contiguous areas so either roof or floor. The area is 'dry earth' so it becomes loose dirt and essentially converts the area into difficult terrain (costs twice to move and no charging).
Wild shape is a standard action so that would be your action for round 2. Other actions are also standard actions but some of them may not be possible given the silence spell. For example if a PC is surrounded by 4 half-giants, you may not be able to cast barkskin on him/her.
Everyone keep in mind that if 'things go bad' (a PC is brought down to 25% or less of hit points) then I'll stop the turn (if it happened in round 1 for example) and let you all rethink your actions for round 2.
I guess what I'm trying to say is don't plan for 'if shit hits the fan' scenario because you'll always have time for that contingency.
Barega, given how I interpret the soften earth and stone, please let me know if this is your preferred course of action for round 1.
Other questions?
Game on!
BTW, you're doing fine. This is new to you so give yourself a break and enjoy it. You'll be a pro at this style pretty soon. :)