"Because there are some Pharasmooks who dare question the Ruby Prince's decision to do all this. As if the Ruby Prince doesn't have the right to do what he must to continue Osirion's glory...he does. And doesn't need some overzealous pious types telling him what he can or can't do within the lands he rules, that's why," Zilch replies with zeal.
* * *
After startling at seeing his and the ghostly image in the mirror, Zilchus smiles at himself and the startle he received. After he recovers, he opens the west doors wider, so that they may inspect and catalog more.
NG male human (Garundi) diviner 10 | HP: 62/62 | AC: 14 [17] (13 Tch, 11 [14] FF) | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +10 | Init: +16 | Perc: +14 (+16), SM: +1 (+3) | Speed 30 ft | Special abilities: prescience 10/10 | foretell 10/10 | Active Conditions:
Before heading into the next room, Benedictus stops in front of the mirror and observes with curiosity its strange powers. Hmm, very interesting. Let's see if...
"Hey! Hold on a minute or two, please. I'd like to analyze the mirror before heading into the next room!"
Ben puts both his arms perpendicularly to his torso, closes his eyes and focuses on the mirror, trying to discern any magical property it may have.
_______________________
Benedictus casts detect magic, and if the mirror is magic in nature, he spends three rounds studying it in order to discern its school and properties. If the mirror is magic, Ben also casts identify in order to get a +10 bonus to his check.
The mirror has a faint illusion and transmutation aura. It has two basic powers, and you’re experiencing the second even as you identify it. The second power functions as Brand cast at fifth level if you look at the mirror for three consecutive rounds. The first power is simply a programmed illusion of Akhentepi looking disappointed in you.
- - -
The party busies themselves checking doors and preparing to move on as Benedictus spends a quick half minute examining the mirror. Suddenly the room is filed with the smell of searing flesh!
Benedictus, and anyone else doing nothing but examining the mirror (or admiring themselves) for that time, please make a DC 10 Fortitude check. Other than Benedictus, it's up to you whether you'd be looking in the mirror for three consecutive rounds.
DC 10 Fortitude Fail:
An Ancient Osiriani hieroglyph spelling the word ‘thief’ is etched into your forehead doing 1hp of damage in the process.
- - -
NG male human (Garundi) diviner 10 | HP: 62/62 | AC: 14 [17] (13 Tch, 11 [14] FF) | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +10 | Init: +16 | Perc: +14 (+16), SM: +1 (+3) | Speed 30 ft | Special abilities: prescience 10/10 | foretell 10/10 | Active Conditions:
"Daaaah!"
Ben shrieks in pain and falls to the ground, both his hands presses against his forehead. "Aaah!" The scholar rolls convulsively on the ground, his screams of pain filling the whole crypt. "Hurts, it hurts!"
Dammit! I should have been more care...Ahhh!!
Benedictus closes his eyes in shock and passes out.
---
When someone wakes him up, Benedictus slowly opens his eyes. You can see a strange and ancient brand on his forehead. The scholar's hands hesitantly reach for the brand, as though he knew exactly what has happened to him. "My canteen, please...", he asks with a whisper of a voice to his companions, his hands still shaking. Ben uses the water in the canteen to wash his face and takes a deep swig to ease his dry throat. Realizing his friends would likely wish for an explanation, Ben stands up shakingly. "It was the mirror. I was trying to identify its properties when a nasty spell hit me. There was nothing I could do. I know the spell, although I can cast it, and I'm not interested in doing so, at that. Anyway, it brands other people. The spell was on Akhentepi's mirror, along with a faint illusion effect allowing his image to appear in the mirror..."
Ben takes another sip from his canteen. "Trust me, don't look at the mirror for too long, unless you don't want to get something like this...". The scholar smiles awkwardly, realizing to have made such a huge scene for such a small danger. "I'm sorry, I...I just wasn't expecting it. I hate when things happens and I'm not able to predict them!"
As soon as the group moves on, ready to continue the exploration, Benedictus grabs Zilchus by the arm. "I know you understand Ancient Osiriani, and I don't dare looking at the mirror again...Please, tell what the brand on my head says..."
________________________
Fortitude save:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
"Because there are some Pharasmooks who dare question the Ruby Prince's decision to do all this. As if the Ruby Prince doesn't have the right to do what he must to continue Osirion's glory...he does. And doesn't need some overzealous pious types telling him what he can or can't do within the lands he rules, that's why," Zilch replies with zeal.
Sometime during Zilchus' speech, Nidhi had crossed her arms, while making direct eye contact with him. If Zilchus isn't looking at Nidhi, her eyes are still on his eyes."That sounds pretty arrogan-"
Prof. Benedictus Dickens wrote:
"Daaaah!"
Nidhi unfocuses her gaze from Zilchus to look over at Benedictus on the ground who screams until he passes out.
Hmm... maybe this isn't an act. Maybe he is just a soft-skinned scholar. Nidhi bends down to examine Benedictus. She is sympathetic and knits her eyebrows in concern. Sounds painful.
Perception (the injury):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
If Florence doesn't hand Benedictus his canteen, (I assume Florence would probably be the first to do it) Nidhi will assist Benedictus.
----------
After taking a quick glance at Benedictus' injury, Nidhi stands back up and looks around to see if Benedictus' scream caught anyone's - or anything's - attention.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
If she doesn't detect anything, she will carefully peer into the slightly ajar doors to the East. Nidhi will not touch the doors to do this.
Pretty sure that this effect would have resulted in Zilchus trying to poke and behead the ghost...that would have taken at least 3 rounds.
Zilchus averts his eyes too late, he was having too much fun after the initial shock to stop looking. Only when the Professor cries out does he feel the burning on his own forehead and averts his eyes.
"Oh, that's going to leave a mark...but not on me! Ha!" Zilchus says checking his own face again in the mirror (which is admittedly pretty dumb).
"Thief," Zilchus reads the mark, amused. "Ha. This is another treasure to return to Abdur. He can hide it behind curtains and charge people a silver for a gander. It will be both prank and heirloom. It is wonderful."
Nidhi wrote:
"That sounds pretty arro--"
Zilchus smiles, pleased that Nidhi agrees.
"Yes, it is arrogant for the Pharasmans to challenge the will of the Ruby Prince. Pharasma is concerned with souls and fate, from what I understand...the local Pharasmans should not be offering judgement on things outside their bounds."
"Yes, it is arrogant for the Pharasmans to challenge the will of the Ruby Prince. Pharasma is concerned with souls and fate, from what I understand...the local Pharasmans should not be offering judgement on things outside their bounds."
Nidhi blinks at Zilchus before turning back towards the East doors. She didn't expect the conversation to gravitate in that direction. I was talking about your opinion sounding arrogant... but it's The Ruby Prince's fate to dictate and it doesn't make sense question destiny. Nidhi finds that it's irrelevant to question why people are placed in the positions they're in. She believes everything is predetermined.
If Nidhi doesn't see anything through the East doors, she will pull on them slightly to try to get a better look inside.
Augustus quickly puts a hand on his forehead and cringes as he feels a searing pain across his brow. Looking over he can see the Professor on the floor, passed out from the pain.
"Damned tomb! Doing nothing but poking me with trap after trap!"
Augustus looks at the brand now seared into his forehead and gets a depressed look on his face.
"This isn't glorious at all. How are people going to take me seriously with a brand like this on my face." He tries covering the mark as best he can with his long hair.
"Does that wand we have remove marks like this?" Augustus looks at the group with a bit of hope.
Nidhi peeks through the doors but sees little in the narrow slit. When she pushes the doors further open though a large chamber appears in the light. Pillars line the walls of this rectangular room, interspersed with stone jackal heads extending from the walls. A stone altar, covered in a layer of dust, sits at the eastern end. The jackal heads are torch holders, who’s eyes would glow if they held any torches.
Knowledge Religion DC 15*:
The altar is dedicated to the ancient Osirian god Anubis, patron of embalmers and guardian of tombs, and the funerary masks on the wall depict him. It is likely this was where the embalming took place prior to moving the bodies to their final resting places elsewhere in the tomb.
- - -
Benedictus senses something amiss, but cannot quite place what. Benedictus may act in the surprise round before me... though he senses nothing with his eyes and ears.
-Round Surprise-
Benedictus - 22
Florence - 20 (surprised)
Good Folks - 17
Nidhi - 12
Zilchus - 9
Augustus - 4 (surprised)
Florence had been staring at the mirror - showing Akhentepi standing among them - with a mixture of wonder and unease when she suddenly felt a sharp burning pain on her forehead and smells the scent of burning flesh. In a flash she's back in her family's smoke-filled shop as the flames close in, trapped with nowhere to go.
Much like Benedictus she drops to the floor with a shriek, though hers is a shriek of fear rather than pain. Eyes wide and trembling violently, she curls into a ball while whimpering softly. Clearly distressed at his master's plight, Bynx meows anxiously as he tries rubbing against her to calm her down.
Still deeply shaken by what had just happened, Florence finds herself unprepared and distracted as Nidhii pushes the eastern doors open...
____________
Spoiler is for anyone to read as the mirror's effect would've definitely gotten a reaction from Florence due to <reasons> and so I didn't want to skip over it.
Nidhi feels concern for Benedictus' and Florence's pain, but the slightly ajar doors make Nidhi wearly of her surroundings so she feels the need to peer inside (East.)
Knowledge (Religion):1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Standing at the threshold, Nidhi isn't sure what the room is for.
Initiative:
Benedictus (22)
Florence (20)
Good Folk (17)
Nidhi (12)
Zilchus (9)
Augustus (4)
Unscathed, Nidhi waits for Benedictus, Florence, and the Good Folk before it is her turn.
Florence, are you delaying your turn?
Round 1
Free Action: Nidhi says "Are you guys okay?"
Standard Action: If it becomes Nidhi's turn and she doesn't notice anything, she will Inspire Courage because Florence looks deeply shaken. Nidhi sings:
“Your path may be paved
With dangers engraved.
But the fortunes you gain
will make up for the pain.”
Inspire Courage: +1 Morale bonus on Saving Throws against charm and fear, +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls
Move Action: Nidhi will not draw her bow or move unless the Good Folk appear. Besides the branding, Nidhi doesn't think anything is going on.
_____________________
I hope I posted everything correctly. I generally post in the afternoons and evenings so I'm posting now so I don't hold you all up.
"Mmh...Ths altar is dedicated to Anubis, patron of embalmers and guardian of tombs. The masks on the wall depict him as well", Benedictus explains, instinctively sensing something amiss. "It is likely this was where the embalming took place prior to moving the bodies to their final resting places elsewhere in the tomb. Anyway, please, be on the lookout, for I sense that there's something wrong here..."
As he says so, Benedictus puts his hand to his crossbow and he loads it.
Move action: load light crossbow, which I assume Ben is holding from the fight against the tiny soldiers. If he's not holding the light crossbow, he will use his move action to draw it instead.
Benedictus loads his crossbow in the quiet of the tomb.
Two spidery looking things crawl out from behind the altar and move with uncanny speed to Nidhi and Benedictus - currently in the front row. These small tan-colored creatures looks like ten-legged spiders. Oversized jaws grind together slowly beneath beady eyes.
-Round Surprise-
Good Folks - 17
Nidhi - 12
Zilchus - 9
Augustus - 4 (surprised)
-Round 1-
Benedictus - 22
Florence - 20
Nidhi and Zilchus may act also in the surprise round, then Benedictus and Florence for Round 1. Sorry Augustus!
Spiders!? Nidhi will back waaaaaay up - into the previous room if possible. Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross! Nidhi wears a look of disgust of her face.
NG male human (Garundi) diviner 10 | HP: 62/62 | AC: 14 [17] (13 Tch, 11 [14] FF) | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +10 | Init: +16 | Perc: +14 (+16), SM: +1 (+3) | Speed 30 ft | Special abilities: prescience 10/10 | foretell 10/10 | Active Conditions:
▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❶ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Ben gasps as he sees the spiders crawl out from behind the altar. I knew something was amiss…
With shaking hands, Benedictus tries to take long, deep breaths. Stay calm Ben, stay calm, they’re just…just… Ben always had a rooted and overpowering fear insects, and spiders always were in his personal top three of the scariest beings in the multiverse. Benedictus would not fear a flame-spitting demon, nor a colossal evil dragon― at least not as much. In that case, indeed, his curiosity would at least make up for the fear and give him a reason to stay and not run away. But as for insects…He had given embarrassing spectacles of himself in the past when faced with insects. And now, just like that time at the university where he fled the refectory screaming like a scared girl because he saw a worm in his saucer, Ben feels like he’s going to lose the esteem and respect he slowly managed to build for himself with his new adventuring companions.
This time, though, a new sense of confidence runs through his body and mind. For the first time in his life Benedictus had felt really accepted and regarded by other people. And now he can’t let them down in the time of need. Mustering all the resolution he can draw out of his soul, Ben aims for one of the spiders and fires his crossbow! Right after, he immediately loads his crossbow again. "How...How did I do?"
_________________________
Free action: 5 ft. step away from the spiders. Standard action: fire crossbow at red spider. Move action: load crossbow.
"Hey! I asked you all a question. This brand on my head can't be permanent!" Augustus talks to the group while focusing on the brand seared into his forehead.
"Are you guys ignoring me! The mighty Augustus Voralius! Slayer of..... Where are you guys?" As he turns to speak to the group he notices that they aare all focused on the next room over.
"Are those spiders!? Jesus!" Augustus fumbles with his blade, losing time over the surprise of more enemies.
I was so distracted with my face that I didn't even notice enemies behind me....
NG male human (Garundi) diviner 10 | HP: 62/62 | AC: 14 [17] (13 Tch, 11 [14] FF) | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +10 | Init: +16 | Perc: +14 (+16), SM: +1 (+3) | Speed 30 ft | Special abilities: prescience 10/10 | foretell 10/10 | Active Conditions:
"It is not permanent, Augustus! It will go away in about...five days, I suppose, give or take a day!" Benedictus answers as he steps back. "Now, would you mind helping us with these...things?"
"O-oh...how did they get so huge?" Florence gasps as her brain finally registers the attacking spiders. Hands still trembling, she does as Ben does and draws her crossbow. She takes aim at the nearest one and fires!
Nidhi backs away, fearful of the spidery things. Go ahead and move yourself on the map.Zilchus draws his weapon and prepares himself. Benedictus steps back and fires his crossbow into the room, but misses the spiders as the bolt skitters across the floor and hits the altar. Florence takes a pot shot at the spiders, but misses. (I think you might have too many actions there - move: draw + move: load? + standard: shoot. No worries this round as you missed.)
The spiders reach out and chomp on poor 1d2 ⇒ 1... Benedictus as they step forward (5’ step) and attack in unison!
bite:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 claw:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13damage:1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 claw:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11damage:1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
"Ben! No! Come here and face your death, the mighty Augustus Voralius!" Augustus draws his blade and points it at the nearest living spider before swinging at it.
Attacks nearest living spider, blue being priority.
Despite the close call with Augustus and the rope, the dart trap in the hallway, and the little wooden men, it isn't until Ben falls under the spiders' assault that Florence truly realizes just how dangerous their task really is. Any one of them could die at any moment and the pool of blood beginning to grow around her companion was proof of that.
Oh gods! What...what do I do?
For what seems like an eternity she stands frozen but then hears Nidhii calling her name, screaming at her to use the wand.
...wand? Wand! The wand, you idiot!
Her crossbow clatters to the stone floor as she frantically digs into her pockets for the wand and pulls it out. She drops into a crouching position as she utters the command words and gives Ben a tap with the device.
You might've been right about too many actions; couldn't see the map earlier so I had no idea how close to the action Florence actually was and if she actually needed to move or not. Sorry! Wand charges remaining (36).
Nidhi prepares her bow, and lends her voice to help the others. Zilchus moves up and swings, but just fails to connect. Augustus connects with his blow, dealing devastating damage, but not quite felling it. Benedictus bleeds, or stabilizes (please roll yourself). Florence heals Benedictus, bringing him back to the land of the living, though he’s staring up at Zilchus’ crotch.
This round the spiders reach out and chomp on poor 1d2 ⇒ 2... Augustus as they press their attacks.
bite:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 claw:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9damage:1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 claw:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12damage:1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Relieved that Ben is more or less out of immediate danger for the moment, Florence quickly realizes that she's weaponless and reaches for the shiny new longspear that she's never used - because she has no intention of getting up close and personal with these spiders.
She watches for a moment and then makes a quick jab at the spider tangling with Zilchus, but finds it difficult to stab one target while trying not to stab another.
Florence will draw her longspear as a move action and attempt to attack Red.
If Ben Goes Down Again:
"Nonono! Keep them distracted, I've got him!" Florence cries as Ben drops to the floor once more after a brutal attack. Kneeling down she quickly grabs her companion by both wrists and attempts to drag him out of the way of the fighting.
Drag:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
_____________
Florence attempts to drag Ben one square back, out of the way.
NG male human (Garundi) diviner 10 | HP: 62/62 | AC: 14 [17] (13 Tch, 11 [14] FF) | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +10 | Init: +16 | Perc: +14 (+16), SM: +1 (+3) | Speed 30 ft | Special abilities: prescience 10/10 | foretell 10/10 | Active Conditions:
▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❷ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Despite his efforts and his courage, there’s nothing Benedictus can do against the spiders, who seem to have taken a surely unrequited liking to him. For a moment, everything turns black and every concern about mundane things of life just disappear.
▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND ❸ ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Ben feels a wave of energy running through his body as Florence taps him with the wand. Unable to realize the situation, the scholar slowly opens his eyes and squints several times, trying to get a better sense of what’s happening around him. The recent memories on how he ended up prone and at death’s door quickly resurface though, and Ben’s first thought is a fearful concern of the spiders who did that to him. Without thinking twice, Benedictus stands up and tries to move as far away as possible from the disgusting insects.
_________________________
Move action: Stand up. Second mov action: move away from the spiders.
Constitution check to stabilize (DC 11):1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Nidhi shoots, but the luck’s against her and she misses. Zilchus connects mightily, but as he switched targets, he fails to drop anything. Augustus slashes his spider, dropping it to the ground, very nearly in twain. Benedictus provokes before attempting to retreat and is dropped once again. Florence drags Benedictus away and out of the fight.
Augustus drops the spider with a clean stroke of his blade and manages to block another flurry of attacks from the remaining spider with his shield. He readies his blade to strike again making sure his strike is true.
Zilchus nods at Augustus, happy to have the man's sword doing good damage to the critters.
"C'mon, let's Ben up and talk about what just happened," Zilchus lends a hand down to pick up Ben once the wand is utilized. "Maybe we could have done that better."
Zilchus peeks his head into the room beyond the east doors to make sure no more spiders are ready to scurry out.
Wand still in-hand, Florence taps the bleeding Ben once more in an attempt to heal his wounds. "H-hey...are you okay?" she asks, peering down at him. "Sorry...I should've just pulled you out of there the first time..." her voice trails off. What exactly do you say to someone that was nearly eviscerated by an overgrown spider?
From her position in the corner, she looks up at the others. They seemed to be okay, but she knew that things could have ended very badly if it hadn't been for Augustus and Zilchus' presence and skill. As the adrenaline of battle fades, the weight of everything that had happened in the last few minutes - the brands from the mirror, the close calls with Ben, and the scent of blood prove to be too much. Face paling she quickly turns away from the others and empties her breakfast onto the floor.
"Urgh..." she groans. "Sorry, sorry...I'll clean that up before we leave...just, give me a minute," she mutters as she scoots away and leans against the wall.
______________
Zilchus offers to hold Florence's hair back and help her get it all out.
"Yeah...there you go...get it out. Get it all out," Zilchus tries to help. He tries to kick some dust/dirt over the sick, trying to minimize the smell against his own nostrils.
"You'll get used to death soon enough. No doubt. Soon the shock of such things won't bother you at all."
NG male human (Garundi) diviner 10 | HP: 62/62 | AC: 14 [17] (13 Tch, 11 [14] FF) | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +10 | Init: +16 | Perc: +14 (+16), SM: +1 (+3) | Speed 30 ft | Special abilities: prescience 10/10 | foretell 10/10 | Active Conditions:
Fear. Blood. The smell of cold wet on his forehead, that trembling feeling running through his spine. Headache, a sense of weariness and discouragement. And then those odious laughter echoing all around him―mocking, deriding, insulting laughter.
---
Benedictus wakes up abruptly, and the first thing he sees are his friends gathered around his face down body. He hears Zilchus saying something to him, Florence whispering something else, but the scholar doesn’t really understand the exact meanings of their words. He’s stunned, confused, angry, frustrated, dejected…and sore. “How…How did that happen again?” the scholar struggles to say, his mouth full of blood dry and fresh alike. His hand reach for the canteen at his side. “I…I…I’m sorry” Ben takes a sip from his canteen, his head dangling on his neck, his body still half-supine. I…I failed you, I know…I wasted our resources and caused you to use our precious wand of healing on me…They were right, I’m not built for adventuring…”
A fornlorn, small smile on his face, Benedictus slowly and painfully stands up, refusing any help from his companions. I…I must learn from my mistakes. I was too close. And I’m weak, too weak in close quarters. I should prevent it from happening again, provided there will be a second chance….They’ll look at me as a burden now, just like everyone has done in the past. I should have stayed in the rear, firing inaccurate bolts at the spiders…Instead I decided to play the hero, and look where it brought me…
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Go on with the exploration, I’ll be right behind you”, quickly says the scholar, realizing that his weakness has slowed down the party.
Face paling she quickly turns away from the others and empties her breakfast onto the floor.
"Urgh..." she groans. "Sorry, sorry...I'll clean that up before we leave...just, give me a minute," she mutters as she scoots away and leans against the wall.
Nidhi moves next to Benedictus and covers her nose and mouth with the sleeve of her robe to minimize the smell Florence’s vomit.
Zilchus Lyghtlode wrote:
"Yeah...there you go...get it out. Get it all out," Zilchus tries to help. He tries to kick some dust/dirt over the sick, trying to minimize the smell against his own nostrils.
Zilchus’ kind action towards Florence surprised Nidhi. To Nidhi, Zilchus didn’t seem like the compassionate type.
From the events in the room, Nidhi feels like she’s learned quite a bit about her companions – especially Benedictus. There was no way he was anything other than a delicate-skinned scholar who was unaccustomed to field work. Although, Nidhi admitted to herself that she had no right to condemn Benedictus because she was new to adventure as well.
Observing Zilchus assisting the sick Florence and Benedictus recovering himself, Nidhi calls to Augustus: ”Augustus, maybe you should check inside the East room. To make sure there aren’t any more of those vile creatures.” Being a native to Wati, Nidhi wasn’t scared of being around death but she was scared of bugs.
She adds after a moment: “And maybe step on their corpses a good bit. Really flatten the bastards into pancakes!” She doesn't want to go near anything that even remotely resembles a spider.
"Th-thanks," Florence responds to Zilchus with a mixture of surprise and gratefulness. After a few moments she slowly manages to pull herself to her feet, though her legs still feel a bit wobbly.
Get used to death? How is that even possible?
"Is everyone else okay?" she asks. "I'm not sure what I expected we'd find down here, but it certainly wasn't overgrown spiders..."
As Nidhii offers a helpful suggestion to Augustus, she can't help but crack a smile. "If we're going to do any stomping then save some for me! Or wait...actually, save the venom sacs if there are any! I could probably whip up some antitoxins, with a little time," she calls before turning back to Zilchus.
"Okay, um...so what can we...I do better, next time? Fighting isn't really something I'm used to...as you could probably guess," she says as she retrieves her dropped crossbow.
After the Professor is up, Zilchus has a brief smile at Benedict's reaction.
Every plan is perfect until it is implemented. Every person a hero until they meet resistance.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Ben," Zilchus says. "Write it down in the book. Describe the spiders, and their effects...what you so keenly felt. This will add to the story that you write...that you have faced death and survived."
Zilchus shows his calloused hands to Benedict.
"See that? Soon your skin will be as my hands are. I have practiced with my blade so much that my hands have grown strong from us...the skin has broken and tore and regrown. You should use this experience as a callous, grow stronger from it."
NG male human (Garundi) diviner 10 | HP: 62/62 | AC: 14 [17] (13 Tch, 11 [14] FF) | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +10 | Init: +16 | Perc: +14 (+16), SM: +1 (+3) | Speed 30 ft | Special abilities: prescience 10/10 | foretell 10/10 | Active Conditions:
Benedictus can't hold back a smile as Zilchus exhorts him not to be too hard on himself. Nodding at the suggestion of writing his experience in his journal, Benedictus immediately pulls it out of his backpack and starts scribbling something, venting his frustration by drawing some particularly offensive sketches of the giant spiders.
The scholar also gives Zilchus a small smile when he shows him his calloused hands. "I hope mine won't ever become the same as yours!" Zilchus managed to restore Ben positive mood, as made clear by his joke. "Can you imagine a scholar writing with such hands? No, no, it wouldn't be appropriate!" From his tone, it is clear that Benedictus is mocking some elitist Chelish scholar and not expressing his own opinion. The scholar giggles and stands up, his eyes fixed on his hands. "Perhaps my hand won't ever be like yours, Zilchus...But my mind will. The double almost-death I just experience will fortify me, and help me make better calculations in the future, so that I can prevent similar situation to happen and to harm me and my allies." Ben speaks confidently, but as soon at the others turn their attention away from him, he puts a hand on Zilchus' shoulder. "Thank you", the scholar whispers, and an immense sense of gratitude fills both his words and eyes.
When Florence brings her point about combat to his attention, Benedictus takes on a thoughtfully posture, his right hand scratching his well shaven chin. “Hmm…Improving the performances of a group, whatever the group is focused on, usually implies at least two perspectives. First, members of the group need to work on improving themselves in order to add an improvement to the group as a whole. Exempli gratia, I should have chosen more appropriate spells today. I can prepare different spells every day, and I get to choose which one my mind should memorize every morning. Now that I know your abilities better, I can work on improving my spell selection in order to better suit the group’s needs.” Ben pauses, and snaps his neck. “Second, the group needs to work on teamwork strategies, broadly defined as a way to improve the group performances through cooperation and synergy. This takes more time and comes rather naturally, in my experience, which is limited to what I’ve read in several books on successful teamwork before coming here in Wati. You see, I never had the chance to work with someone in the past, and I still need to improve a lot at this, but I’m confident we’ll be doing better in the future.”
His explanation laid out, Benedictus moves in front of the eastern doors. “One thing I learned is that I shouldn’t be the one to go first, so…Zilchus, Augustus, it’s your time to shine!”
Oh. My. Goooooods. You've started it now Zilchus, Nidhi mentally groans. Still standing next to Benedictus, Nidhi lets out a long yawn. She still tries her best to cover her face from the stench of vomit. I prefer Augustus’ plan - charge in and ask questions later - as long as I'm not doing the charging.
Nidhi glaces at Augustus to see if he is touching his burn mark again or if he and Florence are searching the spider-like corpses for vemon sacks. Disgusting bugs. Nidhi is curious about her other party members' actions and watches them intently.
Zilchus seems have enough smile and friendly focus for about half of the Professor's speech...but then he loses it and is eventually politely grunting and nodding. He moves to explore the east room while still listening/grunting with the phrase 'time to shine' because it seemed to signal the end of the lecture.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Perception - east room
"So, Augustus, where did you say you learned your swordwork again?"
Zilchus checks the east, and the chamber is clean. Well, it’s covered in dust, but there are no particular valuables here. The carvings are impressive, but they’re just patterns, not hieroglyphs, so it does not take long to catalogue.
"Don't worry, it was a good speech," Florence whispers to Ben as the attention of the others begins wandering, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "I'll have to think more about how I choose and use my magic, too." As if to prove her point she utters a few arcane words, causing her form to be encased in a shimmering, translucent shell that quickly fades from sight. "Like that. Can't believe I didn't think to use it earlier, but I won't forget again."
She briefly pokes her head into the eastern room and takes a look around as well, but when nothing of particular interest or concern is found she drops back to the spider corpses and spends a few minutes carefully harvesting venom as the others make note of the hieroglyphs.
Perception (Eastern Room):1d20 ⇒ 17
Although the work might seem rather grisly to some, for a few, welcome minutes Florence is in her element and she reflexively hums a little tune as she works. "Hey Nidhii, that reminds me - have you always been such a good singer?"
________________
You see nothing on the doors to give you pause, and push them open to reveal a flight of steps gradually descending to the west. Halfway down the stairs, small holes and burrowed tunnels riddle what remains of the passage’s southern wall. Earth and sand have spilled over the collapsed masonry, covering the stairs with dirt and rubble.
Stone doors engraved with a golden scarab, its wings open beneath a golden sun, stand at either end of the stairs.
The stairs are considered difficult terrain.
Perception DC 26:
There's something... odd about the sand in the stairwell. It seems to shift of its own volition, there being no breeze to cause the sands to rustle so.
Observing Zilchus assisting the sick Florence and Benedictus recovering himself, Nidhi calls to Augustus: ”Augustus, maybe you should check inside the East room. To make sure there aren’t any more of those vile creatures.” Being a native to Wati, Nidhi wasn’t scared of being around death but she was scared of bugs.
Augustus cleans his blade of spider blood and walks towards the east room. "Sure, they aren't so tough! Couldn't even land a single blow on me!" Augustus laughs and enters the room, looking around for anything moving. He touches his forehead absently as he looks around, his hand touching the brand he received from the mirror.
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Zilchus wrote:
"So, Augustus, where did you say you learned your swordwork again?"
"My father taught me most of what I know actually. He was a soldier and very decent fighter! Augustus pauses for a moment, thinking of his family, "he was a decent man. He taught me enough to keep me alive at least."
Augustus looks at Zilchus, "What about you Zilchus? You fight with such ferocity! Where did you learn that?"
"Well, I've never actually been trained on it," Zilchus says, pleased that an accomplished swordsman like Augustus can't tell the difference. "I'm mostly self-taught. I look at the thing I want to hurt, then I grip my sword in both hands as hard as I can, then I swing from my heels with my eyes closed." Zilchus explains, using his hands in an empty swing gesture to demonstrate.
"So...swordsplay is pretty easy from I know so far."
Zilchus casts light on a rock and tosses it down the stairs so he can see better down the west stairs.
"Professor, take a look at this. Looks like we got some gophers or something," Zilch points to the tunnels in the walls. "At least now we know what those spiders were feeding upon before they ate Augustus' blade."
Welcome to GM Euan’s Recruitment Thread! This recruitment is for the Mummy’s Mask Adventure Path.
Every player should download and read the Mummy's Mask Pathfinder Companion. This is a recruitment for five total players. I have already picked two so there are three spots remaining.
Background
- Please write a detailed description. What do people see when they look at you or even watch you for a moment or two?
- Please write a public background - what would someone with a passing knowledge of you know? Add a little history, a common rumor (true or false), and something possibly embarrassing or at least humorous.
- Please write a background that tells me something about yourself. Speak about what’s essential to your character, goals you may have, people you may know, and a memory of something important to you.
- You might consider having two things in your personality - a reason to do some delving in Osirion, and a desire to help the greater good. I like dissenting voices and creative role play, but in a few areas the AP requires a leap of faith. Feel free to build whatever you prefer, but you should have reasons for being heroic (or at least pretending to be).
- You are beginning in Wati in Osirion - you may be a native, or a visitor. You may even have heard of the planned necropolis exploration and are here specifically for that purpose. I’m happy to help you here if you want to set some roots in the town and need some locations or NPCs to tie into.
- You have recently managed a nice stack of gold - either luckily (gambling, distant relative left you some cash, etc.) or through hard work (recently sold a share of a business you helped build up, recently accomplished some great crafting feat, etc.). You spent some of it already on something ephemeral, but have much of it left.
Build
- You will start at first level.
- Your starting gold will be 250gp.
- Please create your character following the standard Pathfinder rules, point buy system, 20pt buy.
- Hit Points shall be determined in PFS style - maximum at first level, average +1 for all subsequent levels.
- Please limit your race to the core book, though racial traits may come from other sources.
- We will be using background skills.
- You’ll start with two traits, one of which will be chosen from the Mummy’s Mask Players Guide. You may chose a drawback, with my approval, to gain another trait. I take drawbacks seriously though, so make them a solid part of your background and something that will occur - not just something you do for more power.
- I am open to nearly any Paizo source. Some things in the Archives of Nethys will also be accepted on a case-by-case basis. No third party materials. Also, I know there are other sites with Pathfinder rules, but please try to link to Paizo or the Archives whenever possible in your references. If not, I’ll just be searching there anyway, so save me some time please.
- We’re not using gestalt, mythic, or variant multi-classing rules. No rules will be used from Occult Adventures or the Technology Guide.
- No evil, and be careful with paladins and other severely ‘oath-bound’ characters.
- No gunslingers or other ‘tech’ themes (bolt ace is acceptable).
- Please no summoners, very unbalanced, or one dimensional builds. You should build well, but someone who’s only good at one thing, will spend a lot of time waiting as the others play.
- Along the same lines, please avoid ‘save or suck’ effects in your build (like the slumber hex for example). Nobody likes it when the DM takes out a player, maybe permanently, with a single roll or save. My pact is that I will avoid doing so, as long as the party does the same. At later levels it can become impossible to avoid, on both sides, but please don’t build toward it, and avoid it when you can. I’ll do the same - even playing the opposition less effectively as a result.
- There is a free feat available to any who fulfill the prerequisites. Please have a reason for it in your background, if only a mention. Osirionology
- There is an excellent listing of the ancient Osirion gods in book two of the AP. Given that, anyone who has Ancient Osirioni among their languages, may worship one of these deities. If you are selected, I will provide the information you need.
Notes
- Please pay more attention to your background than your build. I am far more interested in who you are than what you are.
- Please don’t worry about who is playing what. Play what you want, based on these requirements, and we’ll make it work.
- I want a brisk game and it will likely take more than two years to finish, so carefully consider your commitment. This is really important. I plan to post at least twice a day, likely more often as needed. I want my players to post twice a day as well, pending interactions and the like of course. If you haven’t posted for 24 hours, I will DMPC you, have you delay, or otherwise fall behind. Likewise, folks that post more often will be more included in the storyline that unfolds. That said, let’s be reasonable. I am not looking for a super-zippy campaign. In my Curse of the Crimson Throne campaign I averaged 3.6 posts a day for just over two years and am averaging 3.3 in my Second Darkness campaign now in its second year. I’m planning for something similar this time too.
- When you introduce your character, please focus on personality, story, quirks, and motivations. I’m not interested in your class or build - I can read that later. Who are you?
<•>
I’m sure you will have questions I have not answered. For even more information, please visit the Campaign Tab. There I talk about what I’m looking for in terms of tone, some discussion of die rolling, etiquette, crafting, and more. Please read through it, it’s important stuff.
Recruitment will remain open until I have selected the players. I don’t know how long that will take, but I expect it’ll be several days at least, likely a week depending on interest, but maybe longer. I will post regular updates and answer questions until there’s a good pool of candidates when I will close recruitment and make a decision. The campaign will begin fairly quickly after that, though there will be plenty of time to tweak characters and make final preparations of course.
Let's have some fun together!
To help a little with recruitment, please feel free to role play in thread. I suggest you visit the Mueaddat Almalaki Wadar Aleamm*, also known as ‘Milki’ in the Midwife District of Wati** just a block south of the Sunburst Market (map #19). The ale isn’t so good, but the wine is above standard, and freely flowing - if you’ve got the coin for it. The proprietor is a rough looking, bronze skinned, fifty-ish human by the name of Abdur Raqeeb al-Shabazz (image), who spends more time dealing in the large attached market than helping in the pub - but his staff is numerous at least if not the most competent. The regulars seem accustomed to asking for things several times, often from different servers, and occasionally they get what they desire.
It’s midday and hot on Sunday, 1 Sarenith, 4714, a little early for heavy drink, but the pub is serving a decent slab of fried goat with small potatoes and large onions, all seeped in garlic with warm flatbread and honey. The floors and walls are covered in multi-colored rugs and other hangings, beautiful and well made. The walls are thick mud and stone - keeping the worst of the heat out thankfully.
* Ancient Osiriani:
Roughly translated the name means, “Royal Equipment and Public House” or ’Royal’ for short.
- - -
** The city of Wati:
The city of Wati sits on a sandstone shelf at the confluence of the Asp and Crook rivers, which provide it with building materials, rich farmland, and deep harbors sufficient to support a settlement three times its size. But even with its tenacious citizens, abundant fish and game, and thriving marketplaces fueled by the most important rivers in Osirion, Wati is forever a city better known for its dead than for its living.
Behind sanctified walls, an entire quarter of the city quietly sits as a massive, urban tomb. Shops, schools, markets, and estates serve as eternal resting places for those lost to madness and disease. To manage such an immense project, the city’s entire economy shifted to the industry of interment.
Almost 1,800 years after the necropolis’s inception, many of Wati’s residents continue to serve the city’s funeral industry, either directly as embalmers, undertakers, and clerics of Pharasma, or indirectly by crafting the myriad grave goods all Osirians hope to carry with them into the afterlife. Death has become the city’s lifeblood, and Wati prospers from its morbid specialty.
- - -
Priestess Ankhtah Shepses, personal writings, 3076 AR wrote:
Wati endures, or so the local saying goes. The people of Wati, known for their even tempers and shrewd wit, prefer understatement. They have known war and peace, poverty and prosperity, and survived decimation at the hands of a mad god’s cult. But Wati’s people answer each challenge with innovation, tenacity, and the deep bonds of community. They do not endure their hardships so much as grasp them, white-knuckled and screaming, until the world permits them to return to their quiet lives, surrounded by their honored dead.
dotting. Thinking a crypt breaker alchemist. That or a an occulist (if you are allowing them, you said any paizo material, but also say no occult rules so I am unsure)
Either or would be focused on finding forgotten lore of ancient empires, and any knowledge therein.
Ok, think I will stick with alchemist.. That or an investigator. Not entirely sure which will wind up fitting more. But I'm thinking a noble born scholar, big into history. Not quite enough magical talent to become a wizard, but makes up for it with a bit of science and a healthy dose of disregard to danger.
Dot. I have read the AP, and run portions of books 1 and 4. It's been at least 6 months since I looked at any of the AP, longer for most, so I'm familiar with the broad strokes, but not the fine details. If foreknowledge is a problem, I'm happy to bow out.
Will be thinking about an option that seems fun both mechanically and for story purposes.
GM Lari, I have no problem with foreknowledge as long as your character doesn't act on it naturally. :) It can make the game a little tougher for you, and there will be times when you'll just have to be silent to avoid guiding the party one way or another, but it should be fine.
Part of me want to submit a jaded-tough-no-nonsense-yet-religious-cigar-smoking-female-skull-knocker from Bargetown who's decided poverty is for the suckers and to use what Fortune recently brought her to get geared, step forward, and take a piece of the action resulting from the opening of the Necropolis.
Trait would likely be either Trap finder, Undead crusader, or Wati native.
Dot. Thanks for running this AP! I'm interested if the pre-chosen players have classes yet. I'd like to develop something that compliments them or at least doesn't conflict with them.
Have a human desert druid who is from a local nomad group, now getting involved in the craziness of the tomb hunting. Will flesh out the alias and get into the action shortly!
Brooklyn85, don't worry about the classes. As I mentioned earlier, if we get five of one class or other overlaps we'll make it work. There are so many options out there, I'd be surprised if two people had the same thing in any event.
I'm much more concerned about your character - that's more interesting. We can always tweak classes if there's a concern when the party is selected.
Dotting for interest with this character. Shaedeen has "Foreign Opportunist" written all over her, perhaps having traveled far to the east after a failed stint as a 'hero' in Sandpoint.
I'll try to work up an updated background tonight and tinker with her mechanics as needed.
Okay, think I'll go with a Resurrected witch recently arrived in Osirion with a lot of questions and few clues! Will hopefully have her done within the next day or two :)
I have an idea (with a good portion of the stats already drawn up, in fact) for a Wordcasting Sorcerer. What's your overall feel about Words of Power? The system is rather complex, but there's a few guides that help clear it up online. (Even better, with a PBP, I can spend as much time as I want developing individual Wordspells without bogging down play!)
Specifically, I have a couple of questions that will influence some of my build details:
Questions:
Do spells with a Duration of "Instantaneous" count towards the rule about spells having the shortest time determining the spell length? In other words, is it possible to use a fireball that leaves a fog cloud afterwards, or would the fog cloud immediately dissipate because it's "Instantaneous"?
Does the Human’s Sorcerer Alternative Favored Class bonus (i.e. one bonus spell of a level below my highest level spell) translate into Words of Power as well? That is, I get a bonus Word? Or would I get a bonus regular spell? A casual reading of the rules says it will, but there's room for interpretation.
Do feats that apply to spells apply to individual Words? To specific combinations of Words? In other words, can I take Spell Specialization (Wrack), and get the bonus to Wrack + Fog Bank?
Thanks in advance, and good luck to everyone here!
Daedalus, as I'm unfamiliar with Words of Power, I am going to give them a skip for this AP.
I like to be very familiar with something before trying to run it. That's not to say I have to know everything, but Words of Power at first glance look rather complicated. :D
Awesome, one more question, spoiled because it does connect to a bit of knowledge I have:
Plot Spoiler:
I'm thinking about an aggressively anti-undead Pharasmin, who's goal in Wati is primarily to cleanse the necropolis. I'm not sure about the mechanics, but how would you feel about the character being part of the Voices of the Spire? Naturally I'd find a reason to side with the party when they become relevant, but if that's too complicated I've got alternate origins I'm considering.
GM Lari, I'm intrigued. I think that will fit just fine. If selected, I'll give you some additional details about the order (some of which I'll have to make up!) and backstory.
Fair enough. Words of Power suffers greatly from poor writing. A lot isn't said very clearly and can be confusing. I'll try to come up with another character along the same lines, but with more familiar rules. (I had an idea for a sage-blooded sorcerer, using ancient Osirani words of power to shift his reality. A skittish, bookish scholar who held incredible power.)
A servant, a young man, likely a slave from his overall bearing and attitude, rushes up to Dilana as she bellows.
”What may I get you my lady?” He seems eager, yet he’s not writing anything down, and asks you to repeat your order slowly so he can remember it. You don’t have high hopes for this one, however hard he tries.
Dilana, can you give me more background? Read what I suggested in my first post under 'Background' carefully. I'm looking for three things - description, a sort of public background, and an even longer, more detailed background to help you develop your character. I've asked some questions in that post - answering them might help you expand your history. Thanks!
Ok you then. Wine and some cold fruit. You can do that right?
Filling it in slowely. I tend to make a lot of changes as I narrow down the character as I write and then proof on a character personality and background. I added some more quotes from her and her neighbors about her.
Got my crunch done. Gonna go get dinner and then put the story down. Just making sure, Unchained Rogue is okay, yeah? I'm looking at a historian and tomb delver that likes to find priceless antiquities and then put a price on them.
Edit: Also need to actually make an Alias for my character.
As Raman enters Milki, his eyes dart between the few occupants. Good. Not too busy yet.
He makes his way to a seat against the thick wall, dropping his heavy backpack on the floor next to him with a loud *thunk*.
He flashes a silver piece at a passing servant and calls, "Get me some goat and a mug of ale!", then returns to watching the strange woman at the bar. I sure hope she's not offering a job.
Hello. This is my submission for the AP. Augustus Voralius III, Human Cavalier.
While I'm fairly familiar with Pathfinder, this would me my first play by post game. I'm actually applying with my friend, TimFrie, who posted up above.
Let me know if there is anything you think I should change or elaborate on and I plan on doing some RP in the thread tomorrow morning.
Zoda sits slumped over at the bar and even though it is only midday he is thoroughly drunk. A half empty bottle of wine sits next to him and another bottle lies empty under his stool. He stretches his long, dark, tattoo covered arms and lets out a loud yawn.
”Have I ever told you about my father,” He asks the bartender doing his best to not slur his words. ”Of course I have Abdur, who hasn’t heard of the famed Boaz Kogala, scourge of the undead, defender of the godssss. *hic* He pauses to take another drink from the bottle and continues rambling on. ”And what have I done thus far in life… NOTHING," He slams his fist on the bar and the bottle begins to topple but he deftly catches is it and places it back where it was without noticing. ”But that’s all about to change Abdur, all about to change. Yesterday this bottle would have been half empty but today it is half full. Have you heard? I have finally done in, I sold my camels and I am finally ready to become my fathers son and delve into the ancient tombs. I just need to find a group who is in need of a guide. Zoda proclaims as if he has uncovered some big secrete. “And what better guide then me, Zoda Kogala, son of a feared corpse hunter and besides no one knows this city like I do. So you see my friend my fortunes are about to change."
Doomed Hero here with my character pitch. It's a little odd but I love the concept of it, so bear with me.
GM:
There is a race introduced in the Mummy's Mask AP called the Shabti. They are created beings who exist to be the spiritual whipping boy for the person who creates them.
My concept was to play the Shabti of the Sky Pharaoh, who was created and locked in a sarcophagus to simply live and bear the Sky Pharaoh's sins and judgements.
Anubis isn't stupid though. Eventually he caught on, but by then his pantheon wasn't terribly powerful and the Sky Pharaoh had become powerful enough to sidestep the judgement of the gods by becoming undead.
Anubis decided to try for a hail mary play. He visited the Shabti of the Sky Pharaoh and explained what he had been created for. He offered power in exchange for service and the chance at revenge.
The Shabti agreed. With a little divine nudging, it was arranged by Anubis that the Shabti's long-lost sarcophagus would be found by a group of adventurers who could help the Shabti escape and may even help him on his divine mission.
You might have noticed that I like to tie my characters deeply into the storyline. I know it's an odd concept that might give the character outside odds at being chosen. I can only hope you like the idea.
Based on my current backstory, I'd have to wait a while for the party to get into the first dungeon and find his sarcophagus. I'm willing to do that.
As a player, I'm a prolific poster and a team player. My goal for Shabti is to be something of a White Necromancer. he is a healer primarily who has been empowered by Anubis to temporarily enlist souls to the cause (i.e. command and control undead). He has a great deal of respect for the living, representing both sides of the scales of life and death. He doesn't see the undead as inherently evil (why would he? Anubis' views aren't really like Pharasma's). His primary job is to destroy undead and usher their souls to judgement. Basically, his stance is that any undead not in service to Anubis need to be destroyed.
As for his personality, a lot of his inspiration comes from Teal'c from Stargate and Castiel from Supernatural. He's a powerful, driven spiritual warrior, but he has no practical knowledge of mortal customs or nuanced morality. All his knowledge of people and society comes from the vague bits of what he remembers from the early days of his creation, and the information that the various spirits of his tomb tell him.
If this idea isn't one you like, I'll withdraw. Let me know what you think.
Giuseppe here. This is my submission. Background is in a Googledoc linked in the profile. Also, please take note that the current avatar is temporary. I failed to find something more appropriate, although a link to a full picture of Benedictus is included in his profile.
As far as crunch goes, I'm still working on it. I think I'll go wizard, and I'm considering the scroll scholar archetype from the Pathfinder Society Field Guide, as suggested in People of the Sands. Anyway, according to GM Euan's (and mine) preferences, I'm not so set on a particular class for my PC. The character comes first, and there are a few ways I can make it work using different classes. I'll submit a complete character's sheet in a few days, anyway.
There are a few ortographical errors in the introductory letter I'm aware of, but I've not been able to edit them because I don't have my PC with Photoshop here with me.
Well, what can I say more? I hope to have the chance to get to play under Euan, for this is what I've wished for over the course of the last year or so.
Before entering the Mueaddat Almalaki Wadar Aleamm, Benedictus gives an inquisitive look at his new clothes—a plain beige shirt with a blue sleeveless vest, loose and airy yellow pants, and fine leather sandals. Behind his back is a large, fresh new backpack containing his books and accessories. Well, I know I can’t wear formal suits here in Osirion, but I wonder how does one distinguish himself from the others if he cannot even buy something better than these…unmatchable rags! The Garundi young man shakes his head and smiles ironically. Then he hunches his shoulders, fixes his clothes for the last time and opens the door.
Benedictus has always been afraid of pubs. Well, of all gathering places in general I must admit… To him, places like these are always too noisy and chaotic. But he had decided to win his fears and find someone to adventure with. Not that this made things easier actually, but at least he had a reason to be there.
Benedictus looks around himself for a few seconds, as though still stunned by the sudden wave of noise and smells. Then he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and walks to a table. No, no, no, no, no! Not an empty one, my dear! Ben suddenly stops. His reclusive nature was literally pushing him to an empty table. Come on, be strong. What was father used to say? If you don’t have friends, you don’t have ends. Well, I have a precise end to be in this city so…
Without even noticing it, Ben staggers forward as he meditates, bumping into a staff member. “I-I-I…I’m sorry!” Clumsy as usual with his words not less than with his body, Benedictus staggers backwards, until he feels something behind his knees. A chair… He swallows and sits down. In the meantime, he’s still smiling at the woman he bumped into. A way as any to avoid looking at whoever else is at his same table.
Quote:
Barkeep wine! I am here don't make this worse for me.
Hearing that voice so close to him, Ben realizes the woman to whose it belongs must be sitting at his same table. He awkwardly turns toward her and smiles clumsily. “Perhaps asking more politely will work…” he tries, hesitantly. Nodding at the girl, Benedictus turns to one of the servants. “Sorry sir, can I have…” Ben is whispering, and not even an elf would hear him in the bustling chaos of the pub. As soon as he opens his mouth, though, a young man is at the table. For a moment, Ben smiles at the girl, proud of his words…Until he realizes that the young servant is there for the girl. I bet he has not even heard me…
As the girl orders something, Ben notices that the young servant asks her to repeat her words several times. Grinning, the Garundi wannabe explorer pulls out a piece of parchment from his backpack and writes something on it.
“S-Sorry, young man, b-before you go…” Starting with his usual hesitation, now Ben tries to gain confidence as he ensues. “Could you also bring me this?”, says Benedictus as he hands out the piece of parchment to the servant.
**Please, bring me today’s special. Whatever it is. Thanks. **
Interested. I'm thinking a worshipper of Sekhmet, maybe a Warpriest, but a Druid is also an intriguing possibility. Lion Shaman seems really thematic there.
