As the situation threatens to spiral out of control, Tupp and Sori attempt to cow Red into backing down and calling off his men - presumably they wouldn't want to go to prison either, right? And it seems to have an effect, as Red's face pales when he realizes that he and his men are outnumbered.
Added to Tupp's words are Sylvak's as he begins calling for the local watch - who shouldn't take long to arrive, given that this is the Coins District! As he does, he fixes Red with a baleful glare...
Will (DC 15; Shaken):1d20 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2
...which causes beads of sweat to begin dripping down his face! Theodric continues the intimidation tactics, conjuring sparks from his fingertips as he threatens to reduce them all to smoldering cinders.
"Ah...p-perhaps we should just be on our way??? There is nothing that we need to prove that they do not already know," one of the others calls out nervously.
Kiango, Zithembe, Hepsubia, and Ylva all ready themselves, adopting defensive poses, drawing wands, clenching fists, but make no other moves - yet. J, still pale, swallows hard as she stares down the five men. "Y-you...don't scare me. You should've j-just...left me alone!"
As she speaks, a small pot sitting on a nearby windowsill suddenly comes flying toward Red!
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Damage:1d6 ⇒ 3
Spellcraft (DC 16):
The work of a Telekinetic Projectile spell!
The pot shatters against Red's head, leaving shards embedded in his cheek and blood flowing freely down his face; he staggers but doesn't flee. "N-No! I will not bow down to cowards and mongrels!" he cries as he and the rest of the men draw saps and move to attack. As Ylva's readied swing at Red misses, he attempts to strike back as do Purple and Orange...
...and Ylva once more suffers the brunt of the painful blows, leaving her dizzy and weak but still on her feet and not seriously hurt. Red then attempts to duck back behind Yellow, leaving himself open to a strike from Ylva as well as Theodric he does. Yellow and Green aren't able to do much more than try and look threatening due to the cramped alleyway but more and more they look as if they don't really want to be there.
As her 'sister' Ylva takes a beating that was likely meant for her, J's face twists with anger and rage. "You're the cowards! If you want to face me, then your wish has been granted!" An old, discarded boot lying nearby rises into the air as she speaks and zips towards Purple this time...
Boot to the Head!:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
...but Purple ducks and the boot shatters a nearby window, instead. But then, something far stranger occurs - a strangely, ghostly shape emerges from J and races around the alley and the attacking nobles. It's hard to tell just what exactly it is, but all of you do catch a fleeting glimpse of a blue-tinged, ephemeral outline of what might be a child with large, hollow eyes!
____________
Even as she's battered nearly senseless, Ylva delivers a potentially brutal left to the leader of this pack of curs.
"Mongrel? Do you not know a wolf when you see one," she asks, sneering even as the world spins. She steps up and throws a right cross as a feint before trying to slug the leader she'd tried to pants in the belly.
9-14 non-lethal on him. I think he's hurtin' if he ain't down.
As he turns to duck behind his companion Ylva rewards Red with a knockout punch for his trouble, sending him to the ground in a crumpled heap. She follows through with another punch, this time aimed at Purple, that sends teeth flying in all directions! As Hepsubia steps up and slams the pummel of her dagger into Yellow's face, the nobles' morale finally breaks.
"Enough! Leave these freaks to their own devices!" Green cries and the men that are still standing flee, scattering into the crowd.
"My troubles this morning inform me that to wait for the watch sometimes brings more trouble..." Kiango says. "Which of my companions was using telekinetic force to propel the objects?" he asks curiously.
________
Spellcraft, DC 16:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Ylva, roll your healing and I'll knock charges off of the wand.
Looking rather shaken, J slowly exhales and then leans against a nearby stall for support. "Um...sorry, I think I need a moment..." she mutters, staring down at the one unconscious nobleman. "He's not actually dead, is he? I...I don't know what his trouble is with the Eagle Knights but I didn't want to kill anyone - just scare them away!"
Once reassured that the man will live to see another day, J glances nervously at Kiango and Sylvak. "You called it 'telekinetic'? Heh...I'd always just figured it was plain old 'throwing things'," she laughs weakly. But then she sighs with resignation and looks around at everyone.
"I guess I should tell you, considering who you are and where we're going. I’ve been keeping him a secret for far too long in any case," J begins. "Grishan...? Can you come out, please? These people would like to meet you."
For a moment, nothing happens. But then you see a faint outline of a person suddenly step out of J's space, revealing itself to be a green-tinted apparition that resembles an emaciated 14-year-old boy with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. The apparition is wearing a school uniform consisting of a blouse covered by a vest. His legs end just below the knees, trailing off into nothingness and he actually appears to be floating just slightly off of the ground.
"I'm Grishan," the apparition introduces himself as he hovers next to J, speaking in a calm voice that sounds as though it's traveling from some distance away. "Nice to meet you."
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
Zithembe nods to the spirit and greets him gently, "It is nice to meet you, as well, Grishan. I am Zithembe. Was it you or Jay to decided to throw the pot?"
Male Human 'Wizard' 1 (hp 9/9 | AC 13; touch 12; FF 11; CMD 11 | Fort +3; Ref +2; Will +5 | Init +2 | Perception +3)
Spellcraft:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Observing the flying objects, Theo thinks, Wait...that was a tekekinetic effect! There's more to J than meets the eye!
As the leader moves past, he snaps shut his hand and the flames extinguish. He raises his mace defensively, but doesn't strike, as Ylva knocks out the ruffian. As the rest scatter, Theo kneels beside the fallen noble, checking to make sure he's alive.
Casts stabilize.
"He'll have a nasty headache when he wakes up, but no permanent damage, I think!"
Male Halfling Paladin (Chosen One) 1 | HP 14/14 | AC 17 T 12 FF 16 | CMD 14 | F +3 R +1 W +1; +2 bonus vs. Fear | Spd 20' | Perc +0; SM +3; Aura of Good | Init +1 | Adaptable Luck 3/3 | Wand CLW 48/50 | Conditions:
Tupp slowly resheathes his sword, having drawn it the moment pots and boots started flying. "Woah!" Is all he can manage to articulate as Grishan steps out of J. He had tried to track the ghost's movements during the fight, fearing him to be malevolent and a much greater threat than the men Ylva relieved of their teeth, but just couldn't get a bead on him. Now that the green apparition is just floating there, Tupp can't help but stare for a moment. Eventually he manages to pick his jaw off the ground and steps forward to shake his hand. "And I'm Tupp. It's nice to meet you too... But, umm... Why are you unliving inside J?" He looks up at the young noble woman. "He's not possessing you is he?"
Ylva, slightly dazed from the beating she took only stares at Grishan for a moment, then faints dead away.
Kiango brings her back to the realm of the waking with a couple of jabs with his wand. Realizing what had happened she looks away from J with a blush.
"Sorry, Tyri, I just... I..." Her voice trials off as she looks off to the side with a mixture of fear, embarrassment, and something like doubt in her expression. She takes in a deep breath and stands before facing the ghostly apparition.
"W-well met," she says haltingly, still trying to work through her rather complex feelings on this revelation. "I guess you know who we all are. Thank you for your help in dealing with those curs," she adds stiffly.
Well this is new! Poor Ylva, Just when she thought she was getting over the Minotaur incident.
Male Halfling Paladin (Chosen One) 1 | HP 14/14 | AC 17 T 12 FF 16 | CMD 14 | F +3 R +1 W +1; +2 bonus vs. Fear | Spd 20' | Perc +0; SM +3; Aura of Good | Init +1 | Adaptable Luck 3/3 | Wand CLW 48/50 | Conditions:
Just a heads up, non-lethal damage is healed at twice the normal rate, so you can save one of your charges since the first one did the trick. ;)
Almost immediately Grishan and J both begin speaking in response to Zithembe's question.
"W-well, I think so-"
"Actually it's-"
But that's as far as they get before Ylva suddenly faints, distracting them both from answering. "Oh! Ylva!" J gasps, rushing over to the unconscious woman's side and then looking up anxiously at everyone. "Help her, please! She'll be okay, won't she?"
For his part, Grishan maintains a respectable distance though he too looks concerned...but also a little resigned. "I was afraid this would happen...this is why J's kept me a secret, even from her mother."
While Kiango sees to Ylva's wounds, Theodric and Hepsubia turn their attention to the unconscious nobleman, making sure that he won't bleed out...and checking his pockets for anything of interest. On his unconscious form Hepsubia finds a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, a dagger, a sap, a suit of leather armor, and 10 gold pieces.
As Ylva finally begins to come around, Grishan turns his attention to Tupp as the little halfling approaches and offers his hand for a shake. "Well...it's a bit of a story sir," Grishan confesses, reaching out to shake Tupp's hand...but his hand simply passes through the halfling's. "Oh...ah, sorry about that. I keep forgetting that I can't really...affect the living like that."
Tupp:
You don't detect any evil coming from Grishan :)
"Ylva, are you okay? I-" J begins once Ylva comes to, only to stop as Ylva waves her off to stare at Grishan, a wide array of emotions playing briefly across her face. J stares awkwardly down at the ground. "Now you know why I was curious about spirits...and the Wise One's seance," she mumbles.
"It's okay J," Grishan reassures his companion before turning to Ylva. "You're scared of me...I understand. It's why J's kept me a secret for so long. Normally I just stay inside of her mind and don't come out, but..." he glances down at the unconscious man, "...J's my friend and I won't let anyone hurt her. This cur deserved a good scare...and the work you did on his teeth," Grishan chuckles softly.
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
"Grishan," Zithembe says, still maintaining a gentle tone, "Ylva suffered because you wanted to give the men a good scare. They would have left us alone--even after Ylva's brash assault on the man's pants--but for the pot flying off of the sill and striking him. You have been on your own or with Jay for a very long time. When working with others, it is important to coordinate."
The shabti turns his solid copper eyes towards Ylva briefly but poignantly as he finishes.
"Hepsubia, did you really just rob that man?" he says with a sigh.
Female Elf Rogue/Alchemist/Skald/Bloodrager/ Occultist (2/1/1/1/1) Init +4 (+5) HP 42 (48) AC 19 (20) T 14 (15)FF 15 (16)Fort+3 (+4)Ref +8 (+9)Will +3 Per +6 Spd 30 (40)
Not really.
Bluff:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
In case Hepsubia bluff is called:
With a grin and a wink, she puts back the money in the man's pocket. Except one coin, that she keeps for herself as discreetly as possible Sleight of hand:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
"But..." Grishan starts to protest, but then stops as J gives him a look that seems to say: Just let it go. "I'm sorry Ylva," the ghostly boy sighs. "But she started it with the pants-stealing..." he adds under his breath.
"Grishan! It's okay, really," J scolds. "He's right...I shouldn't have let him make me so angry in the first place. He wasn't worth our time. I shouldn't have asked you to throw that pot at him."
At this, Grishan gives J a strange look but seems resigned to not arguing any points further and remains silent - and perhaps a little sulky.
Kn. Arcana (DC 15):
The more you think about what you witnessed during the fight and now that Grishan has revealed himself...it suddenly falls into place. You're positive that the pair are well and truly bonded together, young noblewoman and phantom boy. In fact, the pot-throwing almost certainly came from J herself, calling upon magics that she doesn't seem to be consciously aware of possessing.
In OOC terms...you realize that J is a spiritualist and Grishan her phantom, though she doesn't seem to be aware that this gives her powers of her own. She seems to think that any magics that manifest are Grishan's doing in response to her own desires.
Hepsubia pockets the gold-for now, of course!-and brings the curative potion to Yvla
Here's your favorite drink. You will need it, sooner or later.
Ylva fixes Hepsubia with a glare that's only a little flawed by the twinkling in her eyes.
"Ware your words, elf," she growls, but can't quiet keep the hint fo smile from her face as she snatches the vial.
She then turns her attention to J and Grishan.
"I am sorry for worrying you," she apologies, seeming to be more of her normal self, "I was shocked to see one such as Grishan and fear that I succumbed to the battering. It is hard for me to trust spirits. The history of my clan is not overflowing with pleasant and friendly encounters with those from the beyond and the realms of ice."
"As for this one," she says in a much lighter tone, "perhaps he will think twice before insulting the Eagle Knights. That or learn to accept defrockings more graciously. I had heard the men of the golden sands of the east were more clever with tongues. Pity to see it is not so with them. More so that their other blades are so small."
With that, she gives J a grin and resumes their trek towards the sunken districts of Absolom.
"What have you learned, Tupp," Kiango whispers into the Halfling's ear as he sees the telltale look of a paladin using one of his gifts. I have just the spell if this spirit is more than it claims to be...
"You have shown us Grishan and this is good. We have a knower of spirits among us, maybe he can help control the power within," he adds, following Ylva out of the alley.
________
Lie all you want Hep, but you should have rolled stealth or something as you robbed the guy in front of us, our eyes still work! :P Wand charges marked.
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
"Ideally, then, please return what you have taken," Zithembe replies in a tone that asserts that although his eyes are copper metal, he is not blind. "And before I revive him, for leaving a man unconscious in an alley in Absalom is likely to result in him waking in the Slave Pits or, worse, on a vivisectionists table. No one deserves either."
He speaks the last sentence as a man speaking from experience. He removes an elk antler wand and bends near the unconscious roughian. He holds the wand over him and concentrates once Hepsubia returns what she will return.
UMD:
Base Roll for UMD:2d20 ⇒ (6, 15) = 21 + 5 vs. DC 20.
Second attempt succeeds.
Cure Light Wounds (CL 1):1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
"I apologize for the consequences of your actions," he says as the man rouses.
"I say we leave him to the pits," Ylva says, raw fury seething in her tone as Zithembe rouses him with magic, "a few scars on his back may teach him not to be so quick to call those who stand up for the weak cowards!"
Seeing that he's already brought the man back, she turns and storms off. Her cursing carries for several moments before fading into the background to city.
"Dumme, selvretfærdige hores søn af en sår! Jeg skulle tage hans 'Åh så guddommelige' visdom og skubbe den op i røvet. Han burde være endnu mindre sympatisk over for denne tralltagende, gutterfødte, lille bladede tandsøn, hærge end jeg er..."
Skald:
"Stupid, self-righteous whore's son of a sow! I should take his 'Oh so divine' wisdom and shove it up his ass. He should be even less sympathetic to this thrall-taking, gutter-born, small bladed, son of a b~@&# cur in heat than I am!"
Male Halfling Paladin (Chosen One) 1 | HP 14/14 | AC 17 T 12 FF 16 | CMD 14 | F +3 R +1 W +1; +2 bonus vs. Fear | Spd 20' | Perc +0; SM +3; Aura of Good | Init +1 | Adaptable Luck 3/3 | Wand CLW 48/50 | Conditions:
Sense Motive:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7Vs. Bluff Perception:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5Vs. Sleight of Hand
"Ghosts can't shake hands and Grishan is forgetful..." Tupp whispers, recounting everything he has learned so far to Kiango, "He seems nice though." He smiles as Hepsubia returns all the gold she hadn't really stolen and as the unconscious men are taken care of by some of the others. "We really should get moving, J. I don't think that-" He says just as Ylva storms off. "Wha... Ylva?"
As Ylva storms off in a flurry of cursing, J looks around a little uncertainly. "Um...well then, I guess we should head on...I'm sorry for all the trouble," she adds again. But then she scowls down at the now-conscious and fearful-looking nobleman. "But I'm not sorry about you. Next time think twice people you start picking on people! Come on, Grishan."
With that, Grishan swiftly disappears back into the recesses of J's mind as she hurries off after Ylva. "Tyri, wait! You don't know the way and I'm not so sure of it myself!"
Trusting that the man won't be causing any further trouble, the rest of you leave him to slink off into the crowd as you move to catch up with Ylva and J.
____________
Once the group finishes their trek to the dreaded Precipice Quarter, J beckons everyone to stop as she ducks into a secluded alley. "Sorry, Grishan um...well, Grishan wants to talk with you all a bit more before we go much further. It won't take long, I promise."
"She's right, it'll only take a minute," Grishan agrees as he seems to sort of...flow...back out from J's person. "I just didn't want to talk about it earlier there so close to the market. But, I need to tell you, um...well, I'm partly why J's been wanting to return here," the phantom begins, diving right into his explanation with all the subtlety of youth - which is none at all.
"He's not forcing me, Tyri, don't worry," J quickly interjects.
Grishan nods earnestly. "No, it's...it's hard to explain, but I think we both have unfinished business here. There's something here that J needs to see or do...neither of us know what, exactly."
"I wasn't lying earlier," J chimes in again, looking at Ylva and Sylvak as though referencing something shared between the three. "I need to face my fears and conquer my past. If nothing else, I think...hope...that it'll help me understand myself better. And this bond I have with Grishan."
"Um...but I've got my own reasons for wanting to come back too and I think it's...magnified?...J's desire to come here," Grishan admits guiltily. "So we're hoping that maybe you can help the both of us, while we're here?"
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
"I will do my best to keep you both safe," Zithembe says to the phantom. "However, you both need to understand something: you must not rush off on your own. You need to control your impulses and think things through before you act and, because we are responsible for your safety, tell us what you are thinking or wanting to do before acting. You may have a good reason for wanting to do what you want to do, but we need to be prepared. Do not start fights because you are scared or angry or insulted or break away from us because you noticed something that you feel you must investigate.
"Even the spiritual world can be negotiated with," the shabti says, gesturing toward Grishan in emphasis of his point. "A fist or a flower pot is not always the best response to a problem."
"But, if you cannot respect the counsel of those who risked their lives to save you from a minotaur, whose advise can you trust?" he says in an apparent, to the pair, non-sequitor.
Uh GM? Ylva calls J Tyri. She's not using that name herself.
Ylva's fuming last all the way to the bluff, but between J and Grishan's explanations, she calms down considerably.
She's about to apologize for her behavior and tell them that it's alright and she understands when Zithembe's remark causes her to flinch as if she'd been slapped. Ylva's cheeks redden as she looks away.
I deserved that, didn't I?
After a moment, she turns back to the others, her face still darkened by shame and embarrassment.
"I will be right beside you, Tyri, and you Grishan. It's the least I can do after..." her voice trails off into an uncomfortable silence as she looks away again.
"Our charge says to us where to go and we go. What is this business you have left to do?" Kiango asks the pair while leaning on his quarterstaff.
He watches Ylva silently as Zithembe speaks. There is much shame inside her. I hope it does not consume her, but she must also learn. Time will tell us what she is made of. The river smoothes the stone over millennium, not minutes.
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
know(arcana):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Sylvak follows along in silence after the revelation of Grishan. He makes no protest to helping the pair, but his total lack of any affirmations since the specter first appeared is growing conspicuous.
teammates that consort with spirits... a ward that plays hiding place to a phantom... I thought I left Irrisen to get away from crap like this... at least it's warm down here, and there are no daughters of Baba Yaga trying to enslave or eat me... and at least the phantom kid seems relatively pleasant right now, unlike this shabti- what a d!ck, talking to Ylva like that... I wonder if the lodge knows what kind of agent they sent us out with...
Grishan looks largely relieved as the group reaffirms their commitment to helping J and himself, but still shuffles his feet - or rather, he'd be shuffling them if they still existed - a bit guiltily.
"Thank you. I promise it won't come before helping J and it shouldn't, but...well, you see, when I was still alive, my older brother Colson asked me to...spy on the other students and their families and report back what I learned," he finally says, looking down at the ground. "I can't remember where I hid the packet with my reports, exactly - only that it's somewhere inside the Arboretum Arcanis."
He raises his head, a desperate look in his hollow eyes. "Please, help me recover the packet and fulfill my mission! I died before I could place it in the secret dead drop that my brother and I agreed on, but if we can find it now...well, I'm sure it would make Colson very happy. Even if the information inside it might be a little, um, outdated."
"Just a bit," J remarks dryly, though her gaze shifts uneasily between Zithembe and Ylva. "But...thank you from me, too. In a lot of ways, Grishan and I are the same person now. When he's happy, I'm happy. And when he's annoyed about something, um...keeping my own frustrations in check becomes a lot harder. It's probably the same for him, too. So please, even if you don't want to help Grishan for his own sake...do it for mine. And we promise that we'll listen to what you say and do what you tell us while we're here. Right, Grishan?"
The phantom nods enthusiastically. "Yes! You can count on it."
Kn. Local (DC 10) *or* Ylva/Hepsubia:
Hey, wait a moment...Colson? Does Grishan mean Colson Maldris, current leader of Liberty's Edge?
"Pathfinder Society has Venture-Captain Colson Maldris, Liberty Edge leader. Is he one and the same?" Kiango asks as he begins leading the group towards the Arboretum Arcanis. To send your own child brother as your spy...
________
Local, DC 10:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Male Halfling Paladin (Chosen One) 1 | HP 14/14 | AC 17 T 12 FF 16 | CMD 14 | F +3 R +1 W +1; +2 bonus vs. Fear | Spd 20' | Perc +0; SM +3; Aura of Good | Init +1 | Adaptable Luck 3/3 | Wand CLW 48/50 | Conditions:
"My sword is yours J. I promised to help you and protect you, and that isn't going to change because there's more of you than we originally thought." Tupp smiles and turns to Grishan, "It would be an honour to help you with your unfinished business. I mean, if it helps a restless spirit move on, I'm all for it."
"Yes! Colson Maldis, my brother," Grishan responds as the group gets underway once more. "Wait...he's a Pathfinder leader now? Huh..." the phantom's voice trails off as he loses himself in thought.
"I...to be honest, I don't really know yet," J replies quietly. "Maybe I'll be able to tell you once we get there. But thank you all again for agreeing to help us."
______________
Resolved to see to J's business first - and with Grishan's blessing - the group picks their way through the eerily quiet streets of the Precipice Quarter until they reach their destination - the Tri-Towers Yard. Though surrounded by a tall, wrought-iron fence, the key given to you by Drandle Dreng unlocks the front gate with ease and the group is able to step inside.
The grounds of the old Tri-Towers Yard have been cleaned up in the last several years, and several old ruined school buildings that stood too close to the cliff’s edge were demolished. All of the gnarled old trees were removed and new flowering bushes and trees have been planted in their place. Despite these efforts, the few ruined classrooms that remain look sad and forgotten. Just inside the gate sits a small, locked storage shed marked with the Pathfinder’s Glyph of the Open Road.
J falls silent as the group crosses onto the abandoned school grounds. She looks around, sadness in her eyes. "I haven't been here since I was rescued seven years ago," she whispers. "I...we...we should have a moment of silence before we go anywhere else. For all the people who died here," she adds, before closing her eyes and bowing her head.
Kiango takes in the wretched scene while J observes her moment of silence. New life has split the shell of decay, as it should. Grass, trees, flowers, the healing of time.
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
Zithembe bows his head in silence, accepting the enormity of the tragedy into his heart, mourning those whose spirits remain trapped outside of the cycle.
Ylva does as J asks, but she'd never liked silence. To her, silence was death and defeat. To be alive was to sing, to laugh, to cry, and to shout. Even if you said nothing, there was always the beating of your heart. Only the dead were truly silent.
After a few dozen heartbeats, Ylva begins to sing an old song of lament for the fallen.
J jumps, startled when Ylva begin singing and for a moment her face darkens with anger...but then slowly softens as she seems to realize that it's simply the young woman's way of expressing sorrow. And in spite of the sounds of Ylva's singing, nothing seems to stir within the ruins or outside on the grounds.
Once the last strains of the song have died away, J nods to herself.
"Thank you, everyone. I'm ready to go now," she announces. "There's something...something in one of the classrooms over there. I can sense it. Whatever it is, I feel like I need to see what it is...learn whatever it might be able to teach me."
She stands resolute. "I'm going - and that's all there is to it. But..." she glances over at Zithembe, "I know I promised to listen to you. If there's anything you think we need to do before we go inside, say it and we'll do it."
______________
J's ready to dive into the ruins but is willing to wait if anyone wants to prepare, first. There's also the nearby storage shed marked with the Glyph of the Open Road - the symbol of the Pathfinder Society. You remember that Dreng suggested you have a look inside and gave you a key to unlock it.
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
I think I’m going to wait to see who/what our illustrious GM recruits before I do an actual rebuild but I’m willing to be on the frontline if we need it.
Hepsubia (and anyone else with a suggestion) feel free to shoot me a PM or something to let me know who you've got in mind. While I reserve Right of Refusal, there's only a handful of folks that I can think of that I would definitely not be interested in GMing for so that hopefully shouldn't actually come up. My main requirements are that they be willing to actually engage with the game and do some RPing* and to preferably be able to post roughly 1/day.
Personal Thoughts*:
Though it's always a challenge to find that fine line between making the locales and NPCs and monsters interesting and engaging without going overboard into 'I'm just playing with/RPing with myself' territory, few things are a bigger buzzkill for me as a GM than people who don't seem interested in posting much of anything beyond, 'I do <thing>'.
Male Human 'Wizard' 1 (hp 9/9 | AC 13; touch 12; FF 11; CMD 11 | Fort +3; Ref +2; Will +5 | Init +2 | Perception +3)
Ylva and Tupp: Sorry to see you go, and best of luck to you!
Re: Me... I am super-busy right now, but I am very much enjoying this game when I get a chance to post.
I've had out-of-town events literally every other weekend since the start of October. (Right now, I'm in NYC to see "Hamilton" later today!)
At the same time, a project I'm leading at work has gone into status:Red, and I am trying desperately to pull it out of the flames. A failure on this project would be, shall we say, a career-limiting move for me. I've been putting in 50+ hour weeks since early October. My typical PbP time is my lunch hour... which I haven't been taking very often.
That said: I very much would like to keep playing, but I can't commit to daily posts right now. If you would rather have a player who can post daily, I understand, and I can bow out until my schedule returns to normal.
Theodric, I'm glad that you're still enjoying the game. I admit I've been a little worried that our pace hasn't been enjoyable for you given how busy you've been of late and how much you usually have to catch up on at a given time.
Normally I would prefer to have everyone able to post at least once a day. But given that we have a couple of others who sometimes lose a few days here and there due to RL (Sylvak works and has grad school, a couple of us do shift work and/or are on call for work, etc.) I'm inclined to be more lenient on that for the moment. So...as long as the rest of the group is cool with you continuing and just being botted here and there as needed, then I'm cool with it.
My PbP plate has been more packed than normal the past several months due to PbP Gameday (don't try to run 6 games at once kids, even if they're just PFS scenarios rather than modules or AP volumes) but things are about to lighten considerably as several of my GMed games are wrapping up and I've also got a few not-PFS player games that appear to be coming to an end as well. This will give me more time to focus on this group and my other long-term PFS group. As of right now I'm also not planning to start any new games as a GM during the holidays so that'll also give me more time to focus on you guys.
So we'll wrap up School of Spirits, get a replacement player for ShieldBug, and go from there. I might also revisit some of the proposed scenarios given that ShieldBug was the main person that wanted to see the Worldwound. Sound like a plan? :)
Okay folks, aside from any back-posting you'd like to add we're officially done with School of Spirits! I'll get the game reported tonight and hopefully have your chronicles all or mostly complete by morning. Since I'll be out of town Monday through Wednesday and then jump right back into working Thursday night we'll tentatively look to get started on our next scenario hopefully by Sunday the 18th, depending on what everyone else has going on and how quickly I lock in a replacement for ShieldBug.
Feel free to use our downtime to make any purchases you might wish to make, level up if any of you level with the completion of this scenario, or engage in shenanigans in the Gameplay thread~
As always, also feel free to offer any comments, critiques, or questions you might have about the scenario here, via PM, or even email if you like. I hope everyone enjoyed the experience - and good job on talking your way through the whole thing without fighting! Except for the thug encounter of course but those guys were jerks and they started it anyway ;)
By the way, if you didn't roll your Day Job back when we started this scenario please go ahead and roll it now. Also, if there's anything special you want me to note on your chronicle (Star Replays, etc.) then let me know that as well. Finally, if any of you have anything you want to try and check off of your Faction Journal cards lay it on me and I'll tell you if it's applicable or not~
Whenever you get the chance, would you mark Kiango as inactive please?
You've GMed for Rumble in Core before, but our game together will put him into regular campaign status. He has also been rebuilt from ranger into a warpriest since then.
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
While Zithembe's philosophy is more laissez faire, I suppose he could accidentally recruit her to the Dark Archive by providing her with enough information...
...and I don't know how often recruitable named NPC spellcasters show up.
Okay guys, I think I've got everyone's chronicles done but Hepsubia's (just missing a Day Job check from you). You can find them >>here<<. As always, let me know if I've made any mistakes and I'll weep uncontrollably fix it for you as quickly as I can :)
*edit* And the game has been submitted to Gameday VII reporting so you should see it show up in your sessions tab relatively soon!
*revenge of edit* Gummy B, I'm stuck with the terrible 'can't edit campaign' bug so I won't be able to mark Kiango inactive until they get it fixed :\
I got an invite by GM Ladile to come take a look and see if this was a group I would be interested in joining. I love the idea of a long term kind of setup. I currently play in a slow moving but good group for a Core Character and find it's a lot better to have continuity like that. I'm definitely intrigued, is everyone at lvl 1.2? If you all want me, what is the current group makeup?
HP 46 (-0, +5 to stabilize) | Mods: NA | LN Elf Zen Empiricist 7 | AC/Tch/FF 19/14/15 (+1 vs. Traps) | CMD 18 (talisman?)| F/R/W +7/+13/+10 (mods in profile) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration Pool 8/8, 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Perfect Strike: 3/3, Enduring Scholar 1/1 | Init +6 | Perc: 15+1d6 (+1 vs. traps), SM: 15+1d6
Hrmmm... so I'm thinking I'll bring this lady (4 XP) and slow track her as well until all even. If all are okay with that I'll dot into gameplay.
She is currently starting with a 2 lvl dip into Zen Archer (to not be useless at low levels) and then going the rest into Empiricist Investigator. She'll add Int to damage with her bow at lvl 3 for combat and otherwise is focused on knowing all the things.
notes: Breath of experience gives me +2 for any profession/knowledge, all usable untrained. My omnitool gives me +2 to all Profession/craft. Wordly trait allows me to get the best of two rolls for any untrained skill once per day.
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
lol, active day of posting!
I'm the aforementioned witch, but I'm willing to rebuild if we need it. Right now Rumble would be our only frontliner and we have zero people with full BAB... A zen archer would add some needed dps but unless we're going to be adding someone else too I'll probably start looking at some full BAB options?
As of right now I don't have any plans to add anyone else. I didn't mind giving 7 players a try since I had enough people directly ask me if they could play but now that we've dipped down below that I'm going to cap things back at the more-standard 6 players.
*edit* And welcome Pete H.! Glad you could join us :)
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
Alright- it'll probably take a few days to figure out but I'll plan on rebuilding to something more melee oriented. Is there a way to change my faction if another one will fit the new build better, or am I locked into this one?
HP 46 (-0, +5 to stabilize) | Mods: NA | LN Elf Zen Empiricist 7 | AC/Tch/FF 19/14/15 (+1 vs. Traps) | CMD 18 (talisman?)| F/R/W +7/+13/+10 (mods in profile) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration Pool 8/8, 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Perfect Strike: 3/3, Enduring Scholar 1/1 | Init +6 | Perc: 15+1d6 (+1 vs. traps), SM: 15+1d6
She won't be a ton of damage, but shouldn't have an issue holding her own in society play. And right now she is willing to hop into melee to help set up flanks, especially for rogues.
Maria is honestly is the only PC I can really bring, unless I build a new one and work to catch up with GM credits in between sessions. But if you feel like rebuilding, I completely support that decision!
As for what you rebuild to, I usually don't worry too much about party balance unless we have 0 healing or 0 arcane or 5 bards with low damage output (6 bards would be acceptable though because that would be AMAZING).
HP 46 (-0, +5 to stabilize) | Mods: NA | LN Elf Zen Empiricist 7 | AC/Tch/FF 19/14/15 (+1 vs. Traps) | CMD 18 (talisman?)| F/R/W +7/+13/+10 (mods in profile) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration Pool 8/8, 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Perfect Strike: 3/3, Enduring Scholar 1/1 | Init +6 | Perc: 15+1d6 (+1 vs. traps), SM: 15+1d6
Maria will, at some point, get significantly better at Disable Device and Perception for traps. Maybe we'll end up running both at point to double up on our chances to see dangers, but that won't be for a few levels.
On a related note, is there any sort of planned marching order or door opening procedure that the group uses at this point? Any specific battle tactics?
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
Does anyone have any preference what kind of melee I build? I was kind of fooling around with the idea of a tempered champion paladin of Iomedae that starts with 1 level of swashbuckler (slashing grace is PFS legal, right?)... but with Hep and now an archer we have a decent amount of Dex, but not much Str. Is everyone okay with a paladin or do we want to keep a little more moral flexibility? A pally brings a lot of survivability, and packs a punch against BBEGs, but I could just as easily do like a barbarian or bloodrager to really play up the Str... or maybe a divine tracker ranger for Str-based 2wf (possibly with sword&board). Thoughts?
HP 46 (-0, +5 to stabilize) | Mods: NA | LN Elf Zen Empiricist 7 | AC/Tch/FF 19/14/15 (+1 vs. Traps) | CMD 18 (talisman?)| F/R/W +7/+13/+10 (mods in profile) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration Pool 8/8, 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Perfect Strike: 3/3, Enduring Scholar 1/1 | Init +6 | Perc: 15+1d6 (+1 vs. traps), SM: 15+1d6
Maria is fine with paladins, morally speaking. Most of her training comes from fighting demons in Kyonin. There were a few she battled side by side with. She also isn't big into lying or falsehoods and likes to ferret out the truth to things.
Any of the other options are more than acceptable as well.
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
'Play what you would like to play' is a solid mantra with few exceptions (e.g. constantly raising undead around a Pharasman).
I was thinking the other day that what we're missing is a ranger. With our druid swapping out for a warpriest, we could use the Survival, Perception, Knowledge (nature) niche filled.
Rumble is an LG worshiper Torag, he has no problem with a paladin. A TWF Ranger would be a fun person to hit the frontlines with IMO. Rumble will have some tankiness to him and with 3/4 BAB moving and only getting one attack has a lower opportunity cost, so setting up a blender would be right up his ally!
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
Alright... let’s ask it the other way then... is everyone ok with someone who worships an evil god? Like if I made a LN guy who reveres/serves a LE god would that be alright?
LG Male Shabti Paladin 2/Medium 4 | HP 6/55 | AC 22 (26) T 12 (16) FF 20 (24) | F +13 R +8 W +14 (+2 vs. fear) | CMD/B 20/+8 | Init +2 | Per +5 (dark vision 60 ft) SM +4 | Speed 20 ft | Seance Invocation 5/11 | Influence 1| Smite 1/1 | LOH 5/5 | WC 5/5 | Shirt Re-Roll 0/1 | Active Conditions: endure elements (hot), spell drinker (available), Champion, Smite Evil (Michiko), Legacy of the Princess
It depends on the specific evil god. Asmodeus? No problem. One of the infernal dukes would be stretching it. Remember, Zithembe spent centuries being tortured in the lower planes.
Player knowledge: AFAIK, the evil part of Achaekek is the assassinations. I don't see a LN follower who is focused on the punishment aspect (which would presumably be when it was earned, based on my understanding of this deity) being at odds with a LG worshiper of Torag. I also don't see Torag shying away from rightfully earned punishment. I get the "school of hard knocks" vibe from his entries, AND he has explicit disagreement with Sarenrae's forgiveness (viewed as a sign of weakness).
Rumble's knowledge: He doesn't know why you worship a praying mantis (it is waaaay more squishable than anvil and can't withstand the heat of the forge), but as long as you don't do any evil s%++ or somehow become an enemy to the dwarven race, he probably isn't going to have any beef with you.
EDIT: On the topic of scenario selection, if there is room for any of the Dwarven citadel scenarios, Rumble would dig that (BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LADILE, DON'T REINVENT THE WHEEL TO ACCOMMODATE THIS! You do so much work already!).
I'm fine with LN followers of evil deities as long as everyone else is okay with it. I'm interested to see just what you have in mind with Achaekek, Sylvak!
Regarding scenarios I'll repost the tentative outline that I initially came up with, partially for Maria's benefit - if you have played any of the following please let me know!
Proposed Scenarios, Version 1:
The Confirmation (Absalom/Isle of Kortos)
School of Spirits (Absalom)
House of Harmonious Wisdom (Tian Xia)
*Party hits 2nd*
Shrine of the Sacred Tempest (Tian Xia)
To Seal the Shadow (Tian Xia)
Birthright Betrayed (Taldor)
*Party hits 3rd*
The Shores of Heaven (Heaven)
The Segang Expedition (Jalmeray)
The Twisted Circle (Mana Wastes)
*Party hits 4th*
Tyranny of the Winds: Part 1 (Osirion)
The Sun Orchid Scheme (Thuvia)
Tyranny of the Winds: Part 2 (Plane of Air)
*Party hits 5th*
Dead Man’s Debt (Mwangi Expanse)
Signs in Senghor (Mwangi Expanse)
Ungrounded but Unbroken (Plane of Earth)
*Party hits 6th*
Tyranny of the Winds: Part 3 (Plane of Air)
By Way of Bloodcove (3-7; Mwangi Expanse)
The Bloodcove Blockade (3-7; Mwangi Expanse)
*Party hits 7th*
Assault on the Wound (3-7; Worldwound)
The Traitor's Lodge (3-7; Worldwound)
The Wardstone Patrol (3-7; Worldwound)
*Party hits 8th*
Thralls of the Shattered God (5-9; Worldwound)
Weapon in the Rift (5-9; Worldwound)
Raid on the Cloudborne Keep (5-9; Plane of Air)
*Party hits 9th*
Orders from the Gate (5-9; Cheliax)
Port Godless (5-9; Rahadoum)
Valley of Veiled Flame (5-9; Qadira)
Party hits 10th*
Torrent's Last Will (7-11; Plane of Water)
What Sleeps in Stone (7-11; Tian Xia)
Of Kirin and Kraken (7-11; Tian Xia)
*Party hits 11th*
Encounter at the Drowning Stones (7-11; Mwangi Expanse)
Lyrics of Extinction (7-11; Mwangi Expanse)
The Ghol-Gan Heresy (7-11; Mwangi Expanse)
*Party hits 12th*
????
A lot of the above outline is a mixture of fielding requests (general and specific) with a smattering of scenarios that I would personally be especially interested in running. The primary requests when we first started were:
Planar scenarios (Zithembe)
Mwangi scenarios (Kiango, switching to Rumble)
Worldwound scenarios (Tupp, former player)
Since Tupp has bowed out and Gummy switched to Rumble (and has a new general request) I'll probably look to switch some of the original scenario ideas out for others. So...you guys might be globetrotting a little more in Version 2 but we'll make it work :)
HP 46 (-0, +5 to stabilize) | Mods: NA | LN Elf Zen Empiricist 7 | AC/Tch/FF 19/14/15 (+1 vs. Traps) | CMD 18 (talisman?)| F/R/W +7/+13/+10 (mods in profile) | Speed 30ft | Inspiration Pool 8/8, 2 Star Reroll 1/1, Perfect Strike: 3/3, Enduring Scholar 1/1 | Init +6 | Perc: 15+1d6 (+1 vs. traps), SM: 15+1d6
Maria in general is all about knowledge and creation (she dabbles deeply in alchemy at the moment). Thus, she follows a lesser known deity shown to her by the gnomes called Brigh. She also has a very soft spot for Calistria, as many of her friends are devout worshipers and her magic items are crafted by Calistrian clerics.
Achaekek does not appear to conflict with her beliefs, though of course any evil actions would always be under scrutiny if made by any pathfinder. But hey, she put up with a dude that summoned his dead brother as a skeleton so... her morals aren't heavenly!
Also, I changed my avatar. I don't think I could look at sad sad elf lady for 12 levels... and I've finally started nailing down a bit more about her character, this one is fitting a little bit more.
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
So, I think I'm done updating/rebuilding... LL, if you could look it over and make sure its alright I'll get ready to post in gameplay with him. As you'll probably notice from his background, I'm planning on RPing the change instead of pretending he was always this way...
LN Human, Ranger 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 (t12, ff14) | CMD 16 | F +4, R +5, W +3* | perception (lowlight vision) +7, sense motive +2; initiative +3 | active effects: --
I actually started out looking at the sword and shield style, thinking about making a sword and board Iomedaean, but decided to go the sawtooth sabre route instead when the character started to coalesce.
