Unless someone does something differently, I'll assume that you will all 'wait' until the gator and Vandomir face off (work out their attacks) for 1 round.
I'll then open it up for others to join in the fight.
Questions?
Game on!
Unless someone does something differently, I'll assume that you will all 'wait' until the gator and Vandomir face off (work out their attacks) for 1 round.
I'll then open it up for others to join in the fight.
Questions?
Game on!
Yeah and you may lose initiative.
Can you still swing your sword if in the belly of a crocodile? :)
Eirik grimaced at the second enemy in about as many minutes. If this was indicative of a normal day under the city, he could not understand how the proprietress had survived a single day running an operation down here. Perhaps she was iron right down to her core.
”If we are to wade in those waters, that thing needs to go,” Eirik agreed as Vandomir took a ready stance at the water's edge. The noble's massive blade was a much more suitable weapon to fight such a foe than his fists – he would have paid good silver for a spear right about now. ”Lure it on dry ground if you can – I don't relish the thought of grappling with it underwater.”
"I know an excellent tanner. Some gator skin boots and perhaps a fashionable duster could be just the thing, as they will not get stained by blood as readily as other apparel," Vandomir considered his future wardrobe choices.
Turn 035 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
I'm sorry I didn't wait the 24 hours for Rowan and Caleb's 2nd post, but I had some free time this afternoon...
Game on!
Round 1
, miss (lucky)
Round 2
"It's wierd. Tht bird thing seemed like some sort of crazed monster, but it's got jewelry, and an elven inscription? Sounds more like a were-raven, or a cursed... wait, elven?"
Caleb's voice goes quiet
"Put it down now, Tillia. Put it down right now. Then we're going to pray to Callistria."
"A dragon!" Caleb whispered in disbelieving fear. Fear that was dispelled a moment later with relief as Vandomir's deadly blade arced downward... then returned doubled as the 'dragon' came on, unconcerned by its injury.
Once again he reached down deep into his soul and connected with the dragon, shocked to feel how tiny and primal the mind of this awesome creature was.
The 'dragon' thrashed and snapped as if it tried to fight some imaginary twin.
The thrashing stilled as body of the monster caught up with the death of its primitive mind.
Action 1
Action 2
If Caleb dropped it with mental damage:
Vandomir watched the creature stumble for a step or two before it dropped at his feet. "White gator skin? Do you realize how good this creature is going to look on me?" He pulled out a small dagger and commenced skinning the creature carefully. "Have any of you ever had a chance to try eating gator before? A bit chewy really, but quite tasty."
If it is still coming:
Vandomir drew back the sword again and struck at the reptilian beast.
Crit confirm:
drat!!!
His blade sliced cleanly into the beast which expired with a loud exhalation of its breath. "White gator skin? Do you realize how good this creature is going to look on me?" He pulled out a small dagger and commenced skinning the creature carefully. "Have any of you ever had a chance to try eating gator before? A bit chewy really, but quite tasty."
Or:
His blade sliced cleanly into the beast, which kept coming at him. "Gator or dragon, whatever it is, she is a very tough beast, and a shame to have to kill her. With that said, I could use your help with it."
Since the beast reclined their offer to drag it all the way to the dry ground, Eirik resigned himself into approaching it – at least the noble’s heavy blade had drank deeply with the first swing.
The monk stepped silently up to the foe, wondering where on the armored hide to try to aim for. The creature’s eyes were the only obvious vulnerabilities, but the speed with which it had tried to take a bite out of Vandomir made Eirik wary of bringing his hands or feet so very close to its gaping maw. He settled for two Falling Leafs in quick succession, one axe kick following another to land on the top of the beast’s armored head.
Muttering a curse, the monk recovered his footing, wondering which of the two had been hurt worse – the kicker or the one being kicked. The beast’s skull had to be solid bone.
Action 1
Tillia showed everyone not occupied the locket and was startled by Caleb's rather cehement reaction and said, "There's no magic on the locket, I already checked, same with the bracelet. It probably kept them cause they were shiny that's all." she stowed the locket and bracelet away in her pouch for now.
Action 2
The great beast springing from the water scared Tillia almost senseless and drew a loud scream from her. She marsheled herself quickly though, one doesn't become a wizard with out discipline and focus. She knew there was little she could do against this beast so she took another approach, she retrieved one of her scrolls and had it ready should one of her companions become held in the great creature's mouth.
Can it be known in the local well-to-do circles that he was lice-infested? :)
Can it be known in the local well-to-do circles that he was lice-infested? :)
I hope everything is alright, Shari (Rowan).
We haven't heard from you in a few days and that's not 'normal'.
I'll recap later tonight.
Game on!
Action 1:
Indeed, you are a warrior-priestess, and I am honored to be your companion. Now, heal yourself quickly, before the anvil finds us, or hammer, depending on which was which.”
Rowan’s face reddened slightly at Vandomir’s praise. Not knowing what to say, she blurted, ”Milani takes care of her own.” Then her hand began to glow and she touched her neck and felt her wounds began to close.
Action 2:
Rowan tried not to look too much at the body as she pulled it out of the water. As soon as Caleb pointed out the croc in the water, she scrambled even further back from the water. ”It seems like between the giant crow-man and that creature, Nan didn’t stand a chance.”
Seeing Vandomir take up sentry position, the warpriest readied her weapon again and waited to see if her help would be needed. The crocodile only came partially out of the water and she did not want to engage it in its habitat. ”Vandomir, move back and see if it’ll come further out of the water.” When it moved, Rowan attacked its side. ”Hopefully there will be enough undamaged hide for your new wardrobe, Vandomir.”
Turn 36 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and.or suggestions?
Game on!
, miss
, miss
you guys are getting lucky but my time will come...
Caleb looked on in shock as Vandomir butchered the dragon.
"You... you just..." Caleb shook his head "That's impressive Vandomir. Those strokes were lethal. I saw you kill those guys before, but this was... incredible. You were like... some sort of killing devil."
If Caleb's face went a little pale as Vandomir started harvesting the gator and then 'rescued' the boot, he did his best to hide it. Nervously he turned to once again survey the water
"Do you think that's it? It would have eaten anything else, right? Eirik? Your sight's the best?"
"Yeah, I was a bit worried. Callistria sometimes curses those who defile her temples or piss her off. As the goddess of revenge she tends to be" his voice turns wry "inventive. I was worried she'd cursed some elf into the were-raven. Tillia says the jewellery is clean though. Maybe she came in with Nan?"
"Hey, Vandomir. You said you were some sort of builder, right? What do you think we'd have to do to get this place unflooded?"
"Do you think that's it? It would have eaten anything else, right? Eirik? Your sight's the best?"
”Not that I can see,” Eirik said. With the beast dead and gutted, he had walked on the jetty to try to peer further into the waterway, one of the lanterns in his hand, sweeping the cone of illumination this way and that. ”But the thing didn’t look like something that would share its feeding ground. Except perhaps with its own young.” Which was a cheerful thought.
"Yeah, I was a bit worried. Callistria sometimes curses those who defile her temples or piss her off. As the goddess of revenge she tends to be" his voice turns wry "inventive. I was worried she'd cursed some elf into the were-raven. Tillia says the jewellery is clean though. Maybe she came in with Nan?"
”I wonder then if the beast we just killed was the curse, or cursed itself to fall to our blades,” the monk mused.
We'll have the religion checks be for those trained so Caleb does NOT 'have any insights' but others may...
Yes, the body matches Laria's description of Nan.
@Vandomir: the place can't be unflooded. You family (in the past) were the builders that raised this part of the city (making a nice undercity). However, the waters won't encroach further into the 'lower chambers' (only small tidal variations), but the statue will remain partially submerged. Feel free to add to your description.
Other questions?
Game on!
Wonder if heavy rainfalls will flood the cellars, assuming the sewers function as storm drains... not that it matters much at the moment ;^)
Action 1
"some sort of killing devil."
Vandomir felt an anger rise up in his breast, and he rounded on Caleb, his dagger dripping the blood and fat of the dead creature he was skinning and his face was contorted into an unnatural rictus. In a gruff voice, very different from his usual controlled tones, he growled, "do not liken me to a devil! I am no sort of devil! The Thrunes deal in deviltry, but not me!"
Vandomir took a deep breath, and calmed himself. In a voice more akin to his normal, he spoke slowly, "my apologies Caleb. I should make you aware that while I am new to revolution and rebellion, I am not new to disliking the Thrunes. Not all nobles worship the Prince of Darkness for his deviltry side as the Thrunes do. I cannot deny burning incense and saying prayers to Him as the Prince of Contracts, but that is just good business. Again, I apologize for my outburst, and let us say nothing more on the subject."
Vandomir turned back to the creature and completed skinning it. When he was done, he had the skin of the entire creature, but in two pieces. He had been unable to skin it whole, due to the large cut across the creatures back made with his sword. He gently folded the skins and tucked it into his pack. With several practiced cuts, he set to work cutting the meat from the carcass, although clearly he wasn't quite sure what he was doing. "This creature's body is different than a dear, or an elk," Vandomir explained.
"Hey, Vandomir. You said you were some sort of builder, right? What do you think we'd have to do to get this place unflooded?"
"Unfortunately, just as we saw back at the polluted cistern much of the lower levels of the city are flooded permanently. This dates back to when street level was raised, in order to control the flooding overall." Vandomir thought for a moment, "now, I would need to see a map, and understand where the major waterways are in this area, but it might be possible to use this place as a jetty, with some small boats as a means to get out into the city unseen. Perhaps we would need to open a wall and create an arch, perhaps a portcullis as well, but it is possible."
With the great beast dead Tilia turned away as her companions began to skin the creature. When they brought out the second boot from it's insides she said, "Just place it right there please.'
With a few gestures and spoken words the boots come clean as the grime and fluids slough off of them. With that accomplished she cast another spell and began to examine the boots as a pair, trying to determine what properties they might have.
Action 1:
With the beast dead, Rowan was determined to examine Nan’s body regardless of the smell and she did this while Vandomir began to skin his prize.
Taking a deep breath before approaching the body, she tried to hold her breath as long as she could while she looked for signs of what had killed Laria’s friend.
Seeing similar claw marks on Nan as those that had recently been on her own neck, Rowan came to a quick conclusion. "I'm fairly certain that the large raven-creature killed Nan and that the crocodile just had a post-death nibble. That's most likely how the boot ended up in its stomach."
The smell of decomposed flesh began to churn the warpriest's insides again. ”I will definitely have to ask Laria if she has a clothespin or something that I can plug my nose with. If we’re going to be spending more time around smells as disgusting as this or the livery then I need to do something to block them out.” It was then that she remembered her tin with the rose and she dug it out and opened it up. Immediately the air smelled much better and the nausea in her stomach settled.
Vandomir felt an anger rise up in his breast, and he rounded on Caleb, his dagger dripping the blood and fat of the dead creature he was skinning and his face was contorted into an unnatural rictus. In a gruff voice, very different from his usual controlled tones, he growled, "do not liken me to a devil! I am no sort of devil! The Thrunes deal in deviltry, but not me!" Vandomir took a deep breath, and calmed himself. In a voice more akin to his normal, he spoke slowly, "my apologies Caleb. I should make you aware that while I am new to revolution and rebellion, I am not new to disliking the Thrunes. Not all nobles worship the Prince of Darkness for his deviltry side as the Thrunes do. I cannot deny burning incense and saying prayers to Him as the Prince of Contracts, but that is just good business. Again, I apologize for my outburst, and let us say nothing more on the subject."
Rowan placed a comforting hand on Vandomir’s arm. She could only imagine that it was difficult to have one’s character questioned when you were a noble. ”I know you are a protector, not a devil. Your actions have been nothing but honorable and you have nothing to apologize for. You faced that crocodile almost single-handedly so that we didn’t have to. For that you have my thanks.”
Tag Vandomir
When Caleb and Vandomir began discussing the cavern and the water, Rowan’s attention finally focused on the statue of Calistria. Milani and Calistria weren’t the best of friends in the deity realm but she did know a little of the goddess. Obviously she was of paramount importance to Caleb.
However, Rowan couldn’t think of any reason why the statue would have been placed where it was or if this area was still considered of importance to Calistria.
Caleb looks taken aback, then ashamed... he hesitates and then adds
"I'm sorry Vandomir. It's just a compliment I've heard. I didn't mean you were like a real devil, or like THRUNE." he hesitates again and adds in formal tones "I have wronged you, and I seek forgiveness."
"Oh." Caleb sounded disappointed "Could we move the statue?"
"For that you have my thanks."
Caleb looks taken aback, then ashamed... he hesitates and then adds
"I'm sorry Vandomir. It's just a compliment I've heard. I didn't mean you were like a real devil, or like THRUNE." he hesitates again and adds in formal tones "I have wronged you, and I seek forgiveness."
Vandomir rises when addressed by Rowan, "it was my pleasure priestess, truly." He looks at Caleb, "I recognize no sleight was meant, and as I said, there is no need to say more about it."
Ok, good RPing but... I need to know what you want to do next. Options include: a) go and tell Laria you found Nan, b) explore the south chamber, or c) something else.
You have 24 more hours to roleplay and let me know. I plan to recap tomorrow.
BTW Tillia, the boots are 'daredevil boots'.
Questions?
Game on!
"Rowan, did you see any sign of a holy symbol while you were..." Caleb trailed off
"I recognize no sleight was meant, and as I said, there is no need to say more about it."
Caleb paused as if going to speak, then nodded a few times while looking at the ground.
"So - has anyone else got the feeling something is watching us? Let's make sure this place is safe before we get Laria down here."
"So - has anyone else got the feeling something is watching us? Let's make sure this place is safe before we get Laria down here."
”Not particularly, but where there is two dangers, there could be a third,” Eirik murmured as he abandoned his fruitless vigil on the pier. ”Let us finish our work here – the poor soul’s remains will keep for a moment longer. As for keeping the place safe… the waterway is wide open, and assuming these two beasts came from that direction, something else may follow. We need to do something about that in the long term.”
Trying to lighten the mood a little, Vandomir asked, "so, you are proposing what? A hammer, an anvil, and now what? Tongs?"
Vandomir asked, "so, you are proposing what? A hammer, an anvil, and now what? Tongs?"
”That depends,” Eirik answered promptly, a slightly faraway look in his eyes. ”Scouting would come first, of course – we'd have to take a small boat through the sewers back here, since we can't very well carry a boat down though the coffee shop. We would need to map the nearby sections of the tunnels, selecting suitable locations for lookout posts for advance warning in case the guards come here looking for us. Also, we'd need to prepare several escape routes in case the coffee shop is raided and we fear the secret door to these rooms will be found.”
”Also, it would be useful to try to mask the route to this pier, make the passages leading here look like blocked out to the casual observer – preferably mixing actual barriers with obstacles that look immobile but can be readily shifted aside to make room for those small boats we'd want to use. And perhaps a suitable choke point exists close by enough where the waterway could be dammed, so this room could be pumped dry, and the pier subsequently moved,” he went on, gesturing at the partially submerged statue. He opened his mouth to continue but took note on the expressions of the others, faltered and ended his lecture.
”I seem to have got carried away a bit,” he murmured, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ”I'm good at planning and thinking ahead. Not so good, unfortunately, at making decisions or acting on them.”
With the remains of the croc dealt with and the boots identified Tillia turned to her compatriots, "These boots are what are called Daredevil Softpaw Boots, they'll make it easier to move past enemies and prevent their attacking you." She considered the discussion and said, "I agree Eirik, we need to secure this area, but we also want to be able to get out should the need arise. As for draining this section, I don't know if we will want to in the end, but it certainly won't hurt to examine the rest of the passage."
Turn 037 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Action 1
"I don't know about moving the thing, at least not without getting closer to it, likely it was constructed separate from its plinth." Vandomir considered the problem. "Should we desire to move it, it should a simple enough task. The room being sunk might even help. Attach floaters, or a raft and detach it from the plinth. I wouldn't mind getting a look at it to be sure though. Not to mention checking the craftsmanship.
Action 2
We are not going back. I swear we will kill you if you come to take us.” There was muffled movement heard from among the crates.
+2 vs humans
+2 vs humans
A bit surprised to find more avian humanoids, and of a different sort than the one they had just killed, Vandomir's new instincts caused him to raise the greatsword into a defensive position, he responded, "just what sort of bird demons are you, and to what plane do you not want to return?
+2 vs human
Taking a deeper look, Vandomir realized what he was looking at, "tengu? Your kind is not well known around here. How many of you are there? Four I sense. Speak up, and tell us who you are."
"Really?" Caleb brightened "That's great! We can leave the room and relocate the temple. I can't really put it in my place - the roof wouldn't hold - but maybe one of these other rooms..."
Four? I only see the one. Angry... and scared. What the hell is a Tengu? Some sort of bird demon, apparently.
"Hey now," started Caleb in a calming tone, nevertheless making sure Vandomir stayed between him and the birdman "No need for violence. Everyone just stay calm. I'm not here to take you anywhere, friend, I don't even know who you are - damn, I don't even know WHAT you are. Let's talk."
Taking a deeper look, Vandomir realized what he was looking at, "tengu? Your kind is not well known around here. How many of you are there? Four I sense. Speak up, and tell us who you are."
'Well now. Someone who is at least willing to talk before offering us violence,' Eirik thought. He scanned the room, noted the multitude of possible hiding places, heard the rustle of movement that might be large rodents... or stealthy humanoids. He couldn't verify Vandomir's observation, but felt he could take the man's word for it. But the anxiety in the bird-man's voice... that he needed no-one to point out to him.
During his career as a barrister, he had had to learn to determine whether someone was telling him the truth or not, and if the person was holding out more than he was telling. This person's feelings seemed as genuine. Not, for example, just a play for time for his alleged companions to get to their positions.
Four? I only see the one. Angry... and scared. What the hell is a Tengu? Some sort of bird demon, apparently.
"Hey now," started Caleb in a calming tone, nevertheless making sure Vandomir stayed between him and the birdman "No need for violence. Everyone just stay calm. I'm not here to take you anywhere, friend, I don't even know who you are - damn, I don't even know WHAT you are. Let's talk."
The grip on the kukri shifted a little, maybe even lowering his defensive position. "Talk? About what? You're going to blame us for the smuggler's death, aren't you? You are here to see us hang? Well no, over my dead body."
Another tengu, this one with two daggers drawn, appeared. "He's right. It wasn't him or my sisters. We don't want any trouble. There's a monster in the water that won't let us leave but if you help us, we'll go. No trouble."
+2 vs humans
"The best lies have a hint of truth in them. You are quite good at it. Possibly the water creature was your minion, as was the crow demon! We have slain them both, now tell us, how did you come here, and why did you kill Nan?" Vandomir was ready to start fighting the bird creatures.
"The best lies have a hint of truth in them. You are quite good at it. Possibly the water creature was your minion, as was the crow demon! We have slain them both, now tell us, how did you come here, and why did you kill Nan?"
”They speak the truth as they know it,” Eirik said quietly. ”Remember, Rowan said the man was apparently slain by natural weapons. I see no use in further bloodshed. If you wish to leave, go. But I must warn you – the city up there is a more dangerous place now since the protest. The Paracount, he...” the monk shook his head. ”The man must be mad.”
"The best lies have a hint of truth in them. You are quite good at it. Possibly the water creature was your minion, as was the crow demon! We have slain them both, now tell us, how did you come here, and why did you kill Nan?" Vandomir was ready to start fighting the bird creatures.
"You killed Chough?" It was easy to discern surprise in the tengu's voice, but there was something else in that simple question.
"The water monster, our minion. It ate one of my sisters!"
"The water monster, our minion. It ate one of my sisters!"
"We are sorry for your loss," Eirik said, with a pointed look to the confrontational noble.
"The water monster, our minion. It ate one of my sisters!""We are sorry for your loss," Eirik said, with a pointed look to the confrontational noble.
The kukri-wielding tengu who had taken the lead sighed, "Yes, our loss." He raised his beak, "So if you are not here to bring us to justice, who are you and what do you want?"
Two more tengus appeared, the light reflecting of their plumage made them look like cornered animals.
"Yes, our loss." He raised his beak, "So if you are not here to bring us to justice, who are you and what do you want?"
”To search for the man whom we already found dead, and to make these chambers safe for their purpose – shelter those wanted by the Thrunes and help them escape the city unseen,” Eirik said, deciding honesty should be met with honesty. "My name is Eirik, and I was a barrister and historian... and now, perhaps, a rebel."
Rowan could tell that the tengu meant them no harm but if they didn't tread lightly that their fear may erupt in violence. She gave Vandomir a pointed look when he accused them of murdering Nan and was relieved that Eirik spoke up and reiterated her original assessment of how Nan had actually died.
The kukri-wielding tengu who had taken the lead sighed, "Yes, our loss." He raised his beak, "So if you are not here to bring us to justice, who are you and what do you want?"
Rowan kept her hands visible and her voice calm as she spoke to the tengu. "My name is Rowan and I am a servant of Milani. We only came down to check on the well-being of the man who unfortunately has perished. He is a friend of a friend and she was worried about him."
She saw two more tengus emerge but thought that there should be one more who still hadn't shown themselves. "How about you? What may I call you and your family? There is no need to remain hidden for we have no desire to fight. How did you end up down here?"
tag Tengu/Fabian
Vandomir looks back and forth between his companions and the tengu, "what are you doing? Why are you telling these strangers your whole life stories when a moment ago a fight to the death seemed inevitable?"
Vandomir looks back and forth between his companions and the tengu, "what are you doing? Why are you telling these strangers your whole life stories when a moment ago a fight to the death seemed inevitable?"
Rowan gave him a confused expression, "Since when is introducing myself and answering a question truthfully telling a stranger my whole life story? And no fight is ever inevitable. There is always a choice involved until the first punch is thrown."
tag anyone
"Maybe not you Rowan, but Eirik certainly was," Vandomir responded pointing at Eirik.