Road's End (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

apologies for the post of no value to any other than me. I just wanted to organize Morg's thoughts, so I can hopefully figure out why he's even here anymore or what he wants now that the Vekkars' names are cleared.

Apologies? Nahh, reflective posts like that are great for everyone involved! I liked it!

"A tempting offer..." Filraen lapses into concentration for a moment, his eyes glazing over as he orders the two rune giants still responding to his magic to find their missing compatriot. "What vision, exactly, is it up to me to accomplish? And in whose name would you be accomplishing that vision?"

I echo Matt's thoughts, Ben. In-character introspection helps everyone, the writer and the other players. It's also a fun way to share part of your character that often isn't seen by the other players.

"In yours, if you will have me," she answers. "As for the exact nature of the vision, I would be glad to assist the lord of Xin-Shalast with defining his vision for the city. I had offered Karzoug the same, but his aspirations were decided millennia ago."

Perception: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (20) + 37 = 57 looking for a holy symbol or other indicator of her faith.

Ceoptra does not appear to have a holy symbol. Her golden wrist and ankle bands are of a Thassilonian design, and she wears a gold ring with a sihedron engraved into it.

Seeing no holy symbol, Filraen's eyes narrow.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (18) + 27 = 45 (or Religion, if that is more appropriate) to remember the deity lamias worship.

"You say you would be my high priestess," he begins, his mind racing. "Priestesses answer to the gods, not men or elves. To whom, I wonder, do you pray?"

For the DC of the Perception, I used the same DC as to hear a whispered conversation from CRB p. 102; I'd guess they're roughly equivalent "actions".

Lamias usually worship Lamashtu.

"I serve the old ways," Ceoptra explains. "The true ways of ancient Thassilon. Though Lissala was held to be their deity, Lissala's dogma was revised at the whims of the Runelords to ensure that the faith of their people agreed with the ruler. I find that practice deceptive."

Any knowledge that would be appropriate for ancient Thassilon?

Knowledge check: 1d20 ⇒ 1?

Arcana +40, local +39, dungeoneering/nature/planes/religion +27, engineering/geography/history/nobility +24. Whichever would be most appropriate.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (11) + 27 = 38

Filraen knows that Lissala, the Sihedron Scion, Lawful Evil goddess of runes, fate, duty, obedience, and reward of service, was once the dominant religion in the Thassilonian empire. She has no known planar home, and her typical worshipers nowadays are rune giants. Her symbol is a sihedron.

"So, if you do not worship Lissala... You are not a 'priest' in the academic sense at all, are you?" Remembering an earlier divination, and the conversation it overheard, He finally puts the puzzle together. "No god, then. No god, no master, just your force of will and your Greed?"

Ceoptra cracks a smile at Filraen's question. "That depends on how capable the Lord of Xin-Shalast is of forcing his will upon me."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (8) + 30 = 38

Filraen's eyes darken and his gaze becomes a glare. "I am not one to be baited by taunts or other," he pauses momentarily, "physical persuasions." Pointing to his temple with his gauntleted left hand, he explains, "The treasures of the mind are more valuable than any worldly things."

Oh man, I really wish Nick was still following this thread.

Yeah, he always did think I was evil... which, for the record, I am not!

There's that, but I was more referring to how Ursus would react at the mention of "physical persuasions." His Barry White style was always hilarious to me.

"I am glad," she says. "It would be shame if Karzoug's superior was vulnerable to such trifles. So, I assume you wish to assume the title? When shall I announce you?"

You're right; I do remember Ursus' proclivities, though if I remember correctly he confined himself to his own taxonomic family.

"Announce me?" Filraen furrows his brow, thinking rapidly. "Ah, as a Runelord. Unnecessary. Coveting, after all, would be pride; there are more important things to focus on. Like, for example, a mysteriously disappearing Rune Giant." As he finishes speaking, Filraen mentally checks in with the two remaining dominated giants, confirming that he has not lost any more.

Bluff with Moment of Prescience: 1d20 + 7 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 21 = 37 to disguise his quickly changing the subject from declaring him a Runelord...

"Your giant has not disappeared," she answers calmly. "In fact, he is resting at the moment. Upon my return, he was acting a bit strange, so I removed the enchantment and spoke to him at length about what happened while I was away."

She continues her explanation with her usual confidence. "Quite a bit happened, in fact. We spoke about you and your friends, and your victory over Karzoug. You seemed like reasonable people, so I returned to my chambers and awaited your return. And now, well, here we are."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 40 ⇒ (6) + 40 = 46

I might need a little clarification; if I understand correctly, the giant dropped off radar sometime in the last 24 hours. With my Spellcraft skill, I know that it is an impossibility for him to do that without some intervention unless I fail to check the spell once every 24 hours; this happens every day when I prep spells. Are you declaring as GM that at some point I forgot because I the player didn't say it, or is this all starting to sound fishy?

Whoops! That's resting, not resisting!

Filraen nods. "I see. I will need to see him shortly. Or her, I suppose. I confess I have not paid much attention to the genders of the giants."

"More importantly, I will need to know the disposition of the servants that once belonged to Karzoug. I can tell you Viorian Dekanti is gone; she left with one of my companions, presumably to copulate. Two more Rune Giants were killed in our push through the Pinnacle, and several of the storm and cloud giants were freed in the process. I would like to bring them back into the fold, without needing compulsions if possible. I am not above forcing my will on them, as you observed, but charmed or compulsed minions lose their innovation, their creativity, and with it much of their value. The denizens of Leng are gone, a state I would prefer to maintain until I have better understanding of the creatures, and their device lies in ruins, much to my chagrin. That is the extent of the forces of Karzoug I have encountered; what others can you tell me of?"

Pausing for a moment, he looks his prospective ally up and down, as if noticing for the first time in the conversation that he is discussing tactical distribution of forces and empire building with a twelve foot tall half-lion, half-woman. "It might also behoove us to alter your appearance temporarily; for different reasons, I expect both companions that remain in the Pinnacle might, erhm..." he holds his arms up in an apologetic shrug, "Rush to judgment, were they to see you."

Ceoptra smiles. "The dwarf will surely pass judgment," she assumes. "And to an extent, that can be good for us. Karzoug's apprentice, Khalib, he is nowhere to be found. He is much more disagreeable than I am, and should likely be eliminated if he shows himself. Perhaps the dwarf can handle that matter?"

"The woman with you, I imagine she will not do anything to oppose us unless she sees a direct benefit for herself. And Sheila, it is probably best to keep her unaware. She has connections."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ceoptra also works with Filraen to work out a rough count of the giant forces remaining in Xin-Shalast and the area around it. I'll get you details later.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Illusions will not last long enough to conceal your appearance from Sheila and Morgrym. I expect they will remain several days. With fifteen minutes of preparation, I can transmute you into something else," Filraen explains, retrieving his spellbook. "However, divination magic will see through it. I can provide you limited protection against divination as well, but it will not be foolproof unless you have better warding magic available."

how does she seem to know so much about us?

how does she seem to know so much about us?

That is a little disconcerting. Though Filraen does only have 9 Wisdom, so he's probably less concerned than I am.

They wouldn't call me an oracle if I didn't know things.

Your explanation from earlier, as I said, satisfied me for now, but do keep in mind that Morg is constantly under the effect of a mind blank spell.

"It looks like you can keep the introduction brief. Give them no reason to investigate, and any story will do," she advises. "I should probably be presented in a smaller form, though."

"Presented," Filraen asks, "As in I will need to do the presenting?"

"I could introduce myself," Ceoptra says, considering the idea. "In fact, I'd probably enjoy the challenge of calming the dwarf and hiding from Sheila while evading the concern of the woman. I trust you'll give me an unimposing appearance?"

Filraen nods, then uses his spiked gauntlet to cut his palm and begin tracing the somatic components of a spell.

Filraen casts polymorph any object on Ceoptra to transmute her into a female Azlanti woman. For dramatic effect, I kinda ignored the fifteen minutes of spell prep required to fill an open 8th level slot. He has one available to fill.

Some time later, a human Ceoptra encounters Morgrym, Sheila, and Lady Gabrielle elsewhere in the Pinnacle, her three cloud giants a safe distance behind her.

"Greetings," she addresses the party. "It is a pleasure to finally meet the liberators of Xin-Shalast. I am Ceoptra, and who might you be?" she asks, her gaze on Morgrym initially.

Time to bring Ben back into this thread.

Also, the chat with Ceoptra will occur about an hour or two after the party returns to the Pinnacle.

"Salutations." Morgrym reaches for his axe. "Please forgive my caution, but we've encountered naught but foes on this thrice-damned mountain. Who are ya, and what's yer intention?"

Passive Sense Motive: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (12) + 30 = 42

This is Morg's passive sense motive unless Ceoptra says something that I think might set off Morg's alarms more specifically.

"I am called Most High Ceoptra by the residents of this city," she confidently answers. "I was Karzoug's servant and adviser, but not anymore. I am still interested in the city's rebuilding, and I would enjoy working with your group on Xin-Shalast's rebirth."

Stealth: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (12) + 35 = 47

Filraen steps around a corner, plucking spell components as he does so.

Sheila's Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Sheila's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Sheila narrows her eyes. "Convenient how you pop out unbidden now, after Karzoug is defeated. Where were you hiding when your master was slain, then? Will you show us the same loyalty? Or did you plan to abandon him from the start?"

"Well, if we're goin' teh stand on platitudes," Morgrym clears his throat, "I am his holiness Morgrym Anvilstrike, Forge Cleric an' High Crusader for the Father o' all creation, Torag."

"I was away looking for allies to add to Karzoug's cause," she answers Lady Heidmarch. "He was very close to being reformed, and wanted the largest army possible upon his return. I served him loyally, but I have no reason to avenge his death. I am mainly interested in Xin-Shalast itself."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Sheila's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21.

"Should we expect the same loyalty Karzoug enjoyed, then?" Sheila asks. "To be betrayed at the first opportunity?"

Sheila's Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 to remember titles of ancient Thassilon.

"I apologize for not clarifying," she says. "I would have died for Karzoug if I had the opportunity. But I also understand that there is not reason for me to die now, as it will not bring him back. So I'd like to offer my services to you and your group, if you will have me."

Sheila looks at Morgrym and Gabrielle, glancing back intermittently at Ceoptra. "I do not believe we should trust her; her appearance is too... easy? Too well timed. Besides that, what she said makes me uneasy - she would have gladly died for him while he was alive, but now her loyalty has magically evaporated in pragmatism? I cannot say that she is lying, but what she says sounds too convenient by half."

That reminds me - Sheila and Katharan were held captive in the Pinnacle. Has Sheila heard the name Most High Ceoptra? She might have some more information to fill Morgrym and Gabrielle in on.

Morgrym looks cautious. And highly unamused. Those here that know him, however, would be un-phased. When is that lumpy Dwarf ever amused?

"If you'd like, I could come back at a more inconvenient time," she comments with an obvious humorous tone. "More seriously, though... if you and your group feel that I am too great a risk, I will leave Xin-Shalast at your wish."

Sheila has heard her name before. She was Karzoug's high priestess, his voice in the Material while he was unable to project himself here. She and Khalib essentially managed things while everybody waited for Karzoug to return.

"If we believe you are too great a risk to remain," Sheila replies, "What makes you think that we would allow you to leave at all?"

"This is spinning rapidly out of control," Filraen mentally admonishes himself, "I had not expected her to announce herself as herself. Was a more palatable guise too much to hope for?"

Releasing a long breath to still his racing mind, Filraen places his gloved hand on the hilt of his scimitar before dipping his right shoulder and steps out from his hiding place. "Because," he states matter-of-factly as he looks from companion to companion, almost daring them to contradict him, "I will require her assistance in renovating Xin-Shalast."

Morgrym pops an eyebrow, understanding Filraen's posture and taking his challenge. "Now, before I say what I'm about teh, let me clarify that I'm not specifically advocatin' for Xin'Shalast's destruction, at the moment. That said- who are yew teh unilaterally decide the fate o' this place? Have yeh not seen, as we have, the concentrated evil on this mountain? We've a responsibility to ensure that other peoples and other locales are nay threatened by the corruption o' this city. We must investigate and cleanse Xin'Shalast if it's teh be used further. And,"

Morgrym pauses, taking a moment, and wearily giving everyone in the room the stink eye.

"And, if we find that there's evil that we cannae cleanse, then it is also our responsibility to burn everything to the ground in holy fire 'til there's nothin' left, evil or good. I dinnae come up here teh kill a Runelord an' stop 'im from spreadin' evil an' misery only teh watch the minions an' tools o' his legacy do it for 'im"