Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Kyrademon’s Jade Regent PBP, Part II

Game Master Kyrademon

Description: Hrithik opens his mouth, which is now lit from within by an eerie glow, and consumes the liquid in the vial he drew previously. As he spits the liquid back into the vial, he and all of his equipment fade from sight completely.

Not breaking the kiss, she lightly runs her hands across the faint apple patterns on your armor. And then she begins undressing you.

Increase your Relationship score with Shalelu by +2

She sits back down. "All right. Let's talk about this."

"I got some questions about that argument you had with her, 'cause a couple o' the things you said didn't seem to add up quite right. But before we get into that, can I ask you this -- do ya think you're deliberately tryin' to make her angry at ya, or do ya think you just like it in some way when she is?"

I am translating forward and then back from Kannada to get these.

From afar, it looks like a graceless fire poi as Rhost swings his flaming Earth Breaker into the torso of the next Ulfen raider (one with a higher Initiative, if possible).

Fog die: 1d5 ⇒ 5

To hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 including morale bonus

Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11 plus 1d3 ⇒ 1 fire

Koya puts a warm cup of tea down near to you."In case you want it. All right. Let's talk about this."

Hrithik nods in mute thanks. For now, his hands are trembling too much to take the tea.

"I got some questions about that argument you had with her, 'cause a couple o' the things you said didn't seem to add up quite right. But before we get into that, can I ask you this -- do ya think you're deliberately tryin' to make her angry at ya, or do ya think you just like it in some way when she is?"

Hrithik's face screws up in reflexive confusion. "Of course I like it. Anger shows she cares." A beat. Then his face screws up in agony. Reaching slowly for the tea, he adds, "which means I might as well be trying deliberately. Silence can be cold, anger is good, the barb reveals the love."

Setting his hand firmly on the cup of tea, Hrithik tries to will it stop trembling. He shakes his head forcefully, as if trying to throw off a nightmare. In a tiny, dead, horrified voice, he adds, "That's just obviously the way people work, right?"

Melee:

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 121d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 231d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 231d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Miss chance:

1d5 ⇒ 11d5 ⇒ 51d5 ⇒ 31d5 ⇒ 31d5 ⇒ 31d5 ⇒ 51d5 ⇒ 31d5 ⇒ 11d5 ⇒ 11d5 ⇒ 41d5 ⇒ 21d5 ⇒ 21d5 ⇒ 51d5 ⇒ 51d5 ⇒ 11d5 ⇒ 31d5 ⇒ 2

Melee damage:
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

She pauses a bit to let you take that in.

"Now, to my ears ... that little dictum you just said there had the sound of somethin' that was taught to ya. That the case? Did someone tell you that? Mebbe someone who would benefit if'n you believed it was true?"

Mel swears softly as she realizes that she is surrounded by Ulfen. She glances back, knowing a simple duck would place her safely for spellcasting... And leave Kalimac to be surrounded in her stead. She bites down a quick arcane word, her eyes watching the raiders around her.

Cast shield, AC now 21 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +4 armor, +4 shield), touch 12 (vs incorp 16), ff 15
Not sure if I need it (due to fog), but concentration check DC 17 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Hope I didn't need it... no AoO, but no spell if I did need to make one...

Standard action to grant Precise Strike to all allies within 30 feet. (I think that right now that's everybody.) Allies retain the use of this bonus feat for 5 rounds.

Precise Strike: Whenever you and an ally who also has this feat are flanking the same the creature, you deal an additional 1d6 points of precision damage with each successful melee attack. This bonus damage stacks with other sources of precision damage, such as sneak attack. This bonus damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.

Kalimac upon Attatoq then rushes out into the open, to better set up charges against the Ulfens. I realize this may invite Attack of Opportunity, and Kalimac will do his best to minimize them. But Kalimac and Attatoq work best when there is room to move, so this is a necessary risk.

Ride Check (on general principles): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Alaric activates the Bead of Healing for a Cure Serious Wounds.
3d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 2, 1) + 4 = 14 Unsure if the +2 from Rescued applies to this, since it's a magic item.

Hrithik sets a small bundle of gardenias onto the branch next to Liothonae, hops down to the ground, and departs. The gardenias are freshly picked during this day's scouting, tied with a thread, and affixed with a short note in Hrithik's southpaw.

Liothonae. Keeping my distance until I won't hurt you. Please be well. Hrithik

Liothonae, who had been too distracted to see Hrithik approach, and possibly too confused to say anything when she did notice him, silently watches him leave, her eyes large, and somewhat haunted. Once he is just out of sight, she picks up the flowers with a trembling hand, reads the note, and sits there, in the tree, looking ever so much like a lost soul, her book forgotten, open, pages turning on their own in the breeze.

She is naked.

Unlike the time at the beach, when she was unselfconscious in her nudity, this time she is very, very aware of how exposed she is.

And how close you are.

"Look ... Melinda comes from a nice family. I like them. But like most adventuring families, they're not ... completely unscrewed up, if you take my meaning. Her Aunt Sasha, who's there half the time, is a great musician who taught Melinda a lot about art and music but who is frankly totally insane. Her mother Ana is a nice, shy, and very smart bookish intellectual who has such a horrible opinion of herself it's not really a wonder where Melinda learned the gentle ways of low self-esteem. Her mom Elena is a sweet, kind, and the most truly and deeply moral person I know - if you're wondering who taught Melinda to care that much even about her enemies, that would be her - except for a couple of times a year when Ana goes on an all-day crying jag and Elena gets drunk and suddenly turns into a friggin' ORC."

"So, yeah, I think the fact that Melinda grew up pretty sane and pretty happy speaks well of her and of them, but I'm also not really surprised to hear she might have some issues."

Skalsbridge

Myriana takes another 5' step(diagonal forward left) and aims for the Ulfen raiders surrounding Mel & Kalimac. She targets the one(s) closest to the open edge first.

Myri to hit 1: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 25 Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, Seeking, bless included
Myri to hit 2: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 18 Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, Seeking, bless included

damage1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
damage2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Silmemir will interpose herself between onrushing raiders or flank with Alaric or an ally if not possible.

to hit(if needed): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4 bless included
trip: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8 cmb+bless?

damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

oops, i guess fumble confirmation if needed
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

He's silent for a moment, but right before Ameiko likely gives up and walks away: "When we get back to Sandpoint... Elena's not going to kill me, is she?"

"No, it isn't," Koya replies with calm certainty. "Now, to my ears ... that little dictum you just said there had the sound of somethin' that was taught to ya. That the case? Did someone tell you that? Mebbe someone who would benefit if'n you believed it was true?"

Hrithik shakes his head, then nods. "No one person said all of it that way. Everyone said bits of it. Everyone lived as if it were true. Mistress taught it, the Order taught it, the Queen taught it, Kyriya taught it, the halflings taught it, I taught myself."

Hrithik picks up the tea cup and takes a long draught, not minding if it is still much too hot to be drinking that way. "Cheliax taught it, and Cheliax benefits if we believe it true. Hell taught it, but didn't claim credit for the instruction." Hrithik hangs his head. "I am sorry I am so stupid, Aunty Koya. I keep being blind to everything subtle about my training and education."

"Elena ..." she gasps between howls of laughter, "... once dove off a cliff into a raging river ... to rescue a drowning Goblin ... during a RAID ON THE GOBLIN HELD KEEP. She once ... freed a major Devil from captivity ... because she thought it was being MISTREATED ... Elena ... feels slightly bad ... when her cat catches mice. If Elena ... threatened you in any way ... it was a JOKE."

She pulls herself together.

"Sorry," she says, still smiling. "Anyway, I, um, kind of feel like we've been talking past each other a little bit, here. You think Melinda's great, I think Melinda's great, and I think that made us both ... weirdly and unnecessarily defensive about her."

"This is about the only thing I do which I feel confident is, in and of itself, untainted and pure. Today, I am crafting a potion that will make the drinker better at Craft. I wish to give it to Mr. Rhost so he can repair Whispering Shrike without worrying about today's result befalling his effort. A craft for a craft, a gift for a gift."

Hrithik smiles at the two. "It is my custom to work silently. Please feel free to ask any question you desire, however." Hrithik's smile widens. "I may be ... very thorough in my replies, if you do."

Then, an embarrassed sigh. "Elena didn't threaten me or anything. I'm just a little worried. You know, here I am carrying on with her fifteen year old daughter. I mean, rationally, if Mel's old enough to risk her life on this adventure, she's old enough for sex, but I also know that logic isn't always defense against a justifiably protective mother."

Hrithik bows to both of them. "Sir Kalimac, if you and Mr. Attatoq are willing, would it be possible to spend a few minutes each in the coming days learning the intricacies of wolfriding? I remember much more of my interrupted horsemanship lessons that I did a week ago, but I would be honored if you two would be willing to complete my training."

Hrithik looks at Attatoq thoughtfully. "If Mr. Attatoq can bear two riders, or be aided to do so with magic, my combat orbs gain a great deal of accuracy when I am this scale, and lose none of their potency."

Later, after toasts and pleasantries.
Sufficiently lubricated, Hrithik asks the Caravan Master one of the questions weighing on him. "Given what I understand, there are ways to contribute to the Caravan, to take on a role, beyond mere financing. There is nothing for me in Cheliax, I was interested in seeing if my talents might lend me to that, in time. Interested in contributing more, having a role in the Caravan in the fullness of time, perhaps partnering with the rest of you as the long road ahead unfolds."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Hrithik approaches Ameiko privately. "May I have some of your time tonight, Ameiko?"

Hrithik approaches Ameiko privately. "May I have some of your time tonight, Ameiko?"

"Of course," she says.

Hrithik looks at Attatoq thoughtfully. "If Mr. Attatoq can bear two riders, or be aided to do so with magic, my combat orbs gain a great deal of accuracy when I am this scale, and lose none of their potency."

There is no way to do this.

Sufficiently lubricated, Hrithik asks the Caravan Master one of the questions weighing on him. "Given what I understand, there are ways to contribute to the Caravan, to take on a role, beyond mere financing. There is nothing for me in Cheliax, I was interested in seeing if my talents might lend me to that, in time. Interested in contributing more, having a role in the Caravan in the fullness of time, perhaps partnering with the rest of you as the long road ahead unfolds."

"You already have a role in the Caravan, Hrithik," Sandru says mildly. "We have been discussing the possibility of giving you additional duties, as you requested. There are some potential ones that are being looked at, most likely starting when we leave Karlsgard."

Hrithik smiles at the two ladies. Stools have been acquired and are available if they wish to sit. The apparatus is ready to go.

"This is about the only thing I do which I feel confident is, in and of itself, untainted and pure. Today, I am crafting a potion that will make the drinker better at Craft. I wish to give it to Mr. Rhost so he can repair Whispering Shrike without worrying about today's result befalling his effort. A craft for a craft, a gift for a gift."

Hrithik smiles at the two. "It is my custom to work silently. Please feel free to ask any question you desire, however." Hrithik's smile widens. "I may be ... very thorough in my replies, if you do."

Reta says nothing. She appears to be watching you more than she is observing the process.

Spivey asks the occasional cheerful question. It is difficult to gauge how she is reacting to the lengthy answers.