|
Please Sign in with:
Player Name(as you want it to appear on the Chronicle):
Character Name:
Faction:
Day Job:
Weird bits and bobs I should know about your character:
Some notes about me - Ive been doing this for a little while and here are my expectations.
1) If a saving throw is required, have it be the first dice roll of the post
2) Manage your own token. If I have to make decisions for you they probably wont be in any way tactical
3) I tend to be most active Tuesday-Friday and only RARELY post at all on Sundays.
4) I will manipulate the initiative order somewhat to make running encounters run as smoothly as possible.
5) Animal Companions if any run on their own initiative and I expect you to post your tricks known on your profile and yo have a listed "default" trick
|
Player Name: Banesama
Character Name: Wylka Forth
Faction: Sovereign Court
Day Job: None
"You have just been on a boat with very few accommodations and it rained the entire time and have just arrived to report for duty."
Wylka is a young looking human man. He has blonde hair tied up in a ponytail and eyes as blue as the ocean water. He stands average height and is lean with muscles. Wearing scale mail, he carries himself confidently while using an impressive glaive as a walking stick. Attached to his back is holstered a heavy crossbow. Around his neck is a silver pendent revealing he is a clergy of Shelyn.
Cheerfully he greets everyone, "Hello everyone. I am Wylka Forth and priest of the goddess Shelyn. For the most part I can handle myself in a fight, but my primary goal will to be to make sure all of you get back alive from our mission."
|
Player Name: PaleDim
Character Name: Telos Downshot
Faction: The Exchange
Day Job: None
As soon as the boat docks, Telos bursts forth from it, grasping for land as desperately as he can. It's not that he dislikes travel by ship, but the gloomy rain really put him under the weather (literally, and figuratively) and the lack of consistent food really wrecked his halfling sensibilities (comfort).
Still, it didn't dampen his arrogance too much...
"Hey there Wylka!" He stops to process a dramatic, high-pitched sneeze before continuing. "I'm Telos. My arcane power is such that these weapons should remain purely ceremonial." He gestures to the light crossbow and sling at his belt. ". I wouldn't bother with them if the ninnies at the Pathfinder lodge didn't make such a fuss over exhaustive preparedness." He weakly rolls his eyes. "Let me get some real food in my stomach and when danger presents itself, I'll show off some real power!" His bold words are betrayed by his presently weak form.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Over the course of the long boat ride, you all likely noticed a short, jumpy looking halfling that kept away from the other passengers. This odd looking fellow seemed to be struggling with some kind of skin condition that left his skin cracked, dry and prone to flaking off in large scale-shaped pieces. In an effort to calm his incessant itching, he was outside on deck (in the rain!) more often than not. He cut a pretty sorry-looking figure out there: bright red hair plastered across his face, arms gripping soaked sleeves, stepping from foot to foot in the cold. But despite that, he seemed happier than he did while inside the cramped cabin.
----
Once the boat docks, a nervous looking Cazlin gathers his tightly oilcloth-wrapped bundles of gear and steps to shore. He ducks his head in greeting to Wylka and manages a "H-h-hello again, W-wylka. D-did you..."
He swallows, as if trying to force something down in his throat. He opens his mouth to continue, but rather than more stuttering he suddenly sings out
"A one way trip from Lantern Lodge
left us far from home,
From ship to ship for many days
we sailed through sea and foam.
To hold a grudge would not be strange
nor leave it all behind,
But both of us are fools enough
to stick with vows we've signed.
And now by chance we'll work again
fighting side by side,
Lets hope the wolves stay pretty small
and moons don't go to hide."
Cazlin's initial reaction to his own outburst is to freeze in panic. His eyes flit anxiously between Telos and the others still making their way off the ship, looking for their reaction. He visibly forces himself to calm down with deep breathing. Once he's a bit calmer he grins apologetically at Wylka and goes over to stand by the human's side.
|
|
You remember the tien girl was very quiet and shy. You think she called herself Gōsutoha, but her voice was so soft it was hard to be certain. Her long black hair was usually kept up in a loose bun. Her clothing seemed to be appropriate for a woman from the East. She avoided most conversations, but was friendly when spoken to. Sharper eyed passengers may have taken note that she prepared her own meals and only drank tea.
This is not the same woman who disembarks. Her black and red armor is that of a warrior. Her stride sure and full of silent grace, her eyes cool and thoughtful. This is a woman who has seen a fight or two in her day. While most of her gear is purposefully mundane looking, there is no doubt of how she makes her trade. Strapped to her back is an elegant curved blade, hidden in a dark oak scabbard. Elven characters etched into the design speak of Ghost Lotus, The Night Bloom.
She joins her companions on the dock with nothing more than a slight nod of recognition. "Gentlemen."
|
|
"Ah, a bard! Nice song there... what was your name?"
Telos warmly extends his hand.
”You will find no bards here, my diminutive friend.” The voice, both venerable and proper, precedes a man as he struts forth from the vessel. Appearing rather advanced in age, the man is adorned in a tall, elongated helmet and vestments of blue, green, and gold. Around his neck, prominently displayed, is a holy symbol bearing a winged eye in a circle. Though you likely had caught glimpses of the man earlier in the trip, he was then dressed in far less flashy clothing. Now here, in the light of day and wearing the garb of a warrior priest, he appears perhaps even older and more feeble than those earlier glimpses had led you to believe.
”No, not here.” he repeats making no eye contact but seemingly lost within his head to a distant place or, perchance, and earlier time. ”For what is there to sing of?” he asks turning his attention towards the other Pathfinders. His eyes linger first on Wylka and then on the others.
After a moment, he turns his gaze toward the horizon and utters a quiet, yet noticeably audible, lament. ”What is there to sing of, indeed, now that humankind has so lost its way?”
When the Tien warrior emerges from the vessel and greets the others, the man turns to the young woman and bows in the traditional Taldan manner. ”Greetings, my lady. Before you stands, Sir Astingaire Morrington—the Last Holy Knight of Aroden.”
|
|
Cazlin seems to relax a bit at the sight of Gosutoha and Astingaire. After all, they both seem strange and flamboyant enough that maybe no one will pay much attention to him in such a group. Hopefully.
"H-hello." He sticks close to Wylka but greets the two newcomers from the ship. "T-that's all of us?"
|
|
"H-hello." He sticks close to Wylka but greets the two newcomers from the ship. "T-that's all of us?"
"Greetings, little one." Astingaire replies with a wink. Though his words mirror the prejudice found among large groups of humans, his demeanor towards Cazlin suggests an understated playfulness and artificiality. Even more so than during his initial dramatic statements, these words now come across as if the man were reciting lines from a play rather than dismissing a perceived inferior. For a brief moment, the wooden platform upon which Astingaire resembles less that of a dock than that of a stage.
"It would, indeed, seem that all that the Venture-Captain has called are now here. Let us see what adventure awaits!" the man bellows with grand gesture and a diction worthy of the envy of Taldan grammarians, before adding,"And let us discover just what roles we may have to play in it!"
|
|
Venture Captain Brackett welcomes you inside. He gives a bit of a sour look as he looks you over. His appriasing look goes up and down on each of you and then he shrugs "Well, I suppose you will do" He points down the hall and hands each of you little straw plugs for your noses. Ole Muttonchops thinks this is a worthwhile use of my time and well...I disagree.
He gives a tired smirk and hands you a half-empty notebook This vagrant turned up claiming to be the rightful Prince of Augustana.... which is daft because Augustana never HAD a prince. But the darned fool had a wayfinder of all things so the Society wants someone to follow up on it and well...that's not going to be me. So I leave you all to it.
In the next room you find an older gentleman in a tarnished old navy blue suit wearing a crown made from tinfoil and a scepter crafted from what appears to be an old shower rod and he sees you all and he glistens a broad and wide smile "Ah look...more of my subjects."
|
|
Cazlin looks utterly confused, staring wide eyed at the Venture Captain and taking the notebook gingerly. The short explanation from the Venture Captain was hardly an explanation at all.
'A prince? A wayfinder? What are we even following up on?'
He pages through the notebook in hopes of finding some kind of information that will make sense of this sudden thrust into action. As he searches the notebook he follows along to the next room, hoping that his new allies may be able to ask the many questions he's unable to articulate.
He double-takes away from the notebook when he notices the mad old man in the next room.
|
|
Well, this is an interesting way to start. Nothing like having a venture captain toss us to the wolf.
First taking a deep bow, Wraith then kneels with head down before addressing the vagrant. "My Prince, I am here to serve at your pleasure. Please tell me how this humble subject may be of use."
I have been trained in worse ways to maintain a cover identity and work a mark.
|
|
Upon entering the room, Astingaire pauses at the sight of the "Prince". Not quite the vision of a man claiming royalty, is he? Astingaire thinks to himself. Naturally suspicious of likely imposters, for reasons he understands all too well, Astingaire nevertheless follows the lead of his fellow Pathfinders in addressing the man as one of royal stature. In an effort to gage the depth of sincerity and knowledge of this so-called “Prince”, Astingaire foregoes the formal bow that a ruler may expect of his subjects and instead proceeds with a deferential nod of the head, which would be more customary and typical of a citizen of a different domain. After all, do my vestments not mark me as one who is a citizen of Taldor?
”Greetings, Your Royal Highness.” Astingaire says courteously.
The man in the garb of a holy knight of days past, then steps back, allowing the others to engage with the “Prince” while he makes observations of the man before him.
Astingaire attempts to discern whether the man before him is a charlatan, a madman, or something else entirely.
Does this “Prince” seem to utilize or respond to proper, courtly etiquette? Astingaire wonders. Is there anything about his attire that suggests it may have come from noble origin?
|
|
“My loyal subjects, welcome! I know that some of you might not recognize me in my current state, but it is truly me, Gandros, the long-lost Prince of Augustana. I have been in hiding since the untimely death of my father, the Emperor, preparing for my return to glory. Unfortunately, I bear ill news. The army I have been gathering in the otherworld has been infiltrated by agents of our enemies. When last I called my forces together for inspection, dark assassins attacked me and I barely escaped with my life.”
He rolls up his sleeves and shows all manner of tooth and claw marks.
As Astingaire observes him he recognizes that this is the sort of behavior and mannerism it doesn't feel like his legitimately encounters with nobility. Instead it feels more like....romantic tales about nobility. But....he seems to truly believe his words.
“I fled back through the magic portal to this realm. Grievously wounded, and with the assassins in close pursuit, I leapt into the dark river. I floated past the Almsman’s Sanctuary, but couldn’t climb out of the water. I did manage to grab one of the bridges, but a plank fell in with me. I held on for dear life and continued to drift downstream. I went over a waterfall and then emerged in the lake of ships and crawled to shore. Augustana has changed since I last walked my city’s bright streets, but I managed to find this house, bearing the symbol of my father’s empire.” He holds up the wayfinder hanging from a chain around his neck. “I knew I would find help here! If you remove the threat from my kingdom below and help restore me to my rightful place as Emperor of Andoran, I will grant you any boon within my power!”
He seems proud and dotes upon Wraith and Wylka. The venture-captain observes and watches but waits for you to report back.
|
|
"My, how brave you are to overcome such trials Prince Gandros, Emperor of Andoran. May I ask about the wayfinder? Did you find it on the other side of the portal? Perhaps it was bequeathed to you as a sign of your station or did you take it as a trophy after defeating an adversary?"
"Does his magnificence believe he could lead his loyal subjects back to the portal? You need only ask, and we shall follow you and see you restored to wherever you rightfully belong."
|
|
He dotes upon Wraith tapping him on his shoulder with the sceptre Ah yes, Sir Galahad. This trinket is proof of my station - handed down from the late king to myself. An heirloom that serves as a proof of my imperial heritage!
He snaps his fingers when you speak of returning Ah yes, the reconquest of my family home shall serve as an excellent in first step in re-establishing my proud kingdom. Come let us go!
he begins to gather his things from all across the room to put in a burlap shopping sack. I shall be ready momentarily
As you leave him the venture captain intercepts you. As you can see, ASPECTS of his story seem to hold true and he does hold a legitimate wayfinder. Whereever this man is from it is possible he is sitting on top of something quite interesting. Possible. its his injuries that most catch my attention... I have been wrong before. The old fellow has a surprising amount of knowledge of the pre-revolution noble families of the city. He may be the lost scion of some noble line. If so, he’s fallen far. From the filth and stink on him when we found him, we’re fairly certain he’s been living in or near a sewer. The wayfinder is also a
mystery, but for now, it makes him one of ours. However, I’m more interested in his supposed gate to the otherworld. If it exists, I want to know about it. Implausible as it may seem, I’m certain that his injuries were caused by otherworldly beings. Divination spells confirm this. We must take the possibility of a portal seriously. I don’t want to dirty my hands with this, but you don’t have that choice.
Retrace the old man’s path through the sewers. The Almsman, whom he repeatedly mentions, is rumored to be an eccentric priest who runs some sort of hidden beggar’s sanctuary in the sewers. He may know where our prince’s portal is, if you can find him. But be warned; a local gang calling themselves the Steel Wyverns claims the sewers near the Almsman’s
Sanctuary as their own territory.”
|
|
He rolls up his sleeves and shows all manner of tooth and claw marks.
Given an opportunity, Astingaire attempts to ascertain the likely source of the "Prince's" wounds.
After their "audience with the Prince", Astingaire sighs. I suppose I now know why the Society sought it fit to select for this mission. But, I do hope that this will be my last delve into a sewer for the sake of the Society.
Before departing, Astingaire asks the Venture-Captain, "Has our 'Prince' ever given the name of his father?"
|
|
The "prince"'s story has Cazlin at rapt attention, hanging on every word. The tale is certainly exciting, whether or not it's entirely truthful. He comes in close to take a look at the man's wounds and check if he can tell what they might have come from.
Once the group meets back up with the venture captain, Cazlin says "Exciting s-story. He's c-crazy though." As the others ask their questions he thinks about the tale and then offers his own query about the results of the divination magic "W-what k-k-kind of beings?"
|
|
Astingaire inspects the wounds and finds them to truthfully be claw marks. They are bunched together in a specific way, but not one he has typically seen from animals. This combined with the results of Brackett's divinations have him truly believing: some kind of exotic monster did this.
Brackett shrugs when Cazlin asks We didn't exactly have the ability to come right out and ask that. Some kind of extraplanar being for sure though which is what maakes the nonsense about a portal sound well....believable.
Regarding the Steel Wyverns Now, son, I know I am the venture captain of this town, but I don't exactly have up to date dossiers on all the local gangs. All I know is these ones operate in the sewers and like holding up underground churches. So they're probably vicious territorial little bastards but beyond that....I don't know much
You have the strong feeling that you might be able to come up with more....
The Almsman has recently started providing sanctuary and assistance to
the city’s beggars. He is a mysterious figure who wears a mask, but most folk believe he is a priest. Most of the city’s poor do not know where his sanctuary is—those who do know won’t tell.
|
|
Astingaire considers what he believes he already knows about these "Steel Wyverns".
"I have heard of a group operating within this city that uses spiked chains upon their victims, which they call “Wyvern stings’—no doubt they are these Steel Wyverns. Stories say that this group was once the most powerful criminal organization in the city, but has been in decline for decades, such that nw it is merely a rag-tag gang of thugs and petty crooks. I suppose we may be able to learn more about this group if we were to question the locals." The man dressed in holy garb offers his services.
|
|
Wylka thinks back on some of the people he has talked to, especially in the holy scene and recalls what he has heard about the Almsman. "The Almsman is a figure that wears a mask. His true identity is a mystery but most people believe he is a priest. Of what faith is unsure. But he has been providing a sanctuary for the city's poor. Unfortunately the poor are very tight lip about him and not much more information is known."
|
|
Brackett also confirms that while he speaks of his father quite often he has not dropped his actual name.
As the group discusses and asks around town about relevant rumors "March on my gallant pages, march on - we must make our way back to my holdings!" Prince Gallant marches with all of you in Parade, giving dandelions to little girl as you pass to the bemusement of most involved. It soon becomes clear he is just leading you in circles, but with Wilka's skill at working a crowd you are soon able to make your way to an access point to the sewers.
As you do come down the steps you spot a couple of bored types toying with their spiked chains
Ey bab, you remember that time we held up the liquor store and had free hooch for year
Yeah Tim
That was pretty great bab They see you and turn picking up their chains
Ey BACK OFF ye dumb blokes, this is STEEL WYVERNS TERRITORY and if ye don't want to face the wrath of FIRE DRAKE OVER HERE. They say pointing to the older gnome toying with a box of glass vials then you'll drop everything you're holding and just leave!
|
|
Wraith continues to walk toward Tim and bab. "If you think these trinkets are valuable, then you should see what my liege has in his treasury. Perhaps he could be convinced to hire you on as trusted knights. Of course, should you attack him, or bar his way in any fashion, you will find swift justice. What say you, join us on our righteous mission? It couldn't hurt just to hear us out, could it?"
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Cazlin follows along with the group, using the bulk of the party as a shield between himself and the populace of the town. He whispers to Wraith "H-he's very strange. The p-prince is."
He struggles for a bit to articulate some of his concerns about the mission ahead, stopping and starting with fragments of words, before he slips into a smooth:
"Grandeur plagues an addled mind,
but imps and demons we may find.
If you seek to strike them true,
Take up iron, cold and silver too."
"If sewer's stench you can't abide,
beware the furry fiends inside.
A thousand forms are sure to bite,
Acid or flame will win the fight."
Cazlin winces apologetically at the delivery of his thoughts about the dangers to come, skittering off to purchase an extra acid flask before rejoining the party.
------
Cazlin slips in when he hears the threat go out from the Steel Wyverns. Though he doesn't draw a weapon, he keeps a close eye on the old gnome. "Wraith's words may stall them for a while, but the look in their eyes tells me they're desperate. I hope everyones ready to fight."
|
|
The toughs move across the bridge towards you and then hop onto the platforms. Look at dese idjits Bab, they trying to scam US.
A couple o' them look foreign. Travelers a real rich Tim. We shouldn't let them leave here with their stuff.
Yeah but it doesn't look like theyre gonna just drop their stuff.
They loose their chains and begin to swing them menacingly while Fire Drake reaches into his bag and gets ready to throw something.
Astingaire's magic detection reveals no magic on the gnome or his box...but the tinkling glass sound is pretty similar to the tinkling coming from Cazlin's bag now that he has purchased his most recent purchase.
Order:
(bold indicates currently active party members)
Cazlin
Telos
---
Fire Drake
Blue Bab
---
Astingaire
Wraith
---
Red Tim
---
Wylka
Active Conditions: none
|
|
Cazlin eyes the two thugs cautiously and backs away from them, heading south. He draws his longbow as he does so. In a smooth, sweeping motion, he raises his bow and aims it at the gnome.
"D-don't y-y-you dare." He intends for it to come out as a valiant threat, but instead its more of a stammered whisper. Nevertheless, his drawn arrow speaks volumes about his intentions.
|
|
He struggles for a bit to articulate some of his concerns about the mission ahead, stopping and starting with fragments of words, before he slips into a smooth:
"Grandeur plagues an addled mind,
but imps and demons we may find.
If you seek to strike them true,
Take up iron, cold and silver too."
Telos thumbs one of his cold iron sling bullets in its pouch as he listens to Cazlin's words.
|
|
"Well, it's clear they can't be reasoned with. These ones are a bit obtuse and it's time for them to find out how far in over their heads they are." Telos smirks at them to put some confident resistance in the air, that they can hopefully feel.
As Fire Drake reaches his hand into his pocket, Telos raises his left hand and points his index and middle finger at the gnome. A ray of crackling electrical energy shoots forth at it.
|
|
Fire drake looks a little bit....frazzled as your electricity courses through his body so he reaches into and looks a bit taken aback as an arrow wizzes by his head!
He produces a bag and tosses it at Telos to pay him back for that!
But he overshoots Telos and the bag of goo explodes all over the wall instead!
Meanwhile, Bab stares down Wraith and tries to ruin his life with his chain!
The chains miss Wraith, as he is off target with the long metal barbs!
Cazlin
Telos
---
Fire Drake
Blue Bab
---
Astingaire
Wraith
---
Red Tim
---
Wylka
Active Conditions: none
|
|
Satisfied that the hooligans do not have any magical devices to give rise to concern (and a bit disappointed that they do not have any magical devices to be taken from them), Astingaire dismisses his detect magic spell.
Seeing Cazlin's shot go amiss, Astingaire decides that an infusement of magic into the situation might well improve the party’s chances of success. Holding his holy symbol, he speaks aloud, ”Oh, Great Aroden, bless my comrades and let the assurance that you will be them in this conflict fill them with courage!”
Astingaire casts
|
|
In reaction to the partys actions thus far Gandros puffs up with pride Onward my merry men! My knights of yhe round. Put these pretenders into the ground!
Tim decides to whip his chain over at Telos on retribution for his shock earlier!
Nobody stops the Steel Wyverns!
Cazlin
Telos (-5)
---
Fire Drake (-3)
Blue Bab
---
Astingaire
Wraith
---
Red Tim
---
Wylka
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
|
|
Telos' ray was on target and blasted poor Tim whose skin bubbles and pops at the application of the hot fiery ray. He falls unconscious on the platform.
Cazlin
Telos (-5)
---
Fire Drake (-3)
Blue Bab
---
Astingaire
Wraith
Wylka
The Fire Drake tosses another bag at Wraith
The bag finds its mark and Wraith finds himself cemented to the floor and the Drake jumps away from Wraith.
An entangled Creature takes a –2 Penalty on attack rolls and a –4 Penalty to Dexterity and must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be glued to the floor, unable to move. Even on a successful save, it can move only at half speed.
Meanwhile Bab takes a couple short hops over to meet Telos after he fried up Tim.
His chain connects with Telos flesh and cuts him open hard.
Cazlin
Telos (-13, bleeding out)
---
Fire Drake (-3)
Blue Bab
---
Astingaire
Wraith
Wylka
Conditions: Inspire Courage +1, Wraith needs to make an AoO and a DC 15 reflex aave
|
|
To get to Telos to administer healing magic, Astingaire realizes that he will have to get through the Steel Wyvern thug.
"By Aroden, you are clearly outnumbered and outmatched. My companions have this battle well in hand. We will continue to fight until you surrender. However, should you refuse, then so be it!" Astingaire shouts as he gestures his hands to cast as
With sword and shield in hand, the self-styled knight races forward and attacks.