The Reaping Stone (Cassomir) Table 2

Game Master Karmic Knight

Hi everyone. Work is still a mess and got worse when someone gave notice such that I'm taking over a big chunk of the work. Right now, I need to take a break from PbP until I can recover, and I don't know exactly how long that'll be (maybe a month, maybe less, maybe more)? I've done PbP reliably for years now and intend to return, but I also don't want a character botted indefinitely which is a burden on any game. So I'm fine with whatever is decided about my character--whether to continue botting him, setting him aside momentarily, or even doing something more permanent and/or finding another player.

Really sorry, and I'll check in again when I can.

Hey Kirzon sorry to hear your work-life is a mess. I hope things get better sooner than later. You've been a pleasure to RP with. Hope we cross paths again either here or on some other adventure until then take care.

Np Kirzon. I'll have the group and me bot till you return. See you soon!

Hello friends,

I'm back! Covid-19 means less work, means more time for posting. Not my favorite reason to be back, but I will take what positives I can from our situation.

Nice work dispatching evil cultists!

Welcome back!

Greetings again!
=)

Hello things are a little crazy at work with everyone transitioning to working at home. Will try to post later today.

Welcome back Kirzon.

As some of you might know, I don’t have home internet access, walking instead to my local library to use their free wifi. Currently, I have a wifi hotspot on loan. The loan expires today, and while I don’t have to return it until the start of May, as I understand it the hotspot shuts down automatically when your loan period ends. With the library closed “until further notice”—‘til early April at the very least—I may be unable to post for the foreseeable future. If this happens, please bot my PC or have them step “offstage” temporarily if that’s more convenient.

Hopefully my hotspot keeps working and there won’t be an interruption in my ability to post…but if it doesn’t, my state’s pretty much in lockdown mode for God knows how long and I have no good posting options. I’m looking into assisted/emergency internet access, but the application process takes some time.

I’m hoping I’ll post to games as usual tomorrow, but if I can’t…Stay safe and I’ll get back in touch when I can.

Alright Amigail. Stay safe!

Yea Amigail wish you the best. Innis will take good care of you while you're away ;P

Whatever the case may be your petition of vengeance for your father Nathan will be answered. When I'm through taking the High Priest's mantle from him down here.

I think Her Ladyship High Priestess Innis has a nice ring to it after all.

Are we still going? No words for a while makes me nervous this close to the possible end.

Helloooo?

Still lurking, but a little crazy from 2 months of stay-at-home.

Still here, we are so close to the end!

Still around.

I'm here!

I'm here but my posting rate has significantly dropped as you can see. I will have a post ready for you this coming Thursday.

Yay DM Aumakua!

Your fearless leader and primary antagonist is still here.

Cool beans.

Go forth and do battle my team, hit them hard and fast.

@Merry My wand told me Azrenar is not in the upper floors of the temple he is likly below if it's possible for us to get further underground(?). I doubt he's with the main force listed here.

If this battle is only meant to wear us down, and our main enemy is not here, shouldn't we just try and sneak past them then? I hate to say it, but I'm just not at full strength anymore. Taking on such a large group would be OK if we have a Fireball spell or two handy...but without?

Merelda we've never had access to a fireball and have done better than i could have hoped so far...

This is a one-entrance-one-exit area you must really believe that Innis is some sort of goddess to sneak us all through!

So while yes in theory i could cheat us all through this fight. It might be more dangerous long-term and would likely involve an excessive amount of just me going head to head vs the GM.

We have one chance (this entire campaign cause i can't pull this stunt again) to catch them with their pants down. if we hit them hard enough at the get go it would actually mean less resources and power spent overall.

It's like the tower fight as much as you know i like finesse sometimes brute for must do. At least i can be tricky on how and when i apply it.

This really is the best I've got anyone else comments, concerns or alternative plans?

also if you do have faith in my plan please let me know as well.

IDK if it would make you feel better about The Plan Merry but Kirzon is my fireball in this case. that's why he's up there and not back with the other casters.

I'm just saying 'maybe' we should use our brains instead of our brawn this time. If you want a big knock-down drag-out fight, then by all means let's have a big fight.

Ouch, this was my brains in action hence all the invisibility and set-up. If anyone has an alternative plan of action that they can detail i am up for hearing it. Else we brawl.

I'd like to add you did suggest scouting which i initially didn't consider. This was helpful and in turn this is what i can offer your effort. This to me in brains in action. Else we would have ran in here had to brawl but done so without any set-up or finesse.

If no other plan clearly presents or others support we brawl the Innis way.

We are using the fact that rather than come charging down the hall at us the enemy is in fact waiting against them while we have knowledge of strength positions and are able to set-up and ambush them rather than the reverse.

It doesn't seem like we have enough Invisibility spells to set up a full-party ambush. We would need 7 of those for the party, unless someone has Circle of Invisibility available. Right now, it seems like we have 2 in effect--one on Cass and one on Merelda. Where do the other 5 come from?

If fighting is the path forward, from Kirzon's perspective, he's the closest thing to having fireball, as follows:
Prep: Cast Call Lightning. This can be precast ahead of battle.
Prep: Wild Shape into a bird, fly overhead. Great if invisibility is possible.
Round 0: Cast Summon Nature's Ally III. Summon 1d3 Earth Elementals (pray it's 3).
Round 1: Cast Burst of Radiance. Poor man's fireball.
Round 2: Cast Burst of Radiance again. Poor man's fireball. Hope some cultists start going down.
Round 3+: Call lightning whatever the heck needs to die.

Meantime, Lili's Hideous Laughter should have full effect against ogres, which are humanoids. So she can pop her Summon Monster on Round 0 and start Hideous Laughtering the ogres.

Both of these examples assumes a Round 0 is possible, which requires enough invisibility spells for the party as noted above. The alternative is that some of the party is invisible and the rest of the party stays back and catches up when combat begins.

a secret part of me was hoping you would just start with the lightning and let it rock (you would be invisible to set it up). and obvious precast the summons

Merelda wasn't proposing a full team invis ambush fight, she wanted to avoid the fight entirely from what i understand.

Kirzon it sounds like you are willing to fight this out. Others?

If it's possible to avoid the fight, that's better. I'm with Merelda on that concept. But that also seems to require getting 6 people and 1 snake invisible. Is that possible? Is avoiding the fight a real choice?

Lilinda has the ability to make people invisible for a short time(0though barely long enough for 1 person). I also have more in my bag of tricks which could make this all possible.

Getting in is one thing but i assume characters want to also make it OUT in one piece as well. We would be hold up inside an enemy keep with a substantial threat in addition to other hazards and enemies we know must also exist inside. If we were stealing something sure but we aren't and unless someone has a detailed plan this sounds like suicide to me. You need Innis' power to pull off what Merry is suggesting, i won't hold this option hostage if everyone agrees we must try to stealth this. I will begrudgingly do so to the best of my ability.

What happened to people's will to fight? Kirzon you, Lililinda and i breached the spire with our spell power alone. We can win this fight and the next.

What if we stealth through and have to rest at somepoint? This then doesn't become an option.

Edit: Sorry for all the lengthy posts i gave you my plan i'll shut up and let the rest of you decide on a course of action. Honesty just do whatever your character would do i'll do the same.

Right, if we're relying in part on Lili's Vanish, that lasts 5 rounds. So it's combat invisibility, not sneak past the bad guys invisibility. Still seems to me like we need to fight.

I am not against a big fight, I just wanted to ask a few questions before we attack headlong. If we can avoid this fight now, I think we would all prefer it in the end. IF we can get past these guys and hit the leader and stop the artifact/disease, then I doubt the cultists will be here later or we won't care. As far as Merelda is concerned as long as she can kill the enemy leader and stop the disease somehow (and earn her revenge she promised to her goddess), its a death worth earning later at the hands of a stupid angry ogre.

1. Are all the enemies just standing in the middle of the room around the goddess' statue? Or are they spread out? Are they mostly all humans? Any dwarves? Are they wandering or are they talking? Or just staring at the corridor we would be coming out of? Are we close enough to determine if the ogres are chained/charmed/illusions or are we too far away to tell or make spellcraft checks?

2. What kind of light sources are we talking here? Where are the lights located? It's a pretty big room and there are some large pillar-like columns that could create multiple overlapping shadows. Are there any obvious exits? Possible traps? Could traps explain that may explain why they are standing the back of the room to begin with?

3. Where is the statue exactly? Is it under the GM 'cover' on the map? If it is, then why can't we show that part yet and see where the enemies are specifically since it has already been described?

4. Can I quickly scout the room's edges invisibly? Look into all the nooks and crannies (covered parts) without leaving? Once I know more of the layout of the room, I may be able to make a distraction to lure the majority of the enemy away.

5. Could I send Cinder to check out the room since it has a really high ceiling and he has a decent stealth? Or would he be automatically noticed/crazy to try? Can anybody else fly? Kirzon, a small bat would not be suspected down here I think and could sneak past pretty much ignored I think. You would not have to be invisible for that I think.

6. Don't we have cloaks/disguises and such from previous cultists? Is it possible one or two of us can bluff or trick our way past? I don't know what all of you CAN do, but I'm suspecting its possible at least for Innis.

That's just off the top of my head at 1:43AM in the morning. Sorry guys for any miss-spellings. I'm tired.

Once I can get some basic replies to some of these questions from the GM, then I think I will either have a few more minor questions...or it will be very obvious we will need to go in and chop down some enemies.

Very well thought out Merry. Also it's safe to assume i can do whatever you need me to do.

GM could you give us some more information on the room the ladies were in it no need to be coy here :)

Amigail's a good little soldier girl. If Innis says to go in and hack 'til she can't hack no more, Ami will do it.

Her player, however, appreciates all the planning and counter-planning between Innis and Merry.

Once I can get some basic replies to some of these questions from the GM, then I think I will either have a few more minor questions...or it will be very obvious we will need to go in and chop down some enemies.

------

Since it is within my power to make EVERYONE invisible for an extended period of time. The question would be...

Should we conserve our fighting strength and directly seek out Azrenar?

---
Merry, Innis divines that we shouldn't expect traps in this room after the scythes

2. Most of the cultist thus far have been human i would assume torches in the pillars or something when it comes to light sources. Thus well lit, Azrenar i believe is human as well.

2. By the look of the map there are multiple rooms thus entrance/exits

3. The Statue i assume is at the far end of the room under GM cover there must be something also there that he wants to block.

I vote for sneaking our way to the boss

Merelda if it is ok with you and the GM can I distill most of this into an augury?

Since it is within my power to make EVERYONE invisible for an extended period of time. The question would be...

Should we conserve our fighting strength and directly seek out Azrenar?

Of course. I have no objection to that. That should simplify my whole series of questions.

Will answer all this tomorrow night.

1. Are all the enemies just standing in the middle of the room around the goddess' statue? Or are they spread out? Are they mostly all humans? Any dwarves? Are they wandering or are they talking? Or just staring at the corridor we would be coming out of? Are we close enough to determine if the ogres are chained/charmed/illusions or are we too far away to tell or make spellcraft checks?

The ogres are by the altar and the other cultists are to both sides of the entrance as if they are waiting for some unsuspecting person(s) to come in. The ogres are not close enough to determine if they are illusions. They do not appear to be chained and are standing upon the dais by the altar also looking towards the entrance. They are roughly 80 feet away from the entrance that the party would be entering from. I will allow you a spellcheck to determine if they might be charmed but it will be high DC

2. What kind of light sources are we talking here? Where are the lights located? It's a pretty big room and there are some large pillar-like columns that could create multiple overlapping shadows. Are there any obvious exits? Possible traps? Could traps explain that may explain why they are standing the back of the room to begin with?

The room is well lit. Torches held in sconces light this whole area leaving little shadows. Yes there are two passage ways on either side of the altar. Possible traps you will need to search for them. You do not know if there is a trap in front of the entrance but each group of cultists is to either side of the entrance doing their best to remain quiet and waiting.

3. Where is the statue exactly? Is it under the GM 'cover' on the map? If it is, then why can't we show that part yet and see where the enemies are specifically since it has already been described?

More of the map has been revealed. Please see map.

4. Can I quickly scout the room's edges invisibly? Look into all the nooks and crannies (covered parts) without leaving? Once I know more of the layout of the room, I may be able to make a distraction to lure the majority of the enemy away.
You can always try. How long does the invisibility last for, Innis?

5. Could I send Cinder to check out the room since it has a really high ceiling and he has a decent stealth? Or would he be automatically noticed/crazy to try? Can anybody else fly? Kirzon, a small bat would not be suspected down here I think and could sneak past pretty much ignored I think. You would not have to be invisible...
You can choose to send Cinder in that is always an option. Please note the hallway from the passage is only 6 ft high but 10 ft wide.

@Innis

Should we conserve our fighting strength and directly seek out Azrenar?

weal and woe

Innis divines should we expect traps in this room after the scythes
weal

OK, OK, OK. It seems the team wants to air on the side of caution and there is less-than-enthusaism for warrior-queen Innis except for Amigail, thank you pet ;)

I have decided it would be too much to ask of Innis to make everyone invisible. She's not one to play the all-in-card unless she is 100% sure she can win. That miracle has been denied.

But I can try to trick the enemy instead if you let me as a compromise it would require a lot less of my power and i would be comfortable with it.

Merelda i would need to borrow the Axe. I would use the holy symbol and Ferista's Face (Azrenar's sister) to try and grant us an audience and obviously a whole lot of bluffing.

@GM & Merry: Merelda has 5 minutes please scout the room for traps, if the trick fails we fight simple as that. Knowledge of the trap would help us set up.

Merelda if you approve please let me know or if you have a different plan please share it. the GM's time is taxed so the more detail on exactly what we are doing will only help.

That works for me Innis! Take the axe.

They are literally standing there waiting to pounce on us as soon as we enter, which is not what it sounded like before. Probably trapped right at the entrance too, like I suspected.

If I have time on the invisibility (Or if you can re-cast it on me) then I will try and sneak in and explore the rest of the room and try to provide a distraction as soon as it seems necessary. If Cinder is perched on me, he's invisible too. Right? Or would I have to keep him under my invisible cloak.

If I can find a quick hiding place, then I can pull my cloak around me and use its bonus to blend into a spot to wait if needed once the invisibility ends.

I can try a spellcraft check (with detect magic), to determine if the area has magical traps too or if the Ogre's are charmed.

This situation looks ripe for illusion magics and perfidy I think. Good idea Innis.

Heck, I still wish we could throw a single decent Fireball spell here...How much is a magical Necklace of Fireballs? ...1650 gps for the smallest. Hmmm...

If I have time on the invisibility (Or if you can re-cast it on me) then I will try and sneak in and explore the rest of the room and try to provide a distraction as soon as it seems necessary. If Cinder is perched on me, he's invisible too. Right? Or would I have to keep him under my invisible cloak.

Cinder is it's own entity (not an item) so you can't hide him with the invisibility cast on him it's not the Harry Potter Invisibility cloak lol. Though I do solemnly swear i am up to no good.

You should still have a few minutes left between the initial scout and reporting back. (with the invisibility and cloak Merry should be able to move fairly quickly without worry of being detected and should know to be quick about whatever she is doing.)

I was thinking on the 'Share Spells' ability of Familiars, but that pertains to my spells cast, not the spells of others. Oh well...nevermind.

Just wanna throw out there that Innis / i hate having to wear this form.

Do we need to reset the avatars on the map?

Ah good catch, sorry i was messing with things before.

...like maybe she's been charmed or something.

How do you know you haven't been @.@

Just checking in.

[dice=Bluff Check]1d20+1

Nailed it!! Derp!

Clearly you've spent too much time with Innis ;)

Can someone try and assist the current bluff.

It's either this works and we pass

or

1 last play then we fight

Hey group as we're waiting for the main game to progress. Wondering in a perfect world where all the character's survive and break the plague-curse on the city. What do you see your character doing in like a faux-epilogue. We got barest-snippets of Innis and Amigail's pact to rescue / avenge her father. Do we want to share / embellish? I like the characters and dynamics of the group feel it could be fun to know what your story after all this might be.

Merelda still has a murdering psychopath to track down, assuming he survived the plague and the zombies. Other than that...Merelda is game for anything that piques her interest. Naturally.