World's Most Interesting Confirmation (001) [PFS Standard 5-08] (Inactive)

Game Master Great Green God

"Talk to them? Are you serious, Airyn? Why didn't Janira talk to them? I'm not sure that's safe."

Tawner looks back and forth between the men, who are resolute in their decision.

"Fine. I'll get Lydia. Don't go too close to that ol' Gillman before we're ready."

"Janira could not find them, but it was also not her quest. It is ours," Sidi reminds Tawner.

The Bas'o moves to the water's edge and then strolls along to try to catch the gillman's attention by sight.

Lydia and Fomalhaut show up on their own, as it turns out, and Lydia's attention quickly turns to the diorama.

"Hey, look at this...!"

"Are we afraid of the gill-women?" Garrapata seems confused by what he should and should not be afraid of.

"He is right Tawner" Hallimir states in response to Sidi's comment.

"This is exactly why we were sent here....to find out what they're doing".

Hallimir waits patiently while Sidi approaches the meditating Gillman

Tawner knows they're right. He turns to El Garrapata.

"Not you, Garrapata. Just me." Tawner pats El Garrapata on both immense shoulders. He turns and watches as Sidi carefully and respectfully approaches the figure in the water.

When Lydia displays her amazement, Tawner wonders if there is something more to what she is seeing, "What is it?"

"A work of satire, perhaps?"

"Absalom: City where all may bring their wealth in worthless trinkets, and ancient history is clambered upon by ignorant toads!"

Tawner looks irritatingly at Fomalhaut. Then gently asks, "Lydia, what do you see?" .

While still looking at Fomalhaut, Tawner touches his lips with one finger and then dabs it a couple of times at Lydia indicating he is expecting her answer.

Lydia's expression turns to one of weariness before becoming a bit of a knowing sneer as she turns to look at Tawner.

"I see a man - one of many - who preaches respect for the dead, but funny thing; only when they're not around, it seems. It kind of makes your holy talk of love and respect ring hollow when you treat my friend that way. The dead are no worse than the living. In fact, in my experience, most of them are just a little bit better. They never form torch-wielding mobs, you ever notice that? You ever have to run from one of those? Remind me to tell you about it sometime. 'Half-fey,' indeed...."

As she pronounces the word 'indeed,' her mouth opens wide enough that Tawner gets a good view of her teeth. Some of them are awfully large....

"...!?"

Noting the party's torch's light, and Sidi standing on the ledge to his side, the strange aquatic man turns and rises to gaze upon the party. He is old and pale, the color of a fish's underbelly. His eyes are a fathomless violet. His clothing a simple loincloth covered over by an opalescent cloak made of interwoven discs, like fish scales. The outfit (such as it is) is accented with beads of which he wears aplenty around his neck, ankles and wrists.

He makes a sign with his webbed hands, and bows, but does not take his striking eyes off of the party.

"Hello, Gill-WOMAN! We come in PEACE!" Garrapata thunders at the gill-woman.

Airyn returns the gillman's bow and approaches to a respectful distance, "Greetings, stranger. May we join you?"

Sidi carefully climbs down the stone flow to rejoin his companions. With a bow, he addresses the gillman, "Greeting. Are you a gillman?"

Tawner cannot believe what he's seeing as Lydia chastises him.

"...night of day..." he whispers.

Sarenrae, give me strength!

He finds himself overwhelmed as the the Gillman acknowledges the group. Without realizing it, Tawner moves himself so that Garrapata is positioned between him and Lydia. The creature bows graciously, Airyn bows likewise, and Garrapata greats the man with his quintessential exuberance. But Tawner doesn't feel welcoming.

Sarenrae? In fact, Tawner doesn't feel anything at all.

Hallimir listens quietly to the exchange between Tawner and Lydia but is quite startled when Lydia bears her teeth.

Whoa....what is that about

With that Hallimir turns his attention to the others and waits for the Gillman's reply.

"The cheek! To come here and use your sexist racial slurs! I am Azlanti, are you low-humans?" The man sputters in accented Common.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

"Some among us, yes - but others, a bit more fortunate." Lydia smiles as she finally addresses the Gillmensch, careful to face him directly and articulate every word.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"Yes," Sidi answers the gillman.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Clearly still distracted by Lydia's fangs, Hallimir steps forward.

"I apologies for my companion's words, no disrespect was intended. We are travellers from the city of Absalom, we have journeyed here in search of knowledge...knowledge regarding your people and this place."

Hallimir bows his head and brings his hand to his chest, "We beg pardon for the intrusion, but it would honour us if you would allow us to stay and engage your council."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

It's hard for Tawner to tell what the Azlanti's violet eyes are looking at, but barely perceptible movement gives him the feeling that it is watching each party member as they form their words.

Tawner is familiar with the liturgical observances of the church and decides he should be showing as much respect as the others in his party. He bows with a practiced grace and lowers his eyes.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 15

"I'm EL GARRAPATA! I'm only LOW in my tolerance for INJUSTICE!" Garrapata adds, not taking any offense. Or notice.

The tall warrior defers to the others as they negotiate for knowledge, waiting by the shore and keeping his attention on the gillman's eyes.

Hallimir bows his head and brings his hand to his chest, "We beg pardon for the intrusion, but it would honour us if you would allow us to stay and engage your council."

That sounds like a Diplomacy check. ;)

diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

sorry, meant to put that in

As hallimir is speaking it is evident that he is unaware of the Gillman's hearing impedememt as he speaks whilst mid bow with his face pointing to the floor. sigh

The aquatic man's frown deepens.

"Hallimir," Sidi says slowly, keeping his face directed towards the gillman, "I believe the Azlanti is hard of hearing. He is reading our lips. Make sure you face him when you speak."

The Bas'o bows and then addresses the gillman again. "My name is Sidi? Would you share your name?". He gestures for Garrapata to come over. "Maybe this cloak will keep you warm while we talk?"

...since the group seems to be languishing here.

Garrapata makes an OOOOOO noise as Sidi's words ring true. "Hello GILLPERSON OF INDETERMINATE GENDER! I am EL GARRAPATA. It is NICE TO MEET YOU. Can you TELL US WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE?"

Garrapata speaks slowly and in exaggerated words, much like he does for everyone else.

Diplomacy!: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

"Hallimir," Sidi says slowly, keeping his face directed towards the gillman, "I believe the Azlanti is hard of hearing. He is reading our lips. Make sure you face him when you speak."

"HARD OF HEARING!" The man practically explodes. He stomps up out of the water revealing his damp, black stocking feet and shell-encrusted sandals "Why I'll have you know I was hearing things before you even had ears! You young races today! What with your air-only lungs! What do you know about hearing! Why I outta...." His monologue devolves into unintelligible muttering.

The Bas'o bows and then addresses the gillman again. "My name is Sidi? Would you share your name?". He gestures for Garrapata to come over. "Maybe this cloak will keep you warm while we talk?"

Garrapata makes an OOOOOO noise as Sidi's words ring true. "Hello GILLPERSON OF INDETERMINATE GENDER! I am EL GARRAPATA. It is NICE TO MEET YOU. Can you TELL US WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE?"

Garrapata speaks slowly and in exaggerated words, much like he does for everyone else.

He looks up from his muddled tirade. "Say! That's mighty nice material you got there. I am Uori. Nice to see manners didn't go out with the tide." He takes accepts the cloak. "Thanks. Why, you got some muscle on you lad. Remind me of me when I was your age. Why I could turn the mermaid's heads if I had fancy to do so...."

Later.

"'What am I doing here?' What does it look like I'm doing here? I'm meditating. This place is sacred to my people. Sure it's covered in all this surface graffiti," He gestures to the worn and faded images of Aroden. "But we overlook it for the chance to take a dip here. Besides, give it a century or so, and all that 'Eragon' crap will melt away--It's so derivitive. What's it to you?"

Airyn stares at the diorama in the center of the pool. He gestures toward it and asks, "Do you mind if I take a closer look? That city looks familiar."

With the gillman's approval, he moves into the water and examines the model city.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Note the pool reaches a depth of 15' in the areas around the diorama. To get close you will need to swim.

Map updated.

"We are explorers, mapping this cave system. My name is Tawner Kelenfold." Tawner bows again.

"As humans we are a curious lot, but most of us have good intentions." Tawner pauses and without looking at any party member in particular he adds, "The human part of us at least."

Before any in the party can react to Tawner's snide remark he changes the subject. "The moon is full, Uori. May I ask you what that means to you?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Knowledge(history, untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
wooden armor has no penalty to swim, taking 10

Airyn swims out to the diorama, "Friends, look! It is a model of Absalom. You can see the Starstone Cathedral."

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Garrapata glanced at the model, sees that it so and goes back to the interesting gill person of indeterminate gender.

"You're like ME, eh? GREAT GADZOOKS! ...Daddy?"

Lydia turns her attention back to the diorama.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"This is Absalom, alright; Starstone Cathedral and all."

Then, an odd idea strikes her, and she crouches over the water...

Survival to catch a fish: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Assuming she catches something with that, Lydia snakes a slender but powerful arm into the water, and pulls out a small, pale fish. She snaps its neck out of mercy, then gently lays it among the diorama's frogs.

"The Fisherman," She intones as if from some distant memory, "feeds Humanity with the bounty of the oceans."

"I see," Sidi acknowledges Airyn.

He watches Lydia perform her ritual. "Interesting."

Hearing Airyn and Lydia confirm the Starstone Cathedral he states to no one in particular, "Heh, maybe we can peek inside this one and live to tell the tale."

Realiseing his mistake Hallimir quickly stands up straight and nods a Sidi.

He then holds out his hand in greeting and , being sure to face the Azlanti, says "Forgive me for the misunderstanding, My name is Hallimir. As my companion said, we are explorers from Absalom mapping these caves. "

Glancing briefly at Lydia

what is she doing? he thinks to himself

"Lydia," Sidi raises his voice to reach the dhampir, "Try decorating a few of the buildings with the colored stones and braids."

Lydia considers the suggestion. "Looks like those decorations are already there - I'll do one better than that," She says as she reaches into her pack, and pulls out a vial of black ink and a quill, which she uses to scratch bizarre, otherworldly-seeming patterns onto the sides of some of the more boring-looking structures.

"The Artist paints the walls of the city, and therefore the hearts of its citizens, with beauty and inspiration."

"What? What are you doing?" Tawner calls from across the cavern. "Didn't Uori just call this place graffiti? You're not helping to change his mind by adding dead fish and scrawling ink!"

Gah! Why does she have to be so beautiful?

Tawner holds out his hands and looks to the others for consensus.

Airyn's eyes catch on the semi-precious stones inlaid upon the diorama. To steal is to praise, this god of humanity taught. Surely this wonder is so worthy. And we'll have something to show Janira.

Airyn runs his hand reverently over the structure, surreptitiously dislodging a stone and slipping it into his pouch.
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

"This appears to be an ancient shrine to Aroden," Sidi corrects Tawner with a small, understanding smile. "Lydia is performing aspects of the dead god."

Garrapata looks at Sidi as he catches part of their conversation. "Lydia is becoming a DEAD GOD?!? And this gillperson of indeterminate GENDER is my long-lost DADDY?!? WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THIS, MAN!"

To Sidi, "Oh. I don't know much about Aroden. Only Sarenrae."

He turns to Garrapata and says, "Um. Garrapata..." Then shrugs his shoulders with a small laugh and continues to watch his group.

Sidi stares at Garrapata, unblinking and at a complete loss for response or correction.

"...how has he survived to adulthood?"

So many hit points, Sidi... So many hit points.

Then, an odd idea strikes her, and she crouches over the water...

Lydia snakes a slender but powerful arm into the water, and pulls out a small, pale fish. She snaps its neck out of mercy, then gently lays it among the diorama's frogs.

"The Fisherman," She intones as if from some distant memory, "feeds Humanity with the bounty of the oceans."

Uori snorts. "You call that a catch? Were I this Autobahn, I would be laughing in my grave. One tiny minnow?" He snorts again. It is an unpleasantly viscous sound.

"What? What are you doing?" Tawner calls from across the cavern. "Didn't Uori just call this place graffiti? You're not helping to change his mind by adding dead fish and scrawling ink!"

"Ah let her paint. It's no moisture from my back. Autobot is your god not mine.

Then, an odd idea strikes her, and she crouches over the water...

By the way, unless you are the size lf a cloud giant there's no 'crouching'. The diorama is out in the middle of a 15' deep pool so you are going to have to strip down to your bloomers and swim.

By the way, unless you are the size lf a cloud giant there's no 'crouching'. The diorama is out in the middle of a 15' deep pool so you are going to have to strip down to your bloomers and swim.

I mean I crouch down to the level of the water to catch a fish, the assumption being I was already at the diorama. So fine, I swim out first, taking 10 for '13.' Luckily, my armor is of the wooden variety.