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Slowed down by the lizards, he shudders. He focuses on Inspiring Courage within his allies, because he can't do much.
Can he make a Lingering Composition?
Nnnnnope.
"I'm gonna look away now."
Irves, however, gets the full brunt of one of the lizard's foul gaze, and it feels its muscles start to stiffen.
It gives up any attempt to find a better position, and with whatever mobility it can get, it rips into the same creature as its bear-master is tearing into.
[ooc]vs green:
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Sir Reinhart withstands the stony gaze of the strange eight-legged lizard, staring back until the creature is frightened. The warpriest then stabs the red lizard with his sword for the glory of Iomedae. The lizard bellows in pain but is still alive.
Hidden Raznik fires two arrows at the black lizard Hitting with the second one only. The goblin scuttles up behind Manny.
Emmanuel feels his body stiffen from the stony gaze of the strange lizards. Slowed he still manages to inspire courage within his allies.
Chulyin cast a fireball safely from a distance encompassing the four lizards and the new statue of Kesstraka the diplomat! The red, black, and blue avoid some of the damage from the blast. The Green takes the full force of the blast as does the statue which is left blackened.
Chulyin’s jaguar moves to harry the strange lizards.
Roumatha is at a loss as to what these creatures are as he draws his sword and moves into the fray.
Khunbish resists the stony glare of the creatures as he bites deeply into the green lizard but misses with his claw.
Irves suffers from the stony glare of the lizard, but at Khunbish’s command, he bits at the lizard but fails to penetrate the thick hide.
The red lizard bites three times at Sir Reinhart but misses each time.
The black lizard stares at Emmanuel with its petrifying gaze. Then bites and misses at Sir Reinhart.
The blue lizard stares at Irves with its petrifying gaze then bites Khunbish drawing blood.
The green lizard bites repeatedly at Khunbish, but misses with all its attacks.
Red vs Sir Reinhart
2nd
3rd
Black vs Sir Reinhart
Blue vs Khunbish
Green vs Khunbish
2nd
3rd
Status (hero Points): Combat Mode
Chulyin: (1) -
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (1) - (Slowed 1; Avert Gaze)
Romatha: (2) -
Raznik: (2) -
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - +10 dam
__Couger Irves: (Slowed 1)
Sir Reinhart: (2) - (Avet Gaze)
Red funny lizard: 18+16+9 = 43 dam (frightened 1)
Green funny lizard: +18+29 = 47 dam
Black funny lizard: +15+9 = 24 dam
Blue funny lizard: +9 dam
The owl swoops down and tries to take a chunk out of the green lizard with its sharp beak.
This time, Irves manages to resist the next gaze attack, but its muscles slowed by the first, it finds itself clumsy and fails to lands its bite once again.
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Chulyin speaks magic words and makes an eldritch sign to summon lightning from the sky striking the blue and green lizard. Both lizards take the full jolt of power but are still kicking.
Resisting the stony glance, the Jaguar pounces on the green lizard sinking his teeth into it with a killing blow.
Sir Reinhart avoids the stony glance of his lizard as he slashes with his sword twice hitting the red lizard leaving deep cuts, but not enough to kill it. The war priest raises his shield.
Roumatha feels his body begin to grow heavy and stiff, still, he grits his teeth and swings heroically with his sword cutting deeply into the red lizard with a killing blow!
Raznik fires his arrows at the blue lizard critically hitting with the first one. It sinks deep in the flesh but not enough to end it. Bitey swoops in and pecks at the blue lizard wounding more as this hisses in pain.
Emmanuel looks deeply into the eyes of the strange lizard and feels himself being drawn to the cold stone stare, he tries with all his heroic will to turn away from the eyes. His body turns gray as he body changes to stone!
Irves ignores the lizards’ glance then tries to bite a lizard but fails to hit.
Khunbish stares too long into the lizards’ eyes and feels his body begin to slow and stiffen. As a bear, he bites critically wounding the blue lizard. The lizard thrashes in the bear’s jaws for a moment before growing still as it dies.
Only the ink-black lizard is left it stairs at Romatha with its stone-cold eyes for the longest time then lashes at Sir Reinhart with its bite connecting with his flesh, his shield saves him from taking a critical.
Black vs Sir Reinhart
Status (hero Points): Combat Mode
Chulyin: (1) -
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (1-1=0) - (* petrified *)
Romatha: (2-1=1) - (Slowed 1)
Raznik: (2) -
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - +10 dam (Slowed 1)
__Couger Irves: (Slowed 1)
Sir Reinhart: (2) - +19 dam
Red funny lizard: 43+13+14+17 = 87 dam (* dead *)
Green funny lizard: 47+13+17 = 77 dam (* dead *)
Black funny lizard: 24 dam
Blue funny lizard: 9+13+31+5+36 = 93 dam (* dead *)
The owl wings over and tries to bite at the last overgrown lizard. It decides that the tiny ones taste better.
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Chulyin trusts Reinhart can withstand as he steps forward and blasts the black lizard. It dodges part of the damage as it hisses in pain.
Chulyin’s jaguar stops playing with the dead lizard and attacks the black one taking a bite out of it.
Reinhart feels his body and muscles start to seize up as he moves slower, but still fast enough to move and strike a serious blow to the black lizard, but not enough to end it yet.
Roumatha stares into the eyes of the strange lizard and with an act of will, he resists the cold stone feeling trying to overtake him. Gathering his strength hit strikes twice, unfortunately missing both times.
The Bear Khunbish moves slowly forward and critically bites the black lizard picking it up and shaking the light out of it! Then spitting out the dead lizard letting it collapse to the floor
Raznik cheers as the lizards drop and notices the new stone statue of Emmanuel.
With a clicking call, the owl Bitey wings over and settles on Emmanuel’s outstretched stone hand.
Emmanuel makes a very handsome statue that could easily be a focal point of the garden.
After a minute any slowed effects wear off
Status (hero Points): Exploration Mode
Chulyin: (1) -
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (0) - (* petrified *)
Romatha: (1) -
Raznik: (2) -
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - 10 dam
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (2) - 19 dam
Red funny lizard: 87 dam (* dead *)
Green funny lizard: 77 dam (* dead *)
Blue funny lizard: 93 dam (* dead *)
Black funny lizard: 24+5+8+18+26 = 81 dam (*dead*)
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Chulyin moves over to the petrified bard and furrows his brow. "I know there is a way to reverse this, but it escapes me," he says. "In the meantime, while I wait for my heart to stop beating so hard, let me deal with what I do understand."
He waves his snake headed staff in the air and makes a sign with his other hand.
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Raznik cheers when the last lizard dies. Then he calmly walks up to one of the lizards and pulls out a dagger to cut its throat. Before anyone can say anything, the goblin splashes his hands into the spilled blood and then runs over and begins finger painting on the stone form of Emmanuel with enthusiasm. "Raznik color on Manny!"
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Chulyin frowns over the petrified bard thinking he should recall something, but it eludes him. Moving on he waves his snake haded staff in the air and heals wounds on both Khunbish and Reinhart.
Khunbish is fully healed, but Reinhart still has a light wound.
Raznik calmly cuts the throat of a dead lizard causing the blood to spill out. Covering his hands in lizard blood he begins to finger paint the stone form of Emmanuel.
The bird and owl watch the goblin paint handprints all over the statue.
Roumatha follows the Razniks lead and starts slathering the statue form of Kesstraka in basilisk blood.
Chulyin suddenly realizes what The goblin and Ranger are doing.
Raznik continues to add decorations to Manny’s statue.
When fully coated in Basilisk blood the Petrified Kesstraka and Emmanuel revert from stone back to flesh.
Both Kesstraka and Emmanuel are dripping with blood, just as a half dozen Iruxi wearing gleaming brass breastplates over dark blue robes arrive, having heard a disturbance and came as quickly as they could. The Captain of the guard stops as he takes the scene in, ” What the … “ Spotting the dead basilisk he shakes his head ” You must be the Pathfinder diplomats. I’ve been warned to expect the unexpected.” he surmises ” Right I’m going to need to take statements, but don’t worry it’s obviously you were just defending yourselves and Kesstraka. We will take over here and start an investigation.”
After the initial shock of waking up covered in blood, Kesstraka shows her natural skill diplomacy by conversing with the Pathfinder heroes as the guards take statements and start dragging the lizards away.
The interior of the embassy is home to a sprawling and luxurious courtyard and garden, including several chairs and tables on a terrace overlooking a stream. It is calm and tranquil if you overlook the bloodstains and signs of battle damage. Normally no one about at this time of day, and only the sounds are of birdsong and the flowing of the stream. Kesstraka, a matronly-looking Iruxi with faded green scales but sharp, piercing yellow eyes, sits at one of the fireball scorched tables that had been laid out with tea and snacks, and motions your group to join her.
She asks of the group ” You have come a long way to negotiate a trade agreement--and from what I am told, you do not belong to this Vidrian you represent. Why come all this way to speak for another?”
Whenever business talks or attempts to influence her begins to arise she deftly nudges the conversation towards a seemingly frivolous topic.
Addressing Chulyin, Raznik, Khunbish Kesstraka ask about your familiar or animal companion, ” How did you come across such a creature? I’m sure there is a tale to be told there.”
Another general question she asks is ” What is it that you do when you are not working for this society of Pathfinders I am told you represent? What do you do when your time belongs to you and you alone, I wonder?”
Status (hero Points): Exploration Mode
Chulyin: (1) -
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (0) -
Romatha: (1) -
Raznik: (2+1 = 3) -
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - 10-14heal = 0 dam
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (2) - 19 - 15heal = 4 dam
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Alright, Manny. I helped you out. Don't screw up again. The bird tweets and flies away just as Manny finally feels himself moving again.
"This hat is... not my style." He politely removes the reptile cap from his head. "I'm gonna need a bath, too. But I'm glad I'm free again. Thanks, everyone!" He laughs.
"Ya'll need some healing?"
"That should do." He gives a thumbs up. "Now let's give some statements to these fine guards and take a seat. My legs are killing me."
Manny's glad to sit down. "Alright, now that the preparty is over, we can introduce ourselves properly! 'Sup Kesstraka. I'm Emmanuel Holysmith. Normally I'd ask for a handshake but we're both pretty dirty right now." He laughs and makes a joke to break the mood.
"My family comes from a line of vampire hunters. So when I'm not entertaining or playing music, I'm chasing rumors, following stories, and uh... night hunts." He shrugs.
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"The jaguar? I met him when I was younger, a student at the Magaambya," Chulyin answers the iruxi abassador. "My teacher and I were traveling far east of Nantambu, east of Lake Ocata, nearer to Katapesh than Kibwe. Our class was studying the ecology of that area, and I developed a fondness for the rarer felines. One day, he and I came to an understanding and agreed to travel together."
Later on he answers Kestraka's inquiry about his free time. "Honestly, I consider myself more an exchange student or ambassador for the Magaambya to the Pathfinder Society. I still belong to the Magaambya, and so my free time belongs to those in need of help. But I gather you are more interested in my personal interests. As a descendent of the Sarkorian diaspora, I have been studying the Abyss and the Worldwound. My family and later I spend a great amount of time trying to find a way to make Sarkoris safe for our people's return. So many days spent studying the similarities between the King of Biting Ants, Izyagna, and the like to find a weakness in Deskari. I am happy to say that others beat me to that goal, but I still worry and try to hone my skills against other demonic encroachments."
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Raznik is a bit startled by the question, though you're not sure if it's the topic or simply being addressed directly by the formal Kestraka. He points to the small screech owl. "Uh, this Bitey. He bites. And he flies." The goblin thinks hard about how they met. "Bitey find me when I hunting in forest for food. First time, I have rat and he bite me and take it. I get mad and try to bite him back. Then he kill squirrel and bring to me. I not bite him then. He follow me to get more rats and bugs and squirrels. Then he help kill stupid kobolds. I like him." The goblin states that very simply. He grins at Kestraka and holds his hand out towards Bitey. The owl prompt bites the goblin's finger. Raznik screams and yells at the owl, who flies up to a tree branch.
"Stupid bird...what next question? Oh. What Raznik do when not Pathfinder-ing? Raznik like hunting. Bring back rats and squirrels for people. Sometimes even find bunnies. Sometimes Raznik help with finding healing herbs too. You ever hear of gobbo spit? It help healing. Mix it with spongy moss and stinky fruit. Gobbo spit do lots of things! Good for healing, making things slippery, sometimes use in hair, making people cry, mix with silly elven wine for taste better, sometimes use in soup, help find poison, and make floors sticky!" He seems very proud of himself and even offers some spit to Kestraka.
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Roumatha shrugs.
"Not all of us strive to become gods. Me, I'm a simple man, whose life was greatly affected by war, between different human nations, different species, and now even ancient immortal evils. I believe in alliance of common folk who can put their differences aside when basic values like peace and freedom are at stake. I work with Pathfinders because I see that they care about each other. And I think the same mutual aid principle can apply to the whole nations. It is probably much more complicated than that but that's what the diplomats are for, right? I'm just here to help when the goals of the task align with my values.
He ponders the question about the free time.
"I used to like being in solitude among the nature above all else. I still like it but ever since I joined Pathfinders I started valuing all the different kinds of people I meet a lot more. I used to lay traps for hobgoblins and teach others to avoid kobold traps. Now I am learning the effects of the gobbo spit. So I've become a bit of a dabbler, trying myself at all the new things I see others doing."
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Khunbish sheds his bear-form, the furs and muscles gradually dissipating as he reverts to his tall, elven form. His first immediate task is to lean over and check over Irves, satisfying himself that there was no lasting damage from the basilisk's attack. Only then does he rather curtly nod his thanks to Chulyin.
He frowns at the diplomat's question, not comfortable or not used to sharing himself. When everyone else has shared everyone, and it got somewhat awkward that he has not, he speaks up in his low soft voice, in starts and stops.
"Irves' family has been with me for a few generations now. Found a cub, her eyes still unopened, mewing away beside the body of a dead cougar, and her 2 siblings... The desert life is harsh... It refused to return to the desert after that. When she eventually had her own cubs, one stayed on... And so on... Irves is her great grandson... I imagine one day he, too, will pass." He speaks with nary an emotion in his voice, yet you can't dispel the sight of the care he shown the cat earlier. Through this, Irves lounges by his side, calmly cleaning itself.
"I find city life ... confusing. The Society is fascinating, but their lodges are ... overwhelming. The cat and I take to wandering from time to time, to the next lodge... The world is large."
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Manny introduces himself to Kesstraka as he takes a seat telling her about entertaining others when he’s not working to the pathfinders or hunting vampires with his kin.
Chulyin tells Kestraka about his time as a student at Magaambya when he met his jaguar companion. His free time is spent helping others as an ambassador for Magaambya.
Kesstraka deftly deflects your attempt to influence her at this time. ” I believe deals, even those made between nations or large organizations, are ultimately still agreements between people, and when brokering such agreements, I prefer to understand those I will be dealing with. ”
Sir Reinhart tells of how his father unsuccessfully attempted the Starstone test, and that he intends to follow his father in not only taking the test but succeed someday.
Raznik tells how he and Bitey bonded over dead squirrels, rats, and bugs. His spare time is spent hunting food and herbs for his people.
Roumatha tells of his more humble life being affected by wars between nations or races that he believes in alliances, freedom, and the common good. In his free time, he likes to try new things.
Khunbish reverting back to his elf form, he awkwardly tells of how he found the first of Irves line as a cub beside the dead body of its mother, It stayed on as did a cub from each generation. Irves is the great-grandson of the first one. He likes to wander the world when not pathfinding.
Kesstraka is a great listener and continues to ask one of the following questions of each of you:
” Explorers and adventurers like to talk about their great achievements, I find. But not so often do they tell tales of their mistakes. Will you share with me a time you failed?”
“We have those here who range and explore in the wilds and go on grand adventures. I am told it is a business that keeps your mind on the present. But what about your future? Do you ever think about your plans five years from now? Ten?”
Once Kesstraka questions or answered she is ready to get down to business, ” Why should I support Vidrian’s trade agreement?”
Status (hero Points): Exploration Mode
Chulyin: (1) -
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (0) -
Romatha: (1) -
Raznik: (3) -
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) -
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (2) -
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"My failures..." Manny thinks for a bit. "Korin Holysmith. He wasn't my brother, but he was one of my many mentors." Manny looks off to the side. "He introduced me to one lady. She was sweet, gave us gifts, and I learned a lot of music from her. But something felt empty about her. Korin told me to trust her. She stayed within her halls during the day. No windows. She lacked creativity, couldn't make new compositions."
"Definitely a vampire. I saw Korin losing his will. I wanted to trust him. I wanted to like her. Maybe she was trying to reform. But the hunger always prevails." Manny pauses for a bit. "My sister brought back his ring after she slew them both for me. I couldn't face 'em." He rubs his neck subconsciously.
"Uh... I guess what I'm saying is, cooperation is important. The Pathfinder Society is all about that. And Exploration, and Reporting, blah blah blah. But we could use your help, a lot. In one day we secured your ancestral observatory. Imagine what we could do in a year."
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Sir Reinhart answers "I have a log way to go before I put myself to the test. I suspect I will need to push different talents in different ways and do not expect to be with the Pathfinder Society for more than a few years. It is immensely clear to me that the breadth of skills needed for my path are massive, I'm sure there are things I could learn from a place like this, and that sort of learning is good for everybody, which is why you should support the trade agreement."
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A faint smile creeps onto Khunbish's face, and you realised that this is the first time you've seen him smile.
"What is five or ten years to one of a race who counts their lives by centuries?" He pauses here, as he seriously considers a question which he had not given much thought of before. He takes a quick glance at Irves. "I imagine I would be rearing one of its cub. It is the first male one that has been following me, and males do not involve themselves in parenting. Might have to take it from its mate," he shares rather matter of factly. If Kesstraka was expecting something more deep or life-changing, she might be disappointed.
At this time, a young human lad who seems to be some kind of page steps forward, somewhat embarrassed. "Um, yes, as for the trade agreement. Vidrian is still a fledgling nation, but one of great potential both in terms of resources and location. A favour extended in its early years is a seed cultivated for many years to come!"
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"I believe one of my endeavors with the highest stakes was my trip to Arcadia, but that was a success. Earlier in my time with the Pathfinders, I was sent with a group of others to compete in a race across the wilderness. You might expect that this would be a success story, but I failed to lead my teammates well. The cross-purposes and divisions broke apart our team at least as much as the sabotage. When we were attacked by the ancient bear, it was only through desperation and luck that we survived and managed to rescue the other team that had been attacked earlier. We walked across the finish line in the last place."
The expression on his face as he shakes his head conveys his bafflement and disappointment.
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Raznik suddenly become very anxious and quiet. He looks around carefully before speaking to Kesstraka. "You no tell them where I am, right? Bitey and me still hiding from one eyed skeletons. They find me and they squish Raznik again!" He starts to tremble in fear. After a moment he takes a deep breath. "Raznik and Pathfinders go to site to look at ruins. Stupid ruins of one-eyed monsters. Look at lots of weird lines and drawings. Booooring. But then we find way inside. Find some stuff. Ready to leave. Then one of us see secret door. Stupid human decide to open it. Inside undead one-eyed monster with huuuuge axe. It come out and hurt us. Raznik no remember more until bring him back. Bitey not like that thing." The goblins wipes away tears. "Don't tell it we is here!"
After he's calmed back down, Raznik listens to the others. Then he pipes up very simply. "Trade make friends. Iruxi some bestest people. They make good buildings and even can tell you where stars are. We like them!" The goblin clearly had no idea about formal diplomacy, but he is very confident.
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"There is so much to learn in all the planes, and, unfortunately, there will always be threats." Chulyin pauses a moment and chuckles briefly. "Assuming that I have not fallen to one of the many dangers that an adventurer encounters before then, I expect that I will still be working to expand my knowledge and seal away or destroy supernatural threats."
He waits again for the conversation to change. Once it moves on to business, he suggests, "While Ekkeshikaar is certainly self-sufficient and has been for a very long time, there are certainly things on the mainland that are simply not available on the island--both material resources and goods and paths of learning. What is more, your engagement in trade will lead to influence on government and politics. To be engaged in the world is to protect yourself by helping to drive the direction of thought and opinion, especially when it comes to iruxi here and abroad and islanders in general."