Here's the table 1 for Wings of Liberty campaign.
Dippity Doppity dot
Boop
Dot!
Several selected individuals have been summoned in Almas to meet Codwin I of Augustana, the Supreme Elect of Andoran. It seems that these individuals have been personally contacted by the Supreme Elect himself to carry out some sort of missions, and they will be briefed by the Supreme Elect himself on what they are about to do.
For the time being, Codwin I hasn't arrived yet, and while these chosen individuals had been informed that they are to form a specialized team under direct supervision of Codwin I, they aren't told of what they are about to do as a team yet. For now, these individuals are free to interact among themselves before the Supreme Elect arrives.
A fairly attractive Redhead wearing a black armor, apparently made partly of unusually processed leaves paces up and down in the meeting room. She is of average height, rather slim and
has a rapier and a buckler attached to her belt.
Nocticulas t&%*, I will meet le President! Some people have told me to never meet your heroes, but I am certain le President will be different! OK, Focus! Her thoughts race.
Bonjour Ladies and Gentlemen, have you been summoned as well? Je Suis Aurelie de Simone-Simmons, you can call me Auri if that is quicker in combat.
She speaks in a Soprano voice that clearly has seen a fair bit of vocal training.
A fairly good looking man in worn but high quality and well maintained armor bows slightly to the pretty young lady. "Well met Auri. I am Julian Vorast, Divine Paragon of Torag. I ask that my friends call me Julian, but to such a lovely lady I will likely answer to anything you choose." His friendly smile tells you his words are harmless flirting. As he straightens you notice that his left hand has a large mark on it in the shape of a warhammer. Possibly a tattoo, but it appears more like a birthmark.
"You are here to meet with the Supreme Elect? I was summoned as well. I had expected a simple briefing by an officer of the army. This must be something important."
The Forgefather? The Redhead asks
I can certainly appreciate the lasting beauty of his creations, my songs are rather epheremal in contrast. She pauses
It must indeed be unusual... Let us think though. What can we currenty infer? A Bard and a Cleric? As such a task for which a fair bit of lore, and not just brawn is required?
I doubt we are all who have been summoned, let us see who, or perhaps what, else walks on?
On the subjects of artistry though
She walks over to a a bottle and
magically upgrades the quality of the wine from good to quite excellent, before pouring several glassess and offering one to Julian.
Some wine perhaps Sir?
"I aven't missed the party 'av I?"
In saunters a rather plain faced man of middle age. His clothes are well fitting, clearly new, and appear to be tailor made for this sort of occasion. The latest cut and colour in high circles. He carries a walking cane he clearly doesn't need but is otherwise unencumbered.
"Evenin' friends, I'm Elias. I guess you're here 'cos Codwin asked you too? With the good wine as well? Must be serious."
He takes the offered glass and takes a long sip.
"So, can ya use that pig sticker or is it part of your act?"
Elias' wink and friendly smile shows his jest as he taps the sheathed weapon at Auri's hip with his cane.
Auri, immidiatly reacts, dropping her wine ecanter, which she was holding in her right hand, before catching it in her left hand while simultaenously moving her right hand to the hilt of her rapier.
Please Sir, do not startle me. I do not believe that we have been acquainted?
You do recognice her, Auri is a Galtean refugee, who has since then entered a quite promising operatic career, blowing through mostly Chelish notions of Opera, and instead developing an operatic style notable for its lack of "regularities" and for its direct appeal to emotion, passion an beauty that would transcend class divides!
Oh, you remember she is an Orphan, and grew up in part in a camp for "children of enemies of the people", before being rescued from this place by Andoran forces!
Elias are dealing with a semi professional paranoid, who was about half a second away from stabbing you with an enchanted rapier in your private parts!
Aurelie quicky mage hands another glass, pours her wine into it and offers it to Elias with a most friendly smile.
By your movement patterns Sir Elias, you are a bit of a fencer yourself, perhaps you wish to sparr? I believe I have seen some practice rapiers in our immidiate vicinity?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Julian smiles and accepts the wine. He smiles after taking a sip. "Very good, Thank you!." He considers her comment about the task. "Yes, Forge Father, or Father of Creation. Dwarves of course consider him the Father of Dwarvenkind. But I accept that He created a lot more than one people."
"As to our tasking.... I think we'll need to see the remainder of our team. If they need any truly great brawn I hope another is selected for that. I can hold my own in a battle but I certainly wouldn't want to try and match a regular warrior in melee." Thinking about the spell and the mention of ephemeral song and lore he nods. "Songs, lore and you enhanced the wine with magic? You're a bard, and Je Suis Aurelie de Simone-Simmons? While the name is a mouthful I believe I might have heard it before. Have you published any of your music here?"
Hearing the new man join them he offers a hand, "Elias? The good wine is from Auri, but we don't know the particulars of what we were invited here for. We believe it must be serious though if the Supreme Elect will be here himself to explain details."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Elias grasps Julian's hand with a firm and reassuring grip, his hands are rough and don't quite match the outfit somehow.
"Pleased t' meet you Julian, pleased t' meet you both. You're on Auri, lets see if I can remember which end of a blade t' hold."
Elias unceremoniously clears a space, rolling a fine rug to one side with a boot and moving some chairs to reveal the bare floorboards beneath. He retrieves a pair of blunted rapiers from a crossed display above the hearth and tosses one to Auri.
"Julian, care to count tally?"
Vou know what is more attractive then myself? Aurelie flashes Elias a white and somewhat predatory smile as he retrieves the rapiers.
3 More of le moi! As she casts mirror image while catching the blunted rapier and drawing her buckler.
Yes Misseu, I cheat, all the time, and typically get away with it too.
Current AC is 22
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"A shame that duplication ruins beauty"
Auri is fast, faster than Elias is expecting, but this is not his first dance. The unbalanced blade in his hand catches her thrust and knocks it to one side almost before Elias sees the attack. Well practiced muscles turn the energy, see the window and reply.
But his instincts are not used to this weapon and the tip slips wide. Redressing he takes second to assess, then launches an attack of his own.
The strike is true, in line for centre torso, but that Auri melts like morning mist at the blades touch.
Lets see how long you can keep this up Mon Ami, le opportune parry une ripose? Are you trying to entice me into grappling vou? To the great dismay of many, such agile maneuvers are not yet part of moix repoirtoire!
She gives a quite innocent looking smile, clearly enjoying this.
AC + shield for Auri would be 10+5+3=18.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Elias' earlier lunge to nothing snatched his balance and left him over extended, Auri's reply caught him hard in the shoulder and he couldn't land anything in response.
Encouraged by her hit, Auri almost dances, weaving intricate, almost enticing and inviting, patterns with her blade before striking again at an unexpected angle, feinting at his sword hand before diverting to his leading knee.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
A few seconds of furious back and forth, snicker snacker, and the two combatants break briefly. Auri stands, untouched but alone. Elias has taken a touch to the shoulder.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hendrina enters to find the room already occupied by a couple of twits who are dueling INDOORS(!), plus some other person. She slips past the maroons by keeping close to the wall and finds herself a chair well away from them.
She settles in, ignoring the refreshments, and takes out a small journal to check her appointments for the day again. She is in the right place and there at the right time, which makes her wonder why nobody as yet shown up to break up the scuffle and toss the bounders out into the street with a warning to take their antics to the nearest cheap drinking establishment instead.
After her appointments, Hendrina moves on to reviewing some recent notes she has taken in preparation for the lecture she will be giving tomorrow, trying to ignore the clatter.
After a few more moments, Hendrina decides she can probably cut down the idiot noise, at least a little. She glances up momentarily at the man, then the woman. With each glance she envisions Misfortune befalling the object of her gaze equal in measure to her irritation, which is considerable.
Hendrina goes back to reading her journal, occasionally giggling as if she is reading a comedy.
Hmm, what is so funny Madmoiselle!Auri speaks at the newcomer as she is struck with some semi bardic inspiration.
She keeps probing his defenses as she spins a tale
On the subject of grappling as une countre to opportune attacque une riposte, there was une vile Antipaladin of Deskari named Staunton Vhane, who has been led to believe that one of his captains wished to betray him! Incensed, he tried to murder her, but failed to find any purchase due to her parrying, this was when he had the excellent idea to Grapple her!
But, you see, she was une Succubus.
5 foot step away from Elias
Casting hideous laughter. DC14 or fall prone.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Julian watches the 'battle', initially alarmed but then realizes that the weapons are blunt and almost harmless. At worst they should be bruised a little, unless they accidentally break a weapon and continue fighting with the sharp broken pieces.
When a new woman walks in and gives a disapproving look at the pair sparring Julian just shrugs. Formal introductions can wait and she doesn't seem interested anyway. Julian continues enjoying the great wine while watching the melee.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It all happens so fast. Some snooty someone strolls in without a word to anyone then starts chuckling to herself in the corner. Then Auri tells what could conceivably be considered a joke in some circles and suddenly he's rolling on the floor with laughter and he just cant stop.
Auri very gently boinks him on the head.
I told you Misseu, I cheat, all the time!
Julian sets his glass on the table and grins, "Mon Ami! Clearly you have the win. Perhaps we can enjoy a a bit more of your excellent wine and meet with the latest arrival? I'm a bit suspicious of her giggles. They're.... too regular in their timing."
He turns to the new lady with her reading and giggling. "My lady? Am I in error? Are you also here to meet with the Supreme Elect? About a mission?"
Elias gets to his feet as soon as he can control his laughter.
"Yeah, well, I don't think you'll find it so funny when the real blood starts flowing. I need the privy."
Elias leaves the way he came in, if anyone is watching as he leaves they might spot a hip flask slipped from an inside pocket.
Oh, dont sulk to much Misseu Elias, in the future, my constant cheating will effect your enemies! Auri states,
To be frank, laughter is a better remedy for panic then valor, humor is more common the bravery after all. Know, how to make up for this? I will just apply my magical abilities in his favor in our first actual combat, that typically gets people around. She thinks.
Hendrina looks up from her book to Julian when he speaks to her. She then tucks the book away and stands, walking over to him.
Hendrina is as tall as a typical man but thin and a bit gangly, as if she hasn't really grown into her height yet. The ears visible through her hair, her delicate features, and her long, graceful neck make it clear she is half-elven.
While not unattractive, Hendrina is not conventionally beautiful. Her self-presentation doesn't help with this. Her clothing is expensive, but isn't in line with current fashion. The dress is drab, dark blue and brown. Hendrina's hair is kept in a single, long braid, and she wears only a cursory amount of cosmetics, some eyeliner and a bit of rouge for her lips.
Hendrina stops in front of Julian and says "Hendrina Verkirk" with a slight nod of her head in greeting, in a way that implies she believes he should know exactly who she is. She keeps her hands lowered and folded together.
"I am here for a conference, yes. Are you as well, and at this time?"
Julian can see Hendrina's light blue eyes, which are prominent, shift slightly sideways toward the two duelists for a second, as if she fears they might have some legitimate business there as well.
Julian nods with a pleasant smile. "Julian Vorast, and yes I am, as are Elias and Auri. They were just sparring to pass the time while waiting. I don't think either got more than a slight bruise. We wouldn't want any actual wounds before accepting a mission." He glances to the now ended 'battle' and notices Elias's departure. "Auri, Come and meet Hendrina Verkirk. She is also here for the meeting with Supreme Elect. While I could be wrong, I don't think that she'll want to cross blades with you any more than I do."
Julian holds up his left hand showing a mark, possibly a tattoo or birthmark, very clearly a hammer. "Before we start whatever this will be I usually like to get to know a little about my companions. I am a Cleric of Torag. My fighting skills don't include the flourish of these two, but I can hold the line pretty well."
Hendrina's brow furrows with concern.
"Do you know something about the reason for this conference? I don't cross blades with anyone, or even have a blade. I've been called on occasionally to consult on questions related to arcane subjects, but that is all."
Julian sits to relax a bit with the last sip of wine in his cup. "Arcane consultant? Interesting. Well, I'm not sure of the details, but Codwin sometimes hires adventurer teams for tasks not suited to military forces. That's why i came back home. My life as an adventurer.... Well, it wasn't what I wanted for my life. I wanted to do more. So I came home."
"So.... Well so far we've got a couple of impressive fencers, one with a bit of magic and a desire for a bit of magic enhanced fun. Add an arcane consultant, no blade at all? And a human worshiper of the Father of all Dwarves? It's gotta be interesting, at the least!"
"...no blade at all?"
Hendrina fishes around in the bag hanging by a strap from her should. She eventually locates and pulls out a small dagger of the stiletto style. She holds it up from the end, much like one would hold up a dead rat by the tail.
"Well, I have this."
"That looks like a fine blade"
Elias strolls back in, composure restored
"be'er than this fire poker anyways"
He returns his blade to its rightful place and moves about the room putting it back as it was, carpet unrolled, chairs placed just so. Then pours himself more wine and, taking the bottle with him, moves to sit with the others.
"Refill anyone? I've done jobs for the council before, it'll be a time 'til we see vitals this good again I reckon."
Aurelie de Simone-Simmons, Soprano and Fencer. She introduces herself.
Auri in a combat situation, long names get people killed or wounded. She adds.
I would assume, that you are a practicioner of the arcane? May I enquire from which specific tradition? She asks Henrietta as she eyes her inquisitively, her breating already steady.
As you are likely aware, most of a bard magics would be supportive, with some sound based disabling abilities thrown in the mix.
Based on the standards of all purposes teams, I would half expected a ranged combatant who is skilled at perception, stealth and finding traps to walk in any moment.
"Hendrina Verkirk. Pleased to meet you Miss Aurelie de Simone-Simmons. I am mostly self-taught, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. I suppose then it is best described as a family tradition if one must squeeze things into boxes."
Self thought as well, I noticed I could effect people with songs when I was about 8, which proved useful in escaping a Galtean camp for "children of enemies of the people", Andoran has been really kind to me, never expected to get admitted to the Opera as a foreign refugee kid.
Auri reminiscenses.
Time to pay that back, for me at least.