Adara, Oracle of Fire's page

The oracle acknowledges Dereje's bow with a regal nod. "Qadira will receive you with clean water and cool shade, Holy Knight. I already look forward to your visit."

Adara smiles beautifully at the young Lawdrak and his awkwardness. "Providing succor for you has been but one small way I could repay the Dawnflower for her gift. The life of all is precious, and the life of youth more so. But while my fire may heal and cauterize the those who struggle under the light to find the good in this world, it will scorch and burn those with wicked intent down to their very bones."

Her eyes twinkle. "Clearly Sarenrae has deemed you fit to survive the flames."

Before he can escape, Adara places the fingers of one gloved hand under Lawdrak's chin and leans in to plant a kiss on his cheek. The light brush of her lips is enough for Lawdrak to feel the heat coming from the suli.

"Fare you well, young Kellid. I pray for the success of your quest."

As Sharpmaw nuzzles her, Adara eyes widen startled before beaming at the saurian. She strokes Sharpmaw's scales with affection. "You must take care of our young human now, so he can grow to be a powerful warrior strong and wise and capable of protecting the weak. You, too, are welcome to come visit my homeland, Sharpmaw. Many reptilian creatures enjoy the heat of our sands."

Her eyes flash and her smile turns coquettish, and she winks at Lawdrak. As if an unconscious gesture, the suli bats a hand through her gorgeous hair, the tropical sun glinting off the nigh metallic gold. Then she grips Sharpmaw's face and leans down to kiss the top of her head. Adara's expression returns to her usual austere demeanor, her teasing of Lawdrak so fleeting the memory is almost in question.

Adara chuckles as Mum encourages restraint. "I promise only to char him enough to satisfy The Healing Flame." She places her gloved hand on Mum's corresponding shoulder being careful not to dislodge Kainey and also gives a squeeze. She lowers her voice a bit. "Do be careful and take care of yourself, Mum. Remember to always choose the good when you are researching. Your choices may be the first line of defense of all your souls in whatever trials may come."

Turning towards the silent undine, Adara nods. "You are an honorable warrior, Mizu no Hana. I will always count you as a comrade and friend. I trust you will see this through and keep these would-be heroes alive to meet me again one day." Adara offers Hana a salute and a shared wrist grip wincing only slightly at the contact with her permanent affliction.

After these final words, as if on cue, a carriage pulls alongside the wharf. Adara's skirts swirl as she turns (she is dressed once again in fashionable clothes). Her loose white dress has red trim and a golden sunburst design wrapping around from the side. Where she conjured it up in the short time since their rescue is magic in itself. She steps lightly to the carriage and into the cabin as a footman offers her a hand up. She leans out of the carriage window and waves, her face beaming radiantly.

"Goodbye, my friends," she calls. "May Sarenrae bless our fates to meet again."

The carriage picks up speed as the driver encourages the harnessed team into motion and soon it is gone, leaving Adara as only a beautiful burning memory in the minds of her friends. Adara's destiny is no longer intertwined with the other survivors of the Jenivere.

Adara, Oracle of Fire, has left the party.

As the group discusses their plans, the beautiful suli steps lightly to edge of the pier regarding the great expanse of water peppered with ships and boats both large and small. After a moment, she turns her head to regard her companions, fellow castaways with whom she has shared the ordeal of a lifetime.

"I shall not say I do not feel regret that it must be so, but what comes next has long been inevitable," Adara begins matter-of-factly. "Now that we have made landfall, I must again resume my pursuit of the criminal that I was tasked with tracking. Being blessed by the Dawn Flower, I have a duty to uphold above all else. I'm certain this city of ancient serpentfolk will be of great interest to the archaelogical community and the local governments, and I have the utmost confidence that if the rest of you choose to run off into the jungle after it, you will soon be reknowned far and wide."

Her voice softens and she smiles warmly, her expression familiar and her words tinged with emotion. Her eyes sparkle slightly.

"I will never forget any of you. Thank you all for your part in helping me return to civilization. Now I must see if there is any hope of my pursuit, or if I must return to Qadira having failed due to the serpentfolk woman's machinations. May Sarenrae's Light continue to shine on all your endeavors, and she bless you with continual good health."

She holds out the magical scimitar they had acquired in the ruins. "Take this. Use it or sell it, but I hope you will remember me and the Dawnflower no matter where your adventures take you next."

If there are any concerns about Sharpmaw, Adara's grand entrance quickly cause them to be forgotten. The gorgeous suli imperiously moves to the front of the castaways as she presents herself before the Red Gull's crew.

"Captain Tegerten," Adara begins in the no-nonsense tone the other castaways may recall from their time on the Jenivere. The self-assured and commanding attitude is back in full force. The lithe woman is beautifully tanned with extraordinary sun-lightened hair, and what remains of her once fine garments display significantly more skin than would be considered modest in most circles, and there is little doubt the oracle's sudden appearance will capture the attention of any who find themselves even slightly attracted to female humanoids.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Man, a natural 20 would have been perfect, oh well.

"I am Adara al-Mabarka minn Shams of Qadira. We gratefully accept your generous offer of passage off of the Smuggler's Shiv." The oracle then gestures back to the functioning lighthouse. "Considering the benefit this lighthouse may provide, you should entertain the idea of leaving a party of experienced sailors to operate it until the Sargavan government can compensate you and send their own agents to keep it operating."

Her eyes flash enticingly. "I imagine there is much money and influence to be gained from being the ship captain to conquer the dangerous waters of the Shiv."

Then she shrugs, the motion drawing attention to her shoulders and bosom. "But if you care not, then so be it. Let us be gone from this place as I have no wish to tarry any longer."

Adara then turns to Sharpmaw and leans forward unnecessarily as if oblivious to the effect such a pose might create. She reaches out to scratch the saurian's chin and run a hand down her scales. As if to herself, the suli murmurs, "And you won't need to eat any sailors as long as they behave and keep their hands to themselves, right, my pretty lady?"

Since neither Aycenia nor the newly found Pezock have any knowledge of other castaways, Adara is satisfied that everyone who can be saved has been located. She spends her time in one of the savage's huts that she appropriated as her own brooding over their circumstances and praying to Sarenrae for guidance and deliverance.

How feasible is it to do a sweep of the areas we may not have discovered for other castaways? Would the dryad be able to sense them and give us direction? She seems to have her finger on the island's pulse.

Aycenia's Tree:

"Aycenia, dear," Adara begins politely. "Aside from one soul we believe to be living inside a rather overgrown crab's shell on the northern shore, are there any other castaways on this island of whom you are aware? I would like to find any who may have only made this island their home by circumstance rather than by choice and provide them the option to leave when it presents itself."

Pezock's crab shell:

Knowledge (local) - untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Adara boggles to see a tengu emerge from the shell. This was a rather long way from the race's usual locales, but then some would probably say the same for a suli like herself. Adara introduces herself cordially and once the pleasantries are out of the way, she poses a question to the now fellow castaway.

"By chance, has any other stranded soul aside from the savages ever presented them before your rather impressive shell, Master Pezock?"

@DM Talomyr: You're certainly welcome to simply narrate the events of the last few days if you want to push on, of course. :)

I just didn't want Dereje's request to get lost in the shuffle.

And I guess this is the time for me to decide what to do with Adara. I think I'm still leaning towards having her exit the game...

Are we able to go back and find the creature living in the crab shell? I know Dereje mentioned that a few posts back.

"Do we have any reason to return below?" Adara queries wearily with a small flick of her fingers to the hole through which the party's gaseous forms entered the room. She slowly unwinds and replaces the bindings around her hands and forearms to hide her charred skin as her gloves had long ago become too torn and damaged to serve their purpose.

The suli appears very drained and clearly desires to rest, but despite this she stands with her shoulders straight. Her skin has definitely absorbed the sun well displaying a rich tan while in contrast her hair has lightened considerably after all their time on the island. Adara's clothes are certainly worn and have lost much of their fine luster. Their once fashionable adornments mostly stripped away, but even so, it seems the oracle has made subtle adjustments to incorporate tears into the shape of her garments altering the blouses and skirts into atire more suited for this jungle island. Even fatigued there is no denying the striking beauty Adara possesses nor the fire which burns in her eyes. The fact that even now the suli's nigh supernatural beauty shines would certainly be disheartening for other mortals who apply much effort to be seen so.

"The lizard," she spits with disdain, "She was clearly studying the images. Is there anything to which we need give our attention?"

She looks to Dereje and Mum who seem to have discovered the most about their now dead quarry's intentions.

Adara sways as the rush of the fight fades, and the adrenaline keeping her senses sharp drains. Her legs wobble slightly, and instead of collapsing, she allows her weight to carry her to the floor gracefully.

"I-I feel faint...but Dereje is not wrong. We test fate if we linger too long."

I feel like I recall we had some potions, but I don't know what the inventory looks like.

The oracle retrieves a healing potion and takes a long swig.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Adara does her best to heal the wounds of her comrades.

Sorry, I have no idea who the most wounded is. Assume Adara is targeting the most wounded of whom she can reach that is not herself.

CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Where is Adara at with spells?

Sorry again. Computer is still not hooked up. I will be back, I promise.

I am feeling up to returning, but my computer at home is currently disconnected since the apartment management required some furniture to be relocated while they affect some repairs on our building. I hope to have that situated again shortly.

I will keep you advised.

I must again apologize for my absence. On April 12th my partner and I were subjected to the horrible situation of premature labor and delivered our son. He was not able to survive.

This last week has been one of immense sorrow, and my attention has been elsewhere as you can imagine. I encourage you to bot me as needed. I am not certain when I will return, but I aim to provide you with information as to my future in the game once I have made that decision.

Please continue and enjoy this slice of fantasy imagination away from the often harsh reality we must endure.

Thank you for answering my question, DM Talomyr.

Round 5 part 2

Leaving Hana in Dereje's capable hands, Adara cocks her head as if listening to an unheard sound; she appears almost to smell and taste the air around her. Quickly she senses this creature is imbued with a force which interferes with magical power, the oracle reaches deep within and tries to reach her connection with the mysterious power she believes Sarenrae has bestowed on her.

"This time you will burn."

v. SR: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

burning hands: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 4) = 11

OK...Spell Resistance.

I'm very unclear how this looks inside the gaming world. I understand the mechanical aspect is essentially whether or not magic succeeds against a creature, but I never really get a good picture of how that looks from a character perspective.

For instance, how would failing to succeed against a creature's SR appear v. not exceeding a creature's Energy Resistance? If Adara blasted something with fire that had high resistance, would it look pretty similar? The fire just washes over the creature? Or would there be a fundamental difference?

I guess what I'm trying to determine is how this looks/feels to a character whose senses incorporate the magical. If we live in a humid climate everyday, we notice it. The mugginess is all around us in the air, and it's just something we easily perceive. Similarly, we also notice when the air around us is unusually dry and arid. In Golarion, magic is a thing which exists and can perceived as evidenced by the lack of such in places like the Mana Wastes having a tangible effect on the ability to use magic at all very much like the air being pregnant with water and thus humid...or not.

Which brings me back to...how would a magic user perceive the effect of failing to penetrate a creature's ability to innately nullify magic?

I suppose that is an assumption on my part...I see Spell Resistance as a form of magic nullification in essence. But perhaps that's not how I should see it.

• Does Spell resistance represent a push against the spell user's ability to form the spell in relationship to that target like walking in tar or heavy mud?

• Is it more like a moment of invulnerability the world grants the creature (picturing some MMO mechanics here), thus nigh undistinguishable from say energy immunity?

• Does it actually represent a "failure" to even cast the spell as if the creature's essence had essentially dispelled it?

I am just confused as to how Adara would perceive what happened to her spell. Would she be able to determine a difference in effects based on the nuances of having senses which have always perceived magic in a magic-filled world, or would this situation be as opaque to her as it is to my non-magic filled life?

Round 5 part 1

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

The sudden sound makes Adara pause briefly, but she keeps her wits despite the assailing noise. She frowns when the serpentfolk is unfazed by the divine magic.

Longish question in Discussion thread.

Round 4

Move: Adara shifts the stunned Hana to the space between her and Dereje.

Free: The suli calls to Dereje and Ladrak, "Quickly! Bind Hana with rope or cord before she can recover. She would never forgive herself if she is the one to harm us.

Standard: Adara briefly releases her friend with one hand in order to fling a cone of flame at the blurry serpentfolk before her.

"The fires of the Dawnflower will see your evil undone, reptile!"

burning hands: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 4) = 15

Reflex DC 15 for 1/2; failure subjects target to Adara's Burning Magic as usual: Whenever a creature fails a saving throw and takes fire damage from one of your spells, it catches on fire. This fire deals 1 point of fire damage per spell level at the beginning of the burning creature’s turn. The fire lasts for 1d4 rounds, but it can be extinguished as a move action if the creature succeeds at a Reflex save (using the spell’s DC).

Follow up...do Adara and Hana technically occupy the same square now?

Please don't. It certainly looked bad on me coming in saying I would be better than complete silence for several days following.

Seeing as Hana is currently offering no resistance, would Adara still need to roll Concentration for a spell cast within a grapple?

Adara approaches Hana calmly. She speaks softly in the hopes the serpentfolk mage cannot hear the words.

"You need only listen to what she has asked you to do. You can also allow things to happen that don't contradict those commands expressly. I know you're in there, Hana. Let me help you while you cannot control yourself."

Adara will attempt to hug Hana assuming she is not attacked. This will turn into a grapple if Hana does not respond with hostility. If I understand rules correctly, Hana's CMD only applies if she attempts to stop the action, but if she does not choose to resist, the action should not require a roll. However, if necessary...

Big Hug: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

I apologize for the abrupt return to silence. My partner's pregnancy had a major complication, so I have been greatly preoccupied. Things have settled down, so I should be able to make good on my promise to be more regular.

Round 2

Adara steps forward with arms upraised. "By the power of the Dawnflower, let your failures be burned from you!"

A wave of spiritual flame erupts from the suli and washes over everything in 50 feet. Once everyone recovers from any shock at the experience, they discover they feel more confident and sure whatever action they attempt next is certain to succeed.

Adara casts moment of greatness.

Oracle 4

+1 Charisma

Class Features
+7 Hit Points
+1 BAB
+1 Fortitude

Spells (0: create water, 2: cure moderate wounds, oracle's burden, resist energy)

Skills
+5 Adventuring Skill Ranks (+1 Acrobatics, +1 Climb, +1 Knowledge [planes], +2 Perception,)
+2 Background Skill Ranks (+2 Knowledge [geography])

Thank you for the response.

I see Adara is up, and I will be trying to get something posted a little bit later. I still haven't updated Adara's profile with her level 4 info, so I'm at work and not sure of any new tricks she might have yet.

Twenty days later, I'm finally posting something.

So...

I appreciate your patience.

Adara shakes herself free of the daze into which she had fallen.

Do we know the approximate distance into the room the skeleton traveled before the door closed? I'm just curious how much it covered in 30 seconds.

Also, is the pool by design or coincidence? In other words, does it just happen to be an oval shaped puddle of bloody liquid, or is it a functional shape set into the floor which is currently filled with blood?

"Hmmm...do you imagine the buttons must be pressed in a pattern, simultaneously, or one functions while the others are decoys?" the oracle muses throwing complexity on top of what might be much more simple.

So...work chose to disregard my request and explode anyway. Things got a bit crazy these last couple of days.

I'm pretty sure my next level of Adara is all set up in HeroLab at home, so I just need to write it up here.

Sorry for being absent.

Ugh. I meant to get something up sooner. Give me an hour or two. If work doesn’t explode, I’ll post.

I'll post soon. Also, I have many thoughts about Book 2 and continuation, so I will have a more lengthy discussion post as well.

"Our paladin makes a very good point," Adara agrees while nodding.

Sorry for the delay...I've had a lot going on in RL, so I haven't had a chance to sit down and review the level up. I promise I'll do it shortly.

Adara reaches deep and summons the last vestige of true power the Dawnflower has blessed her. Fire erupts from her hand to sear Hana's wounds shut.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Adara hesitates for a moment, weighing the lives of the survivors against the druid's scaly companion. Then she mutters something angrily before kneeling down to bring the warmth of healing fire from her hands to Sharpmaw's form. Her features present a slightly abashed expression.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

I see now. I thought that was our positions going up the stairs. I see the bridge now.

Action redux Adara moves behind Sharpmaw and again gives the gift of guidance to the reptile.

I don't think the Roll20 map is updated.

Adara charges at the closest skeleton and attempts to overheat its supernaturally animated bones.

Touch of Flame v. Touch AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
fire damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 ...weak!

Adara grunts. "Well, I guess its bones are warm enough for soup stock now. I'll try harder next time!"

Adara touches Sharpmaw's scaly tail since it is the easiest part of the dinosaur to reach, and a flame washes over the cool scales burning away distractions and bringing clarity.

Adara casts guidance.

"This seems wise," Adara agrees, nodding. "When within our range, I believe we are more than a match for some simple-minded undead."

If the landing has cover from the skeletal missile fire, the oracle will pause for the others to catch up to her.

"Both stairs appear to turn heading up and to the north. Be ready for hidden traps and foes both dead and alive, I imagine."

Hoping the landing leads to the path which allows access to their current antagonists, Adara darts up the eastern stair with flaming scimitar in hand to light the way.

"Let's try this way first," she hisses to her fellow survivors.

Adara dashes forward, making a quick sweep of the room and the two stairways.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Partial action until results of Perception are revealed then Adara will make a quick decision on where to run.

Seeing her comrades are in accord with her suggestion, Adara follows along to cover.

"Perhaps the best option is to move on from this room and leave them to their bridge?" Adara suggests as they continue to warily watch the skeletons.

Knowledge (religion) - carvings: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Knowledge (history) - carvings: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Knowledge (religion) - enemies: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

/eyeroll ...of course

Even as she burns away Dereje's distractions with divine guidance, Adara helpfully chirps,

"They are skeletons."

In the flickering light of her scimitar's magical flame, the suli suddenly seems flustered. "Well, uh...i-in case you couldn't already tell."

I don't think I have a clear picture of what we're looking at right now with this waterfall thing.

"Only if you can do so safely," the oracle says regarding investigating the waterfall. "I would join you if we can find a way."

Gesturing towards the sunken ship, Adara sighs, "I feel we are obligated to investigate. We have had good fortune so far either finding the means to defeat evil and dangerous creatures plaguing this island or locating things to help others on these wrecks."

Edit: Totally forgot to respond to the ritual...

After Mum invokes the name of a dead god of a broken race to complete the ritual, Adara raises an eyebrow when nothing happens immediately. She turns to face her companions with a dissatisfied expression and opens her mouth, but whatever she had planned to say is swallowed by the crackle of electricity as bolts of lightning arc into the sky. The power of the Tide Stone's magic catches her off guard after she had clearly assumed it had failed.

Stunned she watches the sea roiling below and then recede exposing wreckage and the unfortunate sea life not quick enough to react to the change perpetrated by the ritual magic. It is a few moments before Adara is able to breathe normally again. She looks around at each of her companions, an instinct to confirm both their own continued good health and also gauge if her own reaction was somehow outside of the average.

"Well..." is all the oracle manages before needlessly dusting herself off more a nervous response than anything. Cautiously, she approaches the edge to survey the newly exposed land below.

She continues to study while the others investigate the nest of their former adversary.

Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Hmm...not sure if that's good enough to realize the water means a cave. Though I suppose that's an assumption on my part.

Adara cocks her head at the newly uncovered waterfall.

"Why would the ocean still be coming out of the rock?" she inquires of no one in particular.

Something about the cascade strikes the suli as strange.

@DM Talomyr: Just to be clear, the waterfall was 100 feet above us, but we only just now noticed it? If so, how come we couldn't notice it?

Or are you saying it's 100 feet above the new water line presumably lower than our position?