Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
My sincerest apologies if you guys were waiting on me. I posted my action for round one when I rolled my initiative and, to be honest, was expecting things to keep moving relatively quickly. I was primarily waiting for the first round to wrap up before posting again - which would have been fine, I think, had combat not unexpectedly ground to a halt. :/
I'll try to be more proactive in the future and I would very much like to continue, if we could.
Tenoch Itzcoatl wrote:
@Adria: It's an artefact of PbP that in order for the game to feel like it's flowing and not losing members, that everyone posts once in a while. You don't even need to perform an actual action. You can post your thoughts, emotions, and non-combaty type actions too (clenched fist, scratching an itch, even picking your nose {if that's something the character would do}).
I do realize that, and in more typical freeform/roleplaying situations I would certainly aim to do so, but combat has a bit of a different flow. With order of initiative and multiple characters doing things all at once, I felt that adding in little blurbs amounting to "I'm still here" while we got everything resolved would simply have created unnecessary clutter.
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Adria cursed under her breath as the door swung open to reveal the two guards at the far end of the hallway - too far away for her limited magicks to affect before one could raise the signal horn he carried to his lips.
Thankfully, her companions recognized the danger as well and swiftly tried to close the distance. Adria followed behind, praying silently to whatever vile god chose to listen that one of them would put a sword through that guardsman's throat before he had the chance to use it.
Reiterating my previously stated actions for round 1, in case they had been missed... Moving into the room after the rest of the party. Since the new map doesn't have a grid, it's hard to judge distances, but I know I'd have to make a double move to get close enough to cast a spell, so put me about ten feet away from the melee (assuming I can make it that far).
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Sorry I've been silent for a while... Didn't really have anything to say.
I hate having nothing to contribute, even if just for a turn. Only thing I could do would be use daze to lock down one of the guards, but they're out of my maximum range unless I use a double move. :/
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Adria curses under her breath, and moves into the room.
Initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Nothing I can do, I'm afraid. Adria will move into the room to L1 (not sure on my position outside the hallway, but I should be able to get there) and pray the others can pin the guards down before they get a signal off.
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Adria eyed Alicia wearily as the bloodied woman rejected her words of caution, but said nothing more on the subject. She turned her full attention to the thing that had been the half-elf Tenoch. His art was obviously a form of conjuration, but it was of a form she was inexperienced with and, consequently, exceedingly fascinated by. I will need to speak to that one at length, if we get out of here alive.
Following along with her companions, taking a position near the center of the main group, she says, "I fear darkness will be a hindrance to me as well. However, I would serve little use in a melee anyway and my options are rather limited without my familiar, so feel free to put out the torches if you think it tactically sound.
"As for myself, I will do my best to keep everyone alive. Disagreements over matters of strategy aside, our chances are still far better as a group."
Perhaps, but not initially. My second level hex - Dimensional Augmentation, which comes from my Dimensional Occultist archetype - lets me boost the caster level of my spells by 1 by taking extra time (and mats) to write out equations as part of the casting.
Not really an "in-combat" option, but I can see that being quite useful for downtime and prep time.
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Alicia d'Kouzra wrote:
DM Voice wrote:
Alicia d'Kouzra wrote:
I thought so too, but I'm already catching flak for killing helpless guards. Making out with the disgusting nosferatu would put me on the shunned list for sure. :P
Hey don't let me stop you! I'm just the guy behind the DM screen, I cast no judgements, only dice, at you guys.
I was referring to my fellow PC's, actually, but I will keep that in mind. :)
Not really flak from a player perspective, on my part... Adria's just the exceedingly cautious type. :p
On a completely separate note, I've been thinking and I'd like to swap out my Eschew Materials feat, if it's not too late. It seemed a sensible, practical choice at the time, but as I envision this character eventually writing out mathematical equations in chalk to enhance her spells, the use of material components seems increasingly essential to the theme.
If that's a problem, I can wait and retrain it via the rules in Ult Campaign once we level up (or just learn to live with it), but I wanted to go ahead and get a decision ASAP, before it really came into play...
Or perhaps I just want to cause drama over who gets the spell components pouch. :p
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Adria could not help but sigh at the death of the second guardsman, mourning the loss of the potentially useful information trapped in his head. Apparently her new allies were an eager sort.
She silently took note as introductions were being made - names could have power, if one knew how to use them - then calmly lied when her turn came about.
"My name is Lianna," she said. "And while I can certainly appreciate your...zeal in dealing with the guards, I suggest that we hold our mutual bloodlust in check from now on. One mistake could draw the entire prison down on us at once, and I'd rather take this place apart piecemeal, if we can."
She then edges over towards the room where the half-elf was "preparing" himself, observing his art as best she can.
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Recognizing that her attempt to talk the guardsman down has failed, Adria keeps her distance, taking a few moments to evaluate her new-found companions's skills in the arts of murder.
But just in case... Initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Meant to get a post in sometime yesterday, but apparently thinking "I believe I might play a little Civilization V this afternoon" is tantamount to ensuring that nothing else will get done today. -_-
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Adria keeps her distance, somewhat unnerved at her fellow prisoners' actions. I suppose a little patience is a too much to ask for...
As the fiend-spawn puts one of the guards in a choke-hold, she quickly turns her attention to the other and draws on magic to enhance her words.
"There is no need to be afraid. Whatever you have heard of us, we are not raving lunatics. Stand down and we can talk through this like civilized people."
Bluff check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Using my Charm hex (DC 14) and a bald faced lie to attempt to get the free guard to stand down. Can't quite remember if the familiar bonus is only when familiar is near, so deduct 3 from total if that is the case.
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
"Let's not be too hasty," Adria says rubbing her newly freed wrists. "I would prefer drawing the guards into an ambush, if we can. If one gets away, or sends a signal of some kind, the entire endeavor is made far more complicated - and our position isn't all that strong to begin with."
She takes a closer look at the remaining patches.
"I see what appears to be a bag and a vial of some kind. They may contain something useful."
Adria fixes her gaze on the half-elf. "Would you mind?"
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
On the off chance that a simple Knowledge (arcana) check will reveal anything pertenant...
Knowledge (arcana):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
If helpful, I will share the details with everyone else. But in any case, let's try logic.
"I enjoy debating symbolism as much as anyone, but we're running out of time and need something practical rather than metaphorical at the moment," Adria said, leaning back against the wall, eyes firmly onthe veil. "More to the point, someone supposedly trying to help us - not that I trust this woman, mind you - would know that. Those embroideries don't seem to serve any sensible decorative purpose to my eyes, but they are far too detailed to be unimportant. I suspect something might happen if you were to interact with them."
Adria smirked at the half-elf.
"Of course, if you're afraid the thing is cursed, I'd be willing to try in your stead."
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Obviously not a plea for his release, Adria thought to herself as the half-elf returned to the cell. Not a successful one at any rate.
"Might I take a look at that?" she asked in a hushed tone, indicating the gift with a tilt of her head and extending her hands as best she could.
Assuming the others will allow her to do so, Adria will examine the gift in detail. Don't have Detect Magic prepared (and couldn't cast it in chains anyway), so a Spellcraft check to identify is impossible, but perhaps we can puzzle it out with a more exacting description.
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Adria had withdrawn into her head upon hearing that there were only three days before their respective executions. She noted the offer of a quicker death by the needle-toothed man, the identification of the half-elf woman as a fellow witch, and even the shape-shifting man's extrication from his chains, but resolved for the moment to remain silent - all could be useful, but they would be squandered if used prematurely.
She was meditating deeply - considering the limited resources she had available to her and how they might be applied to any escape attempt - when the guards arrived to take the second half-elf away. A visitor... Curious. Who would pay a visit to one of the condemned in this place?
Adria would certainly be interested in what the half-elf had to say, when and if he returned. Perhaps, once the guards were gone, it would be time to get to know her fellow prisoners a bit better. It was plainly obvious she would never be free of this place alone.
No point in Sense Motive check on the guard for me...
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Winterwalker wrote:
Adria, the Red Witch wrote:
Upon getting out of my "write all the backstory" mode and taking a look at the party make-up, I notice we don't really have a dedicated healer. While the two witches, mine humble self included, can probably take the brunt of this once we get access to our familiars and start learning new spells, I fear this might cause problems during our hopefully speedy escape from the prison.
Given that we haven't really gotten to a point where we are actually using our abilities quite yet and the fact that my character has something of a history with serving as a healer (er..sort of), I was wondering if I might swap out my Misfortune Hex for the Healing Hex and Ray of Enfeeblement on my spell list for Cure Light Wounds (along with dropping Sleep from my current spells prepared to have one Cure Light Wounds at the ready).
Would that be a problem, Winter? Or will we just have to tough it out?
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Upon getting out of my "write all the backstory" mode and taking a look at the party make-up, I notice we don't really have a dedicated healer. While the two witches, mine humble self included, can probably take the brunt of this once we get access to our familiars and start learning new spells, I fear this might cause problems during our hopefully speedy escape from the prison.
Given that we haven't really gotten to a point where we are actually using our abilities quite yet and the fact that my character has something of a history with serving as a healer (er..sort of), I was wondering if I might swap out my Misfortune Hex for the Healing Hex and Ray of Enfeeblement on my spell list for Cure Light Wounds (along with dropping Sleep from my current spells prepared to have one Cure Light Wounds at the ready).
Would that be a problem, Winter? Or will we just have to tough it out?
Female Human Witch (Dimensional Occultist) 1 | HP 8/8 | AC 11 (Touch 11/FF 10) | Fort +1/Ref +1/Will +3 | Melee -1/Ranged +1
Dream Sequence:
Fire. The world was burning, yet even through the dualistic haze of smoke and pain she could tell it was only a dream - there was no heat. Squatting atop a hill in the distance was a small keep, reminiscent of the one overlooking the village she'd called home for so very long. Only now, as she looked, the perspective was wrong - the road leading to the lord's castle wound through the foothills again and again, growing thinner and thinner as she followed its path so that, by the time it actually approached the gatehouse, it was as tiny as a thread and the fortress loomed like a mountain above.
The massive gates stood ajar, but somehow she knew that was not enough. There was an army within those walls, its soldiers eager to march, to leave naught but fire and blood in their wake, but the unbarred portal held them back.
Throw open the gates, their voices cried as one, or perhaps it was only a single voice speaking with a million tongues. Revenge shall be yours, but first you must throw open the gates.
She watched herself reach out toward the doors, mighty wooden barricades studded with blackened iron standing hundreds of feet tall, then recoiled as her left arm flared in pain. Looking down, she saw the mark, a runic "F" glowing white-hot just below her wrist. Her vision swam and the world faded away.
Adria opened her eyes, the scent of burning flesh clinging to her nostrils. She was slumped against the back wall of a cell, her aching body clothed in filthy rags and manacled to the floor by both wrists and ankles. She remembered now: the long march through the Talirean Heartlands, the branding, the beatings - one or two of the guards had taken particular pleasure in tormenting an accused witch.
Instinctively, she reached out, trying to touch the mind of her familiar, but received no response. Havros was not nearby - disappointing, but not unsurprising. No serpent, even one so clever as he, could be expected to keep up with a prisoner escort on horseback.
Adria made a cursory effort to test her chains. Solid. More than enough to hold her, though that would not have required much.
She sighed heavily, then took a moment to survey her surroundings more closely, particularly her fellow condemned. A few of them seemed to be having a conversation.
"How long has it been?" Adria asked with a scratchy voice, suddenly realizing her throat was parched. "I seem to have blacked out at some point..."
Adria *should* be done now, although I might tweak one or two things before we actually start play, at the GM's discretion of course.
Background's a bit novella-esque, I'm afraid, though I feel it was a bit rushed in places... I'll try to clean it up over the next few days, but I didn't want to sail right past the deadline, as I am wont to do.
