”Just because we have not heard of it does not mean that we cannot learn.” Aerith said. ”I will learn all that I can, and we will proceed.”
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I was tempted to save up 30k for the determination enchantment. 1/day when go below 0HP instead go to 0. Meaning on her turn she can teleport to safety. It seems like a good way to avoid a TPK. The issue is that it is 30k gold. Another good one is bastion. It is a +3 enchantment…but it allows a failed will save to be delayed. And again, that can be game changing.
Thanks for totaling it up! 11k? That is a decent chunk to play with. Not sure what to get though…
Indeed, my sympathies on your illness. That is never fun. I hope you get better soon.
Woken up by baby and can’t sleep. Profile should be updated now.
While not super combat heavy I enjoyed the book. It was a change of pace, and it makes finding the information earned. Also, in retrospect I’m very glad I built Aerith to be so good with knowledges. It unintentionally paid off! Also, Lvl 8!
HP: 6 (class) + 2 (Con) + 7 (retroactive con) + 1 (FCB) = +16
Spell Talent: Telekinetic Sphere - Floating Shield (When using your telekinesis to lift a shield, you may apply its shield bonus to the armor class of anything in its square, though this does not stack with any shield bonus they already possess. A shield sustained with Sustained Force still grants its shield bonus, and may be directed to follow a given individual or target. If you possess the Orbit talent, you may choose a single shield in orbit of you and add its shield bonus to your armor class. If you possess the Dancing Weapon talent, you may apply shield related feats and combat talents (such as Shield Focus) to any shield you are lifting.) Combat Talent: Iron Grip - You gain a +1 competence bonus to your grapple combat maneuver checks, as well as to your CMD vs. that maneuver. This bonus increases by +1 for every 4 points of base attack bonus you possess. Shifter Ability: Pounce Purchases: Darkwood Heavy Shield (with +2 for attunement that will be +4 AC) —— Will need to double check it all. Should be updated by Monday (this weekend is 2 full days of wrestling meets) Her being a combat monster is taking form. Pounce and being able to use a shield are huge additions.
"It would seem that Lady Muminofrah is not in the mental state to approve of extending our pass." Aerith said. "Though if we tell her that she agreed to it, she will likely believe it, given how she appeared after that adventure. Let us return, and be done with this."
Unscathed by the flames, the elf still found herself temporarily blinded by the flash. She stood her ground, eyes closed as she waited for the pain to subside. "Was that the last of them?" She asked Mahmoud.
Aerith very much doubted that she was needed to handle the last assassin. Still, she stood between the soon-to-be-exploding man and their patron, lest the flames harm her.
Bringing the blade back to her, Aerith ducked away from the attacks that came her way. She had gotten used to battling with maw and claw, and found that the concentration required to effectively wield the sword was taxing. Still, she kept it up In a guarding position, waiting for an opening to strike.
Pulling the blade back to her, Aerith stood next to Muminafrah. For a brief moment she hesitated. Mahmoud was bleeding...should she transform? No, she could not. It would risk far too much. She had left her home so that she could return with her head held up high, not to live in disgrace for revealing their secret. Should she send her blade to protect him? She dearly wished to, but she knew that Muminafrah had to be protected. So she stood by her charge, keeping the blade in a position to parry any attacks that came to their patron. If they survived this...if...it would at least be proof of what they face. And their patron would hopefully take their quest far more seriously.
Aerith had been walking alongside their patron, doing her best to display calm and poise. Part of her wanted to rush back to assist the servants, but she knew that the life of the noblewoman was paramount. The idea of the men and women swimming to shore in such dangerous waters was a harrowing one, and she knew that it would haunt her for years to come. But the world was not a kind place, and she could not afford to pretend otherwise. When the hieracosphinx appeared her eyes widened with dread. ”A hieracosphinx! They do not speak in riddles, rather th-“ She never finished the sentence as the shriek filled her eyes and sent her ears ringing. She almost transformed at that moment, instinctually wanting to meet it as a predator. But she could not reveal such a secret. Instead she willed her blade to float up and launch forward, meeting the hieracosphinx. It flew unerringly, going straight for the sphinx’s face. She did this while standing in front, knowing that if their patron died then they both were also as good as dead.
Counterpoint: Aerith could keep teleporting servants. And Mahmoud is more effective at range. Even from shore he can continue shooting… GM, can Mahmoud keep shooting from shore?
Rushing over to their patron, Aerith announced "I will be sending you to the safety of the shore." Her spell leaving her fingertips, she said "And you will be joined by protection shortly." She looked about, searching for the safest place to place her. She knew that in moments she would have to go as well, lest some harm befall the noblewoman. She glanced over at Mahmoud, catching his eye. She indicated to him that she was willing to send him as well, so that he could fight from the shore and protect her. But if he wanted to stay, then she would be the one who would go.
Aerith's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. She hadn't seen any creature quite so large since...well, that was not important. She resisted the urge to shift right away into her draconic form and to take flight. Instead, keeping as calm as she could, she used the same spell that had saved the commoner to whisk herself back to the relative safety of the barge.
Realizing that the unfortunate was about to perish, and not trusting her blade to do the job, Aerith leapt in after the man. Desperate to regain the access they needed, she knew that she had to impress their patron, and that meant taking risks. All she had to do was touch the peasant...
All she had to do was touch him, and she could send him through the ethereal plane and back onto the barge. And then? Then she "just" had to do the same to herself. Nothing too hard...she hoped.
Acting, hopefully while the crocodiles were still flatfooted, Aerith willed her blade to rise in the air. Making a show of it, to show off the magical ability, she sent it flying through the air at the nearest crocodile.
Aerith stood in shocked silence. Her nerves frayed by the attempts on their life, the frantic nature of their search, and the pressure of research…it was all too much. All she could do was stare, her eyes wide. All thoughts of propriety or courtly etiquette was replaced with naught but a motionless stance, silence, and a thousand yard stare.
Aerith calmly introduced themselves and told the bards what the situation was. That she was of House Lithanel, and the two of them were courting Muminofrah‘a patronage. That they could not afford to offend her, and her whims were thus their command. She hoped that once they saw that all were in the same boat, that there would be no ill will shared.
Aerith raised an eyebrow, though she quickly followed with a deferential smile. To offend, even by mannerisms, was to be avoided at all costs. It was like blocking the thrust of a blade, it had to be done smoothly and without hesitation. ”An enlightened idea. We will endeavor to be worthy of whatever subject you deign to choose.”
”That seems wise. I suppose we should also report this to our patron. The attack might well earn us one more day of research, along with heightened security while we do so.”
”Well equipped. And well prepared, that magic was not one used by amateurs.” Aerith looked to Mahmoud with a frown, as she changed back into her elven form. ”And the worst part is that I can’t tell if this was from the cult that attacked us during the race, or whether this was politically motivated. Regardless, we need to finish our research here quickly, for we are not safe.”
”Perhaps…” Aerith said, her eyes narrowing.
She waited to see what he might find. There was the hope that there would be some evidence pointing towards who was behind this attack.
With the worst of her wounds having been healed, Aerith landed next to the only assassin which had not been perforated with Mahmoud's blades. "Surrender." She said, with a sibilant hiss. "Surrender now, or there will not be enough of you left to identify your body."
The air shimmered as Aerith discarded her elven form and adopted an all together more bestial one. The dragon which stepped forward, and took to the air, was no less regal in appearance, even if her fangs and claws promised a savage end to any she got within claw's reach of.
With her defenses down and blood spilling from her side, all Aerith could do was force herself to her feet and triage the worst of the damage. The bleeding stopped, and the poison was burnt away. While this was good news, she had not yet taken her other form and the assassins were still present…
"Not yet." Aerith responded, her expression thoughtful. "Chisisek was a well-known architect from the First Age. While I don't know much more than that, but I don't believe that we need to explore the Dark Depository for that. Rather, we might find more information within guildhalls, tomb registries...the like. Mundane research might have information on someone as well known as him. And if we need to go back into these archives, we will be better informed for making this research." After a moment's thought she concluded "I recommend we begin with the Stonemason Guilds. If Chisisek’s work still stands, or if his works are known, then the craftsmen should have records of it.”
Sorry for quietness. Work exploded. And now I’m sick as a dog. Which has apparently spread to one of my daughters. Posting has fallen because of this
Aerith read through the scroll, a frown upon her face. When she was done, she looked to Mahmoud. "It would appear that the mask that we have found, and the research we are conducting, could lead to us experiencing such advanced interrogation techniques." She looked around, wary of being overheard.
Once more Aerith dived into the research. She knew that they were in a race against time. The mummified bodies of the curators were evidence enough of what happened to those who overstepped their bounds. That meant that they needed to be efficient if they were to succeed.
Aerith marveled at the trove of knowledge set before them. She muttered to Mahmoud to keep watch for dangers as she spread her wings and launched herself into the air to better reach the tomes and scrolls as quickly as possible. Only when the area was deemed secure, though, did she take the form of an elf so as to better read what was before them.
Aerith was quite pleased with the day's work. What they had found was a solid lead. All that was needed, she hoped, was to find the Scrolls of Inquiry. The fact that a number of powerful scrolls were found just made the day even better. The next day she met Mahmoud bright and early. "Are you ready?" She asked. "We must go deeper into the archive. And if yesterday was anything to go by, it will not be without its defenses."
Aerith took a deep breath. The hounds that had attacked them had come far too close to getting their jaws upon them. It had been luck as much as skill which had kept them at bay. But that was over, and it was time to get to work. Quietly she went about her work, applying herself to the best of her ability.
As the hounds charged at her, Aerith desperately brought her orbiting blade around. If she failed to arrest the charge, then she would surely be brought to the ground by the beast...
A narrow corridor. A trio of enemies. A dragon’s breath. Sometimes a situation had a solution that was not subtle, but which was nonetheless quite efficient.
Seeing the refuse, Aerith quipped ”Either the builders had a sense of humor, or someone opened this before us and looted what was inside.” She remained at a safe distance, despite the expertise her companion had proven in disabling such a masterfully set trap.
"...though I've never seen, or heard of, the likes of this before." She continued. "If you can handle these traps, it would be ideal." She said, as she took a more defensive form, and got to a safe distance.
”A very good idea. Let us also see what combinations are certain to not lead to any traps. Though I must say, this is so…interesting…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to place what she knew.
As a heads up I’m currently on the road for a conference. Will return home on Thursday. So should have a post up then.
Aerith was completely blindsided by the blast. Well, almost. Her arcane sight allowed her to see it come, but she was far too slow to actually get out of the way, meaning that she got the ‘pleasure’ of knowing what was about to hit her. After taking a moment to compose herself, she went about healing their frozen skin and early onset frostbite. It was, she decided, still a preferable experience than being in court.
We’re back!
Subtle: A creature with this aegis is surrounded by a field of magical energy that interferes with other forms of magic. Rather than producing an obvious spell resistance effect, however, the creature with the aegis becomes hidden from sphere abilities and supernatural abilities. The effect is such that these abilities can not target the character properly without assistance from a creature. If a supernatural or sphere ability discerns between allies and enemies (as many totems of the War sphere do), or acts in a way that its effects only affect certain creatures (such as creatures of a creature type or a specific alignment), the creature with the aegis is unaffected or considered to be an ally. Similarly, magic traps and contingency effects (like glyphs) are not triggered by the creature’s presence, and any effect relying on a magical trigger is also not triggered, as if the creature were invisible to the trap or effect. Traps may still be sprung by physical triggers, however. Abilities that rely on the caster choosing targets are not affected by this aegis, even if that ability only works on certain targets (such as a paladin’s smite evil ability), and this does not give the bearer any special concealment from creatures using magical senses. Area effect abilities are also still effective against the creature, provided the effect affects every creature, or affects every creature save for those specifically made invulnerable by the caster. —— If it’s magic maybe…
Aerith thought for a moment about apologizing to Mahmoud. She had no idea what he had gone through, and truly she did not want to know. She walked over to him, took the letter from him with one hand and then used the other to pull him in for a hug. Letting him go and stepping back, she said "The Dark Depository is said to be full of creatures that have never seen the sun, and that few scholars dare to tread there. I believe that it will have better company than the nobility of the city. We can go whenever you are ready."
Aerith was beyond thankful to have escaped the dangers of courtly politics. That she could return home and report that she had made a positive connection with someone in power was a relief...even if her family were more likely than not to fail to make a move on the opportunity only after the human had died of old age. It was a common failing in those who had lived for as long as they had. That relief died when she found that the Spiral Archives no longer held any secrets pertinent to their quest. What they needed was access to the Dark Depository. That certainly raised her spirits, for to have access to such a rare archive made her soul sing. Unfortunately, it meant more courtly politics. "Mahmoud. I am writing a letter to Muminofrah. I would like for you to deliver it." She said, knowing full well how smitten she was with her comrade. Letter:
To the Most Radiant and Resplendent Muminofrah, Jewel of the River, Delight of the Sun: May this humble letter find you in comfort and joy, surrounded by the fineries and admirers most befitting your exalted station. The waters themselves ought to reflect naught but your beauty when you grace them with your presence. It was by your gracious favor that we were granted access to the Spiral Archives, and through that privilege we have uncovered truths of great importance. The trail of the Forgotten Pharaoh now leads us deeper still into the Grand Library, to a place called the Dark Depository, where the Scrolls of Inquiry were moved more than a century past. These secrets, required for the good of the realm, shall remain forever out of reach without your patronage. For the curators shall refuse your humble servants passage. Therefore, we beseech you, to raise your noble hand and dispel the veil that bars the way before us. We write to you, as who but your eminence is worthy of having her name associated with the greatest secrets of this most illustrative of nations? By your favor and under the watchful eyes of the Gods,
She felt physically ill writing the letter, but she knew that every word of flattery was required if they were to achieve their goals. She swallowed her guild, though, in sending Mahmoud alone. She knew that Muminofrah truly wanted to see Mahmoud, and that her own presence was becoming more and more unwelcome. For on the surface, Mahmoud was working for her house, and Aerith being present was a social inhibitor that would frustrate Muminofrah. By writing the letter, Aerith did her duty as a noble. And Muminofrah would see sending Mahmoud as a gift. What Mahmoud do was up to him. She just hoped that it was nothing untoward. But she knew his background as a dancer and entertainer, so she trusted that he would be able to navigate this himself. He was an adult, and did not require her to hold his hand. At least, this is what she told herself to soothe her own conscience.
Aerith’s mind was abuzz with thoughts, which raced faster than the chariots had. In the forefront was the question of whether someone in the Court was passing information to the cultists, for how else did they know to see the ambush? It was troubling, to say the least. However, what was not troubling was Mahmoud’s response.
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