Arasmes tilts his head at her somewhat quizzically "We have no particular desire for violence, madam. We are here to talk, nothing more. Our misfortunes do not seem to have been your intent, after all."
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Sorry for the delay, I was busy yesterday. It was odd and unexpected. For levelling, Arasmes is gonna grab Outflank as a a Teamwork Feat, take average HP, really improve his Bluff, get the Human Favored Class bonus, and thus get one each 1st and 2nd level spell known. As for what spells? I'm not entirely sure. I'm considering Invisibility (because being sneaky is good), Acute Senses (but so's +10 to Perception), and See Invisibility (since Drovya's Glitterdust is our only anti-invisibility measure at the moment) for 2nd level. For 1st level, I'm thinking Deadeye's Lore, since I'm apparently our designated tracker. And on Kanthuun, I'll note that actually, Petitioners are some of the only things that are immune to Mind-Effecting stuff in this level-range. Daemons, for example, certainly aren't. Sleep's probably a bad call, as mentioned, though.
Arasmes tilts his head, looking around, while he responds to Petrova's words "In at least one sense, certainly. But that deprives them of the opportunity to change their ways, which exists even here, and more importantly risks our own lives. We need to survive to accomplish our objective...which is rather important. Certainly more important than slaying a few petitioners."
Arasmes looks over the petitioners with a fair degree of contempt "I have several sets, actually...but I'd really rather not waste them here. After all, there's a good chance we won't be back this way. Better to just bind them with what's available, I'd say. It's not like they'll be resisting the process..."
Arasmes nods judiciously "Very well, that should do to save your miserable existence. But, since we can'ty have you following us..." and with that he calmly thocks the petitioner on the head with the hilt of his sword.
Arasmes nods and speaks in a slightly less chill tone, his voice almost casual now "Excellent. Now, if you will be so good as to inform us where these persons are located, we can leave you with your existence. Needless to say, if we find you have lied, we will return, and your fate will defy description. You haven't lied to us, have you?"
Arasmes sighs in an annoyed fashion, shakes his head, and glares at the man like a teacher looking at a recalitrant pupil "And did I ask how many there were? No. I told you to list them and their capabilities. Do so immediately, starting with the most accomplished, or I will be forced to conclude that you do not understand my words, and resort to other, less pleasant, forms of communication. Or simply kill you and ask your brother, I suppose." the last two are said with suggestive gestures with his sword, the first towards the petitioner's crotch, the second towards his throat.
Arasmes ignores Petrova (and everyone else) completely, focusing on his target to the exclusion of all else. He nods calmly at the surrendering petitioner's words and speaks in a voice like cold death itself "Your destruction matters little to us, one way or the other...but you know this village, yes? Who in this place is capable of a theft involving stealth, skill, and trickery, as opposed to more...blatant methods? Pickpocketing and such would be enough, I suppose. Tell us who those beings are and what you know of them, and your wretched existences might be spared."
Arasmes chuckles and winks at Petrova and then gets to work. He steps off the ladder and into the room, circling around the Petitioners and waiting for his opportunity to strike.
Arasmes takes an appreciative look at Petrova and nods at Kanthuun's thoughts, thinking back at him "Indeed, it's hard to remember virtue in a place where nobody else possesses it." he unsheathes his sword again and adjusts his robes to appear more intimidating, and speaks in an amused tone "This should be interesting."
Arasmes nods "Indeed. The lady's loveliness knows no bounds, and a systematic search should turn up something...but perhaps interrogation can speed that process, and those two inside seem well enough informed to at least know who might be able to snatch such an item."
Arasmes nods at Kanthuun reasonably, then turns to the Petitioner and speaks kindly "While your offer of aid is appreciated, and some directions to this 'Gant' might well be useful, my companions are understandably reluctant to accept your company. Nor do you need ours to change your path, and our journey is likely to be dangerous, even aside from the possibility of us killing you as you request. It would seem best to me for all of us that we go our separate ways. If you wish to be trusted, find some new folk, start fresh, and be worthy of trust. It's never too late to begin again." He looks over the loot, and accepts his share with equanimity, taking a quick look at the valuable gem as well, and speaks to the group again "Indeed, let us be off."
And thank you, Drovya, you flatter me. Not really. The game actually is pretty fun and awesome. .. . And, sorry everyone for Arasmes being what's probably overly nice to the (very Evil!) petitioner (and being distracted by it)...but c'mon, he's a priest of Sarenrae. He thinks he can redeem anyone, at least in theory.
Arasmes holds up a hand at Drovya's words, but his tone is still cold "I'm sure this woman would be pleased to give us that information, there's no true need for threats...So, tell us."
His tone becomes more serious, almost analytical as he continues "You say you don't want to die, and I certainly sympathize, who does? But you have little choice as long as you remain what you are. Become one of them and lose yourself, or be consumed completely in one fashion or another. Your only other choice is to choose a different path completely, to change the way you live and what you live for. You could change yourself enough and escape the dark cycle of this place entirely...though that's a hard road indeed, and perhaps dying is a better, simpler, path for you..."
Arasmes looks directly at the rocking woman and speaks calmly but coldly, and with authority "Tell us what happened here and why. Now." while simultaneously pulling out his healing wand to use on his fallen comrade, and touchingt it to his gaping wound.
Oh, by the way, I hope you guys are still enjoying summer(assuming you're in the appropriate hemisphere). Totally. Summer's very cool. :) Hope you're enjoying yours as well.
Arasmes gestures and murmurs a prayer to his Goddess, halting Talon's bleeding and casting around him for the cacodaemon.
Arasmes, seeing the Daemons, drops his scimitar and draws his silver mace, he enters the battle, attempting to aid his endangered comrades.
Arasmes draws his blade and murmurs a quick prayer to his goddess for luck in battle.
Arasmes tilts his head at Kanthuun "I think...yes. We cannot afford to lose people, and the item might be with them anyway. Let us go aid her and the others." he suits actions to words and heads in the direction of the battle even as he speaks.
Arasmes nods reasonably "Well, I'm apparently with you, Kanthuun, as each group needs a tracker. I think we need a third, and Talon a second. So, who do you other two wish to go with?"
For the record, I too really enjoy this game and am pleased by it's ongoing existence. :) I want to know what he thinks is going on. >.> I meant in an immediate sense, with the petitioners and how they work and all. I'm a lot less certain on, say, who took the Wayfinder, though my basic suspicions are centered on the whole village basically trying to take us for all we're worth (items, information, gold, bodies, blood, souls, and all). Or at least part of the village...
Arasmes blinks at Drovya and looks at the tracks "Yes, thank you." He then listens to the rest of Drovya's statement and flinches in shock "The Wayfinder is missing?!" he takes a deep breath then, as Talon speaks, and responds calmly once again "Alright, we must indeed decide which to go after the Wayfinder or Rogar...though I would not assume that anyone who stole it need know of our mission, they might easily simply know what one is and know that it is valuable. In any case, we have a trail to follow to find Rogar...does anyone have any such thing for the Wayfinder? Any easy way to locate it? If not, well, the two disappearances might be related and we can question those who took Rogar when we find them. I agree that the Wayfinder is a higher priority...but we work with the tools we are given."
I'm good. I also more or less understand what's going on, or at least I think I do...
Arasmes calls upon his Inquisitorial training and attempts to follow the tracks, keeping an ear and eye out for possible enemies as he does. His hand is on his blade and he calls on the light of his Goddess to guide him in this dark place.
Arasmes seems unconcerned with the outbreak of violence, though he does keep his hand near the hilt of his scimitar, just in case. He nods politely at Baema and proceeds around the edge of the fight to go check on Rogar. He's becoming worried.
Arasmes nods genially at this statement and sips his drink with every evidence of enjoyment. He casts a glance at the door Rogar went out of. After he doesn't see him return for a little while he begins to cast glances that way a bit more frequently. Throughout, he remains politely willing to discuss what history he knows.
Arasmes lets Talon give the majority of the history lesson, that not really being his forte, and makes pleasant conversation about those things he is familiar with. He also keeps a wary eye on these people, remembering their nature, and murmurs a soft prayer while looking over the drinks, just in case.
As am I, obviously. :)
Arasmes nods reasonably and replies in a friendly tone "That's fine, I'm pleased to be the bearer of any news I possess. We're lately from northern Garund, so I at least am not as well informed about, say, my companion's homeland" and here he nods over at Kanthuun "as I could be. General world events, however, I am certainly aware of. But how recent do you mean? I mean, have you heard of the Red Revolution in Galt? The Goblin Wars in Isger? Khemet III opening the ruins of Osirion to foreign treasure-hunters? This year's price of dates in Katapesh? When was the last you heard from the living world?"
Arasmes nods at Hanethes words and speaks in a friendly tone [b]"Indeed. Traveling has given me, at least, a powerful thirst. I'm sure you have something unique and interesting in the way of libations here. Would anyone else like one? We're buying."[b] the last is directed to the bar's patrons as a whole.
Arasmes nods at Hanethes' words"Indeed. As my companion says, we want no trouble, nor to cause you any."
Walk in, say hello, pretend to be traders. At least, I assume that's the plan.
"It seems to me that the merchant idea is probably best. I doubt we can convincingly impersonate the dead, and being emissaries of some Daemon might go over poorly. It also allows us to ask after interesting things to purchase...like our target. The potential disadvantage is if they don't like soul-merchants, but them disliking us is a risk with any plausible disguise we attempt."
Arasmes notices the sight in question and nods once at Kanthuun, he speaks softly, and in a light tone, as if joking "There appears to be a pole of some sort in the village, with a man hanging from it. I'd advise keeping an open mind in regards to what's going on. These are the souls of the dead, after all, but keeping a watch above ourselves might be wise."
Arasmes rolls his eyes and speaks seriously "For reference, I've never done anything of the kind, unlike some weaker souls" he gazes meaningfully at those making fun and his tone growing slightly more barbed "I am more than confident enough in my own...capabilities, to not need reassurances of any sort. Surely, knowing me, the lot of you don't doubt my self-confidence, of all things?" this last is said in a tone of sheer disbelief.
Seeing Kanthuun still slightly wounded, Arasmes pulls out a wand and walks over to him "Here, let me take care of the rest of that." and uses it. At Drovya's line he chuckles slightly, and speaks chidingly "Now, now, I would never be so crude in public. I do have some manners, after all." his tone then grows a great deal more serious "I agree that we should be going, however."
Arasmes continues to slice at the remaining vines, carefully and strategically. He responds to Kanthuun's frustrated cries jokingly "Don't worry, I'm sure the plants don't mind being slain by an amateur."
Yeah, you'll be missed, man. Good luck on the real life stuff.
Heads up: I just examined my character and found amechanical problem. Specifically, you need Dex 13 for Precise Strike. My bad. By reassigning my 20 points as follows, I can have Dex 13 and maintain al other stats at current levels. Str 15 +2 Human=17 (7)
Since this results in minimal game disruption, and is completely legal, it's what I'm doing. Just thought I should mention it.
Arasmes continues to maneuver for position and takes another slice at a vine, responding to Talon as he does so "Indeed, these vines are most impolite. We should really complain to someone in authority."
Ah, yes, I do have this one. As others say, click profile. No House Rules involved.
Arasmes moves to support his companions in battle, slashing at another vine as he does so, and speaking calmly "If Kanthuun can get out at this point, by all means, let us go. Kanthuun?"
I think the vines act again before I do...so I'm waiting for that. If I'm incorrect, someone please correct me.
Arasmes moves forward as well, his calm unsettling in the midst of battle "Indeed, don't worry, friend, we'll free you." he makes little attempt to avoid the grasping vines, seemingly intent on freeing Kanthuun, and slashes out with his scimitar at the vine grasping his comrade.
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