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Aredhel drops her end of the tent canvas and straightens, hands on her hips, chin raised. "One's armor is one's protection against the slings and arrows of life's vicissitudes. My chain is of the finest crafting, a gift from the High -" She cuts off at the sight of both men's grins. For a moment her impeccable elvish poise falters, and then she gives a lopsided smile, smooths a curl of wet hair from her forehead, and picks up her end of the tent again. "Remind me never to take either of you seriously again." Her tone, however, is now only mock severe. She shakes her head. "Men."
Apologies for my recent silence - just moved to another state, and RPG Superstar has been vacuuming all my time. Still here and kicking, though!
Aredhel gazes out into the rain with an ironic smile. "Agreed. Perhaps at the very least we'll serve as bait to this monster. Draw it out and by doing so simplify things." She wriggles a bit to get out from under the rain - her chainmail clearly being her primary concern. "Let's make a better camp, however. I'll cramp up if I sit like this all night under a piece of canvas." So saying, she throws a cloak over her shoulders to cover her mail, and then darts out from under the protection to begin building their camp.
Aredhel studies the village chieftain and nods as Mandraiv and Imsh speak. She then leans forward, fingers steepled, and considers the man. "What can you tell us about this predator? Is it a wolf or lion, or some kind of humanoid? For how long has it preyed on your people? Does it strike in the village, or only on those who stray outside the walls? Where have the attacks taken place?"
I'm here!
No worries amigo, get better, take care of yourself, and best of luck with your writing assignment.
Aredhel's face is tight with disappointment and frustration. She finds a rock close by on which to sit, and then balances her greatsword across one knee as she takes a moment to oil and clean it with a soft cloth. "Where did we go wrong? Our approach was too direct, too obvious. We flushed him out ahead of us, and never had a chance to close with him. And now he's with a dragon. Do we honestly have the strength to contend with such a foe? Even if it is a young wyrm, we would have to be much more circumspect about our attack." The sword's elegant blade gleams in the muted light. Rising to her feet she slides it in her sheath and loops it over her shoulder. "I agree. Let's see what we can learn in town. I doubt they'll have much information on a black dragon, however, otherwise that guard with whom we spoke would have given us a hint of its existence. Still, we might as well try. If we fail to garner any leads, perhaps we can debate our next move over a glass of wine. I won't give up on avenging Aleena so easily."
5E is fine - I'll just keep bumbling along and count on your patience with my basic questions.
I'd prefer PF.
Aredhel Morgethai Ambitions Aredhel's one glittering ambition is to become a Swordmaster of the Tower, based in her home of Riverspire. Or so she tells herself. She's repeated this resolution to herself so many times that it's become the gospel truth - which is why she's not quite sure why she so breathlessly followed Aleena out of her homeland and into a life of adventure. When their group disbanded, Aredhel returned to her training with a heavy heart. She willed herself to excel at her training, but something was missing; that light touch of excitement, that uncertainty as to how the day would pan out; the righteous sense of seeking out evil so as to destroy it where it hid. When the call came to avenge Aleena, Aredhel leaped at the opportunity. Even today she will claim with steadfast loyalty that her sole desire is to become a Swordmaster - but under breath, those paying attention might hear her whisper, but perhaps not just yet. Hobbies Aredhel's martial nature and direct manner have proscribed the nature of her hobbies and amusements, such that she's never put time into the traditional elven arts of music and botany. Instead, she delights in sword play and practice, finds peace in cleaning her armor, and more than anything enjoys simply being around other races and people, so that she may witness their mercurial joys and profound sorrows. Her greatest fascination lies with witnessing the sheer variety of the world, in realizing how diverse and manifold its riches are, and she's content to sit at the back of a tavern, chin in hand, and simply watch locals drink and laugh and carouse without feeling any need to join. Dark Secrets Aredhel loved Aleena with a quiet passion she never gave voice to. While her own society is relatively open about such relationships, she never dared spoiling her own friendship with Aleena by voicing her attraction. Nor has she dared bring it up to her other companions. Instead, she has buried that love and simultaneously refuses to think about it while using her pain over Aleena's loss to fuel her vendetta. Guarding this secret and denying this aspect of herself has in part fueled her martial fixation and the attraction to discipline and order that forms such an integral part of her life. Best Quality Loyalty. Having ventured beyond her home, she assuages her fear of wild unknowns through which she travels by building trust in her companions. In turn, she would give her life for them. What does she fear? An eternity filled with meaningless ritual and stultifying solitude. More and more as she travels and adventures she feels that these few years that she's stealing away from her training by adventuring are the only 'real' years she'll get to experience - after which, she'll retire to her post as Swordmaster, and her life - as she enjoys it - will end. Who does she look up to? She admires Oso tremendously for his sheer vitality of spirit and the intensity of life that radiates from him. She could never dream of being as he is, but envies him his passions and rages. She admires Mandraiv for his calculating intelligence and cool and patient reason, and Imsh for his caring and empathic nature. She's fond of Artius, seeing him almost as a younger brother. What offer would be irresistible enough for you to betray your companions? Having Aleena returned to her.
Anyways, death by black dragon is a much more glorious way to end this quest than merely fading to black mid-dungeon crawl.
I like our group, and I enjoy your DMing style. I think we started out really strong rp-wise, but have slowly degenerated into a minimalist approach in order to get through the dungeon as quickly as possible. As such, I vote for option #2.
Aredhel stretches, then rests her blade over one shoulder and follows behind Mandraiv, glancing around as she goes and trying to listen for trouble.
Aredhel will take any guard duty that remains, standing alert with her greatsword resting across her shoulders.
Aredhel turns back in surprise. Something about Oso comes across as indestructible, and to see the bold warrior staggering and ashen is almost a shock. She immediately takes a few steps back toward him. "No, we'll rest. Let's go back to the last defensible room we passed through."
Aredhel curses and swings at the tapestry again.
Aredhel actually snarls in anger as she snatches up her greatsword and runs after the departing tapestry. Should she reach it, she once again tries to free her companion.
Aredhel recoils as her blow damages Mandraiv within the tapestry, shocked to her senses by the sight of his blood. "Damn! Mandraiv! I - " She clamps her mouth shut, and dropping her blade rushes forward to try and yank the tapestry free of his body.
Aredhel dashes forward with a surprised yell, intent on destroying the tapestry before it can harm the warlock.
Aredhel stands ready to proceed. "Bring the amulets. Maybe the B stands for Bargle, and they'll work like keys on something. "
That's awesome, congrats! How many pages? Did this happen while you were at PaizoCon?
*peers around*
Just a suggestion here. Totally fine if people would rather not. But what do you guys think of assuming the default of Mandraiv's checking every door for traps, etc, and having the DM roll his check when there actually is one to see if we trigger it or not in the interest of streamlining the process of getting through this dungeon?
Aredhel eyes the golden chandelier."There must be an interesting story behind that thing's appearance under the ogre's bed. I wonder where it came from?"
Aredhel wrinkles her nose and hangs back.
Aredhel sighs. "Agreed. Let's move forward and wipe this place clean of all evil, and make sure we're rested and ready for whatever eventuality we find at the end. If Bargle's aligned himself with a powerful dragon, we may simply have to retreat at that point. I trust in our skills, but an elder wyrm would laugh at our attacks."
Aredhel mostly stopped listening at the mention of the word 'dragon'. At that point, her almond shaped eyes went wide, and she exchanged quick glances with her companions. Mandraiv's sangfroid is impressive, but for her part she's clearly waiting for the kobold's to leave before engaging her companions in conversation.
Aredhel straightens at this proclamation, but doesn't quite lower her guard. Instead, she arches one fine brow and glances at the others. She holds her tongue, however, and waits for Mandraiv's response.
Aredhel draws her blade, trying yo discern what the kobolds are saying.
Aredhel stands quietly at the back of the group, cleansing her blade and clearly willing to proceed or to rest as the group decides is best.
I wish! Have fun.
Aredhel moves forward to attack with the glaive if possible.
Sighting the glaive glimmering on the stone floor, Aredhel props her greatsword against the wall and snatches it up, angling for an attack over the barbarian's shoulder.
Trapped behind the party with no means of attacking, Aredhel grips her greatsword and waits, prepared to leap forward at a moment's notice.
Aredhel sags against the wall beside Imsh, smearing the stone surface dark with her blood. Her left arm hangs limp by her side, and she reels, eyes unfocused, blinking frantically as she tries to orient herself. Then Imsh calls down his celestial healing and a flush of health spreads across her face, banishing her pallor and knitting her shoulder so that she's able to lift her greatsword once more. Straightening away from the wall, she flashes Imsh a tight smile of gratitude and morbid humor. "Imsh, you're a life saver. My thanks!"
Aredhel's face pales as she runs around the corner, and then flushes with a sense of victory as she plunges her blade deep into its flesh. Stepping back, striving to maintain her balance, she throws herself aside in an attempt to evade his blow, but fails and nearly collapses from the pain. Rising to her feet, head swimming, she brings her blade scything up, attempting for a parting blow.
Digging deep down, Aredhel finds a bright core of loathing for the ogre and all it represents - the depredation is visits upon the world, its abhorrence for all things beautiful, and feels a second wind of energy suffuse her.
Still, she knows that another blow will drop her where she stands, so with ill grace she stumbles back, past her friends, allowing another to step forward and contend with the ogre.
Aredhel takes a deep breath, fear coiling in her gut like an oily mailed fist, and with her blade held ready she runs lightly down the remaining steps, her graceful tread like the patter of light rain, around the curvature of the stairwell and straight into whatever fearsome beast awaits them.
Feeling slightly foolish, Aredhel steps up to the statue and deftly blindfolds it. She gives an almost apologetic smile to the others. "You never know," she says with a one shouldered shrug.
Aredhel nods. "The spiders will keep. If we needs must return, I'm sure they will be here awaiting us."
Thumbs up.
And I'm on vacation this week and traveling to places with limited connectivity. Please don't wait for me if things need to move along, though I'll try to keep up!
Aredhel follows close behind, her elbows flared, both hands on the hilt of her greatsword, whose tip almost scratches the ceiling.
Aredhel positions herself so that she's on the others side of the door from Mandraiv, greatsword held at the ready.
Aredhel never stops pacing, her hand open and closing on the hilt of her sword. Finally she turns to the others. "Who wants to wager the kobolds have created a number of traps while we rested?"
Aredhel gratefully bows her head to Imsh when he offers her healing, and when he's finished casting, gives him a rare and winsome smile of gratitude. Thereafter, she remains on patrol, moving from door to door to stop and listen intently, attempting to divine the kobold's plans, and pre-empt any outright attack by giving her compatriots warning.
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